Number 2

Engineer 

Historical

Studies

Explorer on the Northern Plains :

Lieutenant Gouverneur K. Warren's

Preliminary Report of Explorations

in Nebraska and Dakota, in the

Years 1855 - '55 -'57
Explorer on the Northern Plains:

Lieutenant Gouverneur K. Warren's

Preliminary Report of Explorations in

Nebraska and Dakota, in the Years

1855-9 56-9 57

Introduction

by

Frank N . Schubert

Historical Division

Office of Administrative Services

Office of the Chief of Engineers
FOREWORD

This is the second publication in the new series of Corps of

Engineers Historical Studies. Like the first, it features the report of

an Engineer explorer. Unlike its predecessor, it reproduces a oncepublished narrative, one that frontiersmen heading into the Dakota

country to pan for gold used as a guidebook .

Warren's report presents the northern plains from a variety of

perspectives. On his first exploration, he accompanied a military

expedition against the Sioux . The second time, he reconnoitered

major streams from the decks of river boats. On his last trip, he rode

into the heart of the Black Hills homeland of the Sioux. From data

acquired on these journeys, he wrote his narrative with its details

about the land, its fauna and flora, and its people. Warren's report

captures for all time the northern plains at an early stage of

settlement. It also illuminates the role of the Corps of Engineers in

westward expansion.

J . K. BRATTON

Lieutenant General, USA

Chief of Engineers
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

No matter how small the project, success depends on the

cooperation and assistance of many. Among those who read the

introduction and made helpful suggestions were my colleagues Dale

E. Floyd and John T. Greenwood ; William G. Bell, Kim B. Holien,

and Brooks E . Kleber of the U.S. Army Center of Military History;

and James A. Hanson of the Smithsonian Institution . Jim Hanson

knows as much as anybody about Warren and the northern plains,

and I learned a great deal from our conversations over the past

several months. Research and acquisition of pictures and maps were

made easier by John Dwyer, Center for Cartographic Archives,

National Archives; Leigh G. Delay, Nebraska State Historical

Society; Margaret Combs of the Historical Division; and Ann P.

Crumpler, U.S . Army Corps of Engineers Library. Cynthia A.

Barnes typed the introduction . Edward J . Miller, Henry Born,

Edward Braun, and Ted Smallenbroek managed and carried out

design and production .

Frank N. Schubert

Washington, D .C .
INTRODUCTION

Early in October 1851, a very young second lieutenant in the Cor

of Topographical Engineers sat at his desk in Philadelphia and wro

to his father. Slim, black-haired, and moustached, with a penetrati

gaze that became somber as the years passed, Gouverneur K. Warre

pondered his future . He had graduated second in the Milita

Academy's class of 1850 and already had a reputation for uncommo

intelligence. In fact, rumors circulated about his return to West Poi

as a mathematics instructor . While flattered by the gossip, Warre

hoped to,avoid such an assignment, at least for a while . As he confid

to his father, "I would rather rough it than be sent there before ha

service had made me above reproach."'

Warren soon had the field work he craved . Like other members 

the small, elite Corps of Topographical Engineers, he became 

volved in an expanding program of navigation improvements. Aft

two years as an assistant engineer on the topographical and hydr

graphical survey of the Mississippi Delta, he worked for Colon

Stephen H. Long on the canal around the falls of the Ohio River 

Louisville. From there he moved to the upperMississippi, where 

took charge of the surveys for improvement of Rock Island and D

Moines rapids. By 1855 he had honed his abilities with four years 

practical experience .' .

