en a aa 
APPENDIX No. 6. a 
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53 Wasuineton Ciry, October 8, 1847. | 
Sim: I have the honor to submit, herewith, a report of such ob- 
jects of natural history as came under my observation while I was 
attached to the topographical party, under your command, during 
the journey from Fort Leavenworth to Fent’s Fort. © 
The plants which were collected were submitted to the imspec- 
tion of Dr. Torrey, to whom I am indebted for their names. 
With great respect, F am, sir, your most obe igen 
. Wea . 
Lieutenant U. S. Top. Engineers.. 
To. Lieut. W. H. Emory, 
_ U.S. Topographical Engineers. 
= a a ac lt ae — i 
© Notes of Lieutenant J. W. Abert.. ” 
_.Gn the 27th of June, 1846, we set out from Fort Leavenworth. 
The day was clear and bright; the woods were rejoiced with the 
voice of the mocking bird, and of the'many little warblers that 
“would join in the chorus of his song; the bluebird was there i 
_his sprightly notes, and the meadow lark, perched on some, tal 
mullein weed, caroled forth his song of love. As we were heartily 
- tired of remaining quiet, we were well prepared to enjoy the 
beautiful scénes that our progress gradually developed. The 
ground is what is called “rolling prairie,” of gentle curves; one 
swell melting into another. ; , 
The sotl around is extremely rich the whole country is verdane 
. with the rank growth of the “tall grass,” as it is called by way ° 
eminence, when compared with that which grows beyond the re- 
gion of the walnut and the hickory. Ss , < 
_ Here are many varieties of useful timber: the higher» ti? ¥ I 
nut, the linden, the ash, the hornbeam, thie maple, the » archy Ol 
thé beech, also the cotton wood; but, beyond the limits of the“ 
grass,” there is the cotton wood only. : ‘if 
Five miles from Fort: Leavenworth we passed a large _buttes 
called ‘‘Pilot Knob;” its top is flat, and unites with t vallies be 
1 a like odra spre 
(cephalantus occidentalis;) among these the wild grape had twisted 
