liocky Mountains. 21 



to these we collected the Zygadenus elegans^ Ph., Ascle- 

 pias tuberosa^ and some others. 



From an elevated ridge, which we passed in the morning, 

 some bisons had been seen at the distance of five miles; and 

 as we were in want of game, Mr. Peale with two hunters, 

 rode forward in pursuit of them. They overtook the herd 

 near a small creek, and attacked one of the largest, which 

 was at length killed. On examining the body, twenty balls 

 were found to have entered in different parts, before the ani- 

 mal fell. They arrived at camp, bringing the meat, at a little 

 after noon. 



From this camp we had a distinct view of " the Highest 



Fruit, larg-e, orbicular, smooth, about four celled; seeds ovate, gib- 

 bous, margin acute; dissepiments spongy, seeds in a double order. 



Leaves alternate, triangularly cordate; margin undulate; tendrils axil- 

 lary, trichotomous. 



Stems numerous, procumbent, grooved. 



Flowers nearly as large as those of Cucurbita pepo. 



Fruit nearly sessile round, smooth, and green, resembling a small un- 

 ripe watermelon. 



The leaves are rough, of a glaucous green colour, bitter and nauseous 

 to the taste, and tVie whole plant emits a fetid, disagreeable odour. 



Root somewhat ligneous, very large, six feet in length, and often four 

 inches in diameter, descending perpendicularly into the earth. It inha- 

 bits the arid and sandy wastes, alon;y the base of the Rocky Mountains, 

 from the confluence of the Arkansa and Boiling spring fork, to the sources 

 of Red river. By means of its long and somewhat succulent root, is is pe- 

 culiarly adapted to the soil it occupies, and thrives with considerable vi- 

 gour in wastes, whose thirsty and burning soils, bid defiance to almost 

 every other vegetaole. It flowers in July, and continues flowering and 

 perfecting fruit during the summer. Some plants of this interesting spe- 

 cies, are growing in the garden of the University at Philadelphia, also 

 in that of Dr. Ewing, from seeds brought by Major Long, but they have 

 not yet flowered. The leaves are thick and robust, from six to eight in- 

 ches long, and four or five in width, on foot stalks equalling the leaves in 

 length. They are crowded along the stems, and usually stand erect. It 

 does not appear, that any insect, or animal, preys upon the leaves or 

 other parts of this plant. It forms by its deep green, a striking contrast 

 to the general aspect of the regions it inhabits, which are exceedingly 

 nased and barren. This plant has been mentioned by Mr. Brackenridge, 

 under the name of " Arkansa simblin," from the information of hunters, 

 but no detailed account of it has hitherto been given. 



The petioles, and the extremities of the stems, are usually affected with 

 morbid enlargements, resembling galls. They may perhaps be caused, 

 by the irritation of the intense reflected light and heat of the sun, in the 

 situations where the plant usually grows. In the gardens it has not hith- 

 ertg produced these enlargements. 



