Rocky Mountains, 455 



fore, was not of the choicest kind, and, what was infinitely- 

 more vexatious to us, was limited in quantity. 



On the following day we passed a number of prairie dog 

 villages, some of them extending from two to three miles 

 along the river. Though much in want of game, most of our 

 exertions to take these animals were without success. A 

 number were killed, but we were able to possess ourselves 

 of no more than two of them. These we found to be in good 

 condition and well flavoured. Their flesh nearly resembles 

 that of the ground hog, or woodchuck (Arctomys Mary- 

 landica.) 



In some small ponds near the Platte we saw the common 

 species of pond weed (Potamogeton natans and P. flu'itans. 

 Ph.) also the Utricularia longirostris? of Leconte, and an 

 interesting species of Myrlophillum-* 



By observations at morning and evening the magnetic 

 variation was found thirteen and an half degrees east. In 

 the middle of the day the heat was excessive, and we were 

 under the necessity of halting at a place where no shade could 

 be found to shelter us from the scorching rays of the sun, 

 except what was afforded by our tents, which were set up 

 for this purpose. Here we remained until 4 P. M. when we 

 resumed our journey. We crossed towards evening a small 

 creek, three miles beyond which we arrived at an old Indian 

 camp where we halted for the night. We had not been long 



* Among 1 other plants collected along the Platte on the 15th and 16th 

 June are the Cheiranthus a.iper. A*., ilolianthemum cunudense, Athero- 

 pogon apludddei. A*., Myosotis scorpioides, Pentstemon graiHe. A*. The 

 Cheirantlius asper is intensely bitter in every part, particularly the root, 

 which is used as medicine by the Indians. In depressed and moist places, 

 along- the river we observed a species of Plantago, which is manifestly 

 allied to P. eriophora of Wallich, Flor. Ind. p. 4-13, also to P. atttmuata 

 of the same work, p. 422. The base of the scape and leaves is invested 

 with a den=e tuft of long, fine wool, of a rusty brown colour. Before the 

 plant is taken up this tuft is concealed in the soil, being a little below the 

 surface, but it adheres closely to the dried specimen. Its leaves, which 

 are the size of those of P. fanceoiatn, are smooth, five nerved, with a 

 few remote demiculations. Scape slender, exceeding the leaves; brac- 

 tasas ovate, spike slender, few flowered---P. attcnuata, Bradbury? 



