82 * Bulletin of the 



A NATURAL HISTORY EXPEDITION TO NORTHERN 



MICHIGAN. 



CHAS. C. ADAMS. 



During the past summer tne University Museum of the University of 

 Michigan sent a party to Northern Michigan. The aim of the expedition was 

 to study and collect samples of the animal and plant life of the Porcupine 

 Mountains in Ontonagon County and on Isle Royale. The Porcupine Moun- 

 tains are about 120 miles west of Marquette, on the south shore of Lakf 

 Superior. Isle Royale, an island in Lake Superior, is near ihe north or 

 Canadian shore. Almost nothing has been known of the Natural History of 

 these localities, and collections from these regions have been almost com- 

 pletely lacking in the Museum. Civilization has already exterminated a 

 large number of plants and animals from Lower Michigan, so that it is 

 especially desirable that records be made of these northern regions ere u 

 becomes too late through the encroachments of civilization. 



The expedition was made possible through the generosity of certain public 

 spirited friends of the University. The funds of the Museum are too limited 

 to carry on this very important line of work, without special aid. The 

 major part of the funds were the combined gifts of Mr. Bryant Walker, of 

 Detroit, Hon. Peter White and Mr. N. M. Kaufman, of Marquette. The 

 Board of Regents of the University generously contributed the expense of 

 transportation, not otherwise provided. Through the efforts of Mr. White 

 the party received transportation or special rates in the Northern Peninsula. 

 The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic R. R. gave a special rate to the party, 

 and the White Line Transportation Co., through Mr. W. H. Singer, general 

 manager, gave free transportation to the party to and from Isle Royale. 

 Through Mr. Henry Russel, the Michigan Cntral R. R. also gave the party a 

 special rate. The Washington Club of Duluth, through Mr. John Panton. 

 provided the party with excellent field headquarters upon their private 

 grounds on Isle Royale. The Marble Axe Co., of Gladstone, Mich., pre- " 

 sented the party with a set of useful camp articles. It is thus evident that 

 many friends have aided the expedition, in addition to the services of the 

 volunteer members of the party. 



The field party was in charge of N. A. Wood, the Museum taxidermist. 

 He was assisted by A. G. Ruthven, who had. charge of the scientific work, 

 and who directed it along lines outlined by the writer. The other mem- 

 bers of the party were Messrs. Otto McCreary, N. A. MacDufif, Max M. 

 Peet and W. A. Maclean. All members of the party, except the leader, were 

 volunteers, and thus their contribution to the success of the expedition was 

 of a very substantial nature. Without their aid nothing could have been 

 accomplished. Upon Messrs. Wood and Ruthven fell the responsibility of 

 the party in the field, and to their care and foresight is due, in a large meas- 

 ure, the success of the expedition. 



The field party left Ann Arbor, July 11, after three weeks of unfortu- 

 nate and unavoidable delay, and explored the Porcupine Mountains imtil 

 .August 13. These mountains rise rather abruptly from the south shore of 

 Lake Superior, and in a succession of ridges reach the height of nbout 1400 



