26 Expedition to the 



selves from rolling into the brook, near which we encamped, 

 by means of a pole placed against two trees. In this situa- 

 tion we passed an uneasy night, and, though the mercury fell 

 only to 54°, felt some inconvenience from cold. 



On the morning of the 14th, as soon as daylight appeared, 

 having suspended in a tree, whatever articles of clothing 

 could be dispensed with, our blankets and provisions, except 

 about three pounds of bison flesh, we continued the ascent, 

 hoping to be able to reach the summit of the Peak, and re- 

 turn to the same camp in the evening. After passing about 

 half a mile of rugged and difficult travelling, like that of 

 the preceding day, we crossed a deep chasm, opening to- 

 wards the bed of the small stream we had hitherto ascended, 

 and following the summit of the ridge between these,. found 

 the way less difficult and dangerous. 



Having passed a level tract of several acres, covered with 

 the aspen poplar, a few birches and pines, we arrived at a 

 small stream running towards the south, nearly parallel to 

 the base of the conic part of the mountain, which forms the 

 summit of the Peak. From this spot, we could distinctly see 

 almost the whole of the Peak, its lower half thinly clad with 

 pines, junipers, and other evergreen trees; the upper a naked 

 conic pile of yellowish rocks, surmounted here and there 

 with broad patches of snow; but the summit appeared so dis- 

 tant, and the ascent so steep, that we despaired of accom- 

 plishing the ascent, and returning on the same day. 



In marshy places about this part of the mountain, we saw 

 an undescribed white flowered species of caltha, some Sjjedi- 

 culari?e, the s-hrubby cinquefoil, (Potentillay) «?zcos«, Fh.') 

 and many alpine plants. 



The day was agreeably bright and calm. As we as- 

 cended rapidly, a manifest change of temperature was per- 

 ceptible, and before we reached the outskirts of the timber, 

 a little wind was felt from the northeast. On this part of the 

 mountain, the yellow flowered stone crop, (Sedum stenope- 



