14 BULLETIN NO.-2, ENTOMOLOGICAL DIVISION. 
were afterwards destroyed by mice during a stormy night, the tent hay- 
ing blown down and everything overturned. Did not get a chance to 
replace them afterwards, as we were kept busy arranging for our trip 
across the country to Winnepeg. No migratory locusts noticed to-day. 
The country in this vicinity is very similar in appearance to that 
passed over in going from Fort Benton to this point, but, being closer 
to the mountains, it becomes slightly rolling, and at the same time more 
thickly covered with vegetation, since the rainfall is more frequent. The 
surface, however, in many places is very thickly covered with small 
stones and boulders. Of course, where such is the case, the soil is poor 
and the grasses thin and short, making excellent breeding spots for 
various species of locusts. These, too, are not overlooked by them, as 
can be seen from ‘the numbers of these insects to be found on and in 
proximity to such spots. Here, too, we miss to a great extent many of 
the alkali signs so prominent out on the plains. The magnesia salts 
are less strong where found in springs, and the marine vegetation, i. e., 
salt marsh and beach plants, has entirely disappeared from among 
the flora of the country, and hence also maritime insects are no longer 
to be noticed. - 
As we approach the mountains, more and more marked become these 
differences. Trees begin to be seen, shrubs and herbs become more 
numerous and common, and the number of flowering plants increases. 
it must necessarily follow that insect life also increases. This is true, 
for now various species of bees and wasps make their appearance among 
the flowers, and an occasional yellow buttertly is seen flitting across the 
green sward. Now and then the note of a solitary sparrow is heard, 
or perhaps some snipe or plover is seen running along the ground chas- 
ing a locust, or sailing gracefully in the air, uttering its sharp notes to 
its mate and young. By this time we have reached Pincher Creek, a 
small mountain stream along which are settled several ranchers who 
appear to be doing well. This stream heads far up in the foot-hills, 
where it is fed by springs and lakes filled with beautiful trout. The 
bed of the creek is crowded with boulders and the stream is very rapid. 
After crossing over this stream we begin ascending towards the first 
range of foot-hills, or “* hog-backs,” a series of which extend in a nearly 
parallel direction with the main range. These small ridges are composed 
of a kind of sandstone that has been tilted up edgewise—-the softer 
strata having been worn away and the harder ones left standing, and 
thereby causing the various ridges, one in front of the other. These 
various ridges are dotted here and there with groves of quaking aspens, 
willows, and spruces, and at other points the trailing juniper aimost 
entirely covers the rocks. Numerous small and sparkling springs dis- 
charge their cool, limpid waters among the rich grasses that carpet the 
valleys and lower hillsides, all tending to make the vicinity attractive 
and beautiful. Here it is that we find great variety in the insect life, 
every little variation in surface and altitude offering some peculiar at- 
