518 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 



Lygodesma, and Polygonum (335), growing round groups of 

 Peucedanum; Composita (361) and Troximon (446), (but 

 one plant in bloom), appearing abundant on the grassy 

 border of the first terrace. On the plains near Peloose river, 

 appears another species of the noble Calochortus, of which I 

 could get no specimens, and only saw the large-winged fruit 

 (C. pterocarpus of my Journal). Here also, and in fact 

 almost throughout Upper Oregon, on grassy, moist slopes 

 and in shady meadows, grows the Umbellifera, Helosciadium ? 

 576,* the tubers of which are one of the dainty dishes of the 



bushels of peas, and the same quantity of potatoes. Considering that 

 such families own from one to three or four thousand horses, and twenty 

 to thirty head of cattle, one may imagine that they are very rich, for the 

 value of such property increases considerably by the present influx of 

 emigrants. A grist-mill has been erected by Mr. S., on the mission 

 premises, where the Indians get their corn ground ; attached to it is a 

 saw-mill, to cut timber for building houses; some of the chiefs were 

 already at it, eager to exchange the tent for the house. By responding 

 to the efforts of Mr. Spalding, and amassing property, it is unavoidable 

 that the whole nation imbibes a degree of avarice, of which I justly 

 accuse the Saptonas. Far from feeling grateful to the Mission and to 

 their excellent teacher, they demand every thing gratuitously, and tor- 

 ment their instructor by that insolent haughtiness so peculiar to them. 

 Mr. S., however, does not swerve an inch from his original plan, and 

 operates now and then on their ambition, slowly but effectually. ine 

 American Board of Foreign Missions has committed an error in no 

 aiding Mr. Spalding, or giving and entrusting to his hands the surveil- 

 lance of all the Missions of that Board in Oregon. They leave him to 

 struggle alone, and consequently the credit and praise belong solely 

 to him. 



The scientific reader will pardon this digression from my subject, 

 for I have longed to do justice to Mr. S., and took advantage of this 

 occasion. Those who have travelled in North America, and visite 

 Indian Missions, will be, as I am, aware of their fruitless efforts to 

 civilize the Indians, and of the immense sums squandered liberally by t 

 American citizens for that laudable object. Here was the only P lace 

 where I found the result propitious, beyond my expectation, and to make 

 that rare case known to philanthropists, is the sole excuse I can offer to 

 this deviation. 



* This is probably Helosciadium Californicum, Dougl., an inconspicuo 

 Umbellifera, perennial, with a black tuberous root. By boiling the tubers, 



