USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 31
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Cyclus similis .- SAY.
DESCRIPTION .- Shell subelliptic, near- ly equilateral ; epidermis dark brown or yellowish and greenish brown ; stric of growth coarse, deep ; umabones not much inflated, broad ; dise rather tumid ; ante- rior and posterior margins subrectilineal and divergent ; inferior and superior mar- gins rounded ; within bluish ; cardinal teeth small; lateral- teeth compressed, strong. Length 0.68 inch, height 0.5 inch, width 0.4 inch.
REMARKS .- The form of the young dif- fers much from that of the adult. It is rectangular, longer than high, and much compressed. This species differs from the preceding in the coarseness of the strie ; the discs near the margin are less tumid, and the form is much less quadrilateral, and the young, although quadrilateral, are longer and much more compressed. Sometimes there are in this species also yellow zones.
Cyclas rhomboida .- SAY.
DESCRIPTION .- Shell rhombic, nearly equilateral, very coarsely striate ; epider- mis yellowish horn color ; beaks not pro- minent, nor undulate ; umbones promi- nent ; dises moderately tumid ; anterior and posterior margins nearly straight, di- vergent ; superior and inferior margins moderately curved; within. white; car- dinal teeth rudimentary, lateral teeth strong. Length 0.46 inch, height 0.38 inch, width 0.27 inch.
REMARKS .- This species is very nearly allied to the preceding, but the difference is constant. That shell is longer, and the umbones less elevated. The young of this species, although rectangular, are more tumid, which is the cause of the dif- ference in the umbones of mature shells. This species is very plentiful in lake Champlain, and is the only one which oc. curs in the open waters of the lake in its southern part.
Cyclus partumcia .- SAY.
DESCRIPTION .-- Shell ovate-globose, higher behind, nearly equilateral, very thin, translucent, rather finely striate; epidermis shining, straw color, or bluish horn color ; beaks not prominent ; um- bones moderately tumid ; discs much in- flated and quite regularly convex ; poste- rior and hinge margins nearly straight; other margins much rounded; cardinal teeth small ; lateral teeth much develop- ed, compressed. Length 0.3inch, height 0.25 inch, width 0.17 inch.
REMARKS .- This species inhabits stag- nant water, and even swamps which are dried during the autumn. The young are less inmid, very regularly elliptical, and of a light honey yellow. In Massachu- setts this species attains a greater size. It resembles C. cornea of Europe, which, however, ia wider, has the umbones more prominent, and both sidesof equal height. C. similis is longer, much larger, and more coarsely striate.
Cyclas calyculata .- DRAP.
DESCRIPTION .- Shell rhombic orbicu- lar, higher behind, nearly equilateral, ex- tremely thin and fragile, translucent, with very fine striæ ; epidermis shining, bluish horn color, or lemon yellow ; beaks swol- len, and very prominent, resembling knobs; nmbones moderately tumid ; discs with a small degree of convexity ; posterior and hinge margins nearly straight, making an obtuse angle ; anterior and inferior mar- gins rounded ; anterior much shorter than the posterior margin ; cardinal teeth ex- tremely minute ; lateral teeth small, com- pressed ; inner surface colored hke the
169
INVERTEBRAL ANIMALS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 6.
FRESH WATER AND LAND SHELLS.
ANNULATA.
exterior. Length 0.35 inch, height 0.29 | of them is inferred from the fact that Mr. inch, width 0.17 inch.
REMARKS .- This species has been found in a swamp in Middlebury, and in Putt's swamp, on the west side of lake Cham- plain. It has also been found in Maine. 'T'he very young are tumid and elliptic, and of a lemon yellow. Some were found in an embryo state in the early part of Jn- ly. Its dimensions are, length 0.07 inch, height 0.055 inch, width 0.04 inch. The shell of the parent did not exceed 0.002 inch in thickness. The species is easily distinguished by the prominence of the beaks. There seems to be no ground for separating our shell from the European species, whose name we have prefixed.
Cyclus minor .- MIGHELS AND ADAMS.
DESCRIPTION .- Shell ovate, tumid, ine- quilateral, oblique, very finely striate ; ep- idermis straw color, shining ; beaks pro- minent, two fifths of the difference from one extremity to the other ; umbones and discs tumid ; posterior and hinge margins slightly rounded ; the other margins much rounded ; both cardinal and lateral teeth well developed. Length 0.18 inch, height 0.15 inch, width 0.11 inch.
REMARKS .-- This species inhabits swamps and is the least of all the native species of this genus. It differs from C. dubie, SAY, in having the beaks less removed from the centre, and the posterior and dorsal mar- gins more rounded.