In 1855 the nature of Warren's duties changed dramatical

America's attention focused more than ever on the vast region west 

the Mississippi River. The huge southwestern domain obtained aft

the Mexican War, the twin fevers for California gold and Oreg

farmsteads, and the political debates over a railroad route to t

Pacific coast meant important work for the Topographic

Engineers. Exploring parties examined the new country, report

on its resources, surveyed wagon roads, and led expeditions ov

proposed railway lines across the plains and mountains. Assigned 

compile a map of the trans-Mississippi West in the Office of Pacif

Railroad Surveys, Warren began to play his part in the gre

westward movement. 3

The widespread interest in the new country joined with mo

specific developments to shape Warren's role . In a drama played o

on the banks of the North Platte near Fort Laramie in August 18

an irate emigrant, a wandering cow, and a green second lieutena
Gouverneur K. Warren. Nebraska State Historical Society.
sparked a conflict that later took Warren beyond the Father 

Waters into the hunting grounds of the Sioux . The emigrant was o

of a large number of Mormons bound for the Great Salt Lake and t

haven first pointed out to Brigham Young in the reports 

Lieutenant John C . Fremont of the Topographical Engineers. Th

Mormon emigrant owned the cow, until its strayed and ended its li

in Indian cook pots. After the owner found out about the cow's demise

he complained to First Lieutenant Hugh B. Fleming, wh

commanded Fort Laramie. Fleming ordered Second Lieutena

John L. Grattan to capture the Indian miscreant, a Miniconjou Siou

warrior who was a guest in a Brule Sioux camp. His hosts would n

surrender him, so Grattan unlimbered a small artillery piece an

opened fire. The Sioux cut down the young officer and twenty-eight 

his twenty-nine men. One wounded soldier made it back to Fo

Laramie with the awful news before he too died. 4

The tragic affair, which quickly became known as the Gratta

massacre, had wide repercussions . The fire fight in the Brule cam

was, as historian Robert Athearn observed, "like a rock thrown into 

pond ." As the ripples widened, the relative calm on the norther

plains ended, and a period of intermittent Indian wars that last

over twenty years began. The military presence in the region gre

enormously, the pressure forced the tribes into ever-shrinkin

spaces, and the Missouri River fur trade that depended on India

bows and traps for pelts died.b Gouverneur Warren took part in all 

these developments.

The Army reacted swiftly to the news of the Grattan disaste

Scarcely two months after the fight, the War Department ordere

Colonel William S . Harney to report to St. Louis and take comman

of an expedition against the Sioux. The directive reached Harney 

Paris, where his wife and daughter lived, soon after he had cross

the Atlantic. Although he had been promised a two-year leave after 

hard tour of duty in Texas, the tough older campaigner packed h

bags and, on Christmas eve of 1854, boarded ship for his return to t

states. 6

While Harney organized his force of dragoons, infantry, an

mounted artillery, Lieutenant Warren got his marching orders. H

was not the first choice to serve as Harney's topographer. Colon

John J. Abert, Chief of Topographical Engineers, initially assign

Captain Thomas J. Lee to the expedition. Lee resigned from t

Army, and Abert had to take Warren from his job with the Office 

Pacific Railroad Surveys. He received his instructions in late Apr

and reported to Harney in St. Louis a month later.?

Even before he arrived in the frontier metropolis, Warre

prepared for his assignment. He took along a copy of "Instructions f

Astronomical and Magnetic Party," which Lieutenant Amiel W

Whipple had written for another novice topographer, Lieutena

Joseph C. Ives. Whipple's instructions also included reminders on t
William S. Harney. Library of Congress.

x
Harney moved his 600-man force westward in two columns. Most

of the expedition, which included units of the Second and Sixth

Infantry, Second Dragoons, and Fourth Artillery, went overland

with him. Two companies of the Second Infantry steamed up the

Missouri on a paddle-wheeler to establish a supply base at Fort

Pierre, which Pierre Chouteau's American Fur Company had just

sold to the government after deciding to relocate its upriver

operations nearer to the Rocky Mountains . Warren went with the

Fort Pierre contingent to reconnoiter the country and lay out a

military reservation for the fort . With the river unusually low, the

steamer took thirty-nine days to make its way to Pierre. 9

Fort Pierre, drawn by Captain Alfred Sully of the Second Infantry in

1857 . South Dakota State Historical Society.

