272 TRANS. OF THE ACAD. OF SCIENCE. 



Notice of some additional observations on the Physiogra- 

 phy of the Rocky Mountains, made during the Summer 

 of 1864. 



By C. C. Parry, M.D. 



The large collection of indigenous plants made in the sum- 

 mer of 1862 by the joint labors of E. Hall, J. P. Harbour, and 

 the writer, comprised the characteristic Flora of a considera- 

 ble section of the Rocky Mountains, extending from Pike's 

 Peak on the south to the head waters of Clear Creek on the 

 north. Wishing to ascertain more fully the peculiar features 

 of the country lying north of this district, I was induced to 

 revisit this section a third time, during the past season, hav- 

 ing Dr. J. W. Velie of Rock Island for my associate, who 

 was especially devoted to Zoology. 



Leaving the settlements in May, we experienced the usual 

 vicissitudes of climate on this exposed upland, in occasional 

 storms of wind and rain. Coming in sight of the Rocky 

 Mountains, we had a still stronger intimation of the severity 

 of storms that had burst over the mountain slopes, by a very 

 unusual rise in the Platte River, which in many places over- 

 flowed the wide bottom land, driving settlers to take refuge 

 on the adjoining bluffs. Arriving at Denver City, on the 2d 

 of June, the ravages of the severe flood of Cherry Creek, on 

 the 19th of May, were still apparent, though the subsiding 

 waters were then flowing barely six inches deep over a wide 

 bed of sand. Still subsequent to this, deluges of rain visited 

 the mountain region, towards the sources of the Platte, 

 flooding large sections of bottom land along its lower course, 

 changing the beds of creeks and sweeping away a large por- 

 tion of the then growing crops. This unusual and unexpected 

 occurrence, in which heavy rains and melting snows com- 

 bined to swell all the mountain streams, proved especially 

 disastrous to the roads traversing this district, bridges being 

 swept away, and roads and embankments washed and gullied 

 to such an extent as to render the usual avenues of travel im- 

 passable. Owing to this condition of things, unusual diffi- 

 culty and delay were experienced in making the proposed 

 mountain explorations. These facts are still farther worthy 

 of note as illustrating the peculiarities of climate pertaining 

 to this entire mountain region. 



The first point of attraction was an elevated district, known 

 to abound with small lakes, lying near the upper waters of 

 Left hand Creek, one of the tributaries of the St. Vrains. 



Our route lay through the excellent farming district of 



