222 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



denominated Mount Vancouver. He found it there, being then going on a 

 year's journey ; not knowing where to, and no doubt entertaining views of 

 no very pleasant nature, he of course could not bring me any. Failing my 

 present trip, I shall return in that direction and will probably come on the 

 Columbia at the Great Falls. 



Saturday, Uth. — Judging from the fine sky of last night and the calm of 

 the night, I did not think of pitching my tent, which I rarely do unless it 

 rains, or has the appearance of rain ; and for my negligence to my own 

 comfort I was this morning, shortly after four o'clock, obliged to rise as 

 it was raining heavily. Continued to rain throughout the day. Several 

 small deer were killed in the morning, and a number wounded which could 

 not be found. The remaining part of our journey being the worst— road 

 being hilly and thickly wooded— and can only be performed in good 

 weather, I arranged my gun and read some old newspapers. Measured a 

 left horn of an elk found by one of the men : 4 feet IJ inch long, the 

 two lowest prongs wanting, weighing although dry about 12 lb. This is 

 one of the largest. 



Sunday, 15th. — ^Morning dull and cloudy, noon fine, wind variable. 

 Our path being very hiUy, rough, and through thick woods, the horses 

 could not proceed. Several small deer were killed in the morning and 

 evening. Towards midday I made a short trip to the neighbouring hills 

 and found one fine strong evergreen shrub, 4 to 15 feet ; leaves obovate, 

 smooth, and cUiated. I regret that not a seed or entire capsule coidd be 

 found. The only vestige was on the ground and appears to be three-ceUed 

 and three-seeded ; in rocky and sandy situations, on the low hUls ; 

 abundant. Saw several large trees of Castanea, but am sorry to say am 

 still unable to find it in perfect fruit. Evening fine. 



Monday, lUh. — ^Morning foggy, dull, and raw ; thermometer 42' 

 TniniTrmm. At nine o'clock began our day's march, in nearly a westerly 

 course. Passed two miles of open hiUy country, intersected by several 

 small streams, where we entered the thick woods. Passed three ridges 

 of mountains, the highest about 2700 feet. Mr. McLeod and I took the 

 lead and were followed by Baptist Mackay and two hunters, hewing 

 the branches down that obstructed the horses from passing. The whole 

 distance not so much as a hundred yards of ground on the same level, and 

 the numerous fallen trees, some of which measured 240 feet long and 8 feet 

 in diameter — I am aware that it could hardly be credited to what a pro- 

 digious size they attain. The rain of the two days before rendered the 

 footing for the poor horses very bad ; several fell and rolled on the hUls and 

 were arrested by trees, stumps, and brushwood. As I apprehended some 

 accident, I thought it prudent to carry my gleanings on my back, which 

 were tied up in a bear's skin. Crossed the small stream on the banks of 

 which was our last encampment. In the deep valleys on the margin of 

 rivulets a very large fine tree is to be seen, to me perfectly unknown : I 

 think belongs to Myrtaceae ; fruit large, globular, covered with a fine thin 

 green skin, enveloping a small nut ; kernel insipid ; flower buds in 

 abundance on the points of the twigs ; but pressed as I am at present, 

 can only carefully preserve them and that will be done by one amply 



