Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-08-20
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES.
Gathering Specimens for the Dakota \.
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SCIENTIFIC Researches.
Gathering Specimens for tho As
ISOLATION. 4 4
The other day one of our would-be scien-
lists took a trip, embracing business, pleas
ure, and the advancement of the Dakota
Scientific Association. He heard of some
interesting specimens t be found down on
the Nebraska bluffs, around the mouth Of
Walnut creek and Lime creek, some four
teen miles below Vermillion. Now, il you
want to cstch a mouse, you use toasted
cheese; for pickerel bait, you take a good
lively frog; and if you want to catch a nat
%uralist, locate your steel trap in some inn
passable jungle, or on some inaccessible
cliff, a great ways from every known place,
and bait it with some miraculous bug, or
horned toad, or lump of rock with a dead
snail baked into it in the days when they
had hotter weather than this summer ; and
you'll get one.
Arrived at Vermillion. he was joined and
greatly aided by Prot. Bridgman, a Jealous
member Of the above society, who provided
a skiff and all that such a journey implies.
The sun shone hot, and the wind wouldn't
blow to fill the sail; but our two experienced
~navigators knew how to float down the Mis-
souri, current with ease and dignity. About
two miles from town, and in plain sight Of
the railroad cut, they found sure indications
that a colony of beaver were enjoying rural
felicity along the shore. Numerous young
cottonwood trees, from three to eight inches
in diameter, had lately been gnawed off by
these, the largest living creatures Of the ro-
dent family /; and it seemed these four-footed
woodmen came out nightly to slide down the
bank on all tours, cut their trees into "four-
foot" wood, and grow fat on the green bark
and twigs. Not having time to dig out any
beaver, the travellers wrcaked their scientific
curiosity by carrying off some Of the gnawed
logs and chips, and taking a long look at the
tracks. ..--
So surprising a discovery opened their
eyes to the wonders of nature beginning to
loom up around them, as they rowed away
into the lonely wilderness. The tall tlamin-
goes along the sand flats, we're too far off to
shoot, and did not look quite red enough;
and our friends now half believe they were
only blue herons, of bad name, and not very
good eating. Then the sea serpent raised
his head, took enc scared look, and dived
under the muddy waters, in mortal fear lest
his mighty bones be scraped by our assocla-
ton, to some day grace the museum in DR..
Miller's Office, and reveal the secret that the
saurian still lives. Prof. B%ridgman nov
thinks, from the rigidity Of its movements,
it was only a snag but his comrade does
not propose to lose the benefit of the voyage,
by throwing away all the really valuable
data in his log book. A fine flock of wild
turkeys was an inspiring sight, walking ma
jestically over the sands, and holding a
meeting on some subject of interest; but
here again was a vexatious discovery, that
it was a coroner's jury Of turkey buzzards,
holding a solemn inquest over a deceased
catfish.
A suspicious craft hove in sight-a long,
low, evil looking boat, resting against a
sand-bar. One proposed to go boldly and
capture it. The other said it was an am
bush, to draw them within gunshot, and thus
forever prevent scientific discovery in that
direction. Imagination pictured men lying
hidden in the boat, and gun.muzzles push
ing through every portfolio; but the ex-
plorers could not retreat. because
they we're not agreed. One said it was In
dams, the other was positive the enemy were
pirates; and both being men who never
give up, they had to reconnoiter and settle
the point. What was their surprise and the
relief to their courage, or finding it empty!
They made it a prize, and proceeded with
the exploration in a fleet Of two vessels.
Arriving at the bluff, which caves into
the river and exposes numerous fine mine
rails, fossils, and crystals, they found plenty
of hard work. and earnedsall they procured;
and here they found an insect of the genus
cule1 which interested them greatly. After
a prolonged interviewswith said insect; they
retreated to the hospitable house Of Mr..
Rice for greater security from its attacks.
They did not kill the insect, as his name
was legion. Walnut creek, near whose
mouth Mr.. Rice 'ive,, is still the habitat
and breeding place of the genuine wild tur-
key. Not two weeks ago, his son saw a
flock of about thirty, old and young; and
the family often feast on them in, winter,
The cornfelds showed no signs of locust In:
%ijuries but the river swallows up the fields
Of corn, wheat and sorghum as voraciously
as it does willow bottoms and tall forests.
The bluff mentioned is similar to the
Ionia hot bluff, in soil and rocks. Thirteen
years ago this one was the burning bluff and
lasted as such some years.. Should the lay
ers Of chalk and sulphurous earth fall again
and mingle, in immense masses, another
four years furnance will be in operation.
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