210 STANSBURY'S island — THE DOME. 



were obliged to abandon for a time from want of water, should be 

 resumed and completed by Lieutenant Gunnison, his provisions 

 and water being transported upon mules. 



On our return from his camp, we had not proceeded more than 

 a mile, before a sudden and violent gust, accompanied with light- 

 ning and thunder, drove us to the shore for safety, our little skift" 

 being too small and fragile to withstand the fury of the waves. I 

 have had frequent occasion to remark in what a very short time a 

 gust, sweeping down from the mountains, will lash the heavy 

 water of the lake into waves of very considerable magnitude. The 

 seas are short, and the commotion as suddenly subsides with its 

 exciting cause. The rise and fall of the waters on the shores is 

 thus occasioned, and frequently precedes the current of air by 

 which it is produced. 



Wednesday^ June 26. — The survey of the island shore being 

 completed, the whole party ascended to the highest peak to erect 

 a triangulation station upon it. The day was intensely hot, and 

 the sun beat down upon the eastern slope, as we climbed up its 

 rugged sides, with a force that was very oppressive. Every man 

 was packed, like a mule, with tools and provisions ; but principally 

 with water, in India-rubber bags and canteens. 



After a severe climb of some three hours, through rich bunch- 

 grass near the base, artemisia and grease-wood higher up, and, 

 still higher, over rocky projections covered with stunted cedar, we 

 at length reached the summit of the "dome." From this point, 

 the highest within the circuit of the lake, we had expected to 

 enjoy a noble view of both it and the surrounding islands and moun- 

 tains ; but, unfortunately, the atmosphere was filled with so thick 

 a haze that our hopes were wholly disappointed. In our ascent, 

 quite a variety of plants were collected and carefully preserved. 

 Among these, several have been ascertained by Professor Torrey, 

 to whom the whole collection has been submitted for examination, 

 to be new species ; among others, a Heuchera, Peretyle^ Cowania^ 

 and Chenactis. 



After resting under the shadow of some wide-spreading cedar- 

 trees, (the first shade we had enjoyed for months,) the summit 

 of the peak was cleared, and a circular wall built, five feet high, of 

 stone, upon the top of which was erected a triangulation station of 

 wood, covered with cloth. An attempt was made to take some ob- 

 servations here with the theodolite, but the atmosphere was so 

 filled with vapour that they were not at all satisfactory. 



