The Maine Woods (Writings of Henry D. Thoreau)

by Henry David Thoreau

  Spiraea salicifolia (common meadow-sweet), common.

  Mimulus ringens (monkey-flower), common, lake-shores, &c.

  Scutellaria galericulata (skullcap), very common.

  Scutellaria lateriflora (mad-dog skullcap), Heron Lake, 1857, Chesuncook, 1853.

  Platanthera psycodes (small purple-fringed orchis), very common, East Branch and Chesuncook, 1853.

  Platanthera fimbriata (large purple-fringed orchis), very common, West Branch and Umbazookskus, 1857.

  Platanthera orbiculata (large round-leaved orchis), very common in woods, Moosehead and Chamberlain carries, Caucomgomoc, &c.

  Amphicarpaea monoica (hog peanut).

  Aralia racemosa (spikenard), common, Moosehead carry, Telos Lake, &c., and after; out about August 1, 1857.

  Plantago major (common plantain), common in open land at Smith�s in 1853.

  Pontederia cordata* (pickerel-weed), only near Oldtown, 1857.

  Potamogeton (pond-weed), not common.

  Potentilla tridentata (mountain cinquefoil), Kineo.

  Potentilla Norvegica (cinquefoil), Heron Lake shore and Smith�s.

  Polygonum amphibium (water-persicaria), var. aquaticum, Second Lake.

  Polygonum Persicaria (lady�s-thumb), log-path Chesuncook, 1853.

  Nuphar advena (yellow pond-lily), not abundant.

  Nymphaea odorata (sweet water-lily), a few in West Branch, 1853.

  Polygonum hydropiper (smart-weed), log-path, Chesuncook.

  Pyrola secunda (one-sided pyrola), very common, Caucomgomoc.

  Pyrola elliptica (shin-leaf), Caucomgomoc River.

  Ranunculus Flammula (spearwort, var. reptans).

  Ranunculus recurvatus (hooked crowfoot), Umbazookskus landing, &c.

  Typha latifolia* (common cat-tail or reed-mace), extremely abundant between Bangor and Portland.

  Sanicula Marylandica (black snake-root), Moosehead carry and after.

  Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla).

  Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd�s-purse), Smith�s, 1853.

  Prunella vulgaris (self-heal), very common everywhere.

  Erechthites hieracifolia (fireweed), 1857, and Smith�s open land, 1853.

  Sarracenia purpurea (pitcher-plant), Mud Pond swamp.

  Smilacina bifolia (false Solomon�s-seal), 1857, and Chesuncook woods, 1853.

  Smilacina racemosa (false spikenard?), Umbazookskus carry (July 27, 1853).

  Veronica scutellata (marsh speedwell).

  Spergula arvensis (corn spurrey), 1857, not uncommon, 1853, Moosehead and Smith�s.

  Fragaria (strawberry), 1853 Smith�s, 1857 Bucksport.

  Thalictrum Cornuti (meadow-rue), very common, especially along rivers, tall, and conspicuously in bloom in July, 1857.

  Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle), abundant at camps and highway sides in the north of Maine.

  Cirsium muticum (swamp-thistle), well in bloom Webster Stream, August 31.

  Rumex acetosella (sheep-sorrel), common by river and log- paths, as Chesuncook log-path.

  Impatiens fulva (spotted touch-me-not).

  Trillium erythrocarpum (painted trillium), common West Branch and Moosehead carry.

  Verbena hastata (blue vervain).

  Clematis Virginiana (common virgin�s-bower), common on river banks, feathered in September, 1853, in bloom July, 1857.

  Leucanthemum vulgare (white-weed).

  Sium lineare (water-parsnip), 1857, and Chesuncook shore, 1853.

  Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), by river and log- paths, and Smith�s.

  Desmodium Canadense (Canadian tick-trefoil), not uncommon.

  Oxalis acetosella (common wood-sorrel), still out July 25, 1853, at Moosehead carry and after.

  Oxalis stricta (yellow wood-sorrel), 1853, at Smith�s and his wood-path.

  Liparis liliifolia (tway-blade), Kineo, Bradford.

