178 HORNED FROGS — SAND OF THE LAKE SHORE. 



yet seen. Leaving the baggage on the camp-ground, I followed 

 up the shore in search of water, and happily, in little more than 

 a mile, found an abundant supply and very good, in some small 

 ponds, formed by the snow and spring rains, which are, however, 

 dry in the summer. This was a fortunate circumstance, as, other- 

 wise, we should have been obliged to cross the lake during the night 

 to the springs on the western side of the main promontory, as our 

 supply was by this time reduced to half a barrel. 



Several horned frogs were found to-day running upon the shores. 

 The sand which forms the beach in this vicinity is worthy of re- 

 mark. Under a magnifier it is found to consist of rounded glo- 

 bules, chiefly of calcareous rock, worn doubtless by attrition into 

 their present form, not an angular particle being found among them. 

 It is variegated by different and brilliant colours, and reminded 

 me of the sand I had once seen which was brought from the Great 

 Desert of Zahara. Its conformation makes it very fatiguing to 

 walk in, presenting no firm resistance to the foot, but yielding at 

 every step. A piece of bitumen was found buried in the sand, 

 which had adhered to it when softened by the sun, and completely 

 frosted it over, so that it very much resembled one of the small 

 chocolate lozenges of the shops, covered with miniature sugar- 

 plums. 



Tuesday, May 7. — After moving camp some few miles above, 

 started for an island in the lake, apparently fifteen or twenty miles 

 to the southward, to place a triangulation station upon it. The 

 wind had been southerly during the night, and had raised such a 

 sea that I found it impossible to force the boat through the water, 

 whose ponderous waves struck upon our bows with a power that 

 was irresistible. After rowing some eight miles, we gave it up 

 and returned to camp. 



One of the party, in attempting to cut across the country to-day, 

 got lost, and as he did not return by dark, signal-fires were lighted 

 upon one or two of the neighbouring eminences to guide him to 

 camp. He returned by bedtime, very much exhausted by his wan- 

 derings, having been without food or water since sunrise. 



Wednesday, May 8. — The day being calm and the water smooth, 

 renewed the attempt made yesterday to reach the island to the 

 southward, taking with us blankets, provisions, and water, prepared 

 to encamp upon it, if necessary. We reached the island after a 

 row of four hours. The water .was bold and deep nearly the whole 



