APPENDIX. 411 



over the great lakes?* Truly, I beg you to spare mc on this 

 head. You are aware that we had no professed zoologist. 



I herewith inclose you a list of such animals as came particu- 

 larly under our notice. Imperfect as it is, it will give you the 

 general facts. The dried and stuffed skins of such species as 

 were deemed to be undescribed, or were otherwise worthy atten- 

 tion, will be transmitted for description. Among these is a species 

 of squirrel, of peculiar character, from the vicinity of St. Peter's, 

 together with a species of mus, a burrowing animal, which is 

 very destructive to vegetation. This appears to be the hamster 

 of Georgia. Of the larger class of quadrupeds, we met, in the 

 forest traversed, the black bear, deer, elk, and buffalo. The 

 latter we encountered in large numbers, about one hundred and 

 fifty miles above the Falls of St. Anthony, about latitude 45°, on 

 the east bank of the river. We landed for the chase, and had a 

 full opportunity of observing its size, color, gait, and general 

 appearance. 



Great interest was imparted to portions of the tour by the 

 ornithology of the country, and it only required the interest and 

 skill in this line of a Wilson or an Audubon, to have not only 

 identified, but also added to the list of species.f 



The geological character of the country has been found highly 

 interesting. The primitive rocks rise up in high orbicular groups 

 on the banks of Lake Superior. The interstices between groups 

 are filled up with coarse red, gray, or mottled sandstone, which 

 lies, generally, in a horizontal position, but is sometimes waved 

 or raised up vertically. Yolcanic fires have played an important 

 part here. I have been impressed with the fact that the granitical 

 series are generally deficient in mica, its place being supplied by 

 hornblende. Indeed, the rock is more truly sienite, very little 

 true granite being found, and, in these cases, it is in the form of 

 veins or beds in the sienite. 



There have also been great volcanic fires and upliftings under 

 the sources of the Mississippi. Greenstone and trap are piled up 



* Notes on Virginia. 



f The only addition to ornithology -which it fell to my lot to make, "was in the 

 grosbeck family, and this occurred after I came to return to St. Mary's. Mr. Wm. 

 Cooper has called the new species fringilia vespertina, from the supposition that 

 it sings during the evening. The Chippewas call this species paushkuudamo, from 

 its thick and penetrating bill. 



