Box 12, Folder 5: Wisconsin Animals, 1851

1851

G.

Communication from I.A. Lapham, ESQ

Milwaukee, November 29, 1851.

Dear Sir: In compliance with your request for contributions relative to the natural history of Wisconsin, or illustrative of any branch of physical science, I send you a systematic catalogue of the animals, so far as they have been observed, or their existence clearly ascertained, in this State. It is presumed that, through very far from being complete, it will have its use in forming the cabinet of the University, which it is understood, is intended to embrace and exhibit, at one view, the natural resources of the State. Such as cabinet would be of inestimable value, not only to the officers and students of the Institution, but to the citizens generally, and to strangers who, in great numbers, visit our State to view and examine for themselves her natural productions. It should have for its object the illustration of the principles of science, rather than an unmeaning display of showy articles.

It is believed that a geological survey of the State could best be made through the agency of the University. The importance of such a survey is very generally admitted; and its great expense, at this early stage of our political existence, appears to be the only obstacle in the way of its accomplishment. By a small annual appropriation, a professor of geology could be maintained, whose duty it should be to devote a certain portion of his time, each year, to this work.

Connected with the geological survey of the State should be made a topographical survey; and this also could, doubtless, be done through the agency of the University. The sectional-line surveys made by the general government, give all that is necessary in regard to the geographical position of places in the State; and it only remains to ascertain the elevation and depressions of the surface, and correct them with these surveys. This can be done with sufficient exactness by means of mountain barometer, and instrument now constructed with such delivery as to be read to the one thousandth part of an inch, and may be relied upon as indicating elevations with a great degree of accuracy*. Students could have no better exercise than to make excursions to various parts of the State, with the proper instruments for making scientific observations of various kinds; the

*This instrument might be used with much advantage in making general preliminary surveys for the routes of railroads, etc.

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whole being under the immediate supervision of experienced professors, so as to secure accuracy, the results could be relied upon. These results, published from time to time, would gradually accumulate a large fund of information highly important to the interests to the interests of the community, and at hardly any cost to the State.

The following table, selected from a series of similar observations made by me during the past season, will serve as an example.

Barometrical Observations in Wisconsin

[Table with figures]

Another branch of scientific inquiry, of the greatest importance, and peculiarity appropriate for the University, is to institute such a system of meteorological observations, throughout the State, as will show accurately

*At the residence of O. Densmore, Esq., on the highest part of Rock Prairie, centre of section 7, township 2, and range 14.

-A remarkable, isolated conical elevation on section 15, township 9 and range 18 in Washington county, resembling the Blue Mounds in appearance. On the top are three ancient artificial mounds, made of stone and earth, that must have been carried to this "high place" with much labor to the builders, They occupy the whole of the summit. In consideration of the interest I manifested in this prominent feature of this part of the State, by measuring its altitude and opening its ancient mounds, it was proposed to name it Lapham's Peak. The mean of seven observations show it to be above Lake Michigan...824 feet Add height of that lake....578 feet. Total height above the ocean...1,402 feet.

The observations at Milwaukee were made by Mrs. Lapham.

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the climate of Wisconsin. The results thus obtained by correct and continued observations, would set at rest many of the misrepresentations and slanders (now daily uttered in New York by hired agents of other portions of the country) of the climate and agricultural capacities of our highly favored State. This subject should be considered and adopted without delay, so as to co-operate with the general system of similar observations extending over the whole continent. It would be of much advantage to Wisconsin to have these observations made and published in connection with the others, so as to show at once her exact position among the other States, in regard to climate.

In forming the proposed cabinet, the remains of ancient art found in the State should not be neglected; for otherwise they will be sent off to swell the collection, and add to the attraction of foreign cabinets and museums. Most of the works of that ancient people who once occupied this country are so slight that they are fast disappearing before the hand of modern "improvement"; and in a few years nearly all traces of them will be gone forever. Hence it is a duty incumbent upon us to make a passing record of these "earth works" for the benefit of the future scholar and historian.

