USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Taylor County, Constitution of the United States, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 41
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To further increase the usefulness of this catalogue the following birds are called to the especial attention of the farmer and horticulturalist. Un- der the three divisions of injurious, indifferent and beneficial, are given the common names of birds that should interest every farmer in this county, either in their destruction or protection, according to the nature of the class in which they are placed.
Injurious and to be destroyed .- Cedar bird, Baltimore oriole, larger owls, hawks, and the yellow-billed woodpeckers. The list is small and is given from the standpoint of the agriculturist rather than that of the ornitholo- gist.
Indifferent .- By this is meant that the habits of these birds are not suf- ficiently known to justify full recommendation, and whose habits are some- times beneficial and sometimes injurious: Thrushes, including the robin, cat-bird, mocking-bird, brown thrasher, wood thrush, tawny thrush, hermit thrush, butcher bird or shrike, Savanna bunting, crow, blue jay, red-headed woodpecker, barn owl, screech owl, horned lark, orchard oriole, and pig- eons.
Beneficial, and to be preserved and fostered .- Blue bird, chickadee, war- bler, king bird, wrens, nut-hatches and creepers, martins, swallows, vireos, tanagus, finches, song-sparrows, chipping sparrow, field sparrow, black- throated bunting, indigo bird, cardinal grosbeak, chewink, blackbirds, bob- olinks, meadow lark, all the fly-catchers and the pewee, cuckoos, night hawks, gnat-suckers, whippoorwills, swifts, all the woodpeckers, except as above named, plovers, prairie snipe, and quail.
If these birds are carefully protected and their propagation about the homestead encouaged the farmer will note with cheer the decrease of his in- sect enemies, and the rapid increase of one of the most delightful and beau- tiful classes in all the animate world.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
PLANTÆE .*
WOODY PLANTS AND VINES.
Negrundo accroides, box elder. Common; handsome.
Quercus rubra, red oak. Common; excellent fuel.
Quercus nigra, black oak. Abundant; valuable; medicinal; bark as- tringent.
Quercus palustris, pin oak. Rare; a coarse-grained variety.
Quercus castanea, chestnut oak. Fairly common.
Quercus macrocarpa, burr oak. Very common.
Quercus Phellos, (?) willow oak. Valuable for fuel.
Ulmus Americana, white elm. Common in bottoms.
Ulmus fulva, slippery elm. Common; bark medicinal; demulcent.
Ulmus alata, winged elm. Doubtful, very, more eastern.
Acer rubrum, red maple. Rare; valuable in cabinet work.
Acer dasycarpum, white maple. Very common.
Acer saccharinum, hard maple. Cultivated; valuable for sugar and fuel.
Salix tristis, (?) glaucous willow. Common.
Salix lucida, shining willow. Very common.
Salix petiolaris, petioled willow. Very common.
Salix nigra, black willow. Very rare.
Salix longifolia, long-leaved willow. Very common.
Salix candida, (?) white willow. Medicinal; astringent. -
Salix humilis, prairie willow. Not common.
Populis tremuloides, aspen. Cultivated.
Populus angulata, water poplar. Not common; a large tree.
Populus monilifera, cottonwood. Abundant; tall and large.
Platanus occidentalis, sycamore. Common along streams; the largest though not the tallest tree in the American forest; conspicuous by its whiteness.
Tilia Americana, basswood, linden. Common; large.
Juglans nigra, black walnut. Valuable in the arts.
* It is manifestly impossible to present the reader with anything like a complete list of the county's plants, since their nomenclature would require a volume of greater proportions than this. Three classes only have been given-the arboreous and shrubby-with a few climbing plants-and the medicinal, the latter including only the most common and best known vari- eties. It is a peculiarity of all science that many forms-small in themselves-rejoice in a nomenclature, the length of which is altogether disproportionate to their size. Yet, such is the looseness with which popular names are used that identification is simply an impossibil- ity, unless recourse is had to the proper botanical nomenclature-which is a sufficient apol- ogy for the introduction of these technical names .- R. E. C.
·
366
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
Carya sulcata, shell-bark hickory. Common; valuable. Carya porcina, pignut hickory. Abundant; fruit bitter. Carya amara, bitternut. Valuable for fuel; common. Fraxinus Americana, white ash. Common; valuable.
