Rocky Mountains. 135 



the hills compelled us again to seek the river. Falling in 

 with a large bison path which we knew would conduct us by 

 the easiest and most direct route, we travelled about fifteen 

 miles, and encamped at noon on the bank of the river. In 

 returning to the low grounds we passed some grassy pas- 

 tures carpeted with the densest and finest verdure, and 

 sprinkled with herds of deer, antelopes, and bisons. In some 

 places the ground was covered with a purple mat of the 

 prickly leaves and branches of a procumbent Eryngo inter- 

 mixed with the tall and graceful Centaurea speciosa,* with 

 here and there a humble Dalea, or an ascending Petalostemon. 

 As we approached the river we discovered a fine herd of bi- 

 sons in the grove where we intended to place our camp, some 

 lying down in the shade, others standing in the pool of 

 water which extended along under the bank. Dismounting 

 from our horses and approaching under cover of the bushes 

 we shot two of the fattest, but before we had time to reload 

 our pieces, after the second fire, we perceived a bull running 

 towards us, evidently with the design to make battle; we, 

 however, gave him the slip, by escaping into the thick bushes, 

 and he turned off to follow the retiring herd. 



It is only in the rutting season that any danger is to be ap- 

 prehended from the strength and ferocity of the male bison. 

 At all other times, whether wounded or not, their efforts are, 

 to the last, directed solely towards an escape from their 

 pursuers, and at this time it does not appear that their rage 

 is provoked, particularly by an attack upon themselves, but 

 their unusual intrepidity is directed indiscriminately against 

 all suspicious intruders. 



We had now, for some days, been excessively annoyed 

 with large swarms of blowing flies, which had prevented our 



* This elegant Centaurea lias ahead of flowers nearly as large as that 

 oftheCnicus lanccolatus, so commonly naturalized in the east. Some 

 specimens, from seeds brought by Major Long have flowered in Mr. 

 Peale's garden, near Germantown. The plant will be easily naturalized, 

 and found highly ornamental. 