APPENDIX.
Limnda crpansa .- HALDEMAN.
This species is said by the describer to have been found in Vermont, on the au- thority of Dr. Gould, who received it from a third person as a Vermont shell.
Auricula bidentata .- SAY.
This species, referred by its describer to the genus Melampus, was given to Dr. Gould by some one who professed to have found it in Vermont. As this species has tot otherwise been found out of the reach of salt water, we cannot, without better au- thority, regard it as a native of this state.
Amnicola.
Dr. Gould and Mr. Haldeman have pro- posed a sub-genus of Paludina under this name. It includes of the shells of this state, Paladina porata and P. lustrica.
Amnicole pallido .- IlALD.
On the cover of No. 4 of the Monog. Limniad. Mr. H. has described with this name one of the species just named, but the description is not sufficiently exact to determine to which of them it must be re- ferred. That the shell in question is one
II. received them from the writer of this article.
SECTION 11 .- INVERTEBRATA.
Annulata, Crustacca, Arachnides, and In- sects.
The above are four of the classes into: which Cuvier's third great division of the animal kingdom is subdivided. The ani- mals belonging to the first 3 classes, which are found in Vermont, are of very little importance, and only a few of them are generally known. We shall pass over them all with only a few remarks.
Annulata.
These are small, insignificant animals, with elongated bodies, consisting of seg- ments, and having red blood. Some of them are protected by a shelly tube, which they never leave during life, and breathe by means of branchia at one extremity of the body. These constitute the order Tu -; bicola. Others have their organs and branchia disposed longitudinally along the body. These last belong to the order dorsibranchiata. Our brooks and ponds furnish several animals belongingto the above orders, but they have not been pro- perly examined. The third order of An- melides are denominated Abranchiatæ, on account of their having no apparent ex- ternal organs of respiration. The horse Icech, Hirudo sanguisuga L., which is so common in marshes and muddy places in this state, belongs to this order. It grows to a much larger size than the me- dicinal leech, HI. medicinalis L., and is sometimes used for the same purposes ; but its teeth are more blunt, and the wound produced by them is said in some cases to be dangerous. A specimen be- fore me, which was taken in Burlington, is a very dark olive green above, and the same color, but a little lighter beneath, with a few small spots of black. When not in motion he lies in an oval form, and is about 3 inches long, and 14 inch wide, but when moving he stretches himself to the length of 6 or 7 inches. The animal is furnished with a flattened disc at each extremity, fitted for adhering to bodies by what is called suction, and its locomotion is performed by reaching forward its an- terior extremity, fixing the disc, and then bringing forward the posterior, which is fixed in like manner, and the anterior again thrust forward. In this manner it ascends the side of a perpendicular pane of glass without difficulty, but when at rest it usually adheres by the whole uu- der surface.
Pr 1.
22
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170
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I
FRESH WATER LOBSTER.
SPIDERS AND INSECTS.
The little animal commonly called the | cops ; anterior forceps large, strong, tooth- Huir Snake also belongs to this order, and ed, orange colored at the point and edges and besprinkled with spots formed by in- dentations. Tail terminated by 5 fan-like plates, forward of which, upon the under side, are two rows, with three in each, of small fringed fins, and still further for- ward are 4 bony limbs which fold inward towards the abdomen ; horns, or feelers, 6, two of which are 3 inches long, the oth- ers much shorter. Limbs edged with sparse, downy hairs ; body and limbs cov- ered with shell, with numerous articula- tions. Length of the specimen before me 43 inches. to the genus Gordius. These are very common in the still waters and mnd in all parts of the state. They are usually about the size of a large horschair, and are from one to 6 or 8 inches in length. In color they vary from pure white to nearly black, and hence we probably have sev- eral species. The vulgar notion that they originate from hairs which fall from hor- ses and cattle, and become animated in the water, would seem to be too absurd to need contradiction ; and yet, absurd as it is, people are to be found who believe it.
Another, and, indeed, the most com- mon animal belonging to this class in Ver- mont, is the earth worm, Lumbricus ter- restris, L., called here the Angle worm, on account of the great use made of it for bait in fishing. Its body is cylindrical, ofa reddish color,and grows to the length of 5 or 6 inches, with the size of a com- mon goose quill. It is destitute of teeth, eyes, and limbs. It traverses the ground in all directions, and seems to subsist chiefly upon the rich soil, which it swal- lows. It comes to the surface of the ground during the night, and in wet wea- ther, but descends during the day and in dry weather, so as to be in contact with the moist earth.