Dakota can be blazing hot in July, and so it was in the summer of

1855. In no time Fort Pierre joined the ranks of frontier posts hated

and cursed by their garrisons. Soldiers of the Second Infantry

summed up their feelings in song:

Oh, we don't mind the marching

nor the fighting do we fear,
But, we'll never forgive old Harney

for bringing us to Pierre,

They say old Shotto [Chotteau] built it,

but we know it is not so;

For the man who built this bloody ranch

is reigning down below. 1o

The fierce glare of the sun did not deter Warren. While continuing

to gather information from the mountainmen, he laid out a 270-

square-mile - reservation that encompassed a timber reserve,

grasslands enough for forage, and arable ground for a post garden.

The site in the heart of Sioux country had been a choice one for the fur

trade, but the harshness of the country forced Warren to establish a

huge reservation . While plotting the boundaries, the heat felled his

theodolite bearer, an infantry soldier detailed as Warren's assistant .

The soldier recovered; the instrument did not."

Warren had explicit orders regarding his actions after completion

of his work at Fort Pierre . He was to go back down the river to Fort

Leavenworth on the first available boat and await instructions.

However, he did no such thing. Perhaps, as historian William

Goetzmann suggests, he had an impetuous streak akin to John

Fremont's. Maybe he was just curious about the unknown country

to the south of Pierre. In any case, he ignored the advice of the officers

at the Fort, recruited six frontiersmen to accompany him and

Carrey, and headed south across the Niobrara River and the

sandhills to Fort Kearny on the Platte. 12

Warren's letters and reports show that he understood and even

relished the dangers of the 300-mile trek. As he knew, the Sioux to the

west and the Pawnees to the east regularly crossed the dune country

to raid each other's horses. He thought the Brules would not hesitate

to strike a small military party and was familiar with the Pawnee

reputation for marauding. "We shall," he wrote at Fort Pierre,

"travel as men of the country, and exercise the greatest vigilence ."

And so they did . Warren and his party slipped out of Pierre and made

their way stealthily southward, crossing several fresh trails and

passing recently used Pawnee camps.

13

Fifteen days later, to the astonishment and delight of Colonel

Harney, Warren rode into Fort Kearny. Proudly Warren

enumerated the results of his "adventure of great danger": a detailed

topographical sketch of the hitherto unexplored trail and a

barometric profile of altitudes . In his report he also included a sevenpage "Description of route from Fort Pierre to Fort Kearny," a

landmark-to-landmark itinerary which identified the locations and

quality of wood, water, and grass. Of even greater importance to

Harney, who was about to set out in pursuit of the Brules, was

Warren's party itself, the topographer, his assistant, and six firstrate guides and interpreters. 14
Warren's route from Fort Pierre to Fort Kearny. National Archives

(Record Group 77, file Q56).
As Little Thunder's Brule band soon found out, Harney was a

relentless foe. He was also generous and even extravagant in his

praise of initiative and daring. In his report to Washington, he

applauded Warren's "bold and unauthorized" journey and commended Warren and Carrey for "their zeal and disinterestedness in

this hazardous undertaking." He also treated Warren and the other

officers of the command to a champagne lunch, and on the next day

broke camp and set out against the Brules. 15

Harney found Little Thunder's band camped near Ash Hollow on

Blue Water Creek, a few miles from where it spills into the Platte.

The Indians knew nothing of the enemy that approached in the early

morning darkness. Harney set his trap with care, sending Lieutenant

Colonel Philip St. George Cooke, two companies of dragoons, an

infantry company, and artillery north around the Brule camp to

block the path to the sandhills. Then, still undercover of darkness, he

sent his main force directly against the village. Before the soldiers

struck, the Indians learned of the danger, took down their teepees,

and fled north up the creek-right toward Cooke. Meanwhile, Little

Thunder met Harney on neutral ground and tried to negotiate an end

to the confrontation. Warren claimed that Harney instigated the

meeting "to give time and learn the disposition of these Indians ."

