92 



The older maps have laid down the fact that here were lakes 

 and streams not communicating with the sea. But the full limits 

 of this mediterranean desert have never before been know^n. 



Capt. Fremont is a botanist, and speaks with becoming enthu- 

 siasm of the vegetable wonders of western America. Unfortu- 

 nately, a great part of his collections was lost or injured. The 

 remnant has been carefully arranged by Dr. Gray, who has 

 published, in the Journal of this Society, a Conspectus of the Com- 

 positse, prepared by himself and Prof. Torrey. 



Referring in general to the Report for descriptions of botanical 

 novelties, it is worthy of attention that Capt. Fremont describes 

 five esculent roots and plants, used by the natives, and as yet 

 wholly unknown in our gardens, These are : Fsoralea esculenta, 

 Valeriana edulis, Catnassia esculenia, Circium Virginianu?n, 

 Erodium cicutarium ; besides the root of Anellium graveolens, 

 which, it seems, is the yampah of the Indians. The Digging 

 Indians, who seem to be at the lowest limit of civilization, subsist 

 almost wholly on these and on worms ; and Capt. Fremont and 

 his men were at times glad to follow their example, adding, in 

 one instance, red ants, which, it seems, give a pleasant acid relish. 



The work contains, also, important contributions to the zoology 

 of the country, especially in enlarging our knowledge of the 

 history and migrations of the buffalo, and its present numerical 

 condition. There are also frequent notices of the mountain sheep, 

 and other animals, as yet but little known. 



The volcanic nature of a great part of Oregon, and the nume- 

 rous and interesting fossils discovered, give an important character 

 to the geological results of the expedition. Hot springs are 

 mentioned in several instances. One, in California, had at the 

 surface a temperature of 209° in mid winter. 



The whole book is written with spirit, and it is highly entertain- 

 ing. Capt. Fremont shows himself, with all modesty, to be a 

 daring and intelligent man. 



Prof. Asa Gray stated that there had been recently placed 

 in his hands specimens of earthy matter, filled with finely 

 broken fragments of branches of trees, which were said to 

 have been found occupying the place of the stomach in the 

 skeleton of the Mastodon exhumed on Schooley's Mountain, 



