a Be nc are 
* Rocky Mountains near the sources of the Missouri River. 307 
extends an almost limitless prairie, 
ests or groves, with no timber except 
hain, After passing the highest point of the principal 
, along this line, which*is near Cadotte 
_ Weapproach the coast for a distance of from 400 to 600 miles, 
_ From Fort Walla Walla to the ocean however, the average de- 
_ Scent is a little less than one foot to the mile, 
| gain, if we examine the profile constructed by Fremont, 
t per mile. Over this entire route, however, loaded wagons 
ave been transported with ease. When we reacl foot of 
the mountains in this direction, the lofty elevated ridges seem to 
7 ) tise abruptly out of the prairie, averaging from one to six thou- _ 
- SSary to 
_ Miicates the object in view. : : ; 
} ~. We have said that the western portion of our continent, So 
_ Gully if we look only at the easterly slope may very properly qd 
juvided into mountain and prairie. It is true that in Kansas i 
Wa groves of timber of considerable size are seen, but they 
tather the exception than the rule. Along the eastern slope 
