



SKETCH OF A JOURNEY 



TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND TO THE COLUMBIA RI\TR IN 



NORTH AMERICA : 



By Thomas Drummond, Assistant Naturalist to the second Land 

 Arctic Expedition, under the command of Captain Franklin, R.N, 



[It is scarcely necessary to preface the following journal of an excursion through a 

 country hitherto unknown to the Naturalist with any observation ; further than 

 to say, that it embraces that period of time when Mr. Drummond quitted Capt. 

 Franklin, Dr. Richardson, and the other officers of the Expedition, at Cumberland 

 House, to the period of his rejoining them at the same place. — Ed.] 



Until the 20tli of August 1825, I remained at Cumberland House, 

 waiting the arrival of the company's boats from York Factory ; and 

 then proceeded with them, as directed, to Carlton House. On 

 arriving at that post, Sept. 1st, the Indians were found to be in so 

 unsettled a state, that it would have been very unsafe to make excur- 

 sions in the neighbourhood, without the protection of a strong party ; 

 and I therefore decided upon going on with the brigade, until I should 

 find a place better suited for my purpose. 



The plains in the immediate vicinity of Carlton House are partially 

 covered with wood, which however disappears at a distance of about 

 twenty miles to the westward. The soil is in general sandy, and 

 produces a peculiar vegetation ; amongst which the tribe of Papilio- 

 nace(R considerably prevails ; and the Genera Phlox, Lialris, Malva, 

 and Eriogonum. Two or three species of Uinbellifera and Asclepiadea 

 were seen here, which I observed in no other part of my route ; also 

 five or six species of Phascum *. We left Carlton House on the 2nd 

 of September, and I proceeded with the party, making daily excur- 

 sions along the banks and as far into the interior as possible, taking 

 care to rejoin the brigade every evening. 



The general aspect of the country and of vegetation continues much 

 the same, until reaching Edmonton House, a distance of about 400 

 miles. The river Saskatchawan appears to form the northern boun- 

 dary of these extensive plains, which are said to extend all the way to 

 Mexico ; and their breadth at this point may be estimated at from 

 700 to 800 miles, from the junction of the South-branch river with 

 the Saskatchawan, to the Rocky Mountains House. At Edmonton 



* A aenus of Mosses scarce! v known hitherto as American. 