Harney, who reported only that the meeting took place, offered terms

that Little Thunder could not accept-surrender of all the young men

who had been involved in the destruction of Grattan's command and

other depredations, "all of the butchers of our people," as Harney put

it. 16

There were no surprises in the fight that ensued. The infantry

drove the Brules right into Cooke's cavalry, and the rout was on. Men,

women,, and children scattered in every direction. Many took to the

caves in the cliffs on the west bank of the stream . Some defended

themselves there until the soldiers flushed them out. Others fled

across the plain, mostly to be cut down-- by the cavalry. Eighty-six

Sioux fell in the encounter; Harney lost four men. 17

After the fight, Harney again spoke generously aboutWarren . The

commander said his topographer was "most actively engaged," both

before and during the shooting, "reconnoitering the country and the

enemy." Warren did not mention his actions during the battle, but in

his journal recorded at length his activities in the aftermath . He

found the battlefield, the first he had ever seen, a dreadful sight.

Everywhere, it seemed, lay injured innocents, "wounded women and

children, crying and moaning, horribly mangled by the bullets."

Most of them had been hit while in the caves from which armed

warriors had fired at the soldiers. Warren picked up one young girl

and carried her and a small boy to the creek, where he made them a

shelter and bathed their wounds. He and other members of the

expedition worked until well after sundown tending the injured.l 8
xv

SKETCH

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Note Ant, NO)- 1L,.,K 41 0:

Warren's sketch of the battlefield. National Archives (Record Grou

77, file Q57a).
Although preoccupied with this effort, Warren found time to

rescue large quantities of Sioux camp equipment from the bonfires to

which Harney consigned most captured supplies . In fact, Warren

preserved enough material to assemble the largest and most

complete collection of pre-Civil War Teton Sioux artifacts . After he

completed his work in the west, he donated the collection to the

Smithsonian Institution. 1 s

Warren seemed to be of two minds about the battle of Ash Hollow .

In his published report, he wrote that "the punishment inflicted on

the Brules. . . .at Blue Water has taught them a useful lesson, which

they will not soon forget." Furthermore, he recommended taking the

fight to other Sioux tribes, so they too would gain respect for the

power they faced . In his private journal, he dwelt on other matters. "I

was disgusted," he said, "with the tales of valor in the field, for there

were but few who killed anything but a flying foe ."2°

One final duty awaited Warren before he and the expedition left

Blue Water Creek and marched up the North Platte. Colonel Harney

decided to leave a company at Ash Hollow with the wounded and

wanted a fort built for their protection. Most of the officers opposed

this plan, probably because they thought it unlikely that the Brules

would return for some time . Harney remained adamant, so Warren

chose a site and laid out a 100-foot-square stockade. Using Nebraska

sod, the soldiers built Fort Grattan with walls three feet thick at the

bottom and six feet high. 21

Warren accompanied the Sioux Expedition on the long march to

Fort Laramie, then east along the edge of the Black Hills to Fort

Pierre. Along the way he made detailed notes on the unfamiliar

terrain between Laramie and Pierre, recording distance, landmarks, and the locations of those travelers' essentials-wood, water,

and grass. Because early snows foiled Harney's plan for a winter

campaign, the expedition laid over at Pierre . Warren hastened back

to Washington where he resumed work -on his map in the Office of

Pacific Railroad Surveys. His report of the summer's labors, quickly

written and just as quickly published, bore praise from Secretary of

War Jefferson Davis, who called the document "very useful to the

troops on that frontier and to travelers and emigrants." 22

In April 1856, barely a month after completing his report, Warren

boarded Captain John Throckmorton's Genoa, a Missouri steamboat

bound for Fort Pierre. Meteorologist J . Hudson Snowden, who had

traveled with Warren in 1855, made the trip and so did two new

companions, topographer N. H. Hutton and geologist Ferdinand V.

Hayden . Warren enjoyed riverboat travel and took a liking to

Throckmorton, a veteran of the Indian wars of the 1830's .