Crustacea.
This class embraces the crabs, lobsters, and the like. They usually have a crus- taceous covering, which is more or less hard, with articulated limbs, and distinct organs of circulation. They breathe by means of branchice, which vary much in form and situation, being in some cases on the abdomen, and in others on the bot- tom of the feet. The animals of this class are very numerous, but they are confined principally to the ocean, and to tropical climates. The following is the only one found in Vermont, which wo shall de- seribe.
THE FRESH WATER LOBSTER, Astucus Bartonii. Bosc.
DESCRIPTION .- General color greenish brown or dark olive; legs 10, the three anterior ones on each side each termina- ted by two claws forming a kind of for- land is applied to these small animals on
This singular little animal is so exact a miniature of the large salt water Lobster that some have supposed it to be the young of that species, or rather a dwarfed variety of it. But it is evidently a distinct spe- cies, and though it lives and continues to grow for many years, it very seldom ex- ceeds 4 or 5 inches in length. It is very common in many of the small streams in the western parts of the state. It is some- times eaten, and by some is esteemed a Inxury. It is often called the Craw Fish.
Arachnides.
The principal animals in Vermont which belong to this class are the Spiders, of which we have, probably. about 100 spe- cies. The Spiders belong to the gems Araneu of Linnens, And though usually called insects, they differ very materially from the proper insects in their form and habits, and constitute a very interesting family, but we are neither prepared nor have we room to go into particulars re- speeting them. Their classification is based to a considerable extent upon the arrangement of their eyes, which are us- ually eight in number.
Insects.
Insects constitute the most numerous division of the animal kingdom. Enro- pean naturalists have computed that there are on an average 6 insects to one plant. This computation is probably too high for our country, but, estimating only two thirds of that number to a plant, as wo have about 1000 plants, it will give us 4000 species of insects. The number of known species of New England insects is now about 3000, of which the greater part are found in Vermont. How many re- main to be examined and described is, of course, unknown, but the number is, doubtless, very considerable. The word Insect comes from the Latin word Insecta,
171
INVERTEBRAL ANIMALS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 6.
TRANSFORMATION OF INSECTS.
account of their appearing to be intersec- ted, or divided into sections. Most in- sects are subject to several changes of form and habit called metamorphoses, and in this consists their most remarkable pe- culiarity. Their existence is made up of four principal stages, viz: the egg, the larvu, the chrysalis, and the perfect ani- inal. Directed by instinct, the parent in- sect is sure to deposit its eggs in the place most favorable for the support of the young, which are in due time to be hatch- ed from them. From these the larvæ are at length produced in the form of mag- gots, worms, or caterpillars. In this state, which is entirely dissimilar to the parent in form and mode of life, they feed vorn- cionsly and grow rapidly, often attaining a weight and bulk much greater than that of the perfect insect. At length they cease to feed, become stationary and eu- cased in a shelly covering, which is often surrounded by a cocoon formed of silky fibres. This is what is called the chrysa- lis or pupa. After remaining for a while in this condition, the shell is burst and thrown off, and the insect emerges in its perfect state, usually provided with wings and often exhibiting the most brilliant and beautiful colors. In this state only is it capable of propagating its species. But it, in general, continues in this state only a short period, just long enough to lay its eggs and die. Most insects feed much more sparingly in their perfect than in their larva state, and some do not feed at all in their perfect state.
The Cocoon, of which the above is a figure, was found on a pine plain in Bor- lington, upon a small bush, as above rep- resented, in March, 1840. The Cocoon was composed of strong brown silk, and measured 3.5 inches in length and 1.5 in thickness. After being kept about three weeks, or till the 20th of April, in a warm room, a large butterfly, of which the fol- lowing is a figure, came out of it, by ma- king an opening in the upper end.
This Butterfly measured 1.7 inch in length, and the spread of its wings was just 6 inches. The color of the body belts on the abdomen and portions of the wings was a dark brick-red. General color of the wings different shades of brown beau- tifully variegated with white, blue, and violet. A roundish black spot, contain- ing a Juuated light blue spot near the ex- tremity of each onter wing, &c. This indi- vidual was a female, and in the course of the seven days which it lived it laid about 200 eggs.
On the 17th of August, 1840, a cater- pillar was picked up in the door-yard, of which the above is a figure. It was 3.5 inches long and 0.75 inch in diameter. Its color was light pea-green. Upon its body were six rows of spies, two on cach side, which were blue and pointed, and two on the back, the four anterior ones terminated by balls of the size of small pin-heads, which were red, and covered with small black thorns ; all the rest yel- low with black points. Being placed nn- der a glass vessel, it immediately com- menced spinning, and, before the next day, had completely enveloped itself in a cocoon, precisely similar to the one above described. This remained in a chamber during the winter, and in the spring of 1841, we had from it another butterfly, answering exactly to that figured above.
