USA > New York > A history of the state of New York, from the first discovery of the country to the present time: with a geographical account of the country, and a view of its original inhabitants > Part 3
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK:
· rious places, and formed solid columns, some of them more than two feet in circumference.
" This cave was discovered, in 1792, by a lad, accidentally passing near its entrance. On prying into the gloomy recess, he saw a ladder placed in a perpendicular passage, at the foot of which he found several pieces of cloth, and bits of leather scattered about the floor. Probably it had been the resort, during the war, of some of that numerous class of mankind, who find daylight a serious inconvenience."*
In Ulster county is a cavern of greater dimensions than any other yet explored in this country. Its length is estimated at three quarters of a mile, and its breadth varies from twenty to forty feet. It is at least twenty feet in height. A, stream, which issues from the mountain to the north-west, turns two mills before it runs through it. It emerges about a quarter of a mile from the Roudout creek, and falls into it.
The passage into the cavern is at a considerable distance from its western extremity. It is very narrow, and so precip- itous as to occasion some difficulty in descending. It is evident, from the form of the blocks of stone, which lie un- der the opening, that it has been made by the splitting of the rock from the expansion of ice in its cavities. 1
On the sides and roof of the cavern, which are composed of dark-colored limestone, are seen impressions of shells, calcareous spar, and beautiful white and yellow stalactites, of different size and shape; some of which have the appear- ance of a honeycomb. A few rods from the opening, on the west side, the cavern divides itself into two vaults of nearly equal dimensions. Near the eastern extremity, there is a fall of water of unknown depth, beyond which no person has yet ventured.
In the south-east part of lake Erie, about 20 rods from the shore, is a curious spring, which boils up from the bottomn of the lake. The water is here four and a half feet deep. The water of the spring rises with some force through that of the lake, and may be collected. It takes fire when a brand is thrust into it, and, when drank, proves a powerful emetic.
* Morse.
33
NATURAL GEOGRAPHY.
In Chester, Warren county, is a natural bridge, which gives the name of Stone Bridge creek to a small stream that runs under it. This stream rises in Essex county, and enters Chester about 30 rods above the bridge, and immediately falls over a rocky precipice into a large natural basin ; whence, turning easterly, it enters the subterranean passage in two branches.
The northern branch enters its passage under an arch of granite 40 feet high, and about 80 feet broad at the base, gradually diminishing in capacity as you descend. A person may follow the stream with ease 156 feet from the entrance, where it becomes so much contracted as to prevent any farther progress.
At a short distance, the southern and principal branch enters its passage amidst a heap of stones and rubbish, that almost conceals the entrance, and with difficulty its passage has been explored. It is in some places much confined, and, in others, opens into caverns of 30 or 40 feet diameter, and filled with water to a great depth. At the distance of 247 feet from the entrance, the waters disembogue in one stream, having united in the subterranean passage; and here a preci- pice of rock 57 feet high terminates the bridge. The arch through which the water is discharged is about 10 feet wide, and 5 in height.
In Willsborough, on lake Champlain, is a remarkable " Split Rock." The whole coast of the lake, for a number of miles, is formed by rude and rocky mountains, which seem to hang over the water, and threaten the passing sailor. From one extremity of these cliffs, a rocky promontory projected about 50 yards into the lake.
By some violent convulsion of nature, it has been broken off, and removed from the main rock about 20 feet. The opposite sides exactly fit each other, the prominences of each corresponding perfectly with the cavities of the other. The point broken off contains about half an acre, and is covered with wood. The height of the rock above the water, on each Fide of the fissure, is about 12 feet.
Under the head of Curiosities may also be included those giant productions of our forests, for which some parts of our
·
34
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
state have been so much celebrated. A black walnut-tree, near the mouth of the creek to which it has given name, measures twenty-seven feet in circumference. The trunk, to the height of seventy feet, is straight, destitute of limbs, and diminishes very little in diameter.
In Reading is a white oak, which measures seventeen feet six inches in circumference six feet from the ground. It is perfectly erect, and diminishes very little for fifty feet. In Mentz, there is a hollow buttonwood-tree, which is thirty- three feet in circumference three feet from the ground. Elder Smith preached to an audience of thirty-five persons in the cavity of this tree, and asserted, that it would have held fif- teen more. Its diameter is seventeen feet. There is another in Oswego, which measures thirty-five feet six inches in cir- cumference two feet from the ground, and is now in a growing and healthy condition.