Fraxinus viridis, green ash. Rare.
Fraxinus sambucifolia, black ash. Abundant; valuable for rails.
Liriodendron Tulipifera, tulip tree. Valuable substitute for pine; very large; bark medicinal; diaphoretic.
Gymnocladus Canadensis, coffee tree. Rare; fruit peculiar.
Gleditschia triacanthos, honey locust. Not rare; wood heavy.
Carpinus Americana, hornbeam. Doubtfully referred to the county. Alnus incana, gray alder. Common.
Alnus serrulata, smooth alder. Doubtful; rare, if at all.
Cornus florida, cornel, flowering dogwood. Abundant; very pretty; bark medicinal; a decided roborant.
Cornus paniculata, panicled dogwood. Common; flowers white.
Rhus Toxicodendron, poison ivy. Dangerous; easily recognized.
Rhus glabra, smooth sumac. Common; poisonous.
Rhus radicans, three-leaved ivy. Rare; poisonous.
Robinia Pseudacacia, locust. Fragrant; valuable; common.
Sambucus Canadensis, elderberry. Fairly common; edible; medicinal; see below.
Corylus Americana, hazel-nut. Very abundant; edible.
Spiræa tomentosa, hardhack or steeplebush. Common.
Spirca salicifolia, meadow-sweet. Very common.
Ostrya Virginica, ironwood. Common along bottomns; heavy.
Rhamnus catharticus, perhaps lanceolatus, buckthorn. Common; me- dicinal.
Cratægus tomentosa, black thorn. Common; very tough.
Cratægus coccinea, white thorn. Abundant.
Cratægus virdis, red haw. Everywhere; a misnomer.
Amelanchier Canadensis, service berry. Common; edible; several va- rieties.
Prunus Americana, wild plum. Abundant; edible.
Prunus Pennsylvanica, wild red cherry. Common; edible.
Prunus Virginica, choke cherry. Abundant; insipid.
Prunus serotina, black cherry. Common; edible, but bitter. Esculus glabra, buckeye. Occasional; fetid.
Asimina triloha, pawpaw; edible; doubtful.
Rosa lucida, dwarf wild rose. Everywhere; pretty.
367
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
Rosa setigera, early wild rose. Prairie; beautiful.
Pyrus ioensis, wild crab apple. Abundant; fruit useless unless preserved.
Ribes rotundifolium, smooth gooseberry. Common; edible.
Ribes Cynobsati, prickly gooseberry. Abundant; edible.
Ribes floridum, wild black currant. Common; fruit insipid. Lonicera flava, wild honeysuckle. Hillsides; common.
Lonicera grata, (?) American woodbine. Elegant; often cultivated.
Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Virginia creeper. Common; harmless.
Zanthoxylum Americanum, prickly ash. Common; medicinal.
Vitis cordifolia, frost grape. Common; edible.
Vitis æstivalis, river bank grape. Abundant; edible.
Ceanothus Americanus, Jersey tea. Abundant on prairies.
Ceanothus ovalis, red root. Pernicious; abundant.
Staphylea trifolia, bladdernut. Rare.
Amorpha canescens, lead plant. Abundant.
Viburnum Lentago, black haw. Common.
Shepherdia argentea, (?) buffalo-berry. Fruit edible; scarlet; acid.
Cercis Canadensis, red bud. Common; used for dyeing. Amorpha fruticosa, false indigo.
Cephalanthus occidentalis, button bush.
Euonymus atropurpureus, waahoo. Fairly common.
Celtis crassifolia, hackberry (?). Common.
Celastrus scandens, bitter-sweet.
Symphoricarpus vulgaris, coal-berry. Common; nearly everywhere; perhaps two species.
Rubus occidentalis, black raspberry. Common.
Rubus villosus, high blackberry. Rare; perhaps accidental; root-bark astringent.
Menispermum Canadensis, moonseed. In woods.
Smilax rotundifolia, (?) green briar. Common.
The preceding list comprises all the trees, shrubs and woody climbing plants known in the county. The major part of them may be found along the bottom-lands of the principal streams. It will be seen that the county is well wooded with varieties valuable both as fuel and in the arts. The va- rieties are many, but, as is usual in wooded districts, a few kinds predom- inate. No attempt has been made to discuss the relations of the flora to that of the remainder of the State, nor to point out the few species of plants peculiar to it. The design has been to present a list-with brief notes-of the more valuable and large plants, and it is believed the county's resources, in this particular, are quite fully represented by the foregoing catalogue.
