SYMPOSIUM ON SCIENCE AND RECONSTRUCTION 67 



the canyon floor, the steep slopes and all but the most ex- 

 posed and precipitous cliffs. Springs, seepage areas, and 

 side ravines and miniature canyons are everywhere, and 

 all abounding in a rich and diversified flora. Some sixty 

 species of forest trees and 400 species of smaller plants, 

 many exceedingly rare, add charm to the region and make 

 it a veritable Botanist's paradise. 



As a preserve for fish and birds it is ideal. As it now is 

 Apple river is one of the finest small-mouth bass streams 

 of Illinois, and certain kinds of trout would certainly thrive 

 in its cold shaded depths. The angler would find here a 

 a place of rest and recreation second to none in the state, 

 with a park affording protected camp sites, with neigh- 

 boring farmers supplying the daily menu, and with game 

 in the rushing waters, to tax his best skill and endeavor, 

 there would be little to complain of. For the bird lover 

 the varied topography and the innumerable trees and 

 thickets make a haven that birds find specially alluring. 

 Protected from all piercing winds of winter, with many 

 spring^' places giving water at all times, with seed and 

 fruit plants galore, many forms linger late or even winter 

 in the canyon. For example, a jacksnipe was enjoying 

 himself immensely Christmas day. 191S. when the upland 

 temperature was arctic. He had a deep side gully, filled 

 with a living sirring water full of algae and small animal 

 life, so what cared he for wintry blasts? Xearby a flock 

 of waxwings ate juniper berries, a pair of cardinals flashed 

 their brilliant wings, and a horde of pine siskins made the 

 air full of their dainty twitter, whilst across the gorge a 

 long-eared owl defied a roystering band of crows. 



Historically, here was one of the happy hunting grounds 

 of the turbulent Sauks. and in the primeval white oak 

 forest as it stood in 1S70 ancient areas of cultivation were 

 yet to be seen. Untold wealth of arrows, speai's, hatchets, 

 and other flints attest to the esteem in which this land of 

 vale and hill, forest and glade, was held by the red man of 

 long ago. The ancient stage routes from Ft. Dearborn and 

 Dixon's Ferry join not far from Millville, at the canyon's 

 head, and thence proceeded via Frink's barn to Galena, the 

 ancient mining town of the Indians, French, and later, 

 Americans. 