  Uvularia grandiflora (large-flowered bellwort), woods, common.

  Uvularia sessilifolia (sessile-leaved bellwort), Chesuncook woods, 1853.

  In all, 145. 4. OF LOWER ORDER.

  Scirpus Eriophorum (wool-grass), very common, especially on low islands. A coarse grass, four or five feet high, along the river.

  Phleum pratense (herd�s-grass), on carries, at camps and clearings.

  Equisetum sylvaticum (sylvatic horse-tail).

  Pteris aquilina (brake), Kineo and after.

  Onoclea sensibilis (sensitive-fern), very common along the river sides; some on the gravelly shore of Heron Lake Is-land.

  Polypodium Dryopteris (brittle polypody).

  Woodsia Ilvensis (rusty Woodsia), Kineo.

  Lycopodium lucidulum (toothed club-moss).

  Usnea (a parmeliaceous lichen), common on various trees.

  (*)IV. LIST OF BIRDS WHICH I SAW IN MAINE BETWEEN JULY 24 AND AUGUST 3, 1857.

  A very small hawk at Great Falls, on Webster Stream.

  Haliaetus leucocephalus (white-headed or bald-eagle), at Ragmuff, and above and below Hunt�s, and on pond below Mattawamkeag.

  Pandion haliaetus (fish-hawk or osprey), heard, also seen on East Branch.

  Bubo Virginianus (cat-owl), near Camp Island, also above mouth of Seboois, from a stump back and forth, also near Hunt�s on a tree.

  Icterus phoeniceus (red-winged blackbird), Umbazookskus River.

  Corvus Americanus (American crow), a few, as at outlet of Grand Lake; a peculiar cawing.

  Fringilla Canadensis (tree-sparrow), think I saw one on Mount Kineo July 24, which behaved as if it had a nest there.

  Garrulus cristatus (blue-jay).

  Parus atricapillus (chicadee), a few.

  Muscicapa tyrannus (king-bird).

  Muscicapa Cooperii (olive-sided fly-catcher), everywhere a prevailing bird.

  Muscicapa virens (wood pewee), Moosehead, and I think beyond.

  Muscicapa ruticilla (American redstart), Moosehead.

  Vireo olivaceus (red-eyed vireo), everywhere common.

  Turdus migratorius (red-breasted robin), some everywhere.

  Turdus melodus (wood-thrush), common in all the woods.

  Turdus Wilsonii (Wilson�s thrush), Moosehead and beyond.

  Turdus aurocapillus (golden-crowned thrush or oven-bird), Moosehead.

  Fringilla albicollis (white-throated sparrow), Kineo and after, apparently nesting; the prevailing bird early and late.

  Fringilla melodia (song-sparrow), at Moosehead or beyond.

  Sylvia pinus (pine warbler), one part of voyage.

  Muscicapa acadica (small pewee), common.

  Trichas Marylandica (Maryland yellow-throat), every-where.

  Coccyzus Americanus? (yellow-billed cuckoo), common.

  Picus erythrocephalus (red-headed woodpecker), heard and saw; and good to eat.

  Sitta Carolinensis? (white-breasted American nuthatch), heard.

  Alcedo alcyon (belted kingfisher), very common.

  Caprimulgus Americanus (night-hawk).

  Tetrao umbellus (partridge), Moosehead carry, &c.

  Tetrao cupido? (pinnated grouse), Webster Stream.

  Ardea caerulea (blue heron), lower part of Penobscot.

  Totanus macularius (spotted sandpiper or peetweet), everywhere.

  Larus argentatus? (herring-gull), Heron Lake on rocks, and Chamberlain. Smaller gull on Second Lake.

  Anas obscura (dusky or black duck), once in East Branch.

  Anas sponsa (summer or wood duck), everywhere.

  Fuligula albeola (spirit duck or dipper), common.

  Colymbus glacialis (great Northern diver or loon), in all the lakes. A swallow; the night-warbler? once or twice.

  Mergus Merganser (buff-breasted merganser or sheldrake), common on lakes and rivers.

