Rochy Moimtmns. 49 



a previous encampment, numerous fragments of shells of a 

 dusky colour, occurred in the same variety of sandstone, and 

 amongst these is an entire valve of a small species of Os- 

 trea, of a shape very like that of a Pinna^ and less than half 

 an inch in length. 



We have a specimen, from another locality, of a very dark 

 coloured, compact, and very impure limestone, containing 

 still more blackish fragments of bivalves, one of which pre- 

 sents the form of a much arquated Mytillus, but as the back 

 of the valves only is offered to examination, it may be a 

 Chama^ but it seems to be perfectly destitute of sculpture. 



Another specimen, from the mountains near the Platte is 

 a reddish brick coloured petrosilicious mass, containing casts 

 and impressions of a grooved Terebratula. 



Hunters were kept out during the day on the ITth, but 

 killed nothing. At evening they were again sent out on 

 horseback, but did not return until three P. M. on the fol- 

 lowing day. They had descended the river twelve miles, 

 finding little game. They had killed one deer, one old tur- 

 key with her young brood of six. This supply proved highly 

 acceptable, as we had for some time been confined almost en- 

 tirely to our small daily allowance of corn meal. 



At the conimencement of our tour, we had taken a small 

 supply of sea biscuit. At first these were distributed, at the 

 rate of three per day to each man- afterwards two, then one, 

 then one for two days, then one for three, till our stock of 

 bread was so nearly exhausted that it was thought proper to 

 reserve the little that remained, for the use of the sick, should 

 any unfortunately require it. We then began upon our parch- 

 ed maize, which proved an excellent substitute for bread. 

 This was issued, at first, at the rate of one pint per day for 

 four men, no distinction being made in this or any other case 

 between the officers and gentlemen of the party, and the ci- 

 tizens and soldiers attached to it. When we arrived at the 

 Arkansa, about one third part of our supply of this article 



VOL. IT. 7 



