212 A BEAUTY SPOT. 



The country north of the Columbia is also traversed by numerous branch- 

 es and spurs of the Rocky and Cascade Mountains, many of them present- 

 ing loity peaks, covered with never-melting snow and ice. 



The mountain ranges before described, have many summits towering far 

 above the snow-line. They are generally less sterile than the main chain 

 of the Rocky Mountains, and, amid their snow-clad tops and denuded emi- 

 nences, present alternate spreads of high table land and rolling prairie, 

 clothed with vegetation, and dense forests of pine, cedar, fir, and oak, or open- 

 ing valleys arrayed in all the enchantment of vernal lovehness. 



The Eastern, or Southeasterly Division of Oregon, partakes of a greater 

 variety of wild and savage scenery, intermixed with beauty and desolation, 

 than any other section in the whole territory. 



The valleys of Bear river and those parts contiguous to Fort Hall, have 

 already been described on a preceding page, and all their varied attrac- 

 tions fully descanted upon. Besides these, there are other valleys in the 

 neighborhood of the South Pass, upon Little and Big Sandy, and the New 

 Forks of Green river, that claim a passing notice. 



The valleys last referred to are of variable width and possess a fertile 

 soil, adapted to either grazing or agricultural purposes, and assume an 

 additional importance from their situation in reference to the grand routes 

 from the United States to Oregon and California. They are capable of 

 sustaining a small population with peculiar advantage, were it not for 

 the troubles that might be anticipated from the hostile incursions of the 

 Blackfeet and Sioux. 



Below Fort Hall, the valleys of Snake, or Lewis' river, are somewhat 

 limited, but very fertile, though enclosed for the most part by denuded 

 and sterile mountains. In the vicinity of Fort Boise, on the bank of 

 Lewis' Fork, are several rich and extensive plains and valleys, more or 

 less adapted to cultivation. 



The Koo.skooskie and Salmon rivers, also, present some fine bottoms. 

 Another beautiful valley is situated upon Powder river, a considerable 

 creek, about forty miles below Fort Boise. It is large and very fertile, 

 but lacks a sufficiency of timber without a resort to the dense pine forests 

 of the neighboring hills. 



The next section that attracts the traveller's attention as he proceeds 

 towards the Columbia, is a favored spot known as le Grand Rond, bound- 

 ed on all sides by mountains, in the vicinity of the Blue range. This 

 locality is nearly circular, and about one hundred and fifty miles in cir- 

 cumference, well watered and possesses a soil of matchless fertility.* 



* The following analysis of the soil of this valley, as furnished by Capt. Fremont, 

 will attest its superior quality : 



Silicia ---a---- 



Alumnia ..----- 



Lime and magnesia - g . - • - 



Oxade of iron ...--. 



Vegetable matter partly decomposed - - - - 



Water and looss ------ 



Phosphate of lime . - ,, :.^ ■ 



100, 00 



