1827, APEILr MAY. ROCKY MOUNTAINS 71 



course was then four miles north-east over the same sort of country, and 

 in this short distance we made seven fordings more. We did not require 

 snow-shoes, for there was a fine hard solid crust. On coming out of 

 the water and trotting along on the hoarfrost we found it intensely 

 cold, and all our clothing ,that was wet immediately became cased 

 with ice, still withal no inconvenience whatever was sustained. About 

 nine we entered a second point of the wood, where we had recourse 

 to our snow-shoes. Towards noon the snow became so soft that we 

 were obliged to camp for the day. Our progress was to-day fifteen 

 miles. 



Of plants Araliaferox [sic],^ Dry as, and Betula were the only specimens 

 added to the catalogue. Of animals one large Wolverine came to our camp 

 to steal, for which he was shot ; great numbers of Anas canadensis, and 

 one female Tetrao canadensis. 



Monday, 30th. The minimum heat this morning at four was 22, maxi- 

 mum at noon 43, at an elevation of 700 feet above the level of the river. 

 We resumed our route this morning on snow-shoes in the wood about three- 

 quarters of a mile, when we entered a second valley, in every way similar 

 to the one passed yesterday, following a north-easterly course. We 

 rested a few minutes after having travelled 2J miles in this valley and 

 made seven fordings of the same stream that we forded yesterday, for 

 we were obliged to cross it, keeping a direct line from point to point. 



Four miles and four more fordings over this stream took us to the 

 termination of this platform or valley. Here the river divides into two 

 branches, the larger one flowing from the north, the smaller from due 

 east. We crossed at the angle between the two streams and commenced 

 our ascent of the ' Big Hill.' The snow being so deep, exceeding 6 feet, 

 the footpath markings on the trees were hidden, so that some difficulty 

 was experienced in keeping the way ; the steep ascent, the deep gullies, 

 and brushwood and fallen timber rendered it laborious. Camped two miles 

 up the hill, having gained in all nine miles. The timber gradually 

 becoming smaller, no new animals or plants were added to the list. 



May 1st, Tuesday. This morning the thermometer stood 2 below 

 zero, and the maximum heat at noon was 44. We continued our ascent, 

 and at ten had the satisfaction to reach the summit, where we made a 

 short stoppage to rest ourselves, and then descended the eastern side of 

 the Big Hill to a small round open piece of ground, through which flowed 

 the smaller or east feeder of the Columbia and the same stream we left 

 yesterday at the western base of the Big Hill. On the right hand is a 

 small point of low stunted wood of Pinus nigrap P. alba 3 and P. Banksiana. 

 Near this point we put up at midday. One fine male bird of Tetrao 

 FranJdinii was killed during the day, which I preserved with great care. 

 After breakfast, about one o'clock, being well refreshed, I set out with 

 the view of ascending what appeared to be the highest peak on the north 



1 Panax horridum is given instead of this, in the account of Douglas's Journey, 

 printed in Hooker's Comp. Bot. Mag. ii. p. 135, which is referred to Fatsia horrida, 

 Benth. and Hook. f. Gen. PL i. p. 939. 



2 Picea nigra, Mast, in Journ. R. Hort. Soc. xiv. p. 222. 



3 Picea alba, Mast. loc. cit., p. 221. 