  (*)V. QUADRUPEDS.

  A bat on West Branch; beaver skull at Grand Lake; Mr. Thatcher ate beaver with moose on the Caucomgomoc. A muskrat on the last stream; the red squirrel is common in the depths of the woods; a dead porcupine on Chamberlain road; a cow moose and tracks of calf; skin of a bear, j
ust killed.

  (*)VI. OUTFIT FOR AN EXCURSION.

  The following will be a good outfit for one who wishes to make an excursion of twelve days into the Maine woods in July, with a companion, and one Indian for the same purposes that I did.

  Wear, -- a check shirt, stout old shoes, thick socks, a neck ribbon, thick waistcoat, thick pants, old Kossuth hat, a linen sack.

  Carry, -- in an India-rubber knapsack, with a large flap, two shirts (check), one pair thick socks, one pair drawers, one flannel shirt, two pocket-handkerchiefs, a light India-rubber coat or a thick woollen one, two bosoms and collars to go and come with, one napkin, pins, needles, thread, one blanket, best gray, seven feet long.

  Tent, -- six by seven feet, and four feet high in middle, will do; veil and gloves and insect-wash, or, better, mosquito-bars to cover all at night; best pocket-map, and perhaps description of the route; compass; plant-book and red blotting-paper; paper and stamps, botany, small pocket spy-glass for birds, pocket microscope, tape- measure, insect-boxes.

  Axe, full size if possible, jackknife, fish-lines, two only apiece, with a few hooks and corks ready, and with pork for bait in a packet, rigged; matches (some also in a small vial in the waist-coat pocket); soap, two pieces; large knife and iron spoon (for all); three or four old newspapers, much twine, and several rags for dishcloths; twenty feet of strong cord, four-quart tin pail for kettle, two tin dippers, three tin plates, a fry-pan.

  Provisions. -- Soft hardbread, twenty-eight pounds; pork, sixteen pounds; sugar, twelve pounds; one pound black tea or three pounds coffee, one box or a pint of salt, one quart Indian meal, to fry fish in; six lemons, good to correct the pork and warm water; perhaps two or three pounds of rice, for variety. You will probably get some berries, fish, &c., beside.

  A gun is not worth the carriage, unless you go as hunters. The pork should be in an open keg, sawed to fit; the sugar, tea or coffee, meal, salt, &c., should be put in separate water-tight India- rubber bags, tied with a leather string; and all the provisions, and part of the rest of the baggage, put into two large India-rubber bags, which have been proved to be water-tight and durable. Expense of preceding outfit is twenty-four dollars.

  An Indian may be hired for about one dollar and fifty cents per day, and perhaps fifty cents a week for his canoe (this depends on the demand). The canoe should be a strong and tight one. This expense will be nineteen dollars.

  Such an excursion need not cost more than twenty-five dollars apiece, starting at the foot of Moosehead, if you already possess or can borrow a reasonable part of the outfit. If you take an Indian and canoe at Oldtown, it will cost seven or eight dollars more to transport them to the lake.

  (*)VII. A LIST OF INDIAN WORDS.

  1. Katadn, said to mean Highest Land, Rale puts for mt. Pemadene; for Grai, pierre � aiguiser, Kitadangan. (v. Potter.)

  Mattawamkeag, place where two rivers meet. (Indian of carry.) (v. Williamson�s History of Maine, and Willis.)

  � Molunkus.

  � Ebeeme, rock.

  � Noliseemack; other name, Shad Pond.

  � Kecunnilessu, chicadee. )- Joe.

  � Nipsquecohossus, woodcock. )- "

  � Skuscumonsuk, kingfisher. Has it not the pl. )- " termination uk here, or suk? )- "

  � Wassus, bear, aouessous. Rale. )- "

  � Lunxus, Indian-devil. )- "

  � Upahsis, mountain-ash. )- "

  � Moose, (is it called, or does it mean, wood-eater?) mous, Rale.

  � Katahdinauguoh, said to mean mountains about Ktaadn.

  � Ebemena, tree-cranberry. Ibimin, nar, red, bad fruit. Rale. )- Joe.