368
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
There is, however, one feature that cannot be passed without comment. The flora of the county is distinctively divided in that it comprises species both of woodland and prairie habitat, i. e., its forms are found in either the one or the other location. Associated with the trees and shrubs are innum- erable herbs, such as are commonly found in low or in wooded districts, and are, in the main, distinct in habitat from the plants of the higher and more exposed country. The prairie, on the other hand, is peculiarly rich in that order of flowering plants known as the Composite. Riding across the country one may see thousands of beautiful blossoms raising their brilliant selves above the grasses that would obscure their beauty. The golden sol- idagos, the purple asters or the brilliant puccoons (Lithospermum), vie with each other in claiming the attention of the passer-by. In the more moist places is to be seen the pretty pennyroyal (Hedeoma), and by its side blos- soms the invaluable boneset (Eupatorium). Who would recognize in these brilliant flowers, the nauseous mixtures our " grandames and aunts" were wont to prepare for us? To see the prairie in all its beauty it is needful that not one trip, but many, should be made-and let the occasion suit the season. In the earlier summer the omnipresent "nigger-head"-(Echina- cea purpurea)-lifts its form as defiantly and jauntily withal as the " ox- eye" daisy (Leucanthemum), for which the meadows of New England are so famous. Then, in the valleys bloom the "iron-weeds" ( Vernonia fasci- culata), while on the prairies the "rosin-weed" (Silphium laciniatum), lifts its cheerful golden face to nod knowingly at you as you pass by. Here, there, everywhere, some beautiful blossom smiles at you, and awakens feel- ings in your heart that only a prairie flora can. What wonder our fathers stopped amid so much splendor-a splendor withal that marked the great fertility of the virgin soil. From early spring, when first appear the "john- ny-jump-ups " ( Viola cucullata), and " bird-foot violet" ( Viola delphin- ifolia), to late autumn, when the last aster and golden-rod succumb to na- ture's inexorable laws, the prairie forms the botanist's paradise. Inviting, did you say ? Aye, more than that, instructive in the highest sense, for here some orders reach a development unknown elsewhere on the globe. Here one finds the princes of the flower realm of nature. Cunningly, wisely, and full of a hidden secret meaning, a thousand forms look up into the faces of pedestrians who, with repressed curiosity, and not quite will- ingly, tread them under foot. They are leaves of the great folio, marginal notes on the pages of the book of nature, often and .to many, and for a long period to every one, hieroglyphs whose deciphering would repay all the requisite toil.
But very many of these plants have an infinitely greater value than that
REAL ESTATE & LOANS.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
conferred by their beauty. Does some astute utilitarian mutter to himself, "Now you are getting sensible "? Wonder if he thinks of this when mak- ing grimaces at some unsavory decoction his physician has prescribed? Wonder if he would not rather look at than take them? Entering largely into the category of medicinal plants as do many of the forms found in this county, it is deemed a matter of interest to the general reader to know their habitat, their abundance, and their uses. The following list is very far from exhaustive, dealing as it does with only some of the most common or most easily recognized plants that possess a medicinal value. Where practicable, that portion of the plant which is used is indicated, together with the nature of its action physiologically.
CATALOGUE OF COMMON MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Parmelia parietina, common yellow wall lichen. Tonic.
Adiantum pedatum, maidenhair fern. Common; astringent. Peratum viride, white hellebore. Common in swamps; poisonous; an energetic irritant; not safe.
Mentha viridis, spearmint. Common stimulant and tonic.
Hedeoma pulegioides, pennyroyal. Common; stimulative and carmin- ative.
Verbascum thapsus, common mullein. Emulcent; slightly narcotic; the leaves are used.
Traxacum dens-leonis, dandelion. Common; tonic and stomachic.
Eupatorium perfoliatum, boneset. Very abundant; emulcent; an emetic.
Sanguinaria Canadansis, blood root. Abundant; diaphoretic.
Cassia Marilandica, senna. Common; cathartic.
