SAGE RABBITS. ^^ 



wide and of a deep brown vegetable mould, susceptible of a high slate of 

 cultivation. The whole country is well adapted to the double purpose of 

 aoTici'.lture and the grcnvth of stock. , , . 



The pravailin-.T rock is sandstone of various shades and compactness, 

 with siliceous ami fo?siliferous limestone. These specifications are gene- 

 rally exhibited in a detached and fragmentary form, but rarely in strata as 

 d-ieclosed upon the. surface. 



Take>ras a wliole, the territory holds out many mducements to emi- 

 granfs, and, whenever brought into market, will no doubt become speedily 

 *nd thickly populated.* 



Sept. 30llt. We are again under headway. A French engage, who 

 had been sufiering for several days past from a severe attack of the fever 

 and aoue, experienced a sudden and novel cure. Unable to travel, quar- 

 ters were prepared for him in one of the whiskey waggons, where he was 

 comfortably disposed of as we continued our courc^e. In passing a rough 

 place the waggon overset, when out came the invalid head loremost, and 

 ml came the wimkey harrds sliowering full upon him ! The suddenness 

 of the fall, with the surprise and excitement of the occasion,— one, or both, 

 or all, or some other cause unknown, elTected a complete cure,— for cer- 

 tain it is. he did not suffer another attack of the fever and ague during 

 the whole journey, and the next day was able to discharge his duties as 



well au ever. »i *v ♦ 



On striking the Bio- Blue, the mountain road bears a north-northwest 

 course to the head ofthat stream, and from thence over an interval of high- 

 lands to the Platte river. Tiie distance travelled up the Blue requires some 

 eight days, for heavy waggons. Continuing our way, about noon we passed 

 several Indian trails, in addition to one ten or twelve or filteen miles back. 

 These consist of a number of well-beaten, parrallel foot-paths, bearing a 

 northwest and southwest direction. They are formed by the passing and 

 repassing of the Otoes, lowas, and Foxes, to and from their hunting 

 grounds, towards the head- waters of the Kansas. 



On the 3d of October we reached the antelope range, and saw four or 

 five of these animals scouring the boundless expanse, or ascending some 

 favorable eminence to gaze upon us. Slight signs of buffalo also appeared, 

 and everything seemed to indicate the approach to a game country. 



Partincr ^ short distan-e froii; the trail, a large sage rabbit bounded up 

 before me,— the first of his species I ever saw. This animal is near y 

 three timps the pize of the common rabbit, and of a white color, slightly 

 tinged with grey. It d-vives i= s name from being found principally in coun- 

 tries abouu'iing with absinthe or wild sage. In the regions adjacent to the 

 mountains, those animals occur more Irequently,— and eveii among the 

 mountains, where their tails and ears are tipped with jetty blacK. Iheir 

 fur is soft and fine,-enualling if not surpassing thit of the Russia rabbit. 

 Their flesh is also of a superior flavor, as I have had opportunities ot , 



Towards night, three antelope appearing near the- trail, our hunter made 



• By a recent treaty with the Kan^M Indiaas. our government has becora« po88ea8«d 

 «f MftiJv tha whole of thu beautiful section. 



