454 Lake Seneca. 
species remaining through the winter. The martin is not numerous, 
while other varieties of the swallow are fully represented. The 
little tyrant kingbird assumes unlimited authority over the feathered 
race, and the cuckoo and cat bird chide each other in the grove. 
First in music the boblink flutters a gush of song, while the har- 
monists of the night, the song sparrow, as if in despair at his 
wild revelry of song, pours forth his sweet notes in humble re- 
tirement from the branch of some leafy bush. First in beauty, 
Oriolus dashes with his wild whistle through the dense leaves, 
and the sober cardinal turns his head aside in envy; the little sis- 
kin plays in his yellow livery, and the plain but favorite wren 
seeks its daily allowance of insects. In their season they are all 
busy, and add materially to the beauty of the scene. As late as 
1810, there were no crows in this part of the coujitry, but this 
species was represented by the ravens; since the appearance of 
the former, the latter have disappeared entirely. Of animals the 
principal in point of numbers is the squirrel family, such as the 
grey, black, red, ground, and flying squirrel; woodchucks, foxes, 
&c., are still found, but the rabbit has disappeared. 
Oak and hickory are the prevailing trees, interspersed with 
beech, maple and some pine. Many plants useful in medicine 
are found, and wild flowers full of fragrance and beauty. At the 
southern extremity of the lake the laurel region commences, and 
new varieties of plants accompany it in its course. 
The surface temperature of the lake varies from 32° to 81°. 
The former temperature is produced by finely broken ice mingled 
with portions of the water in the severest winter weather; while 
the latter indicates the greatest heat of summer influence, and 
usually takes place during the last of July. The mean annual 
temperature is about 49°, and the mean annual standing of the 
barometer, 29.35 inches. The annual amount of rain is about 30 
inches. The highest temperature during the last five years, was 
96° of Fahrenheit; and the lowest during the same period being 
3° below" zero. The evaporation from the lake for six months, 
from May 1st to October 31st inclusive, may be estimated at 
12 inches, and its seasonal rise and depression at 24 inches. In 
entomology we have nothing very peculiar which needs descrip- 
tion. Butterflies of splendid hues disport among the flowers, and 
mosquitos, with stings of undoubted edge, occasionally give us 
notice, that though they are few in numbers they are of un- 
daunted courage; and their attacks may rather be attributed to 
domestic nurseries than to any favorable harbors for them upon 
the lake, with the exception of a few marshy spots of narrow 
extent. The winds of winter in this region are principally north- 
erly and westerly; in summer w^e frequently have a south wind 
in the morning and a northern breeze in the evening, in regular 
