- 
PRAIRIE WONDERS. 55 
eggs, fossil oysters, scollops, clams, and other marine shells, 
whilst in the soft limestone we found the ammonite and the 
nautilus (extinct marine crustacea), some of the former as 
large as a cart-wheel. 
A suggestion has been made, that the days of Noah and 
the Flood will explain these deposits, but the depth of the 
strata and the size of the specimens found, prove revolving 
years of submersion and procreation. Some of the strata 
were fifty feet perpendicular, with numerous specimens thickly 
embedded from bottom to top. 
What food for thought! Over a spot, now redolent with 
the perfume, and gay with the hues of sweet flowers,and teem- 
ing with inseet and animal life, once rolled the mighty wave, 
sported the monsters of the deep, and roared the tempest in 
its irresistible might ! 
How ancient, then, must be this universal system—how far 
exceeding all the bounds set to it; its history is as unfathom- 
able as-that of the Being who formed, and now guides and 
directs it! Truly, at sight of nature’s ret man sinks into 
puny insignificance. 
I have frequently alluded to the beauty and variety of 
the prairie flowers. It is a rich treat to roam amongst 
them. Throughout our march we found in profusion 
flowers which, in the North and a are cultivated with 
it 
great care a e wing-room or conser vatory. 
' The Texas plume—a gorgeous flower of a brilliant scarlet— 
the red and white rose, the sia Pink, the ‘verbena, the 
¢ 
