russell.] VEGETATION. 23 
nished the basis of this report was the finding of a true forest over 
several hundred square miles of the surface which is designated on 
many maps as the "Snake River Desert." On the three prominent 
buttes situated in the central part of the plain between Blackfoot 
and Big Lost River there is a thrifty growth of junipers. This 
forest extends far out on the plain lying east of the buttes, and 
covers in all about 175 square miles. The trees, although small, sel- 
dom, in fact, attaining a height of over 15 or 20 feet, are thrifty and 
are valuable for fence posts, firewood, etc. On Big Butte there is, in 
addition to a few junipers, a vigorous growth in the most favorable 
places of pine and young firs. An older forest, destroyed by fire, is 
still standing, the trees, principally pines and firs, being from 30 to 40 
feet high. The most thoroughly tree-covered portion of the plains, 
however, is situated near their western border, and extends from a 
point a few miles south of Arco southwestward about 50 miles, in 
an irregular belt from 10 to 15 miles broad. This tract, about 800 
square miles in area, is an open forest, consisting principally of pine 
and fir. This forested area embraces the Cinder Buttes, and there 
touches the mountains bordering the Snake River Plains on the west. 
In all other portions of the west border of the tree-covered region it 
is separated from the mountains by black, barren lava flows of recent 
date. Where the trees grow there is a fine, rich soil covering old lava 
sheets, and among the trees luxuriant bunch grass clothes the ground. 
This tree- and grass-covered region, instead of being a desert, is park- 
like in appearance, and, in reality, is a beautiful and attractive country. 
Like man} 7 other extensive portions of the Snake River Plains, this 
region would become highly fruitful if water could be had for irriga- 
tion, and it is by no means certain that wheat and other grain will not 
grow without artificial watering. It is remote from streams and 
springs, however, and owing to this fact it has been saved from the 
destructive inroads of domestic sheep and its primitive wildness has 
been preserved. 
To the west of East and Middle buttes there is a tract of about 200 
square miles which is without trees or bushes, even the sagebrush 
being absent, but it is clothed with luxuriant bunch grass, and fur- 
nishes as typical an example of a rolling prairie as one can find in the 
far West. 
During the winter months, when snow lies on the Snake River 
Plains, tens of thousands of sheep are driven there for pasturage, and 
thrive on the withered grass and nutritious shrubs. Snow supplies 
the place of water, or else, on melting, fills small depressions and forms 
water pockets. The area of these natural pastures is so great, how- 
ever, that but little damage has as yet been done, except in the neigh- 
borhood of the streams which flow down from the mountains. 