Nevertheless, Warren grew impatient as the Genoa struggled

against wind and current. Finally, with the vessel aground on a

sandbar in the shallows near the mouth of the Niobrara, he, the Fort

Pierre sutler, and three others set out overland . They walked 160
ypy , 

suffered by Little Thunder, agreed to, allow Warren to pass

unmolested. 24

Reunited with those who had stayed on the Genoa and reinforced by

an infantry detachment, Warren boarded Captain Joseph LaBarge's

steamer St. Mary for the trip up the Missouri. The captain, who was

on a run for the American Fur Company, showed great interest in

Warren's work. On the way up river, past the fur trading post at Fort

Union into present-day Montana, LaBarge often stopped his vessel so

the topographer could examine the countryside . Years later the

riverboatman remembered his passenger as

a very handsome man, with a fine head and clear eye, at

that time rather slender, but well built and erect. He was

always pleasant, and was liked by his men, but was

nevertheless a strict disciplinarian . 25

Near Fort Union, Jim Bridger joined the expedition . Bridger

knew the Missouri's tributaries as well as any man. He led the way

down uncharted portions of the Yellowstone to the mouth of the

Powder River. Warren evaluated the terrain for potential fort sites

while gathering data for his map. Living off the land was easy. He

Fort Union, as seen by the Pacific Railroad Expedition commanded by

Isaac I . Stevens.

xvu
These pages from Warren's 1855 notebook contain topographical notes

and a sketch of the Fort Laramie vicinity. National Archives (Record

Group 77, file Q579-50).

Warren's sketch of the upper reaches of White River shows a crossing

and the location of wood. National Archives (Record Group 77, file

Q579-50).
XXl
and his men "enjoyed the greatest abundance of large game of all

kinds while on the Yellowstone. .

. . 1126

On the first of September, Warren began the month-long trip back

to Fort Pierre . Most of the party paddled to Fort Union in a flatbottomed bullboat made of buffalo skins stretched over a cottonwood

frame, then switched to a wooden craft for the rest of the way down

the Missouri. A shore contingent of seven herded the animals.

Warren stopped at the mouths of tributaries to note their positions

and examine the country . His progress was uneventful until the boat

struck a sandbar near Fort Pierre and spun broadside against the

current. The men leaped into the 40° water and freed the craft before

it became uncontrollable . With an eye on the Indians watching from

shore, Hutton noted that the party "presented an appearance much

more interesting to our enemies than agreeable to our friends."

Warren reached Pierre safely, released his escort, and continued

downriver to Sioux City. From there travel became easier and more

comfortable, as he took a steamboat to St. Louis and finished the

journey to Washington by rai1 . 21

In 1857, with his map of the trans-Mississippi West nearly

completed, Warren returned to Nebraska. This time his travels took

him up the Loup to the sandhills and then along the Niobrara to Fort

Laramie and back through the Black Hills. This probe proved to be

the most difficult and dangerous of his three northern plains

expeditions . His troubles included Loup River quicksand, the

ubiquitous Platte valley mosquitoes, the Sioux, and even his military

escort. Before he set out for the mouth of the Loup, most of his 27-man

escort became drunk and insubordinate . Twelve of the soldiers,

"tempted," Warren said, "by the high price of labor in this vicinity,

and tired of the toils and privations of campaigning," deserted, and

thieves stole two of the party's horses. Still near Sioux City, Warren

wondered what might befall him in less hospitable surroundings:

"These losses occurring in a civilized community, where we supposed

ourselves among friends, were quite annoying, and gave rather unpleasant forebodings of what might occur to us when we should come

among our enemies, the Indians.

"28

Quicksand, rain, and plain hard work marked the journey into the

sandhills. The bed of the North Loup was so treacherous that a wagon

sank clear to its floorboards as the party tried to cross the river. The

men waded into the muck and hauled the baggage ashore, then

extricated the vehicle. Later, they bridged several streams on their

way northwest. One seriously ill soldier rode in a wagon, which was

fine until a jackrabbit stampeded the herd and sent the makeshift

ambulance careening down a steep hill . Fortunately the conveyance

remained upright, and the party finished the journey to the head of

the Loup safely. The reconnaissance filled a small white space on

Warren's map, but he wondered if the effort was worthwhile:
A soldier of the 1857 party. National Archives (Record Group 77, file

Q579-53).

