56 EXPLORATIONS ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 



runs north and south, is flatly and smoothl) concave, and about 12 miles wide; is 

 bounded on the east by the Tots-arrh or Go-shoot range; on the west by the Un-go- 

 we-ah, or Pine Timber range, which are next to the Tots-arrh in height; at the north 

 distantly it appears to be hemmed in by mountains, and at the south is uninterrupted in 

 view. Altitude above the sea, 5,(100 feet. The soil is a sandy gravel on the benches, in 

 the bottom argillaceous and covered with short sage. In the vicinity where we cross 

 it there are no indications of water or grass, but some 50 miles to the south of us, to the 

 north of our return-route, there is water and an abundance of grass. After crossing 

 Antelope Valley, you ascend a rather low range of mountains, composed of slaty, 

 stratified rocks, by a tolerable grade, and get into a shallow valley, called Shell Valley 

 on account of its being covered with shale. Crossing this you descend over a forma- 

 tion of dioritic rocks, in 2 miles, by a good grade, into Spring Valley, where there is 

 an extensive bottom of alkaline grass and of spring water, and where we encamp early 

 in the afternoon. Journey, ID miles; road generallv good. 



This is a narrow valley, running north and south, and lies between the Un-go-we-ah 

 range on the west and a low minor range on the east. It is called Spring Valley, from 

 the number of springs which make a chain of small shallow lakes or ponds in the 

 direction of its length. The grass in it is abundant, but coarse and alkaline. Better 

 grass can be found in the ravines ami on .the bench on the west side of the valley. 

 The alkaline nature of the soil makes it unfit for cultivation. The formation of the 

 valley, which is of a highly metamorphosed character, is composed, prohably, of semi- 

 fused stratified rocks.^ 



Found some Root-Diggers here, one a very old woman, bent over with infirmities, 

 very short in stature, and the most lean, wretched-looking object it has ever been my 

 lot to see. Had her likeness taken. 



These Indians appear worse in condition than the meanest of the animal creation. 

 Their garment is only a rabbit-skin cape, like those already described, and the childrt n 

 go naked. It is refreshing, however, in all their degradation, to see the mother studi- 

 ously careful of her little one, by causing it to nestle under her rabbit-skin mantle. 



At first they were afraid to come near us, but bread having been given to the old 

 woman, by signs and words she made the others in the distance understand that they 

 had nothing to fear, and prompted them to accompany her to camp to get something 

 to eat. Notwithstanding the old woman looked as if she was famished, it was very 

 touching to see her deal out her bread, first to the little child at her side, and then, 

 only after the others had come up and got their share, to take the small balance for 

 herself. At camp, the feast we gave them made them fairly laugh for joy. 



Near our camp I visited one of their dens or wick-e-ups. Like that already de- 

 high, of cedar-brush. The offal around, and in a few 



scribed, it s 



vas an inclosui 



feet of it, 1 



ras so offensive 



Mr. Bean t 



old me the tru 



these India 



,ns, about their 



character o 



f the food. 



These 



Digger Indiar 



nient, and it is a satisfactit 



