462 Expedition to the 



Being now at a place where, as our guide informed us, 

 the Pawnees often cross the Platte, and as it was our inten- 

 tion to ascend on the other side of the river, Major Long 

 rode across to ascertain the practicability of fording, but the 

 summer freshet being now as its height, it was found the 

 river could not be crossed without swimming, and the design 

 was relinquished. Six of our party including the hunters, 

 were sent out in pursuit of game. 



At camp, observations were taken for ascertaining longi- 

 tude and other purposes. At evening, Mr. Peale returned, 

 having killed an antelope at the distance of ten miles from 

 the camp, and brought it within about four, where being 

 fatigued and hungry, he had made a fire, Gooked and ate 

 part of the animal, and left the remainder, suspending a 

 handkerchief near it, to protect it from the wolves. Soon 

 afterwards others returned, and when all were collected, it 

 appeared there had been killed one bison, two antelopes, and 

 a hare, all at a distance from camp. Horses were according- 

 ly sent out to bring in the meat, a part of which we attempt- 

 ed to dry during the night, by cutting it in thin pieces and 

 exposing it over a slow fire, but a storm of wind and rain 

 which continued greater part of the night, prevented our 

 success in this attempt. 



21st. The storm continued throughout the night, and the 



a miniature resemblance to the Ring- or Hcrse-shoe crab, (Himulus poly- 

 phenols,) of our sea coast, but which are furnished with about sixty pairs 

 of feet, and swim upon their back. The basins of water, which contained 

 them, had been very much diminished by evaporation and infiltration, and 

 were now crowded to excess, principally with the apus, great numbers of 

 which were dying upon the surrounding mud, whence the water had re- 

 ceded. This species is distinguished from the productus of Bosc, and mon- 

 tagui of Leach, by not having the dorsal carina prolonged in a point be- 

 hind; and from carter if or mis, by the greater proportional width of the 

 thorax, and more obtuse emargination behind. The length of the thorax 

 along the middle, is three-tenths of ao inch, and its greatest breadth some- 

 what more. It may be named Apus obtusus. 



A very large species of Cypris, also inhabits these small rain water 

 pools in great numbers, of which the valves are more than one-fifth of an 

 inch in length. 