We have now traced the river from end to end and found

its impracticability for almost any purpose so marked

that it seems like a great waste of time to have made the

exertions we have. Our greatest wish is to get away from

it as soon as possible and never return . 29

The trip up the Loup had been hard but at least there had been

water. During their first two days in the dune country, the party

found none at all . On August 9, Warren sighted a lake in the distance,

and the men rushed forward, only to find it "so salty and bitter that a

mule would not drink it ." They managed to get some palatable water

by digging a hole in the sand. Two days later a driving rain brought

relief . They collected the water in barrels for the remainder of the

trek to the Niobrara, or Running Water as the Sioux called the fast

moving stream. The river was only a short distance away but was

difficult to reach because the sandhills forced them onto a

southwesterly course away from it . They took more than a week to

cross the 40-mile expanse of sand between the head of the Loup and

Running Water. 3o
A camp of the 1857 expedition . National Archives (Record Group 77,

file Q579-53).

The bone-weary travelers found the remainder of the journey to

Fort Laramie much easier. The striking windcut formations of the

upper reaches of the Niobrara, which reminded Snowden of ruins of

ancient forts and castles, did not impede their progress. On August

18, they looked down on the valley of the North Platte, and "the

prospect of reaching Laramie cheered everyone." On the next day,

Warren's exhausted party arrived at the post for a well-earned rest . 31

Warren rested at Fort Laramie for two weeks, planning a

reconnaissance into the Black Hills . Although the hills were the

center of the shrinking Sioux hunting grounds, Warren thought the

Indians would let him pass in peace . When he had met a Sioux band

on the way up the Niobrara, they had fled in terror . Moreover, Major

Thomas Twiss, the former Engineer officer who served as Indian

agent at Fort Laramie, also believed the Sioux would not trouble

Warren. They had complained to Twiss, but appeared satisfied with

assurance that Warren would not make a road through the region. 3 z

The great deal of military activity on the North Platte also

increased Warren's confidence . Troops bound for Utah, where war

with the Mormons was imminent, passed Fort Laramie, as did a

column operating against the Cheyennes . In addition to these and

Warren's own party, a fellow topographical engineer, Lieutenant

Francis T. Bryan, explored a potential railroad route south of Fort

Laramie, up Lodgepole Creek to Bridger Pass. The daybefore setting

out, Warren wrote his father that the display of force "completely

overawed" and puzzled the Indians . So, supposing that all this

activity impressed and puzzled the Sioux, Warren left for the Black

Hills, expecting a hard but fruitful journey . 33

Snowden and a portion of the expedition remained at Laramie

preparing to examine the Niobrara before meeting Warren

downstream, east of the hills in mid-October. Those who stayed got

more than enough trader whiskey, a rank mixture which some say

xxiv
was spiked with chewing tobacco, red peppers, and even rattlesna

heads, and discipline began to weaken . Ten days, one desertion, an

two horsethefts after Warren left, Snowden led his party toward t

source of the White River, east of the modern Nebraska-Wyomin

line near the yet undiscovered deposits of dinosaur bones at Agat

Springs. Once cheered by the sight of Laramie, Snowden was happ

to put the post behind him . 34

Contrary to Warren's expectations, the Sioux blocked his pat

through the Black Hills. Shortly after he entered near Inyan Kar

peak, a large force of warriors led by a Huncpapa Sioux chief name

Bear's Rib demanded that Warren turn back. Bear's Rib was ver

persuasive. He feared that Warren would spook the buffalo, b

dreaded even more the potential military value of the reconnaissanc

The angry warriors with him were more convincing. Bear's Ri

allowed Warren to leave by a northern route, and the lieutena

wisely departed . He cut across what is now the Pine Ridge India

Reservation, camped on Wounded Knee Creek, and followed t

Keya Paha to its junction with the Niobrara . He found Snowden o

October 15, making his way downstream along the northern fring

of the sandhills. 35

Snowden, who endured "a very tortuous and fatiguing march, 

bad if not worse than any of our sandhills experience," al

confronted an angry Sioux party. On October 11, Brule warrio

stopped him and complained that Harney had assured them no whit

would pass through their lands without a license from him (they d

not know-and probably would not have cared if they did-tha

Congress had repudiated Harney's agreements). The India

protested Snowden's profligate consumption of the resources alo

the Niobrara, the plums and chokecherries, wood and gras

Moreover, they accused the whites of frightening the game for 

hundred miles in every direction. Snowden had to threaten to op

fire before the Sioux withdrew from his camp.

