74 EXPLORATION OF THE COUNTRY BETWEEN 
May 13.—We again travelled due west across a fine rolling prairie. 
We met with large numbers of a peculiar species of cactus just coming 
into bloom, (Mammaria nuttalii.) It is more abundant here than any- 
where else on the Upper Missouri. We camped at night on Grass 
creek—another fine stream, similar to those before mentioned. At our 
left, in the distance, we could see a tall, naked white butte, called 
Eagle Nest butte, from the fact that an eagle has built her nest on the 
summit from time immemorial. Although it rises to the height of 
one hundred and fifty feet, with nearly perpendicular sides, its strati- 
fication is perfectly horizontal, presenting a more conspicuous example 
of the terrible denuding action which has been felt in the valley. 
its summit I found several species of plants in bloom that I observed 
no where else on the route. 
Me 
portions of Kansas. We camped at night on a fine stream called 
‘The creek where the Indians plant corn.’? Our Indian guide spent 
a day here planting a small patch of corn and pot 
as far as we could see, was fine rolling prairie clothed with vegetation, 
while on our ri 1 of ‘« Bad 
Lands’’ loom up, assuming 
Indian guide led us along an old buffalo track, a very rugged road, a 
always follow a buffalo trail, for this animal always selects the most 
practicable route mouth of this creek is the most 
beautiful exhibition ve ever seens « eat: 
_On the 18th we camped near a fine spring, which was but a little 
distance from it, ed to stop a day or two and explore it. 
Our animals needed rest, and of good grass 
and water. lope meat, I 
arted out, ¢ panied by reat te and ascending an elevation 
which was above the bad ground, looked down upon one of the grand- 
est views Lever beheld. The denuded area was nearly square in form, 
and the immense flat concretions that projected out from the sides ot 
the per pend 
_ above each other, resembled some vast theatre; indeed, it reminded 
