{its 274 
‘the. name of the people who reside on its shores, and by which itis known 
throughout the countr 
The volume of wath afforded by the Timpan-ogo is probably equal to 
that of the Sevier river; and, at the time of our visit, there was only one 
place in the lake valley at which the Spanish Pe was fordable. In the 
delta of prettily timbered streams. This would be ie sate cay 
for stock farms ; it is senerely sabeaeed with good bunch grass, and wo 
abundantly produce the ordinary grain 
In arriving at the Utah lake, we had completed an immense circuit of 
twelve degrees diameter north and ue and ten degrees east and west; 
and found ourselves, in May, 1844, on the same sheet of water which we 
had left in September, 1843. The Utah i is the southern limb of the Great 
Salt lake ; and thus we had seen that remarkable sheet of water both at its 
northern and southern extremity, and were able to fix its position at these 
two points. The circuit which we had made, and which had cost us eight 
months of time, and 3,500 miles of travelling, had given us a view of 
Oregon and of North California from the Rocky mountains to the Pacific 
ocean, and of the two principal streams which form bays or harbors on the 
coast of that sea. Having completed this circuit, and eat now about to 
turn the back upon the Pacific slope of our continent, and ta, recross the 
Rocky mountains, it is natural to look back apo our footsteps, and take 
ope brief view of the leading features and general structure of the coun- 
try wehad traversed. These are peculiar and: Steg? and differ essentially 
fait the Atlantic side of our country. The mountains all are higher, more 
numerous, and more distinctly defined in their ranges and directions; and, 
what is so contrary to the natural order of such formations, one o ‘these 
ranges, which is near the coast, (the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Range,) 
presents higher elevations and peaks than any which are to be found in the 
‘Rocky mountains themselves. “In our eight months’ circuit, we were never 
out of sight of snow; and the Sierra Nevada, where we crossed it, was 
near 2 000 feet higher than the South Pass in the Rocky mountains. In 
height, these mountains greatly exceed those of the Atlantic side, con- 
stantly presenting peaks which enter the region of eternal snow ; and some 
~of them voleanic, and i in a frequent state of oF sot png are seen at 
eee te gui ae traveller in his cou 
‘The course and elevation of these ranges give direction tothe rivers and 
ter to er coast. No great river does, or can, take its rise below the 
and Sierra Nevada range ; the distance: is too 
aintorts 
great river by 2 sine 7  otintiel te the sea, while its 
ee forks lead each to a pass in the mountains, which opens the way inte 
& 
