Rocky Mountains. 29 



saw several of the little animals, watching our approach and 

 uttering a shrill note, somewhat like that of the ground 

 squirrel. Several attempts were made to procure a specimen 

 of this animal, but always without success, as we had no guns 

 but such as carried a heavy ball. 



After sitting about half an hour, we found ourselves some- 

 what refreshed, but much benumbed with cold. We now 

 found it would be impossible to reach the summit of the 

 mountain, and return to our camp of the preceding night, 

 during that part of the day which remained; but as we could 

 not persuade ourselves to turn back, after having so nearly 

 accomplished the ascent, we resolved to take our chance of 

 spending the night, on whatever part of the mountain, it 

 might overtake us. Wilson had not yet been seen, but as no 

 time could be lost, we resolved to go as soon as possible to 

 the top of the Peak, and look for him on our return. We 

 met^ as we proceeded, such numbers of unknown and inter- 

 esting plants, as to occasion much delay in collecting, and 

 were under the disagreeable necessity of passing by num- 

 bers which we saw in situations difficult of access. As 

 we approached the summit, these became less frequent, 

 and at length ceased entirely. Few cryptogamous plants are 

 seen about any part of the mountain, and neither these nor 

 any others occur frequently on the top of the Peak. There 

 is an area often or fifteen acres, forming the summit, which 

 is nearly level, and on this part scarce a lichen is to be seen. 

 It is covered to a great depth with large splintery fragments 

 of a rock, entirely similar to that found at the base of the 

 Peak, except, perhaps, a little more compact in its structure. 

 By removing a few of these fragments, they were found 

 to rest upon a bed of ice, which is of great thickness, and 

 may, perhaps, be as permanent and as old as the rocks, with 

 which it occurs. 



It was about 4 o'clock P. M., when we arrived on the 

 summit. In our way we had attempted to cross a large field 



