Rockif Mountains. 359 



hibited as proofs of the fact. The several examples of this 

 formation, that we have witnessed, are evidently crystalline 

 salt, deposited by a regular process of evaporation and crys- 

 tallization, and formed into concrete masses or crusts upon 

 the surface of the ground. 



Indications of coal are occasionally to be seen, but this 

 mineral docs not probably occur in large quantities. The 

 geological character of this section, is not such as to en- 

 courage the search for valuable minerals. A deep crust of 

 secondary sand stone, occasionally alternating with breccia, 

 with here and there a superstructure of rocks of a primitive 

 type, are the principal formations that present themselves. 



Of the animals of this region, the buffaloe or bison ranks 

 first in importance, inasmuch as it supplies multitudes of sa- 

 vages not only with the principal part ot their necessary food, 

 but also contributes to furnish them with warm clothing. 

 The flesh of this animal is equal if not superior to beef, and 

 affords not only^ a savoury but a wholesome diet. A large 

 proportion of this section, commencing at the assumed me- 

 ridian, and extending westward to within one hundred miles 

 of the Rocky Mountains, constitutes a part only of their pas- 

 ture ground, over which they roam in numbers to an incre- 

 dible amount. Their range extends northwardly and south- 

 wardly of the section, as far as we have any particular ac- 

 count of the country. The animal next in importance is the 

 wild horse, a descendant, no doubt, of the Spanish breed of 

 horses, to which its size, form, and variety of colours, show 

 that it is nearly allied. In regard to their contour, symme- 

 try, &c. they afford all the varieties common to that breed 

 of horses. They are considerably numerous in some parts of 

 the country, but not abundant. They are generally collected 

 in gangs, but are sometimes solitary. 



Grizzly or white bears are frequently to be seen in the 

 vicinity of the mountains. They are much larger than the 

 common bear, endowed with great strength, and are said to 

 be exceedingly ferocious. The black or common bears, are 

 numerous in some parts of the country, — but none of these 

 animals are found remote from woodlands, upon the products 

 of which, they depend in a great measure for their subsist- 

 ence. 



The common deer are to be met with in every part of this 

 section, but are most numerous in the vicioity of woodlands. 

 The black-tailed, or mule deer, is found only in the neigh- 



