er > gentle, er with Quercus nee, ne ms and 
484 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
NOTES ON THE MISSOURI AND OREGON TERRITORIES. 
This extensive region of North America presents so many 
interesting features, both in its vegetation and in a geological 
point of view; the latter too, of so perplexing a nature, that 
a satisfactory physico-geographical description cannot be 
attempted by me. Nor do all those existing data, which 
have been at different times advanced by previous travellers, 
suffice to convey a true idea of that vast country to the 
reader. I shall, therefore, confine myself closely to the 
botanical characteristics, only venturing to touch its 
geological chaos, where it is required and warranted by 
sufficient authority and personal examination. 
MISSOURI TERRITORY. 
Passing up the Platte River to Fort Laramie, thence through the most 
northerly narrow range of the “ Black Hills" across the Saline desert 
to the “ Red Butter," and * Rock Independence" at Sweet-water, or 
Eau Sucrée River—Thence to * Wind River Mountains," and across - 
the * Upper Colorado,” near the mouth of “ Grand Sableuse,” to ‘ Fort © 
Hall," and * Boiling Springs" of ** Lewis River"—And finally to the 
sources of Missouri, across Madison's fork at Beaver-head, on the 
central chain of the Rocky Mountains: connected with previous - 
observations up the Missouri as far as the Little Missouri, in 1839. 
I.—First comes a most fertile region lying between the lower : 
Kanzas, and the sandy barriers of the lower Platte valley ; b. 
presenting some features of the flora of the Missouri valley - 
and uplands. Forest trees gradually diminish in size, 
and in the number of species, and herbaceous plants increase. : 
in. the number of genera and species. | 
Ua belt of rich undulating prairies, with very picturesque 
scenery, beautiful | groves of Pyrus coronaria, Prunus Ameri- 
cana, and Chikasaw, adorn the lower parts south of the 
Kanzas. The rivers are fringed with woods, and often 
bordered by extensive prairies; and the valleys are encom- | 
_ passed by rocky ridges of Missouri limestone. The ravines 
