GEOLOGY OF LA SALLE COUNTY. 



73 



lime have been numerous, as their skeletons were 

 found scattered over the prairie by the early settlers, 

 but the animal had disappeared. 



Deer — Cervus Yirginianus was common for 

 many years. One was killed on the Big- Vermillion in 

 1866, the last, it is believed, killed in the county. 

 They were so numerous as to be very destructive in 

 the corn fields. 



Carnivores or Flesh-eating Animals — The 

 Canada Lynx — L3^nx Canadensis — was occasionally 

 seen. 



The American Wild-cat— Lynx rufus — was 

 more common but not numerous. 



The Wolf — The larcre g'ray wolf — canis occi- 

 dentalis — was not a common animal, although occa- 

 sionally seen. 



The Prairie Wolf or Cayote — Canis latrans 

 — was abundant. Thev were not pleasant neig"hbors, 

 not dangerous, but troublesome, as they had excellent 

 appetites, and were not at all fastidious as to what 

 thej^ ate. 



The Fox — Probably Vulpes macrourus is occa- 

 sionall}' found. It much resembles the red fox V. ful- 

 vus, but is larger and has longer fur. 



The Raccoon or Coon — Procyon lotor — while 

 not common, is not unknown to man}^ of our readers. 



The Woodchuck or Ground-hog — Arctomys 

 monax — is also found here at the present time, 



The Skunk — IMephitis chinga— was scarce when 

 the first emigrants arrived, and has become more com- 

 mon with time. 



The Badger — Taxidea Americana — was occa- 

 sionally seen in the earh' da^'s of settlement, but has 

 long been extinc t. 



