to Oregon and California. 91 



the whole length of the Lower Platte, arriving at its junction 

 with the Missouri on the 1st of October, &c. &c. 



On the 29th May, 1843, Lieutenant Fremont set out from 

 the Kansas Village, near St. Louis, Mo., with a select com- 

 pany of voyageurs, hunters, and proper persons for such a 

 corps, and, after an absence of fourteen months, in which 

 he traversed an immense breadth of country, including a 

 great range of mountain district, returned, laden with most 

 valuable matter, both of a scientific and economical charac- 

 ter, which is fully detailed in the Report. This document is 

 replete with most interesting details of mingled hardships, 

 perils, anticipations, results, and such "moving accidents of 

 field and flood." The scenery of tracts over which he passed, 

 the gorgeous sun-risings, and brilliant atmospheric conditions 

 of the sky, are most happily dehneated. Sketches of Indian 

 life, as seen in remote tribes, and in scattered families, of the 

 warlike, predatory, or almost inane character of different 

 tribes, living contiguous to each other ; of the agricultural 

 capabilities of the soil; its mineral treasures; its commercial 

 advantages, are full of instruction. In this expedition, Lieut. 

 Fremont made collections of specimens of natural history, 

 and many geological facts are brought to light in consequence 

 of microscopical examination of marls, chalk. &c., submitted 

 to the inspection of Prof. Bailey, of West Point, and also 

 through fossil shells and fossil plants, as examined by Prof. 

 James Hall, Palgeontologist to the State of New York. 



With the botanical interest of this portion of the Report 

 we have particularly to do; and hasten to lay before our 

 readers Dr. Torrey's note concerning the plants collected in 

 the second expedition of Captain Fremont. 



" When Captain Fremont set out on his second expedition, 

 he was well provided with paper and other means for making 

 extensive botanical collections; and it was understood that on 

 his return we should, conjointly, prepare a full account of his 

 plants, to be appended to his report. About 1400 species 

 were collected, many of them in regions not before explored 

 by any botanist. In consequence, however, of the great 

 length of journey, and the numerous accidents to which 

 the party were exposed, but especially owing to the dreadful 

 flood of the Kansas, which deluged the borders of the Mis- 



