PUGET SOUND AND OKONAGAN. 429 



and beads. They had a number of fine horses, but could not be 

 induced to part with any of them. 



Lieutenant Johnson had now succeeded in purchasing venison and 

 salmon, and the party again had full allowance. 



On the 3d, they continued their route to the northward, over gra- 

 dually rising ground, and Lieutenant Johnson having succeeded in 

 purchasing three more horses, only three of the party were now 

 without them, so that the riding and tye system was not quite so often 

 resorted to as before. On this plain was seen a number of curlews, 

 some grouse, and a large species of hare. They encamped again 

 near the snow, and found their altitude greater than any yet reached, 

 the barometer standing at 24-750 in. : five thousand two hundred and 

 three feet. They had again reached the spruces and lost the pine, 

 which was only found on the hill-sides and plains. 



At 4 a. m. on the morning of the 4th of June, the thermometer stood 

 at 28°. They on that day continued their route up the mountain and 

 across its summit, which was here and there covered with patches of 

 snow. I regret to record another accident to the instruments. The 

 sergeant, to whom the barometer was intrusted by Lieutenant Johnson, 

 in putting up the instrument this morning, carelessly broke it; and 

 thus ended the barometrical experiments in the most interesting portion 

 of the route. 



It is difficult to account for the scarcity of snow on a much higher 

 elevation than they had before reached, and under circumstances 

 which would appear to have warranted a contrary expectation. Dr. 

 Pickering was induced to believe that this change in the climate is 

 owing to the open nature of the surrounding country ; its being devoid 

 of dense forests, with but a few scattered trees and no under-brush ; 

 and the vicinity to elevated plains, and the ridge being of a less broken 

 character. 



The early part of the day was cold, with showers of sleet. On the 

 crest of the mountain they passed over swampy ground, with but a 

 few patches of spruces; after passing which, they began to descend 

 very regularly towards the Columbia, which they reached early in the 

 afternoon, about, three miles below the Pischous river. The Columbia 

 at this place is a rapid stream, but the scenery differs entirely from 

 that of other rivers: its banks are altogether devoid of any fertile 

 alluvial flats ; destitute even of scattered trees ; there is no freshness 

 in the little vegetation on its borders ; the sterile sands in fact reach to 

 its very brink, and it is scarcely to be believed until its banks are 

 reached that a mighty river is rolling its waters past these arid wastes. 

 The river, in this section of the country, is generally confined within 



