stansbury's island. 209 



a new species of Malacothix, and G-rayia spinosa were the most 

 prominent. 



Thursdai/, June 20. — Moved camp to the north point of Stans- 

 bury's Island, and commenced the survey of it, which occupied us 

 until the 26th. This is the second island in point of size in the 

 lake, being twelve miles long and twentj-seven in circumference. 

 Like Antelope Island, it is a high rocky ridge, rising abruptly 

 from the plane of the lake, and reaches, in its greatest elevation, 

 the height of nearly three thousand feet. It is, at this time, in 

 fact, a peninsula, the space between it and the mainland, which 

 formerly was covered by the water, being now occupied by a broad, 

 level plain of sand, thickly overgrown in places by artemisia. The 

 scenery, especially on the eastern side, is in many places wild, 

 rugged, and grand. Peak towers above peak, and cliff beyond 

 cliff, in lofty magnificence, while, crowning the summit, the 

 <'dome" frowns in gloomy solitude upon the varied scene of bright 

 waters, scattered verdure, and boundless plains of arid desolation 

 below. The eastern shore, in many parts, affords springs of excel- 

 lent water, and the numerous tracks of wolves, deer, and antelope, 

 added to the frequent remains of Indian fires, indicate that these 

 spots have long been the favourite haunts of both man and beast. 

 In the vicinity of these springs, the grasses are rich and abundant, 

 and the range for cattle the best I have seen in the country. 

 Both this and Antelope Island have been reserved by the saga- 

 cious Mormon authorities for grazing purposes. 



In skirting the shores, several plants were collected for preser- 

 vation ; among which were the Comandra umbellata, a new genus 

 of Elymus, Stipa juncea, and the JElymus striatus. Various seeds 

 were also gathered. 



The western shore of the island is, at this season, so far as we 

 could discover, entirely destitute of water, although, while the 

 snows on the summit are melting, some must doubtless reach it. 

 The party, while engaged here, had to be supplied from the oppo- 

 site side of the island. 



According to previous concert with Lieutenant Gunnison, a 

 beacon-fire was lighted on a commanding eminence on the evening 

 of the 22d, which was immediately responded to by a similar 

 signal from Black Rock. I crossed over to his camp on the fol- 

 lowing day, to borrow some provisions and arrange for the further 

 prosecution, of the survey. It was agreed that while I was coiq- 

 pleting the survey of this island, the line on the flats, which we 



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