35
NATIVE ANIMALS.
CHAP. III. 1735234
NATURAL GEOGRAPHY-CONTINUED.
NATIVE ANIMALS.
Mastodon. Moose. & Bear. Wolf. Cougar.
Wolverene. Catamount. Wildcat. Raccoon. Marten. Deer. Fox. Hare. Rabbit. Por- cupine. Woodchuck. Skunk. Weasel. Squir- rel. Mouse. Ermine. Beaver. Musk-rat. Mink. . Otter. Fish. Birds. Insects. Ser- pents and Reptiles.
SEC. I. The uncultivated state of the coun- try, previous to its settlement by Europeans, was highly favourable to the production of animal life. The immense forests, which extended over every part of the state, formed the residence of a great variety and number of animals. Compared with the same kinds of animals in Europe, they were in disposition more mild and temperate, and far superior* in magnitude, strength and vital energy.
* The following table gives the weight of several kinds of animals in America and Europe :
In Europe.
The Bear, -
153 1b. 7 oz.
In America. 456 1b.
1
Wolf,
69
8
92
Deer,
288 8
308
Fox, red -
13 5
20
Porcupine,
2
2
16
Martin,
1
9
5
4 oz.
Beaver,
18
5
63
8
Otter,
8
9
29
8
Hare, -
7
6
8
Rabbit,
3
4
7
Weasel,
2
2
2
Ermine
2
8
14
-
36
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
Fed by the luxuriant productions of a fertile soil, and unmolested, but by a few, and unarmed men, they increased and multiplied with aston- ishing rapidity.
SEC. II. Of quadrupeds, there were about forty kinds. Most of these have, at present, either entirely disappeared, or are found only in the northern, and more mountainous regions.
The principal quadrupeds were the mastodon, or mammoth, moose, bear, wolf, wolverene, cougar, catamount, raccoon, marten, deer, fox, hare, rabbit, porcupine, woodchuck, skunk, weasel, ermine, squirrel and mouse. The beaver, otter, musk-rat and mink are amphibious. Some of the most inter- esting of these will be described.
SEC. III. The Mastodon, or Mammoth, first excites our attention. This name has been ap- plied to an animal now extinct, the remains of which are found in the counties of Ulster, Or- ange and Rockland, in this state, and in various other parts of America. It in some respects resembled the elephant, but was of a distinct species from that animal, and of five or six times its magnitude. It has been supposed by some, from the form of the teeth, to be carnivorous, but, from other indications, we are compelled to adopt the contrary opinion. An almost entire skeleton has been collected, which weighs about one thousand pounds.
,
The height of this skeleton, over the shoulders, is 11 feet, the hip 9. Length, from the chin to the rump, 15 feet; from the point of the tusks to the end of the tail, following the exterior curve, 31 feet; in a straight line, 17 feet 6 'inches. Length of the under jaw, 2 feet 10 inches. It weighs 633 lbs.
37
NATIVE ANIMALS.
The tusks are 10 feet 7 inches long, and a single tooth weighs 4 lb. 10 ounces.
¢
"The emotions experienced, when, for the first time, we behold the giant relics of this great animal, are those of un- mingled awe. We cannot avoid reflecting on the time when this huge frame was clothed with its peculiar integuments, and moved by appropriate muscles; when the mighty heart dashed forth its torrents of blood tlirough vessels of enormous cali- ber, and the mastodon strode along in supreme dominion over. every tenant of the wilderness."
"However we examine what is left to us, we cannot help feeling, that this animal must have been endowed with a strength exceeding that of other quadrupeds as much as it exceeded them in size ; and, looking at its ponderous jaws, armed with teeth peculiarly fitted for the most effectual crush- ing of the firmest substances, we are assured, that its life could only be supported by the destruction of vast quantities of food."
" Enormous as were these creatures during life, and en- dowed with faculties proportioned to the bulk of their frames, the whole race has been extinct for ages. No tradition nor human record has been saved, and, but for the accidental preservation of a comparatively few bones, we should never have dreamed that a creature of such vast size and strength once existed, nor could we have believed that such a race had been extinguished forever."
