Rocky Mountains, 133 



scarce necessary to refnark that where the vallies of the 

 rivers in question are bounded on both sides, as they often 

 are, by perpendicular cliffs of sandstone or limestone in hori- 

 zontal strata, the seams and markings on one side correspond 

 with those on the other, indicating the stratifications to have 

 been originally continuous. 



A ride of a few miles, in a direction passing obliquely 

 from the river, brought us to a point which overlooked a 

 large extent of the surrounding country. From this we 

 could distinguish the winding course of a small stream unit- 

 ing numerous tributaries from the ridge we occupied, and 

 pursuingits way towards thesootheast alonga narrowand well 

 wooded valley. The dense and verdant foliage of the poplars 

 and elms contrasted faintly with the bright red of the sand- 

 stone cliffs, which rose on both sides, far surpassing the 

 elevation of the tallest trees, and disclosing here and there 

 masses of sulphate of lime of a snowy whiteness. Looking 

 back upon the broad valley of the river we had left, the eye 

 rested upon insulated portions of the sandy bed, disclosed 

 by the inflections of its course, or the opening of ravines, and 

 resembling pools of blood rather than wastes of sand. We 

 had been so long accustomed to the red sands that the in- 

 tensity of the colouring ceased to excite attention, until 

 a distant view afforded us the opportunity of contrasting it 

 with the general aspect of the country. 



The elevated plains we found covered with a plenteous, 

 but close fed crop of grasses, and occupied by extensive 

 marmot villages. The red soil is usually fine, and little in- 

 termixed with gravel and pebbles, but too sandy to retain 

 pioisture enough for the purposes of agriculture. The luxu- 

 riance and fineness of the grasses, as well as the astonishing 

 number and good condition of the herbivorous animals of 

 this region clearly indicate its value for purposes of pastur- 

 age. There can be no doubt that more valuable and pro- 

 ductive grasses than the native species can, with little trou- 