These details are introduced merely to illustrate the metamorphosis which in- seets generally experience, and to show the manner in which many of them are preserved through the winter. Others, however, pass the winter in the larva state, in the ground, and still more are preserved in the egg, while some live through the winter in their perfect state.
While munch pains have been taken,
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172
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART 1.
LOCUSTBORER.
CUCUMBER-BUG. COCK-CHIAFELL
and legislative enactments have been re- sorted to for the destruction of the larger kinds of noxious animals, insects have for the most part been regarded as too in- significant to deserve notice, while the damage sustained on account of the rava- ges of insects is probably three times as great, on an average, as that produced by all the vertebral animals together. We have been paying liberal bounties for the destruction of catamounts, wolves, bears, and foxes, while the wheat fly, from which we were sustaining far greater damage than from all those larger animals, has hardly received any attention. We have even paid a bounty for the destruction of crows, while in consequence of that de- struction our fields were suffering from the ravages of grubs, which the crows are designed to check. Crows may do some mischief in the spring by pulling up corn, but it is believed to be more than coun- terbalanced by the good which they do, principally by the destruction of vermin. We are of opinion that all birds, without a single exception, are to be regarded as friends to the farmer and gardener, kind- ly provided by Providence to prevent the undue multiplication of noxious insects, and we cannot too severely reprobate the barbarous practice in which boys are per- mitted to indulge, of shooting birds for amusement. It is a practice which should be discountenanced by every friend of his country-by every friend of humanity.
Some insects are most injurious in their perfect state. Of these are the various kinds of bugs, which feed upon vines, &c. But far the greater part do most mischief while in the Jarva state. Ofthese are the various kinds of caterpillars, which are the larvæ of butterflies and moths,- the weevil, which is the larva of the wheat fly,-the maggots which canse the fruit to fall off prematurely, and which are the larvæ of curculio and other insects,-the borers, which are the larve of beetles, bugs, &c.
The Borer, which at present appears to be doing most injury in this state, is the larva of the Clitus pictus, which feeds upon the Locust tree, Robinca pseudo- acacia. It commenced its ravages in the southern part of the state, about ten or twelve years ago. It made its appear- ance at Middlebury, where it destroyed nearly all the locust trees, abont 1835. A year or two after this it had proceeded northwardly as far as Vergennes, and in 1840 it had reached Burlington, but did little injury that year. About the first of June, 184], its operations began to show themselves, and were continued till the beginning of August, in which time ma-
ny of the fine locust trees in this town were entirely spoiled, and others more or less injured. During the month of Au- gust they were in the chrysalis state, and consequently inactive. About the first of September they emerged from that state, and during the first half of that month the perfect insects were seen in large numbers, often paired, depositing their eggs upon the locust trees in the crevices of the bark, which were in due time hatched. The same operations have been repeated during the past sunnner, and now (Sept. 6, 1842,) the insects are busi- ly engaged in depositing their eggs for a new generation. The following is a fig- ure of this insect :
Clitus pictus.
The color of this insect is black, with the wing cases crossed by 5 or 6 irregu- lar bright yellow bars, and there are about the same number of yellow bars upon the abdomen. The color of the legs is red- dish umber. Length of the female .8 inch ;- the male smaller. The color of the larva, or Borer, is yellowish white.
The Cucumber-Bng, Guleruca rittata, is one of our most troublesome insects in gardens. It usually makes its appearance upon cucumber, squash and melon vines early in June, or about the time the leaves begin to expand. Varioas means have been resorted to for the purpose of pre- venting its depredations, but from two years' experience we are inclined to be- lieve that sprinkling the plants occasion. ally with ground plaster of Paris, is the most simple and effectual remedy.
The Cock-chafer, or May Beetle, Melo- loutha quercina, is often plentiful, and does considerable mischief by the destruc- tion of the first leaves and blossoms upon our fruit trees. During the day they lie concealed, but come forth from their re- treats and commit their depredations in the evening. The larva of this beetle is the large white grub, which is so often seen in rich grounds and in turfs. This insect continues four years in the larva, or grub form, and often does extensive damage by eating the roots of grass, corn and other vegetables. At the end of the fourth year it descends deep into the earth, constructs its cocoon from which the beetle is hatched in its perfect form
173
BOTANY OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 7.
