[145] Among many plants collected in this excursion, some of them new to us, we recognized an old acquaintance in the bearberry (Arbutus _uva-ursi_, L.) an inhabitant of the mountainous districts of New York and New England; also the Dodecatheon _integrifolium_, Ph.; and a beautiful little plant referable to the genus Mentzelia of Plumier. On the higher parts of the mountain an oak is common, approaching in character to the Quercus _banisteri_, Mx. Also a small undescribed acer, the Juniperus _communis_ and I. _virginiana_; in the ravines, the Rhus _toxicodendron_, Spiræa _opulifolia_, olc; and at the base of the mountains the Prenanthes _runcinata, leaves runcinate pinnatifid, ⅔ inches long, five lines wide_. Resembles P. _Juncea_, Saxifraga _nivales_, L. A. cerastium, olc.—JAMES. The men who had been sent out to their assistance returned some time afterwards, having sought for them without success. On the morning,[146] soon after the departure of Dr. James's detachment, two of the party passed into the mountains on the left side of the river; they experienced much difficulty, and underwent much labour in scaling the steep ascents, and some hazard in descending the precipitous declivities which marked their course. The timber was small, scrubby, and scattered in the most favoured situation; and many of the solitary pines which occupied an elevated position, had evidently been the sport of furious tempests, being rived and seamed by lightning. Upon surmounting one of the elevations, they observed on a projecting ledge of the succeeding mountain two elk grazing, which seemed to be at a very short distance; and in consequence of this deceptive appearance were magnified into a vast size. The party were surprized at the apparent heedlessness of these animals, which remained peacefully feeding, whilst the party was clambering along the rocks in full view, until at length they majestically bounded off, leaving the authors of their alarm to measure the unexpected distance to the position they had occupied. To the right, and easy of access, was a projecting rock supporting a single humble cedar in one of its fissures, from which a stone let fall was received into the torrent of the river which washed its base. The huge rampart of naked rock which had been seen from below to stretch across {196} the valley, was now in nearer view, the river whirling abruptly around the acute angle of its extremity, and offering at its superior edge an embattled outline. They ascended a primitive mountain, which seemed to be of a superior elevation, in order to overlook the western ranges; but found their horizon bounded by the succeeding mountains towering majestically above them. To the east, over the tops of a few inferior elevations, lay expanded the vast interminable prairie over which we had so long held our mountainous march. The undulations which swell its surface now disappeared, and the whole lay like a map before the observer.