" Such, however, is the fact-ages after ages have rolled away-empires and nations have arisen, flourished, and sunk into irretrievable oblivion, while the bones of the mastodon, which perished long before the periods of their origin, have been discovered, scarcely changed in color, and exhibiting all the marks of perfection and durability.
"That a race of animals so large, and consisting of so many species, should become entirely and universally extinct, is a circumstance of high interest ;- for it is not with the mastodon as with the elephant, which still continues to be a living genus, although many of its species have become ex- tinct. The entire race of the mastodon has been utterly
4
-
38
- HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
destroyed, leaving nothing but the "mighty wreck" of their skeletons, to testify that they once were among the living occupants of this land.
" The situations whence these bones have been most com- monly obtained, appear to have greatly contributed to their preservation. They have generally been dug from beneath a considerable mass of mud, or marl, where they have long soaked in fluids charged with saline and other impregnations. Thus they have been equally protected against the effects of detrition and vicissitudes of weather, and most of the bones found are in every respect perfect, with the exception of an unimportant change in color. This circumstance is almost universally observed of the bones contained in the different ' cabinets of this country ; when scraped or cut, they exhale an odor remarkably similar to that produced by the same treatment of a recent bone.
"There are several circumstances leading us almost to de- spair of ever procuring the upper part of the skull, which, on account of its comparative thinness and weakness, as well as the fact of its being always found much nearer the surface, must be among the first parts to decay, and be irrecoverably lost. No specimen has yet been obtained more perfect than the one the dimensions of which are given above, and this has no part of the skull above the zygomatic arches. In this, as in all the individuals discovered, the top of the head was so far decayed and destroyed as to prevent the least idea being formed as to its figure or elevation.
"Enough of the head has fortunately been preserved to make us fully acquainted with the dentition of this great animal, and enable us to decide on the general nature of its food, and habits of living. Without the aid derived from this source, we should still be in doubt, and have nothing to guide us to a satisfactory conclusion, although the analogy in size and general configuration might have served to produce the infer- ence, that the animal was, in other respects, most nearly all- ed to the elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus."*
* Godman.
-
39
& NATIVE ANIMALS.
SEC. IV. The largest living animal found within the limits of the state was the Moose. They were of two kinds, and belong to the same species with the elk. The black are said to have been from eight to twelve feet high .* The gray are, generally, as tall as a horse, and some inuch taller. Both have spreading, palmated horns, which are shed annually, and weigh from thirty to forty pounds. The largest of these animals were estimated by the hunters to weigh from thirteen to fourteen hundred pounds. It has long ceased to be an inhabitant of our for- ests.
The head of the moose is large, the neck short, with a thick, short and upright mane. The eyes are small, the ears long, very broad and thick. Under the throat there is a fleshy protuberance, from which grows a tuft of long hair; the nos- trils are large ; the upper lip square, and hangs over the lower. 'The horns, when fully grown, are about four or five feet from the head to the extremity. The hoofs of the moose are clo- ven, and, while running, their rattling is heard at a considera- ble distance." The food of this animal is grass, shrubs, the boughs and bark of trees, especially the birch, which they seem to prefer above all others, and a species of maple, which is called moosc-wood.
" The moose, like his kindred species, is a harmless and peaceful animal, except in the season when the sexes seek each other. Then the males display a fierceness and pugnac- ity, which forms a strong contrast to their ordinary actions ; were they examined only during such seasons, the character of the species would be entirely misconceived. Under the influence of this powerful, though temporary excitement, the males battle furiously with each other, and resist the agres- sions of man himself with vigor and effect.
"In the summer, the moose frequents swampy or low grounds * Morse.
-
40
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
near the margins of lakes and rivers, through which they delight to swim, as it frees them, for the time, from the annoy- ance of insects. They are also seen wading out from the shores, for the purpose of feeding on the aquatic plants which rise to the surface of the water. At this season, they regularly frequent the same place in order to drink, of which circum- stance the Indian hunter takes advantage to lie in ambush, and secure the destruction of the deer. At such drinking- places as many as eight or ten pairs of moose horns have been picked up.
.
"During the winter, the moose, in families of fifteen or twenty, seek the depthis of the forests for shelter and food. Such a herd will range throughout an extent of about 500 acres, subsisting upon the mosses attached to the trees, or browsing the tender branches of saplings, especially of the tree called moose-wood. The Indians name parts of the forests thus occupied moose-yards.