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
NATIVE FOREST TREES.
the following spring. This is the large beetle which so often enters houses in the evening, attracted by the light with- in.
Although a large proportion of insects are more or less injurions, there are also others from which man derives very con- | thing is known either of good or evil.
siderable benefit. Among the most val- uable of these in this state, may be reck- oned the Honey Bee and the Silk Worm, which furnish us with most exquisite ar- ticles of food and clothing. But of the great majority of inseets scarcely any
CHAPTER VII.
BOTANY OF VERMONT.
SECTION I. Catalogue of Vermont Plants.
By WM. OAKES, of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Preliminary Observations.
THE State of Vermont, in the richness and beauty of its vegetation, is scareely equalled by any of the New England States. It owes this, no doubt, to the fer- tility of its soil, the moisture of its cli- mate, and its situation on the ridges and western borders of the mountains. Its ranges of mountains, stretching the whole length of the State from north to south, intercept and often exhaust the summer clouds and rains, which generally come from the west, so that the destructive droughts, which are so often felt in New Hampshire and the other New England States, are almost unknown in Vermont. The State excels in the number and vari- ety of its Forest Trees, possessing, with the exception of eight, all the known species of New England. The following is the list of
THE NATIVE FOREST TREES OF VERMONT. Lime Tree, or Bass Wood. Tilia Ameri- cana.
Wild Black Cherry. Cerasus scrotina.
Sugar Maple. Acer saccharinum.
White Maple. Acer dusycarpum.
Red Maple. Acer rubrum.
White Ash. Fraxinus acuminata. Red Ash. Fraxinus pubescens.
Black Ash. Fraxinus sambucifolia. Sassafras. Laurus Sassafras. Tupelo, or Sour Gum. Nyssa multiflora. Red Mulberry. Morus rubra.
Hornbeam. Carpinus Americana. Iron Wood. Ostrya Vir, inica.
White Beech. Fungus sylvestris.
Red Beech. Fagus ferruginea.
Chestnut. Castanea vesca, var. American
White Oak. Quercus alba.
Swamp White Oak. Querens bicolor.
Overcup White Oak. Quercus macrocarpa.
Black Oak. Quercus tinctoria.
Red Oak. Quercus rubra.
Rock Chestnut Oak. Quercus montana.
Scarlet Oak. Quercus coccinca.
Large White Birch. Betula popyracca.
Small White Birch. Betula poputifolia.
Black Birch. Betula lenta.
Yellow Birch. Betula excelsa.
Balsam Poplar. Populus butsamifera.
Heart-leaved Balsamı Poplar. Populus candicans.
Cotton Poplar. Populus Canadensis.
Vermont Poplar. Populus monitifera.
Large Aspen. Populus grandidentata.
American Aspen. Populus tremuloides.
Button Wood. Platanus occidentalis.
Common Elmu. Ulmus Americana.
Slippery Elm. Ulmus fulra. Northern Cork Elm. Ulmus racemosa.
Hoop Ash, or Hackberry. Ciltis occidentalis. Butternut, or Oilnut. Juglans cinerea.
Shellbark Hickory. Carya squamosa.
Pignut Hickory. Carya porcina.
Bitter Pignut Hickory. Carya amara.
White Pine. Pinus Strobus.
Red Pine, or Norway Pine. Pinus resinosa. Pitch Pine. Pinus rigida.
Double Spruce. Pinus nigra.
Single Spruce. Pinus alba.
Balsam Fir. Pinus balsamca ..
Hemlock Spruce. Pinus Canadensis.
American Larch, or Hackmatack. Pinus pendula. Arbor Vitæ, or " White Cedar." Thuja occidentalis. Red Cedar. Juniperus Virginiana 52 species.
174
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART [.
SMALL TREES.
VERMONT PLANTS RARE IN OTHER STATES.
Besides the above, there are several trees of small size.
Striped Maple. Acer Pennsylvanicum.
Mountain Maple. Acer montarun.
Choke Cherry. Prunus Virginiana. June Berry. Andlanchier Canadensis. Mountain Ash. Sorbus Americana.
Wild Yellow Plum, or " Canada Plum." Prunus Americana.
And also many large shrubs, which sometimes become small trees.
The Stag's Horn Sumac. Rhus typhina. The Poison Sumac, or Dogwood. Rhus renenata.
The Hawthorns. Crataegus roccinca, s.c. The Witch Hazel. Hamamelis Virginiana. The High Lanrel. Kulmia latifolia ..
Several species of Willow and Alder.
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