SOUTHERN OREGON. 
231 
On the top was a small grassy plain, along which they travelled for a 
short distance, after which they descended rapidly into a valley where 
water was found. The most difficult part of the day’s journey was 
the ascent from this valley, to effect which they toiled for three hours. 
The woods had been lately on fire here, and many of the trees were 
still ignited. This fire had evidently been lighted by the Indians for 
the purpose of causing the trees to fall across the path; they had also 
tied some of the branches together, and interlocked others. Every thing 
was charred, and the more annoying on that account, as our people 
were completely covered with charcoal dust. From the summit of 
this ridge, a view is had of a confused mass of abrupt ridges, between 
wffiich lie small and secluded valleys. The whole range is thickly 
wooded, with a variety of trees, among which are the Pinus Lam- 
bertiana, (the first time it had been met with it,) Oaks, Arbutus, Prunus, 
Cornus, Yews, Dogwood, Hazel, Spiraea, and Castanea. In different 
directions, dense smoke was seen arising, denoting that these savages 
were on the w’atch for the party, and making signals to muster their 
forces for an attack, if a favourable opportunity should offer. 
The Pinus Lambertiana, of Douglass, was not found quite so large 
as described by him. The cones, although fourteen inches long, were 
small in circumference. 
They encamped on the plain of the Shaste country, which is divided 
by the mountains which they had passed, from the Umpqua Valley. 
The greatest elevation of those mountains, by the boiling temperature 
of water, was one thousand seven hundred and fifty feet. On reaching 
the encampment, it was discovered that Mr. Peale had met with the 
loss of a considerable part of his luggage, in consequence of the pack 
having been torn open by the bushes. It was therefore resolved to remain 
half a day at this place, in order to send back and seek for it, as well 
as to give the horses time to recover from the fatigue they had under¬ 
gone. The 23d was therefore passed quietly, while a small division 
went back to search for the missing articles ; but the only one which 
they succeeded in finding, was the camera lucida. Some Indians were 
met with, who no doubt had picked up all the rest of the missing 
articles ; but as their language was unintelligible to the guides, no 
questions could be asked, nor any information received from them. 
The rocks in this neighbourhood are here and there intersected with 
veins of quartz, and masses of that mineral are found strewn over the 
whole country. The soil that lies above the talcose rock is gravelly, 
and generally of a red brick-colour. Our botanists collected, during 
the day, many seeds. In the way of plants, they found the bulb which 
"s used in California in the place of soap. 
