And the Swallow? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lyle E. Browning" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 10:50 PM Subject: Re: History of Virginia's Natural History > On Sep 12, 2004, at 9:23 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote: > > > As you may have concluded, the Potomac River has a new resident species > > in the Snakehead fish. Also, a couple of years ago zebra mussels were > > found in a Northern Virginia quarry-lake. > > > > This has brought me to thinking about what other major events have > > occurred in Virginia's natural history. I am curious as to what if any > > Virginia animal or plant species have become extinct in Virginia during > > historic times and when. Also when and what new animal, plant, or > > disease species have arrived or been discovered to have arrived in > > historic times. > > > > > > The Largemouth Bass was supposedly introduced into VA waters in the > 19th century, if memory serves. Also, Osage Orange trees were > introduced in the second half of the 19th century from Oklahoma as > hedgerows. Tree of Heaven, Ginko and Pawlonia were all introduced as > packing materials for Chinese Export Porcelain. Numerous hedge species > were intentionally introduced in the 17th & 18th centuries for > decorative purposes. > > Johnson Grass was introduced in the 20th century. Japanese Beetles were > lab escapees in the 20th century. English sparrows were apparently an > European import. Tobacco appears to be a different strain than that > found originally in VA. > > > Lyle Browning > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html