10 THE BISON. 



their sense of smelling, we may here relate a circum- 

 stance mentioned by Mr. Say, in that valuable and 

 highly interesting work, Long's Expedition to the 

 Rocky Mountains, to which we are under continual 

 obligations. These we are the more happy to ac- 

 knowledge, because we are well acquainted with 

 the solicitude of the gentlemen composing that ex- 

 pedition, to diffuse, as widely as possible, the know- 

 ledge of American Natural History. 



The exploring party were riding through a drea- 

 ry and uninteresting country, which at that time 

 was enlivened by vast numbers of bisons, who were 

 moving, in countless thousands, in every direction. 

 As the wind was blowing fresh from the south, the 

 scent of the party was wafted directly across the 

 river Platte, and through a distance of eight or ten 

 miles, every step of its progress was distinctly mark- 

 ed by the terror and consternation it produced among 

 the bisons. The instant their atmosphere was infected 

 by the tainted gale, they ran as violently as if closely 

 pursued by mounted hunters, and instead of fleeing 

 from the danger, they turned their heads towards the 

 wind, eager to escape this terrifying odour. They 

 dashed obliquely forward towards the party, and 

 plunging into the river, swam, waded, and ran with 

 headlong violence, in several instances breaking 

 through the Expedition's line of march, which was 

 immediately along the left branch of the Platte. One 

 of the party, (Mr. Say himself,) perceiving from the 

 direction taken by the bull who led the extended 



