1686 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 



RANUNCULACE..E. 



(Crowfoot Family.) 



Clematis ligusticifolia (Western Virgin-Bower). — Common. Cedar Creek, mouth of 

 Bighorn, Big Rosebud, &c. Var. brevifolia, Pompey's Pillar. 



AXIFOLIACE.E. 



(Holly Family.) 



Ilex opaca (American Holly). — Probably this species. The foliage of 1 specimen only 

 observed in Judith Basin. Dwarfish. 



Looking at the flora of this region in its utilitarian aspect, I find that the species 

 suitable for timber are, outside of the mountains: Pin us ponderosa (Bluff Pine); Juni- 

 perus Virginiana (Red Cedar); Quercus macrocarpa (Oak); Fraxinus Americana (Ash); 

 [ r I m its Americana (Elm); Populus monolifera (Cottonwood); Populus angulata (Cotton- 

 wood); Populus an (/u st if alia (Poplar); Populus candicans (Poplar). On the mountains: 

 Pinus flexilis (Flexible Pine); Abies Douglasii (Douglas, Fir). In all, 11 species. 



The food-yielding species are as follows. Those with edible fruit : Shepherdia argentea 

 (Bull Berry); Prunus Virginiana (Choke Cherry) ; Vitis eordifolia (Frost Grape) ; Ame- 

 lanchier Canadensis (June Berry); Crataegus Douglasii (Brook Thorn); Bibes rirularis 

 (Mountain Stream Gooseberry); Bibes aurcum (Missouri Currant); Bibes floridum (Wild 

 Black Currant). Those with nutritious sap and bark : Xegundo aceroides (Box-Elder) ; 

 Populus monolifera (Cottonwood); Populus angulata (Cottonwood). 



In addition to the foregoing, already contained in the list of trees and shrubs, I 

 should mention : 



Psoralea esculenta (Pomme Blanche des Prairies). — Yields a palatable farinaceous bulb, 

 formerly much used by Canadian voyageurs. Found scattered over dry, gravelly pla- 

 teaus. 



Astragalus cari/ocarpus (Ground Plum). — Ripe in July. Common on dry, sandy pla- 

 teaus. Fleshy pod slightly acidulous, quite palatable; said to be improved by cook- 

 ing. 



Allium rcticulatum (Wild Garlic); Allium stellatum (Wild Garlic). — Both common, par- 

 ticularly tin 4 first. Bulb strongly impregnated with the flavor peculiar to the genus. 



Pragaria Virginiana (Strawberry). — Scattered on banks of streams; not common. 



Helianthm Icnticularis (Western Sunflower). — Very common on rich bottom-lands. 

 Cultivated by the Rees, Gros Ventres, and Mandans at Berthold Agency. Accord- 

 ing to Dr. Matthews, U. S. A., "the seeds are dried, slightly scorched in pots or pane 

 on the fire, and then powdered. The meal is boiled or made into cakes with grease. 

 The sunflower-cakes are often taken on war-parties, and are said, when eaten even 

 sparingly, to sustain the consumer against fatigue more than any other food." 



I have not seen any plant of much interest to industry. The prevalence of the 

 Linum pcrenne (Perennial Wild Flax), with its tough textile bark, would seem to hint 

 at the possible successful cultivation of the common flax. 



The Hnmulus lupulus (Common Hop), also very common, might perhaps be made 

 profitable. 



Ornamental plants, such as would embellish Eastern gardens, are not rare. I enum- 

 erate them somewhat in the order of their beauty, and only those special to the region. 



Leucrocriiiuin inoutunum. — Lower Yellowstone; opens in May its wax-white, long, 

 slender-petaled blossoms; delicately but faintly fragrant. 



l'cnsteinon acuminatum. — Lower Yellowstone. A somewhat peculiar variety of this 

 species, with sky-blue flowers and glaucous, fleshy leaves. 



Mentzelia laricaulis, T. & G. — Pompey's Pillar. Rare. 



Mentzelia inula, T. & G. — Mouth of Sunday Creek; uncommon. 



Castilleia affinis. — Snow Mountains. 



( 'astilleid Una ri<i folia. — Snow Mountains. 



(Enothera ccespitosa, Nutt. (Stemless Western Primrose). — Common on bad-lands, 



(Enothera pinnatifida, Nutt. — The most prevalent CEnothera on the Yellowstone Plains 



(Enothera alhieaulis. — Prairie ; common. 



(Enothera serrulata. — Bluffs ; uncommon. 



Gaura cocoinea. — Common. 



Gaura parviflora. Rare. — Pompey's Pillar. 



I-'ritillaria atropurpurea, Nutt. — Common on the Yellowstone slopes. 



Colochortm Xullallii, T. & G. — Cedar, Custer, and Sunday Creeks, 



Euphorbia marginata. — Common about mouth of Sunday Creek; often cultivated in 

 gardens. 



