CHAPTER, Fiviz 
JOURNEY ALONG THE PLATTE 
TO THE SOUTH FORK 
HE Platte has its sources on the eastern 
slope of the Rocky Mountains, and has 
two main branches (North and South 
Fork), which, on their union, flow in 
an easterly direction toward the Mis- 
souri. A short distance below the meet- 
ing point the river divides afresh, and forms a great 
long island. At this island we reached the Platte. 
The river, of which we saw but a small part, is not 
broad at this point, with sparse borders of cottonwood 
(Populus Canadensis). The river valley is a mile or 
two broad on either side, and bounded by small hills 
(bluffs). The river is shallow, but carries so much 
sand that one may sink in the quicksands. The very 
valley is covered with pure river sand. Vegetation 
seemed here not to have advanced as far as in the 
prairie; but even at this point can be found the buf- 
falo grass (Sessleria Dactyloides), a very short, deli- 
cate grass, growing in isolated bunches, preferred by 
