SOUTHERNOREGON. 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 

 which 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 watch 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 

 is used in California in the place of soap. 



