182 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



of 1825. I accordingly do so. Among wtich are six species of Ribes ; 

 two I think will prove new : R. viscosissimum of Pursh, which is surpassed 

 by few of the genus ; his description will require some amendment. Four 

 species, also interesting, but not so showy as the preceding. The others, 

 B. aureum and one belonging to the section Grossularia, with green flowers. 

 A few days after I wrote you from the junction of the Spokane Elver with 

 the Columbia, on the 12th of April, across the Continent, I left that place 

 for the Kettle Falls, ninety miles higher up the river, which I made my 

 headquarters until the 5th of this month. This time was taken up making 

 journeys in the directions that seemed best calculated to afiord the richest 

 harvest, and although I did not reap so abundantly as I expected, I do not 

 consider my time altogether thrown away, as many are new or most 

 imperfectly known species. About the 25th of June I shall make a journey 

 to a ridge of snowy mountains, about 150 miles distant from this place in 

 a southerly direction, which will occupy fifteen or sixteen days. After 

 securing the result of this trip, I am to make a voyage up Lewis and Clarke's 

 River as far as the Forks, where I will make a stay of ten or twelve days, 

 more or less, as appears necessary, when I will return overland in a north- 

 easterly direction to my spring encampment at Kettle Falls. Shortly after- 

 wards I win accompany a Mr. Work, who goes on a trading excursion 

 through the country contiguous to the Rocky Mountains, not far remote 

 from the pass of Lewis and Clarke. After that period I shall gradually 

 retrace my steps over the places I have visited, or may yet visit, and in 

 all probability will reach the ocean about November. The difficulty of 

 carrying as many of the different things collected as would appear desirable 

 is very great : many times on my journeys I am under the necessity of 

 restricting myself to a small number, to give place for a smaller proportion 

 of aU. I have been fortunate enough to procure two pair of a very hand- 

 some species of Rock Grouse, found only on mountainous grounds. A 

 male of this species I killed last year on the coast, where they are very rare. 

 None of this species is found east of the mountains, so it may prove new. 

 A pair of curlews, having singular habits from most of the tribe, frequents 

 dry soils, and roosts on trees. A female small pheasant is all I have been 

 able to add to the collection that are ready for sending. They are packed 

 in a small box, with three bundles of plants. Having so much to do, it is 

 entirely out of my power to send at this time a copy of my journal, a 

 circumstance I regret exceedingly. I have five splendid species of Pent- 

 stemon, only one of them described, which is P. coeruleus of Nuttall. 

 Abundance of Tigarea tridentaia''- in flower and fruit, several species of 

 Ruhus, Lwpinus, two species of Prunus, all difierent from those found on 

 the coast last year. I am now in the finest place for the large fruit and 

 hope shortly to procure some. It will at aU times afiord me much gratifi- 

 cation to mention the kindness and assistance I have from the persons in 

 authority. As the ship wiU sail for England before I can reach the coast, 

 I will not have it in my power to write you again. Thank God, I enjoy 

 most excellent health. There is nothing in the world could afiord me a 

 greater degree of pleasure than hearing from you. With sincerity I hope 

 1 Purshia tridentaia, S. Wats. Bibl. Ind. N. Am. Bot. p. 309. 



