% EXPLORATION TO THE PEACE RIVER 



that, before we reached Spence's Bridge, we were prepared for the 

 change that is so marked as one rises on the terrace beyond the 

 bridge. All trees have disappeared except those on the mountain 

 summits or in sheltered valleys, with a northern aspect. Below 

 the line of trees, beautiful grassy slopes are covered on the lower 

 parts with bunch grass and above was sward with a few Compositae 

 and other plants while the benches near the river are altogether 

 destitute of flowering plants. 



I spent a week on the Thompson at Spence's Bridge and 

 Cache Creek and collected many species of rare and interesting 

 plants which were not observed in the low country. One fact 

 showing the similarity of the flora with that of Nevada and Utah 

 was the actual discovery of two species of plants, supposed by 

 Mr. Serrano Watson, of Harvard, who has ably explored there, 

 to be peculiar to those states. The species were Astragalus Beck- 

 withii, T. andG., only detected in the neighborhood of Salt Lake, 

 Utah, and in Ruby Valley, Nevada ; the other Crepis occidentalis 

 Nutt, var. Nevadense Watson, was supposed to be peculiar to 

 Nevada, but here it was found in company with the type of the 

 species. Dr. Selwyn noticed a similarity in the rocks with those 

 of Nevada also. 



It was very interesting in ascending the mountains to notice 

 the change from early summer to late spring and to observe the 

 shrubs which at the riverside were in full bloom and 3,000 feet 

 above it were only bursting into leaf. A similar change was 

 also noticed on May 26th when crossing the high plateau between 

 Clinton and Bridge Creek, and showed most conclusively the 

 contrast between the climate of the Thompson and that of the 

 country between Clinton and Lac La Hache." 



Many interesting discoveries were made as we went north, 

 but none of particular moment until we reached Quesnel. 



On the 28th of May, I commenced my examinations of the 

 flora around that part and found many of the common eastern 

 species in full flower and nearly as far advanced as at Belleville 

 on the 24th of May, in 1876. Nearly all the species observed were 

 eastern ones or western plants that reach the wooded country 

 west of Lake Superior. 



