Allen.] 18G [December IS, 



which time the main branches are as thick as one's arm, and their 

 appearance is far from pleasing. 



17. Cervus virginianus Boddaert. (Common deer.) 



More or less common, but steadily decreasing in numbers. I was 

 informed that in some sections they were on the increase, owing to 

 the fact that they were beginning to have a more favorable range, 

 through the gradual extension of the forests, — due to the protec- 

 tion of the woodlands from the annual fires that formerly swept 

 over the country, and which probably more than any other cause 

 tended to keep the timber-tracts within their former restricted 

 areas. But it does not seem that this increase of the deer can be 

 more than temporary, unless stringent measures are taken to protect 

 them. If exposed to the indiscriminate slaughter to which this ani- 

 mal has generally been subject elsewhere, it must certainly soon dis- 

 appear, as it has already done over so large a portion of the United 

 States east of the Mississippi. 



The white-tailed deer (C. leucurus), according to Dr. Hay den, 1 

 should be included among the mammals of Iowa, since he gives its 

 range as extending eastward to the Big Sioux river and Council 

 Bluffs. It does not, however, seem to me to be distinct from the C. 

 virginianus. 



BOVUXffl. 



18. Bos americanus Gmelin. (American Buffalo.) 



Now nearly exterminated in all parts of the State, though numer- 

 ous in the northwestern counties at a comparatively recent date. 

 Two years since I was informed that a few still remained in that sec- 

 tion, and that up to that time one or more had been killed every year 

 as far south as Greene county. Further north they were represented 

 as being more common, but that no herds were met with south of the 

 Sioux river, and rarely east of the Missouri. Those found further 

 east were only stragglers or wanderers from the herds, that in most 

 cases had probably been driven off by the Indians. 



VESPERTILIONID^. 



Bats of at least two species were observed flying about the groves, 

 but I procured no specimens. They were not, however, numerous, 

 and were mainly seen near the timber. A prairie country cannot, 



1 Transact. Amer. Phil. Soc, Vol. xn, 2d series, p. 149. 



