

and of the Vegetation of North America. 118 



apparently new, resembling G. Donianum, but not half so 

 large, growing on sandstone. I saw Bryum demissum, with 

 a few capsules ; Cetraria nivalis and cucullata are common ; 

 and I have also observed Dufourea arctica. Thus I hope to 

 be able, in some measure, to make up for the loss of time past. 

 The winter has been unusually severe ; the animals in conse- 

 quence are poor and scarce, but I have always had enough to 

 eat. I travelled along the foot of the mountains, for^ibout 

 300 miles to the northward of the Portage, and returned here 

 a few days ago. I have been reconnoitring some spots of 

 ground that are bare of snow, and find that a few flowers will 

 soon appear, such as Saxjfraga oppositifblia, a Draba resem- 

 bling aizoides, and a plant of which the genus is unknown to 

 me, but it is perhaps a Globularia. I intend passing the sum- 

 mer amongst the mountains, and if possible crossing them in 

 the autumn to the Columbia or Frazer rivers, spending the 

 winter there, and then returning with a party from the Co- 

 lumbia in the spring as far as Carlton-House, where I would 

 like to remain until the time I have to meet Dr Richardson 

 at Cumberland-House, on the 5th of August 18^7- There 

 are very few insects in this part, and they are mostly the same 

 as in Britain. I am now busily engaged in killing birds ; but 

 they do not appear to be numerous in this quarter, and during 

 winter they totally desert it." 



From Mr Douglas, 



Dated Great Falls on the Columbia River, March 21, 1826- 

 " Sir, — You will, already, by the return of Mr Scouler, have 

 been made acquainted with the most interesting details respect- 

 ing the north-west part of America. His departure I greatlv 

 regretted, and felt very lonely for some weeks after he had 

 sailed. The upper country appears to me an exceedingly in- 

 teresting field, and differs so widely in its vegetation from that 

 which prevails along the coast, that I have resolved to devote 

 the whole of this year to its investigation. Though this mea- 

 sure be hardly authorized by Mr Sabine, who had enjoined 

 me not to remain in this country after the departure of the 

 ship, which leaves the mouth of Columbia in 1826, yet I trust 



VOL. VI. NO. I. JAN. 1827. H 





