1827, APRIL. SPOKANE RIVER 245 



the shallow rocks. While they were in the rapid I took a turn round 

 the ground and found a species of Allium, 2 to 6 inches high, pink and 

 white flowered, in gravelly and rocky places. Killed a hen pheasant, 

 which I shall skin to-morrow, and some curlews. Camped in the middle 

 of the rapid at dusk. The wind was so high that little fire could be kept 

 in during the night. 



Sunday, April 1st. Skinned my pheasant in the morning and break- 

 fasted at the upper end of the rapid, when, as usual, I resumed my walking 

 until dusk. Passed high steep rocks of fine white marble and granite ; 

 took a fragment of each, and as no plants came under my notice picked 

 up a few minerals. Camped on the south side of the river, seventeen 

 miles above the rapid. 



Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th. The river flowing through a more 

 mountainous country, and further to the north, scarcely a vestige of 

 vegetation can be seen, only the gravelly bank and north side of the river, 

 all the ground covered with snow. Walked along the banks of the river 

 picking up any mineral that seemed curious : found some very fine pebbles. 

 Arrived at Okanagan on Thursday, a little before dusk. 



Friday, 6th. Fine, clear, and pleasant. At two o'clock I alone em- 

 barked in the boat to go round the big bend, a day and a half's journey, 

 being much fatigued and my feet very painful, blistered, and blood-run, 

 having walked eleven days. My fellow-travellers remained to come over 

 the point on horseback. Parted with Mr. A. McDonald, from whom I 

 have had much information, assistance, and hospitality. Camped fourteen 

 miles above the establishment. I intended to have left the pair of grouse 

 here, but not being perfectly dry I was afraid they would fall a prey to 

 insects. 



Saturday, 7th. Continued my route and passed the Dalles at midday ; 

 a dangerous part of the river during the time of high water. Trees 3 feet 

 in diameter lay on the rocks, 43 feet above the present level, at the narrow 

 est place 57 yards ; placed there by the water. The current passes with 

 amazing velocity. Killed a few of the common stock duck. Camped at 

 the big stone, or more properly a natural column, about 30 feet high, 900 in 

 circumference, composed of trap, clink, lime, and gravel. Many of these 

 columns are distributed over the country, some octagon, hexagon, and 

 circular. Some are solely trap rock with a portion of iron. In that part 

 between the present and former bed of the Columbia they are numerous. 

 Mr. Ermatinger being the only one in the overland party who knew the 

 place of rendezvous, mistook it and went twelve miles further up, where 

 they remained an hour after dark for me ; fearing an accident had befallen 

 me in the Dalles, they rode down to my camp and roused me from a sound 

 sleep at half-past nine. Supper was made then, and we laid down at 

 eleven. Had good jokes at losing the way. 



Sunday 8th to Thursday 12th. Passing over the same country that I did 

 last year, and being at the same season, nothing additional occurred. Laid 

 in a few duplicates of plants collected last year ; generally walking but 

 taking the boat to pass the perpendicular rocks. The high grounds around 

 the junction of the Spokane River and Kettle Falls covered with snow. 



