JOURNAL. 
Alondaij %7th. We have now got into a country 
^'hich presents little to our view, but scenes of bar- 
renness and desolation ; and see no encouraging pros* 
pects that it will terminate. Having proceeded (by 
the course of this river) about two thousand three 
hundred miles, it may therefore not be improper to 
.make two or three general observations respecting 
the country we have passed. 
From the mouth of the Missouri to tliat of the 
river Platte, a distance of more than six hundred 
miles, the land is generally of a good qnality, witii 
a sufficient qviantity of timber ; in many places very 
rich, and the country pleasant and beautiful. 
From the conliuence of the river Platte with the 
-Missouri to the Sterile desert v/e lately entered a 
distance of upwards of fifteen hundred miles the 
soil is less ricli, and except in the bottoms, the hvnd 
of an inferior quality ; but may in general be called 
good second rate land. The country is rather hilly 
than level, though not mountainous, rocky or stony/ 
The hills in their unsheltered state are much '-xpo- 
^ed to^be v/ashed by heavy rains. This kind of coun- 
try and soil which has fallen under our observation m 
our progress up the Missouri, extends it is under- 
stood, to a great distance on both sides of the river. 
Along the Missouri and the waters which flow into- 
it, cotton wood and willows are frequent in the bottomri 
and islands; but the upland is cdmost entire!]^ 
without timber, and consists of large prairies or plains 
ihe boundaries of which the eye cannot reach. The 
grass IS generally short on these immense natun.l 
pastures^ v/hichja the |>roj)er seasons are decorated 
with blossoms and tfewers of various cok-urs. The 
Tiews from the hills are interestijig and grand* Wide 
extended plains with their hills .-.nd vales, stretchinf|j: 
away in lessening wavy ridges, until by tl^eirlrns^ 
lance they fade from the sight ; lari^e rivers aiic| 
■ itreaui^ u\ theii' rapid cour;3e^ winding in varicai^ 
