[ 193] 



On the Rocky Mountain Sheep. By Major Long, 

 Philadelphia, February I6thy 1825. 



Gentlemen, 



At the suggestion of Dr. Mease, I submit the result 

 of my inquiries, relative to the Rocky Mountain sheep, 

 with the impression, that any intelligmce in relation to this 

 interesting animal, will at least, pnve acceptable, if it 

 cannot be made useful, to an agricdtural community. 



The information I am able to communicate, was ob- 

 tained, on the late " Expedition to the source of the St. 

 Peter's river/' &c. and was procured principally, from 

 Donald M*Kenzie, esq. of the Britsh Hudson Bay Com- 

 pany, at the mouth of the Assinab^in river, in the capa- 

 city of chief factor. The intelligeice furnished by this 

 gentleman, was derived from personal observation, and is 

 in substance, as follows. 



The Rocky Mountain sheep, inhabit the elevated re- 

 gion, occupied by that portion of the mountain range, from 

 which its name is derived, situated within the 48th, and 

 60th parallels, of north latitude. They are found in o^reat 

 numbers near the head waters of the north fork of Colum- 

 bia river, where their flesh, constitites the principal food 

 of the natives. The country at the sources of the Muddy 

 (Maria's R. of Lewis and Clark,) Saskatchawin, and 

 Athabaska rivers, is also inhabited by them. But they 

 are said to be less numerous, on the eastern slope of the 

 Rocky Mountain, than on the western. They are seldom 

 or never seen at a distance from the mountain, the climate 

 and productions of which, appear best adapted to their na- 

 ture, and mode of life. In summer, they resort to the 