It is the duty of the University and of its professors to be constantly "posted up" in the rapid increase of human knowledge, so as to impart to students, not the knowledge of the last century, or the last year even, but also all improvements and contributions to science up to the present time; and how can this be done, unless adequate means are provided in books, apparatus, and specimens?

Very respectfully, I.A. Lapham

Hon. J.H. Lathrop, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin

H.

A Systematic Catalogue of the Animals of Wisconsin

Prepared for the use of the University of Wisconsin, by I.A. Lapham of Milwaukee-1851

Mammalia.

Order Carnivora.

Vespertilio Noveboracensis, Linn. New York Bat. Milwaukee Sondylura cristata, Linn. Star Nose Mole. Milwaukee Sorex brevicaudus, Say. Short-tailed Shrew. Milwaukee Richardsonii Backman. North West Territory, (Mr. De Kay.) Cooperi Bachman. North West Territory, (Mr. De Kay.)

Ursus Americanus, Pallas. Black Bear. Milwaukee Procyon lotor, Linn. Raccoon. Milwaukee Meles Labradorica, Sabine. Badger. Milwaukee Gulo luscus, Linn. Wolverine. North West Territory. (Mr. Say)* Mephitis Americana, Desmarest. Skunk. Milwaukee Mustela Canadensis, Linn. Fisher. Milwaukee and Watertown. Martes, Linn. Marten. North West Territory. (Mr. Say). Putorius Noveboracensis. Ermine Weasle. N.W. Territory. (Mr. Say.) Vision, Linn. Mink. Milwaukee Lutra Canadensis, Sabine. Otter. Milwaukee. Canis familiaris, Linn. Indian Dog. Lupus occidentalis, Richardson. Common Wolf. Milwaukee Vulpes fulvus, desm. Red Fox. Milwaukee. Lyncus borealis, Temminck. Lynx. Milwaukee rufus, Tem. Wild Cat. Milwaukee

*In Long's 2d Expedition

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Order Rodentia.

Sciurus leucotis, Gappar. Grey Squirrel. Milwaukee. Vulpinus, Gmelin. Fox Squirrel. Milwaukee. Niger, Say. Black Squirrel. Milwaukee. Hudsonicus. Harlan. Red Squirrel. Milwaukee. Striatus*, Linn. Striped Squirrel. Milwaukee. Pteromys volucella, Gmelin. Flying Squirrel. Milwaukee. Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, Mitchell. Gopher. Milwaukee. grammurus., Say. Line Tailed Squirrel. N.W. Ter. (Mr. Say.) Meriones Americanus, Barton. Deer-mouse. Milwaukee. Castor fiber, Linn. Beaver.- Fiber zibethicus, Linn. Muskrat. Milwaukee. Hystrix Hudsonius, Brisson. Porcupine. Lake of the Hills, Sauk Co. Mus musculus, Linn. Mouse. Milwaukee. 1849 (I.A.L.) Geomys bursarius, Say. Pouched Rat. N.W. Territory, (Mr. Say.) Lepus Americanus, Exleben, Rabbit. Milwaukee.

Order Ungulata.

Bison Americanus, Gmelin. Buffalo.-- Antilope Americana, Ord. Antelope. N.W. Territory, (Mr. Say.) Cervus Virginianus, Linn. Deer. Milwaukee. alces, Linn. Moose. N.W. Territory, (Mr. Schoolcraft.) Elaphus Canadensis, Ray. Elk. N.W. Territory (Mr. Say.) Rangifer tarandus, Linn. Rein-deer. Borders of L. Super. (Mr. Schoolcraft.)

Birds

Order Accipitees.

Cathartes aura, Wilson. Turkey Buzzard. Milwaukee. Racine. Aquila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle. Lake Superior, (Dr. Hoy.) Milwaukee, (Mr. Kemper). Haiaetus leucocephalus, Wilson. Bald Eagle. Dane Co. (I.A.L.) Racine.

*A beautiful Albino specimen of this animal has recently been found at Oconomowoc. -The last Beaver killed in the southern part of Wisconsin was in 1819, on Sugar Creek, Walworth county, a very large one. (S Junean, Esq.) --Last seen east of the Mississippi in 1832.