Oxalis stricta, yellow wood sorrel. Abundant; an excellent refrigerant. Linum usitatissimum, flax, not naturalized. An emollient and demulcent. Cimicifuga racemosa, black snake-root. Only the root is used; it is an astringent; quite local and only in woodlands along the Missouri bluffs.
Tanacetum Huronense, tansy. Doubtful here; tonic; leaves only.
Polygonum incarnatum, knot-weed. Abundant; roots cathartic.
Datura Stramonium, Jamestown-weed. Abundant; leaves and seeds narcotic.
Sambucus Canadensis, common elder. The flowers are mildly stimu- lant and sudorific; the berries diuretic, and the inner bark is cathartic and emetic.
Solidago Missouriensis, golden-rod. Common; the flowers reputed val- uable in wounds. 4
370
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
Gillenia stipulacea, American ipecac. Leaves emetic.
Mertensia Virginica, lung-wort. The root said to be a valuable expec- torant.
Acorus calamus, sweet flag. Rare; the root; tonic.
Scilla Fraseri, squill. Rare; the bulb; diuretic.
Aralia quinquefolia, ginseng. Rare; the root; tonic. Marrubium vulgare, hoarhound. A weak tonic.
Geranium maculatum, cranesbill. Root astringent.
Sabbatia angularis, American centaury. Febrifuge and tonic. Achillea Millefolium, milfoil. Introduced; tonic. Cannabis Americana, American hemp. Hypnotic,
REPTILIA .*
TOADS, FROGS, SNAKES AND FISHES.
In the number and variety of reptiles the county is equal to any in the State. The dry prairies form congenial homes for the skinks (E. septen- trionalis); its streams are the homes of several species of turtle and ba- trachians, and its woods and fields shelter a large number of serpents. Of all the latter that are here listed, only two species, the rattlesnake (C. ter- gemina and C. horridus), are poisonous. While local and popular tradi- tion arms most of the remaining, and especially the " blowing-viper " (Het- erodon simus), with deadly powers, the fact is that without a single excep- tion they are perfectly harmless. In the economy of farming they are ben- eficial, ridding the fields and gardens of many destructive forms. Of all the varieties mentioned in the following lists the toads and turtles are be- yond a doubt most beneficial to the farmer. The first rid him of many destructive insects; the latter clear his streams from dead and deleterious matters.
OPHIDIA-SERPENTS.
Reptiles, not shielded with an epidermal covering of imbricated scales, which is shed as a whole and replaced at regular intervals; mouth very di- latable; the bones of the lower jaw separate from each other, only united by ligaments; limbs wanting or represented by small spurs on the sides of the vent-a transverse slit. Various anatomical characters distinguish the snakes, but the elongated form and absence of limbs separate them at once from all our other vertebrates, excepting the lizard Opheosaurus, and this is not in any other respect snake-like .- Jordan.
*The classification adopted is that of Jordan's Manual of Vertebrates, 2d edition. A close . and more extended survey may add a few more species to the list. Species with a question mark preceding are of doubtful determination.
Most of them have been seen living; the others were alcoholic .-- R. E. C.
371
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
COLUBRIDE-COLUBRINE SNAKES.
1. Heterodon platyrhinus, blowing viper, perfectly harmless.
2. Heterodon simus, hog-nosed snake, innocent.
3. Tropidonotus erythrogaster, red-bellied water snake.
rhombifer, Holbrook's water snake.
4.
66 Grahami, Graham's snake.
Tropidoclonium Kirtlandi, Kirtland's snake, pretty.
(?)Storeria occipitomaculata, red-bellied snake, doubtful.
Eutænia saurita riband snake, handsome; small snake, rare.
Faireyi, Fairie's garter snake.
66 proxima, Say's garter snake.
radix, Hoy's garter snake; determination doubtful. sirtalis, striped snake; several varieties.
Pityophis sayi, western pine snake, seventy inches long. Coluber oboletus, racer, one of the largest snakes.
vulpinus, fox snake.
Emoryi, Emory's racer.
Cyclophis æstivus, summer green snake, splendid.
Diadophis punctatus, ring-necked snake, also var. amabilis.
(?) " Arnyi, Arny's ring-necked snake.
Ophibolus sayi, king snake.
66 doliatus, corn snake.
66 triangulus, spotted adder, harmless.