  � Wighiggin, a bill or writing, aouixigan, "Livre, lettre, peinture, ecriture." Rale. )- Ind�n of carry.

  � Sebamook, Large-bay Lake, Peqouasebem; add ar for plural, lac or �tang. Rale. Ouanrinangamek, anse dans un lac. Rale. Mspame, large water. Polis. )- Nicholai.

  � Sebago and Sebec, large open water.

  � Chesuncook, place where many streams empty in.)- Tahmunt, &c. (v. Willis and Potter.)

  � Caucomgomoc, Gull Lake. (Caucomgomoc, the )- " lake; caucomgomoc-took, the river, Polis.) )- "

  � Pammadumcook.

  � Kenduskieg, Little Eel River. (v. Willis.) Nicholai.

  � Penobscot, Rocky River. Puapeskou, stone. (Rale v. Springer.) )- Ind�n of carry.

  � Umbazookskus, meadow stream. (Much-meadow )- Nicholai. river, Polis.) )- "

  � Millinocket, place of Islands. )- "

  � Souneunk, that runs between Mountains. )- "

  � Aboljacarmegus, Smooth-ledge Falls and )- " Dead-water. )- "

  � Aboljacarmeguscook, the river there.

  � Muskiticook, Dead Stream. (Indian of carry.) Meskikou, or Meskikouikou, a place where there is grass. (Rale.) Musk�eticook, Dead water. (Polis.)

  � Mattahumkeag, Sand-creek Pond. )- Nicholai.

  � Piscataquis, branch of a river. )- "

  � Shecorways, sheldrakes. )- Polis.

  � Naramekechus, peetweet. )- "

  � Medawisla, loon. )- "

  � Orignal, Moosehead Lake. (Montresor.)

  � Chor-chor-que, usnea. )- Polis.

  � Adelungquamooktum, wood-thrush. )- "

  � Bematinichtik, high land generally. )- " (Mt. Pema-den�, Rale.) )- "

  � Maquoxigil, bark of red osier, Indian )- " tobacco. )- "

  � Kineo, flint (Williamson; old Indian hunter).(Hodge.)

  � Artoosoqu�, phosphorescence. )- Polis.

  � Subekoondark, white spruce. )- "

  � Skusk, black spruce. )- "

  � Beskabekuk, the "Lobster Lake" of maps. )- "

  � Beskabekuk shishtook, the dead water )- " below the island. )- "

  � Paytaytequick, Burnt-Ground Stream, )- " what Joe called Ragmuff. )- "

  � Nonlangyis, the name of a dead-water )- " between the last and Pine Stream. )- "

  � Karsaootuk, Black River (or Pine )- " Stream). Mkaz�ouighen, black. Rale. )- "

  � Michigan, fimus. Polis applied it )- Polis. to a sucker, or a poor, good-for-nothing )- " fish. Fiante (?) mitsegan, Rale. )- " (Pickering puts the ? after the first )- " word.) )- "

  � Cowosnebagosar, Chiogenes hispidula, )- " means, grows where trees have rotted. )- "

  � Pockadunkquaywayle, echo. )- " Pagadankoueou�rr�.Rale. )- "

  � Bososquasis, moose-fly. )- "

  � Nerlumskeechtcook (or quoik?), (or )- " skeetcook), Dead water, and applied to )- " the mountains near. )- "

  � Apmoojenegamook, lake that is crossed. )- "

  � Allegash, hemlock-bark. (v. Willis.) )- "

  � Paytaywecongomec, Burnt-Ground Lake, )- " Telos. )- "

  � Madunkehunk, Height-of-land Stream )- Polis. (Webster Stream). )- "

  � Madunkehunk-gamooc, Height-of-land )- " Lake. )- "

  � Matungamooc, Grand Lake. )- "

  � Uncardnerheese, Trout Stream. )- "

  � Wassataquoik (or -cook), Salmon )- " River, East Branch. (v. Willis.) )- "

  � Pemoymenuk, Amelanchier berries, )- " "Pemoua-imin, nak, a black fruit. )- " Rale." Has it not here the plural ending? )- "

  � Sheepnoc, Lilium Canadense bulbs. )- " "Sipen, nak, white, larger than )- " penak." Rale. )- "

  � Paytgumkiss, Petticoat (where a small )- " river comes into the Penobscot below )- " Nickatow). )- "

  � Burntibus, a lake-like reach in the )- " Penobscot. )- "

  � Passadumkeag "where the water falls into the Penobscot above the falls." (Williamson.) Pansidankioui is, au dessus de la montagne. Rale.

