RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS. 135 



hardly see how I could have overlooked this hi previous years, it being 

 quite easily distinguished from D. cuneifolia, which has much longer 

 racemes. I am inclined to think D. '"aroUniana to be more abundant 

 liere than D. cuneifolia. 



The old pets that I noticed in addition to some of those previously re- 

 ported, are given in the following list: Thalictrum anemonoides is still 

 quite abundant. It does not seem to disappear from grazed fields as fast 

 as other plants. Dicentva cucularia and Claytonia Virginica seemed to 

 have been in blossom for several days. Viola cucullata is abundant. 

 Erythronium albidmn presented few blossoms this year. In many places 

 where I found great numbers of single-leaved flowerless plants, not a 

 single blossom was to be seen. Androsace occidentalis is very abund- 

 ant. In size it about equals our Draba, being from two to three inches 

 high. But the larger blossom of the latter distinguishes it even in the 

 distance, while the foliage easily indicates the pkint on nearer approach. 

 Mertensia Virginica and Ranuncidus repens are common. Anemone Car- 

 oliniana was quite abundant on the rocsy soil east of the city a few 

 years ago, but has fast disappeared, there being but a few plants remain- 

 ing at present. Ranuncidus abortivus, Trillium recurvaium, and Viola 

 imbescens are in blossom on Duck Creek. 



May 8th, 1877. — Historical Section. 



J. A. Crandall in the chair. 



Seven members present. 



Mr. W. E.. Smith was elected a member of the Section. 



The following donations were reported: Davenport City 

 Directory for 1870-71, and for 1 874-75, /r^m J. A. Crandall ; 

 bound file of the Vermont Journal for 1819 and 1820, yVww. C. 

 G. Plummer ; Worcester's Gazeteer of the United States, 1818; 

 Gazeteer by Wm. Chapin, published in 1831 ; Iowa Instructor, 

 Vol. I, 1859-60, /wm W. H. Pratt. 



Mr. W. C. Putnam read the first of a series of very interest- 

 ing-papers, entitled " Davenport and Vicinity dui'ing the War 

 of 1812." The paper was mainly occupied with an account of 

 the fortification of Fort Shelby at Prairie du Chien, its subse- 

 quent capture by the British and Indians under Col. MacKay 

 during the summer of 1814, and the defeat at Campbell's 

 Island in July, 1814, of a large reinforcing party of Americans 

 under the command of Lieut. Campbell, who were sent from St. 

 Louis to assist the garrison at Fort Shelby. 



An interesting discussion was had upon early reminiscences, 

 and regarding the noted Mr. Bonny, the detective employed 



