Monthly Archives: October 2010

History of the Butterfly, Part 36: Helen

Posted on October 31, 2010 by the roused bear

Helen Parker was 38 at the end of the Civil War when she and Henry moved to Iowa.  She was apparently suffering from some chronic disease or condition at that time.  Josiah Grinnell remembered her in his autobiography: “Prof. Parker … Continue reading →

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The History of the Butterfly, Part 35: A New Hesperian

Posted on October 30, 2010 by the roused bear

The description of Hesperia powesheik (which became Oarisma poweshiek) starts as follows: “An undescribed species was found by the writer, abundantly, on a grassy prairie slope, at Grinnell, Iowa, June 21, 1870.  Thirty-one male and two females were taken, all … Continue reading →

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History of the Butterfly, Part 34: Henry’s List

Posted on October 29, 2010 by the roused bear

Already I have to correct myself.  I did find the list of butterflies that Henry Parker had published in April, 1870.  He adds 13 species to the list of 29 species that Samuel H. Scudder had published previously for Iowa.  … Continue reading →

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History of the Butterfly, Part 33: Henry writes about Insects

Posted on October 26, 2010 by the roused bear

Henry Parker was a prolific writer.  He wrote several books and I have seen a number of articles published under his name in scientific journals.  However, I have only seen one article about an insect (or an invertebrate of any kind, for … Continue reading →

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Vote for Your Incumbent!

Posted on October 25, 2010 by the roused bear

This year there has been great dissatisfaction with politicians.  There even seem to be a lot of outside groups campaigning with a general theme of “throw the bums out” or “don’t vote for an incumbent.”  Who are these groups, and … Continue reading →

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History of the Butterfly, Part 32: Helen’s Other Books

Posted on October 24, 2010 by the roused bear

In the long list of books that Helen Parker wrote, three seem to be about natural history and deal with invertebrates.  Rambles after Land Shells is the only one available on line.  Frank’s Search for Sea Shells has been available in the … Continue reading →

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History of the Butterfly, Part 31: Snails in the Civil War

Posted on October 22, 2010 by the roused bear

The story cannot escape from its time, which was the middle of the Civil War.  The characters in Rambles after Land Shells go to see soldiers off to war:  “Four o’clock came, and with it a great cloud of dust … Continue reading →

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History of the Butterfly, Part 30: Ramble on

Posted on October 21, 2010 by the roused bear

From Rambles after Land Shells, by Helen F. Parker Page 11: This snail is now known as Vallonia pulchella. Page 39: The Neohelix alleni was once considered a subspecies of Polygyra albolabris, a.k.a. Helix albolabris. This snail is now known … Continue reading →

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History of the Butterfly, Part 29: Helen Rambles

Posted on October 20, 2010 by the roused bear

  Rambles After Land Shells is a very unusual book.  First notice the publisher—The American Tract Society.  That publisher primarily publishes religious books, and has for most of its history. The time frame is notable as well.  The book was … Continue reading →

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History of the Butterfly, Part 28: Introducing Helen Fitch Parker

Posted on October 19, 2010 by the roused bear

I have an obsession with this little butterfly, Oarisma poweshiek, which was discovered in Grinnell, Iowa, just twenty or so miles from where I grew up.  I have tried unsuccessfully to photograph it, and tried (before I realized just how … Continue reading →

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