66 calligaster, chain snake.
(?) Virginia elegans, brown snake, doubtful.
Carphophiops amæmus, ground snake. 66 vermis, worm snake, rare and local.
CROTALIDE -- CROTALID SNAKES.
(These snakes are both renowned for the deadliness of their venom.)
27. Crotalus horridus, rattlesnake; deadly; doubtful determination. 28. Caudisona tergemina, prairie rattlesnake; abundant.
There is much doubt that Crotalus horridus is found here. The prairie rattlesnake varies so wonderfully that it is not at all sure but that some local form of that species is confounded with the wood rattlesnake, which is more eastern in its distribution.
BATRACHIA.
Cold-blooded vertebrates, allied to the fishes, but differing in several re- spects, notably in the absence of raved fins, the limbs being usually devel-
5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22 23. 24. 25. 26.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
oped and functional, with the skeletal elements of the limbs of reptiles: toes usually without claws.
The batrachians undergo a more or less complete metamorphosis, the young ("tadpoles ") being aquatic and fish-like, breathing by means of ex- ternal gills or bronchiæ; later in life lungs are developed and, with one excep- tion, the gills disappear; skin naked and moist (rarely having imbedded scales) and used to some extent as an organ of respiration; heart with two auricles and a single vertricle; reproduction by means of eggs, which are of com- paratively small size, without hard shell, developed in water or in moist situations .- Jordan.
RANIDE-FROGS.
Rana halecina, leopard frog; common.
clamitans, green frog.
catesbiana, bull frog; " well noted for its rich bass notes."
" - temporaria, wood frog; variety.
HYLIDE -- TREE FROGS.
Hyla versicola, common tree toad. (?)Hyla Pickeringis, Pickering's tree toad. Acris gryllus, cricket frog.
(?)Charophilus sp.
BUFONIDE-TOADS.
Bufo lentiginosus, American toad; variable.
PLETHODONTIDE-SALAMANDERS.
Hemidactylium scutatum, four-toed salamander. Spelerpes bilineatus, two-striped salamander. Spelerpes longicaudus, cave salamander. Spelerpes ruber, red triton.
AMBLYSTOMIDE-AMBLYSTOMAS.
Amblystoma opacum, opaque salamander; handsome. Amblystoma tigrinum, tiger salamander; common. Amblystoma microstomum, small mouthed salamander. Amblystoma punctatum, large spotted salamander. Menopoma Alleghaniense, hell bender; common.
LACERTILIA-LIZARDS. .
Opheosaurus ventralis, glass snake; tail breaks into pieces when caught. Cnemidophorus sexlineatus, six-lined lizard.
373
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
SCINCIDE-SKINKS.
Eumeces fasciatus, blue-tailed lizard; common.
Eumeces septentrionalis, northern skink; common.
TESTUDINATA-TURTLES.
Cistudo clausa, common box turtle.
Cistudo ornata, northern box turtle; very abundant.
Malacoclemmys geographicus, map turtle. Malacoclemmys pseudogeographicus, Le Sueur's map turtle.
Chrysemys picta, painted turtle. (Not seen. Possibly, in local tradi- tion, confounded with the elegant terrapin.)
Pseudemys troostii, yellow-bellied terrapin.
Pseudemys elegans, elegant terrapin.
Cinosturnum Pennsylvania, small mud turtle; in Wabonsie Lake. Trionyx ferox, soft-shell turtle.
Few persons realize the numbers and beauty of many of these forms of life which are usually considered either dangerous or disgusting. They are often of surprising beauty and always instructive. Belonging, as they do, to the highest branch of animal life-the vertebrata-though to some of its lower orders, they come to us revealing through their structure and structural affinities that long line of ancestry through which the highest orders have been evolved. They take us back, in thought, to those remote periods of the world's history when birds, reptiles and fishes were difficult of separation; when each comprised in their structure some of the salient features of the other. While, perhaps, the structural resemblance of the modern forms is recondite or hidden to the casual observer, by the aid of forms long since entombed in the rocks the competent student not only de- tects, but places on them their proper value. It is said that " there are sermons in stones," but with, perhaps, greater accuracy it may be said there is history in bones.
MOLLUSCA.