"The horns of the moose spread out almost immediately from their base into a broad palmation : in old animals they increase to a large size, and have been known to weigh 56 pounds, each horn being 32 inches long. The horns are generally cast in the month of November. The Indians em- ploy them for various purposes, cutting them into spoons, scoops, &c.
" When chased, the moose throws his horns towards his neck, elevates his nose, and dashes swiftly into the thickest of the forest. Occasionally the horns prove the means of his destruc- 'tion, by being entangled among vines, or caught between small trees. Where the moose runs over a plain, he moves with great celerity, although his gait is nothing better than, a sort of long stumbling trot : this, however, is rendered very efficient by the great length of his limbs. While running in this manner, the divisions of the hoofs, which are very long, separate as they press the ground, and close together, as they are raised, with a clattering sound, which may be heard to some distance: this circumstance is also remarked in the reindeer.
"Notwithstanding the ease and swiftness of their movements,
1
41
NATIVE ANIMALS.
they would be easily captured, if pursued by horsemen and hounds, in a country adapted to such a chase, as they are both short-breathed and tender-footed.
" The acuteness of their sense of hearing, thought to be that which is possessed by the moose in the greatest perfection, to- gether with the keenness of their smell, renders it very difficult to approach them. The Indians attempt it by creeping among the trees and bushes, always keeping to leeward of the deer. In summer, when they resort to the borders of lakes and rivers, the Indians often kill them while crossing the streams, or when swimming from the shore to the islands. 'They are,' says Hearne, ' when pursued in this manner, the most inoffensive of all animals, never making any resistance ; and the young ones are so simple, that I remember to have seen an Indian paddle his canoe up to one of them, and take it by the poll, without the least opposition ; the poor, harmless animal seeming, at the same time, as contented along side the canoe as if swimming by the side of its dam, and looking up in our faces with the same fearless innocence that a house lamb would, making use of its . fore foot almost every instant to clear its eyes of mosquitoes, which at that time were remarkably numerous.'
" The flesh of the moose, though generally coarser and tough- er than other venison, is esteemed excellent food; and the In- dians, hunters and travellers all declare, they can withstand more fatigue while fed on this meat than when using any other. The large and gristly extremity of the nose is accounted an epicurean treat, and the tongue of the animal is also highly praised, notwithstanding it is not commonly so fat and delicate as the tongue of the common deer. As the moose feeds upon the twigs, buds, and small branches of the willow, birch, pop- lar, mosses, aquatic plants, &c., its flesh must be peculiarly flavored. 'The fat of the intestines is hard, like suet, but all the external fat is soft, like that of a breast of mutton, and, when put into a bladder, is as fine as marrow. In this they differ from all the other species of deer, of which the external fat is as hard as that of the kidneys.'* The female moose never has any horns ; they bring forth their young, ' from one to three in number, in the latter end of April, or beginning of May.'* '
* Hearne.
4 *
42
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
"The male moose often exceeds the largest horse in size and bulk. The females are much less than the males, and differently colored. The hair of the male is long and soft, like that of a common deer : it is black at tip, but within it is of an ash color, and at the base pure white. The hair of the female is of a sandy brown color, and in some places, especially under the throat, belly and flank, is nearly white at tip, and altogether so at base.
"The moose, like other deer inhabiting the northern regions, is exceedingly annoyed by insects, which not only feast upon its blood, but deposit their eggs in different parts of its body, along the spine, within the cavities of the nose, mouth, &c. These eggs, when hatched, form large larvæ or maggots, that feed on the parts within which they are placed, until ready to assume their perfect or winged condition, when they perforate the skin, and take flight. So great a number of such perfora- tions are made at certain seasons, that the skins of the moose are rendered worthless to the hunter, unless it be for the purpose of cutting them into thongs for nets, and other uses."*
SEC. V. 'The Bear was one of the most com- mon animals, and always of a black color. It was carnivorous, but less fierce and sanguinary than has been generally supposed. Its greatest weight is about four hundred and fifty pounds. It has disappeared in most parts of the state, but is occasionally found in the northern and mountainous regions.
