1682 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 



one of Cinque-Foil (Potenlilla fruticosa), one of Aveus (Genm triflorum), two of Ane- 

 mone (Virginiana and muliifida), one of Stone-Crop (Sedum stenopetahtm), the American 

 Columbo (Frasera speciom), &c, were observed, together with .several Astragali and 



many Compox'd(v. 



TREES AND SHRUBS. 



SALICACE.E. 



(Willow Family.) 



Populus monilifera (Cottonwood). — Forms the bulk of the timber on all valley-bottoms 

 from Fort Lincoln to near the eastern range of the Rocky Mountains. The only Poplar 

 at Pompey's Pillar; it becomes scarce at the mouth of the Big Rosebud, and probably 

 disappears completely a short distance farther up, before reaching the canon of the 

 Yellowstone. Up Clark's Fork it disappears about 20 miles from its mouth. On the 

 Muscleshell, where it is crossed by Colonel Stanley's trail, the Cottonwood and Willow- 

 leaved Poplar (Populus angusUfolia) are about equally mixed. Not seen north of the 

 Muscleshell until reaching the Missouri Basin. At Carroll, on the Missouri, the Cot- 

 tonwood still holds undisputed possession of the bottom-lands; not found on Big 

 Rosebud and other tributaries of the Yellowstone above it, being there replaced by 

 the two varieties of the Balsam Poplar (Populus bahamifera) and the Aspen (Populus 

 tremuloides). 



At the latitude of the Northern Pacific Railroad I have not met with the Cottonwood 

 east of the Missouri basin; the only Poplar found on the Red River being the Aspen 

 ( Populus tremuloides). 



Whole groves of Cottonwood were seen with their trunks stripped by the Indians. 

 who use the inner layers of the bark as a mucilaginous ami' anti-scorbutic food. 



Populus angulata (Angled Cottonwood). — Distinguished from the last by its angular 

 and winged branches, not as common on the Missouri as on its affluents. Habitat, 

 same as preceding, of which it seems to be merely a variety. 



Populus bahamifera (Balsam Poplar; Tacamahac). — Abundant under two distinct 

 forms: 



Var. candicans (Balm of Gilead). — Scarce on Muscleshell; common on Yellowstone 

 above the Big Rosebud, on Big Rosebud, Rocky Fork, forks of Milk River (Dawson): 

 nowhere as abundant as the nest or narrow-leaved variety. 



Var. angustifolia (Willow-leaved Poplar). — Becomes the prevailing tree and forms 

 the bulk of the timber on river-bottoms from the line of longitude and altitude 

 marking the limits of the Cottonwood. Quite abundant on Yellowstone at and above 

 Big Rosebud, on Rosebud, Rocky Fork, Clark's Fork, on the Muscleshell above the 

 Bend, in Judith Basin, and on the streams issuing from the Little Rocky Mountains. 

 Beautiful, lofty Tree, generally from 1 to 4, but sometimes 6, feel in diameter, with 

 white glistening bark and dense, graceful foliage. When small has somewhat the 

 habit of Salix cordata. Has a straighter trunk and finer-grained wood than the 

 monolifera. Inner bark sometimes used as killikinnick. 



Populus tremuloides (American Aspen). — Only near the mountains at high elevations. 

 Big Rosebud, Clark's Fork, Judith Basin, Little Rocky Mountains. Small, seldom 

 more than 'A to 4 inches in diameter. 



Salix cordata (Heart-leaved Willow). — Common on Missouri, Muscleshell. Rosebud, 

 Ac Shrub or seldom a small crooked tree. 



Salix longifolia (Long-leaved Willow). — An elegant species with straight stems and 

 slender foliage. Common on Yellowstone, Muscleshell, and Missouri. Shrub or small 

 tree. 



Salix discolor (Glaucous Willow). — Somewhat larger than the two preceding, and 

 affording tolerable fuel. Large shrub, or small scnibhy tree. Missouri, Yellowstone, 

 Clark's Folk, Big Rosebud, Little Rocky Mountains. 



Salix nigra (Black Willow). — Shrub or small tree. Yellowstone (Cedar Creek), Big 

 Rosebud, Ac. 



CONlFFJv\K. 



(Pine Family.) 



Juniperus Virginiana (Juniper, Bed Cedar). — Shrub or tree, often from 20 to 40 feet 

 high. Rare easl of Tongue River, common beyond it on bluffs and mountains. Found 

 at ;i lower altitude than the pine, hence extends into the pine region, but becomes 

 rare at very high elevations. 



Juniperus 8abina f var. procumbem (Running Cedar; Ground Cedar). — This pretty 

 species, commo on rocky bluffs, spreading over them its carpet of slender twigs and 

 matted foliage, longs to a lower elevation than the preceding. From Fori Lincoln 

 to ( larroll, north and south of t he Missouri. At ( 'arroll shows itself under two forms: 

 one distinctly glailCOUS-wllite, the other dark green, both more or less erect. 



