294 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
more subject to early and late frosts, than the prairie to the east, though 
the winter is probably not so severe as that of the Red River Valley. On 
reaching this part of the third plateau in June of last year, the vegeta- 
tion—from a comparison of the flowering plants—appeared to be about a 
week behind that of the second steppe. The plateau of the Tertiary is 
for the most part, only adapted for pastoral occupation; but being covered 
with a good growth of grass, is well suited for this use. The strip of 
country between the plateau and southern edge of the Coteau, partakes 
in some measure of its character, but has a less favourable appearance. 
689. An important advantage of this plateau, is the existence along 
its edges of sheltered ravines and vallies, containing groves of poplar; 
and also the presence beneath it of great deposits of lignite coal. In 
one of these sheltered valleys, the half-breed settlement known as 
Wood Mountain, is situated. No cultivation of the ground has been 
attempted by the few families frequenting the place, and its prosperous 
days are already over, as the buffalo, on which its existence depends, 
now rarely come so far east. It is, in fact, merely a base for a certain 
number of hunters and traders, who have found it convenient to erect 
wintering shanties there. 
690. South of the plateau, as far west as Wood Mountain, the region 
draining to the Missouri, is also based on the Tertiary, and generally 
bears a close, short growth of grass. Beyond Wood Mountain, the low 
ground, both to the north and south of the plateau, is based on the Cre- 
taceous clays, and is, in most places, dry and barren. The ‘grease-wood ’ 
(Sarcobatus) and other peculiar chenopodiums, now appear in the flat, 
clay-bottomed vallies of the streams; and many varieties of ‘sage’ 
(Artemisia), and other shrubby composite are found. The disc-leaved 
cactus (Opuntia Missouriensis), in some places forms extensive beds, and 
in the last week in June, was found to be in full flower. Thedrier slopes, 
which are scarcely capable of supporting a sod, show among the stunted 
grass Selaginella rupestris, and a small species of lichen. Many peculiar 
southern, or extreme western plants, were here met with for the first 
time, and here also the ‘jack rabbit,’ and ‘sage cock’ (Centrocerus uro- 
phasianus) tind their eastern limit. | 
691. The White Mud River, or Frenchman’s Creek, may at present 
be considered the eastern limit of the buffalo, in this lattitude. During 
the last sixteen years, their front has been driven back, in the vicinity of 
the Line, over two hundred miles, and it is probable that their northern 
limit has been contracted to at least a like amount. 

