Rocky Mountains. 55 



the specific name Jlexilis^ has been proposed for this tree, 

 which is in several respects remarkably contrasted with the 

 P. rigida. It inhabits the arid plains subjacent to the Rocky 

 Mountains, and extends up their sides to the region of per- 

 petual frost. The fruit of the Pinus flexilis is eaten by the 

 Indians and French hunters about the Rocky Mountains, as 

 is that of another species of the same genus by the inhabi- 

 tants of some parts of Europe. 



The creek, on which the party encamped during the three 

 days, occupied in making the excursion above detailed, is 

 called Boiling-spring creek, having one of its principal 

 sources in the beautiful spring already described. It is skirt- 

 ed with a narrow margin of cotton-wood and willow trees, 

 and its banks produce a small growth of rushes on which 

 our horses subsisted, while we lay encamped here. This 

 plant, the common rush, (Equisetum hiemale, Fh,) found 

 in every part of the United States, is eaten with avidity by 

 horses, and it is often met with in districts where little grass 

 is to be had. When continued for a considerable time, its 

 use proves deleterious. 



The recent tracks of a grizzly bear were observed near 

 the camp, and at no great distance one of those animals was 

 seen and shot at, by one of the hunters, but not killed. 



In the timber along the creek, the sparrow haw k, mocking- 

 bird, robin, red-head woodpecker, dove, winter wren, towhe- 

 bunting, yellow-breasted chat, and several other birds were 

 seen. 



Orbicular lizards were found about this camp, and had 

 been once or twice before noticed near the base of the moun- 

 tains. 



A smoke supposed to be that of an Indian encampment 

 was seen, rising from a part of the mountains at a great dis- 

 tance towards the northwest. It had been our constant prac- 

 tice since we left the Missouri, to have sentinels scationed 

 about all our encampments, and whenever we were not on 



