Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/56

48, bass, and salmon, but differ from those fish in the northern States. The buffaloe fish seem to be peculiar to these waters, and are said to be so called on account of a noise they make in the water, resembling a buffaloe.

The State undoubtedly abounds in a great variety of fossils, such as clayes, ochres, pigments, and the most useful ores, but it has been very little explored. The waters of the Scioto, and some parts of the Ohio, particularly the rapids, possess a petrifying quality. Pieces of wood, small fish,and other animals,have been found completely changed into stone. The bones of animals of an enormous size, and some of the skeletons nearly complete, have been dug up in several places, particularly at Big Bone creek, on the left bank of the Ohio.

The quadrupeds which are native are the buffaloe, elk, red deer, bear, wolf, grey and black fox, panther, wild cat, rackoon, beaver, porcupine, ground hog, grey and black squirrels, and those smaller animals which are found in similar climates. As the settlements have advanced, the buffaloe and elk have retreated into the uncultivated country. Grey and black squirrels still continue in prodigious numbers. They