HISTORICAL SKETCH. 79 



1844, Allen.] 



Crinoulfil mudhtN of peculiar forms, one resembling Lipocrinites. 



Turbinolopsis bind ? (Sil. Syst. pi. 16 bis, fig. 5.) 



Fdvosiles lycoperdon (Say). Trenton limestone fossil. 



Favosiiex (two new species). 



Fucoides (obscure). 



Cyathophyllvm ccmtites ? 



Turrltella. 



Of the list of plants determined by Dr. Torrey for Mr. Nicollet, the 

 greater part were collected in Dakota or in Missouri, nut fifty-six species 

 being assigned to Minnesota. 



CAPT. j. ALLEN'S EXPEDITION TO THE SOURCE OF THE DBS MOINES IN 1844. 



This expedition reached a lake which was found by observations of the 

 sun with a small sextant to be in lat. 43 57' 32". This was probably what 

 is now known as lake Shetek, which is somewhat above 44 of latitude.* 

 This lake he named lake of the Oaks. He described it as remarkable 

 for a singular arrangement of the peninsulas running into it from all sides, 

 and for a heavy growth of timber that covers these peninsulas and the 

 borders of the lake. He explored the country north from this lake thirty- 

 seven miles, and thence eastward to the St. Peter's river. Returning to 

 lake Shetek he traveled westward to the Big Sioux river which he followed 

 to its mouth. 



ELK AND BUFFALO ON THE DBS MOINES IN 1845. 



" From Lizard creek of the Des Moines to the source of the Des Moines, 

 and thence east to the St. Peter's, is a range for elk and common deer, but 

 principally elk. We saw a great many of the elk on our route and killed 

 many of them ; they were sometimes seen in droves of hundreds, but were 

 always difficult to approach, and very difficult to overtake in chase, except 

 with a fleet horse and over good ground. No dependence could be placed 

 upon this game in this country for the subsistence of troops marching 

 through it. 



" Twenty-five miles west of the source of the Des Moines we struck the 

 range of the buffalo and continued in it to the Big Sioux river, and down 



* Ex. Docs., First Session, 29th Congress, 1845-'6, Vol. VI. No. 168. 



