CHAPTER: X. 
GEOGRAPHY OF THE PRAIRIES. 
Extent of the a Sala eR a or Table-lands—El 
Llano Estacado—Cafiones—The prem inry to the early Car- - 
syane—Fmmetise Gattis Cicel Mines and other geological 
Products — Gypsum — Metallic Minerals —Salines — Cap. 
Boone’s Exploration— Salt Plain’ and ‘Salt Rock’—Mr. 
Sibley’s Visit—Saline Exu ditions Up habirenonea of the 
high Prairies—Excellent Pasturage—Rich border Country 
sufficient for two es—Northern Texas—Rivers of the 
mbers—Encroachments of the Timber <9 the Prairies— 
one and Flowers—Salubrity of Climate 
Wun I have endeavored in the preceding 
pages to give the reader some general idea of 
life upon the Prairies, I feel that I have wholly 
failed thus far to convey any adequate notions 
of their natural history. I propose in the fol- 
lowing pages to repair this deficiency as far 
as I am able, and to present a rapid sketch of 
the vastness of those mighty territories; of 
their physical geography; and of the life, as 
- well vegetable as animal, which they sustain. 
It is to be regretted that this ample field for 
observation should have received so little of 
the consideration of scientific men; for there 
