^ PREFACE. 



the camp, but most of the woodless region east of the mountains was at that season almost destitute of 

 animals or plants, on account of its excessive heat and dryness. 



Sept. 19, the party proceeded northward, and, slowly moving- along the rugged banks of the Culumbia, 

 reached Fort Okanagan on the 21th. The average day's journeys east of the mountains were only ll-j^ 

 miles, increasing as the loads lightened. From there the whole division made a detour to explore the 

 " Methow" Valley, traversing a distance of about 80 miles in six days, and returning again on finding 

 no practicable pass westward. Then, resuming the northward course, they traveled up the valley of 

 the Okanagan to a lake beyond the 49th parallel, and, turning southeast, reached Fort Colville Oct. 18. 



Here, meeting Gov. Stevens, and soon afterward the whole eastern division, they journeyed 

 southward at 14 miles a day, over the nearly level plains of the Columbia, and in four weeks reached 

 Fort Dalles, arriving there Nov. 15. The numerous species of fish and reptiles collected, most of 

 which were probably new, wore nearly all lost by the bursting of the alcohol cans. 



Arriving at Fort Vancouver soon after. Dr. Cooper remained there three months, collecting the birds 

 fish, etc., to be found there in winter. Feb. 20, 1854, he went down the Columbia and made collections 

 near its mouth, and at Shoalwater Bay, a few miles north of it. 



COLLECTIONS MADE IN 1854-5-6-7, CHIEFLY BY PRR^ATE ENTERPRISE. 



After the disbanding of the expedition, April 1, Dr. Cooper remained at the same place until July 18, 

 collecting all that his private means would allow. He then crossed the unexplored Coast Eange, on 

 foot, with a party of citizens, and traveled to Fuget Sound, where he remained a mouth, collecting 

 specimens about Fort Steilacoom, in company with Dr. Suckley, returning to Shoalwater Bay in Sep- 

 tember by way of the Cowlitz and Columbia Rivers. 



Dr. Suckley at the same time proceeded under orders to Fort Dalles, 0. T. On arriving there he 

 joined an expedition against the Snake Indians, and journeyed by the usual emigrant route through 

 Oregon as far east as the Boisee River, collecting many specimens and much information on the way, 

 returning to Fort Dalles in the end of November, where he remained during the following winter. 



Late in February, 1855, Dr. Cooper went up the coast to Gray's Harbor, and joining tlic Indian 

 treaty commission under Gov. Stevens, on the Chehalis, ascended that river and proceeded again to Fu- 

 get Sound, intending to accompany the Governor in May to the Blackfoot council at Fort Benton, and 

 thence to return to the Atlantic coast by way of the Missouri River. Meantime he made a voyage down 

 the sounds to the Straits of Fuca, spent a month collecting on Whitby's Island and another near Steila- 

 coom. Unexpected disappointments and losses prevented the journey eastward which he had proposed, 

 and he found it necessary to return to Shoalwater Bay in July. There he remained until October 4, 

 when, by the kind invitation of Capt. Alden, he sailed in the Coast-survey Steamer Active to San Fran- 

 cisco. 



During a visit of six weeks' duration in Santa Clara Valley he was so fortunate as to obtain many 

 new and interesting animals, some of which are described in this volume. 



In the meantime Dr. Suckley, obtaining leave of absence for six months, left the Territory in July 

 and went by sea to Now York. In December he returned by the same route, and at Panama met Dr. 

 Cooper, who had been for a week collecting specimens, particularly marine shells. Another week was 

 spent by them in exploring that rich locality before they set out for their far-distant destinations on 

 the opposite sides of the continent. 