In the streams of the county, and in its wooded districts as well, are found some of those low forms of animal life that are rarely if ever seen by a people dwelling in prairie regions. These creatures are the mollusks, numerous in individuals, but comparatively rare in species. In all the perennial streams they find a congenial home. The species, of both land and fresh-water shells found in the county, are as follows:
374
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
FRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS.
Unio* alatus, Say-The winged unio.
rubiginosus, Lea-the ruddy unio.
coccineus, Hill-the saffron unio.
« parvus, Barnes-the little unio.
luteolus, Lam-the straw-colored unio.
undulatus, Barnes -- the wavy unio.
66 pressus, Lea -- the flat unio.
ligamentinus, Barnes -- the ligament unio. gibbosus, Barnes -- the gibbous unio.
ventricosus, Barnes-the inflated unio.
rectus, Lamarck-the straight unio.
Mississippiensis, Lea-the Mississippi unio.
Margaritana* complanata, Barnes -- the complanate clam.
rugosa, Barnes -- the rugose margaritana.
Anodontat Danielsii, Lea-Daniel's anodon.
66 grandis, Say, the splendid anodon.
Ferussaciana, Lea -- Ferrusac's anodon.
imbecillis, Say-the slight anodon.
Sphærium striatinum, Lam .- the striated globe-shell.
occidentale, Prime-the western globe-shell.
rhomboideum, Prime- (very rare) the rhomboid globe-shell.
Pisidium abditum, Prime-the hidden pea-shell.
Limnæa reflexa, Say-the reflected river-snail.
humilis, Say-the humble river-snail.
66 decidiosa, Say-abundant.
Physa heterostropha, Say-the sinistral physa.
gyrina, Say-(var. last?)-the tadpole physa.
Ancylus rivularis, Hald .- the river limpet.
Planorbis trivolvis, Say-the three-whorled plane-shell.
6 campanulatus, Say-the little-bell-like plane-shell.
66 parvus, Say-the little-plane-shell.
lentus, Say-the smooth plane-shell.
Melantho subsolidus, Anth .- the somewhat-solid black snail.
*Unio and Margaritana both mean pearl bearing.
+Without teeth, having allusion to the heavy secretion, of carbonate of lime in the region of the umbones, but beneath them, that act in conjunction with the ligament as a hinge.
375
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
LAND MOLLUSKS.
These forms are very few, and none of them abundant. It is barely possible that the great prairie fires of past years were the main agency in reducing their numbers. These animals are to be sought in the woods, in shady, most ravines and may be taken in greatest abundance during the warm rains of spring. They are easily prepared, and when properly cleansed make most beautiful-though fragile -- ornaments. Many of the smallest kinds must be sought under chips and decayed vegetation, and even then will be commonly overlooked.
Helix albolabris, Say-white-lipped snail-shell.
“ profunda, Say-the deeply umbilicated snail-shell.
66 alternata, Say -- the striped land-snail.
hirsuta, Say-the hirsute snail-shell.
arboreus, Say -- the tree-snail.
66 pulchella, Mull-the beautiful whorled shell (minute).
monodon, Rackett -- the one-toothed snail.
66 Leaii, Ward-Lea's land-snail.
clausa, Lea-the closed (umbilicus) land snail.
Pupa pentadon, Say-the five-toothed pupa-shell (very small).
Many of these shells possess great beauty, but all lack the brilliant col- oration of species that are found in tropical countries, or even in some por- tions of North America. There are numerous highly colored varieties on the west coast, and some few found in Southern States. Only two of the above list attain any considerable size, the Helix albolabris, and Helix pro- funda, which sometimes grow to one and one-half inches in diameter. Further investigation of all the shells of this county will abundantly reward any interested person.
MAMMALIA.
Time was when the prairies and woods of Taylor county gave sustenance and shelter to many interesting animals among the higher orders. The buffalo ( Bison Americanus) once roamed here in countless numbers, and even now, in the marshes and morasses along the river bottoms their re- mains are frequently exposed. The American panther (Felis concolor) once found a congenial home in its woods, but the coming of the white man -who wages a merciless war on wild life of every sort-has driven them to other and remote homes. The wolf (Canis lupus and latrans) is still occas- ionally seen, skulking along the low lands, the self-despised remnants of a once numerous race. The fox ( Vulpes vulgaris) under its various names
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