  � Olarmon, or larmon, (Polis) red paint. "Vermilion, paint, Ouraman." Rale.

  � Sunkhaze, "See canoe come out; no see �em stream." (Polis.) The mouth of a river, according to Rale, is Sanghed�tegoue. The place where one stream empties into another, thus , is sanktai�oui. (v. Willis.)

  � Tomhegan Br. (at Moosehead). "Hatchet, temahigan." Rale.

  � Nickatow, "Nicketaoutegu�, or Niketoutegoue, rivi�re qui fourche." Rale.

  2. From WILLIAM WILLIS, on the Language of the Abnaquies
. Maine Hist. Coll., Vol. IV.

  � Abalajako-megus (river near Ktaadn).

  � Aitteon (name of a pond and sachem).

  � Apmogenegamook (name of a lake).

  � Allagash (a bark camp). Sockbasin, a Penobscot, told him, "The Indians gave this name to the lake from the fact of their keeping a hunting-camp there."

  � Bamonewengamock, head of Allagash, Cross Lake. (Sock- basin.)

  � Chesuncook, Big Lake. (Sockbasin.)

  � Caucongamock (a lake).

  � Ebeeme, mountains that have plums on them. (Sock-basin.)

  � Ktaadn. Sockbasin pronounces this Ka-tah-din, and said it meant "large mountain or large thing."

  � Kenduskeag (the place of Eels).

  � Kineo (flint), mountain on the border, &c.

  � Metawamkeag, a river with a smooth gravelly bottom. (Sockbasin.)

  � Metanawcook.

  � Millinoket, a lake with many islands in it. (Sockbasin.)

  � Matakeunk (river).

  � Molunkus (river).

  � Nicketow, Neccotoh, where two streams meet ("Forks of the Penobscot").

  � Negas (Indian village on the Kenduskeag).

  � Orignal (Montresor�s name for Moosehead Lake).

  � Ponguongamook, Allagash, name of a Mohawk Indian killed there. (Sockbasin.)

  � Penobscot, Penobskeag, French Pentagoet, &c.

  � Pougohwaken (Heron Lake).

  � Pemadumcook (lake).

  � Passadumkeag, where water goes into the river above falls. (Williamson.)

  � Ripogenus (river).

  � Sunkhaze (river), Dead water.

  � Souneunk.

  � Seboomook. Sockbasin says this word means "the shape of a Moose�s head, and was given to the lake," &c. Howard says differently.

  � Seboois, a brook, a small river. (Sockbasin.)

  � Sebec (river).

  � Sebago (great water).

  � Telos (lake).

  � Telasinis (lake).

  � Umbagog (lake), doubled up; so called from its form. (Sockbasin.)

  � Umbazookskus (lake).

  � Wassatiquoik, a mountain river. (Sockbasin.)

  � Judge C. E. Potter of Manchester, New Hampshire, adds in November, 1855: --

  � "Chesuncook. This is formed from Chesunk, or Sehunk (a goose), and Auke (a place), and means �The Goose Place.� Chesunk, or Sehunk, is the sound made by the wild geese when flying."

  � Ktaadn. This is doubtless a corruption of Kees (high), and Auke (a place).

  � Penobscot, Penapse (stone, rock-place), and Auke (place).

  � Suncook, Goose-place, Sehunk-auke.

  � The Judge says that schoot means to rush, and hence schoodic from this and auke (a place where water rushes), and that schoon means the same; and that the Marblehead people and others have derived the words scoon and scoot from the Indians, and hence schooner; refers to a Mr. Chute.

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