Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-04-20

Conten'meni still prevails TO rise,
From fatierng scenes below.
From the American Freeman:
"a Geographical and Topographic
cal description efWisc0nsin, ,cifh
brief sketches Of Of its History,
Geology, Mineralogy. Natural
History, Population, Soil, Pro
ductions, Government, Antiqui-
ties, &c. &C." BY |. A. LApHAM.
The above is the title Of work
which has recently made its appear
ance in this place, and which we hail
ed as long sought desideratun, alike
TO the traveller, the naturalist, the i'm
migrant, and those who, from curiosi-
ty alone, are in quest Of interesting
and valuable Information.
We have long known Mr.. L. as a
gentleman Of very superior literary
and scientific atlainments, and one
who, from his long residence in the
Territory, and his habits Of close and
accurate observation. research and in
quiry, we regarded as the individual
best qualified, Of any within the circle
of our acquaintance, to furnish infor-
nation upon any or all Of the subjects
embraced in the above named work.
And we have not been disappointed as
regards the character of the work.
1t bears marks, on every portion Of it,
Of scholarship, industry and good sense;
embraces great amount and variety
Of matter within small compass; and
combines, in an uncommon degree, the
qualities OF concseness, perspicuity,
comprehensiyeness and elegance Of
style. We are disposed to find fault
with il, only in one respect: it is en-
tirely too brief, too limited 10 extent 10
satisfy the accurate and curious enqui-
rer, as regards the greater part OF the
numerous topics embraced in it. Still
we regard it as a noble beginning for
tor the permanent literature of the Ter
ritory; the nucleous about which more
extensive and detailed descriptions
will be gathered. We trust that Mr..
L. will see the propriety of enlargng
the work 10 at leas! twice its present
size, before The publication Of the end
edition. This done, it will become, in
sense, a standard authority and work
Of reference, for the people of Wiscon-
sin generally /, and, If we are not mista-
ken, work of which several large G.
ditions will be sold.
We make the following short ex-
tracts from the work:
"For the scientific naturalist, the
sportsman and the angler, Wisconsin
affords very interesting and highly
attractive field. A large proportion Of
the quadrupeds Of the United States
have been found within her limits, and
hence it would be easier TO enumerate
what are not found here, than to make
list Of those that are. OF all the 9TH
or classes of animals we have our due
proportion. Several specie of ami
ais have already been compelled 10
leave Wisconsin by the approach of
civilized men: and others are driven
| into the remote, unsettled portions,
where they are probably destined to
remain but short time before they
win, from the same cause, have to re-
tire still farther towards the 'fsr west
The industrious beaver has left traces
of its former existence on nearly every
small brook; and horns CT the elk are
still occasionally found scattered over
the prairies. The buffalo has but re-
Gently been driven beyond the Mi s
sippi. As yet no bones or teeth, ofthe
extinct msstodon, have been discover
ed in Wisconsin. In the remote parts
of the country, about the source oil the
Mississippi, and west of Lake superi-
or, several species have been found
that are not found ia the southern parts
ofthe Territory. Among those occa-
sionalIy seensre, according 10 Mr..
SchooIcraft, the great white or polar
hear the arctic fox, with fur ss white