XXVllI PREFACE. 



In 1881 I employed Mr. D. Baldwin to colk-tt fossils in the Puerco 

 fomiation of New Mexico, which I discovered in 1874. Mr. Baldwin's suc- 

 cess has had a very important bearing on the science of paleontology. He 

 has obtained more than sixty species from that formation, iie:uly nil of wliirU 

 were new to science. 



The expeditions have not been conducted without risks. My explora- 

 tion in Western Kansas was made during a state of hostility of the Chey- 

 enne Indians, and in a region where they were constantly committing mui- 

 ders and depredations. During my expedition of 1872 I was abandoned 

 by some of my party, who robbed me of mules and provisions, and placed 

 me in some bodily peril. My expedition of 1873 was in the Cheyenne 

 country, and constant vigilance was necessary. The year following my visit 

 the whites were driven from the region, or murdered, by the Indians of that 

 tribe. In 1876 I entered the Sioux country with my party on the Upper 

 Missouri while the Indians were engaged with General Custer on the Little 

 Big Horn and the Rosebud. My guide and camp tender abandoned me, 

 and before leaving the country we passed a point a day's ride from Sitting 

 Bull's camp on the Dry Fork of the Missouri. Mr. Sternberg's expedition 

 of 1877 was interrupted by the Bannock war, and both himself and Mr. 

 Wortman were compelled to leave their camp and outfit in the field and 

 fly to a place of safety on their horses. In attempting to cross the Wind 

 River in 1880 Mr. Wortman's horses and wagon were carried a\va\' li\ the 

 current and the greater part of his baggage and provisions lost. Ilis 

 exploration of 1881 was conducted under circumstances of nnuli risk from 

 the absence of water. All the water necessary to the existence of his ani- 

 mals and men had to be carried a distance of twenty miles on the backs 

 of mules 



It is evident that an enthusiastic devotion to science has actuated 

 these explorers of our western wilderness, financial considerations having 

 been but a secondary inducement. And I wish to remark that the courage 

 and regardlessness of physical comfort displayed liy thr gentlemen above 

 refeired to in the pursuit of the idea of progress, are qualities of which their 

 country may be proud, and are worthy of the highest commendation and 

 of imitation in every field. 