The bear has short legs, with a thick, clumsy body ; is generally fat, and is very fond of vegetable food, such as sweet apples, corn, berries, grapes, &c. He frequently destroys the smaller domestic animals, but seldom attacks man without provocation. But, when wounded, he turns on the aggressor with great fury, and defends himself desperately. The sight and hearing appear to be the most acute of his senses ; and, although he kills many small animals, he does not follow them by the smell. When. he walks, his gait is heavy, and apparently awkward, and, when
* Godman
-
43
NATIVE ANIMALS.
running, is not much less so, but his strength of body enables him to move with considerable celerity for a long time.
"If taken young, the bear is readily domesticated, and taught numerous tricks. We see him frequently exhibited by itinerant showmen, as a 'learned' bear, though it requires a long continuance of severe and cruel discipline to bring him to this state of 'improvement.' In captivity, they are always remarkable for the persevering manner in which they keep moving backward and forward at the extremity of their chain, thus expressing their impatience of confinement, or, rather, as if solicitous to take exercise.
" This feeling of the necessity of exercise is manifested in an especial manner when the animal is confined in a very small cage, where he has not room even to turn entirely round. Under such circumstances, he perseveringly moves himself in every direction that his narrow limits allow, stepping with his fore feet first to one side, and then to the other ; and, finally, by raising and depressing his body quickly, as if jumping from the ground, he gives his whole frame a degree of exercise, which must tend to the preservation of his health and strength.
" The females bring forth their young in the winter time, and exhibit for them a degree of attachment which nothing can surpass. They usually have two cubs, which are suckled until they are well grown. The fondness existing between the mother and cubs seems to be mutual, and no danger can separate her from them, nor any thing short of death itself induce her to forsake them.
" 'Near the old village of Catharine, in this state, a young man of seventeen, passing through the woods early in the morning, met with a young cub, which he pursued and caught, and, seizing it by the heels, swung it against a log repeatedly, to kill it. The noise it made alarmed the dam, and the lad, lifting his eyes, saw a large bear making towards him with great fury. Dropping the cub, he seized bis gun in time to discharge the contents, which only wound- ed her, when, instantly clubbing the musket, he belabored her on the sides, snout, head, &c., till the stock of the gun was shivered, and the barrel wrenched and twisted in an ex
.
t
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
44
traordinary manner. After a sustained combat, in which the bear tore his clothes to pieces, and scratched him severely, he took an opportunity (when, from the bleeding of her wounds and weakness, she began to flag) to run away for assistance. On returning with his master, they killed the old bear and both her cubs.'*
" The following instance occurred in the western part of the state, in the year 1824. The back window of a farm-house was forced open one night, and a considerable quantity of pork carried off. The proprietor, without suspect- ing the nature of the plunderer, placed a loaded musket op- posite the window, having a string so adjusted that the gun would be discharged by any thing attempting to enter the room through the window. During the night the report of the gun was heard, and, in the morning, the body of a large black bear was found at a short distance from the spot where he had received his death wound.
"'The black bear, like all the species of this genus, is very tenacious of life, and seldom falls unless shot through the brain or heart. An experienced hunter never advances on a bear that has fallen, without first stopping to load his rifle, as the beast frequently recovers to a considerable degree, and would then be a most dangerous adversary. The skull of the bear appears actually to be almost impenetrable, and a rifle ball, fired at a distance of ninety-six yards, has been flattened against it, without appearing to do any material injury to the bone. The best place to direct blows against the bear is upon his snout ; when struck elsewhere, his dense, woolly coat, thick hide and robust muscles render manual violence almost en- tirely unavailing.
" When the bear is merely wounded, it is very dangerous to attempt to kill him with such a weapon as a knife or toma- hawk, or, indeed, any thing which may bring one within his reach. In this way, hunters and others have paid very dearly for their rashness, and barely escaped with their lives. The following instance may serve as an example of the danger of such an enterprise :-
* Encyclopedia
45
NATIVE ANIMALS.
" ' Mr. Mayborne, who resides in Ovid township, Cayuga county, went, one afternoon, through the woods in search of his horses, taking with him his rifle, and the only load of ammunition he had in the house. On his return home, about an hour before dusk, he perceived a very large bear crossing the path, on which he instantly fired, and the bear fell, but, immediately recovering his legs, made for a deep ravine a short way onwards. Here he tracked him awhile by his blood, but, night coming on, and expecting to find him dead in the morning, he returned home. A little before daybreak the next morning, taking a pitchfork and hatchet, and his son, a boy of ten or eleven years of age, with him, he pro- cecded to the place in quest of the animal.
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