282 TRANS. OF THE ACAD. OF SCIENCE. 



ino- an elevation of 13,456 feet above the sea. The estimated 

 height of Long's Peak above this observed station was about 

 600 feet, which would give to this culminating point an 

 elevation of 14,056 feet, which is thus seen to be somewhat 

 lower than the more accurately determined height of Pike's 

 Peak, which by barometric measurement in 186^ was found 

 to have an elevation of 14,215 feet above the sea level. 



Having thus tested to our satisfaction the inaccessible 

 character of the highest tabled summit of Long's Peak, we 

 made the best use we could, under the circumstances, of the 

 elevated position we were enabled to attain. Below us, on 

 the south, lay an open rocky gorge, where, in irregular ba- 

 sins, at various elevations, seven distinct lakes were counted ; 

 these go to form the head sources of Big Thompson Creek, 

 which thus hugs round the mountain mass on the north and 

 west, thence meandering through deep valleys and open 

 parks till it reaches the wide plains below. To the south- 

 west, Middle Park, with its meadows and undulating ridges, 

 was plainly visible. The divide which separates the latter 

 from North Park could be traced only as a confused range of 

 irregular mountains, North Park itself being hid from view 

 by a succession of mountain ridges. Long's Peak is thus 

 shown not to Vie, as represented on most maps, in the actual 

 divide or water-shed of the Rocky Mountain Range, but, like 

 Pike's Peak to the south, is an eastern offset, all its tributary 

 waters flowing to the Atlantic slope. 



Time is precious on these high elevations in noting the pe- 

 culiarities of the vast region lying below and around us; but 

 you are often in such places reminded still more forcibly of 

 your elevated position by a chilly atmosphere, which, coming 

 in irregular gusts, strikes you with the force of a literal blow, 

 from which you are fain to beat a retreat to more sheltered 

 localities. 



Consoling ourselves for our failure to reach the main sum- 

 mit by the reflection that we had done the best we could, 

 and that others equally s:\nguine and still more adventurous 

 could do no more, we turned our backs upon the towering 

 summit, and by a rapid descent gained our previous night's 

 camp by noon, and at nightfall reached the hospitable roof 

 of Estees, to enjoy a supper of delicious mountain trout and 

 the luxury of a soft bed. 



Appendix. By Dr. G. Engelmann. 



I. 



Nuphar pot.ysepalum (sp. nov.) : foliis late ovatis sinu 



angusto profunde cordatis; floris magni sepalis 9-12 concavis 



niLMliis maximis, petalis 12-18 spatulatis retusis, staminum 