36

Reunited on October 15, Warren and Snowden traveled to For

Randall while a small detachment followed the Niobrara to i

confluence with the Missouri . The trip from Laramie had bee

hazardous, but Warren had obtained important information abou

the river. His reconnaissance convinced him of the impossibility 

road construction in the Niobrara valley. The upper two-thirds of th

stream ran swift and shallow through deep canyons . The lowe

portion, wider than the Missouri, was almost uncrossable due to t

treacherous bottom. Warren discouraged consideration of a propose

road from Lake Superior southwestward across Minnesota, Dakota

and Nebraska to the Platte where it would join the main road throug

South Pass to Oregon . Such a trail would have to cross Runnin

Water three times. Besides, the Sioux would oppose such an effor

Anyone bold enough to attempt a road survey through their huntin

grounds would need the protection of at least 200 tried men . Warre
Fort Randall. Nebraska State Historical Society.

was convinced "the Sioux are in earnest about stopping white men

from coming there anymore.""

Carefully Lieutenant Warren pondered the difficulties and options

confronting the Sioux. He had at one time urged that the Indians be

taught respect for the whites. After three seasons among the Sioux,

he had developed considerable regard for them. Although he erred in

calling the seven autonomous Teton Sioux tribes a nation, he made no

mistake about their military skill and determination . They were

superb horsemen "numerous, independent, warlike, and powerful

. . ." and had the strength and will for "prolonged and able resistance

to further encroachment of the western settlers . "38

While he knew that any effort to dislodge the Sioux would bring

war, he also recognized that the attempt would nonetheless be made .

Personally familiar with the growth of white settlement on the

Missouri River, Warren concluded that the resultant pressure on the

Sioux hunting ground, combined with the process of Indian

dispossession to the east of the Sioux domain, hastened war. Indians

evicted from their land and forced west ultimately exerted pressure

on the resources available to plains natives . This, in turn, caused

poverty and disease, while the government exacerbated these ills by

its failure to protect and support the dispossessed . Concluding this

sophisticated analysis, Warren said there were "so many inevitable

causes at work to produce a war with the Dakotas before many years,

that I regard the greatest fruit of the explorations I have conducted to

be the knowledge of the proper routes by which to invade their

country and conquer them." He was not particularly proud of this

accomplishment : "I almost feel guilty of crime in being a pioneer to

the white men who will ere long drive the red man from his last niche

of hunting ground. "39

xxvl
Warren also laid bare the dilemma that faced Sioux leaders who

understood the process then underway. Bear's Rib, for example, a

man with "fine mental powers and a proper appreciation of the

relative power of his people and the whites . . .," trod a very narrow

and dangerous path, knowing that surrender would make him an

outcast but that advocacy of resistance would make him responsible

for the destruction of the tribe. Ultimately the Hunepapa chief'

personal dilemma was resolved by Sioux enemies, who assassinated

him in July 1862. But the problem of providing appropriate guidance

in this crucial period tormented many a Sioux leader. 4 o

At the end of 1858, with the map of the trans-Mississippi West jus

published and three western explorations under his belt, Warren

could have rested on his well-earned laurels. As he told his father, "

have every reason to believe I have gained for myself a good

reputation as a Topographical Engineer." Certainly he had see

sufficient service to accept a teaching appointment to West Poin

without compunction. But the frontier had found its way int

Warren's blood . His discussions with Jim Bridger and othe

mountainmen whetted his appetite for the Yellowstone country, th

fabulous wonderland of bubbling mud and hot water spouts firs

visited by John Colter after he left the Lewis and Clark expedition fo

the life of a trapper in the northern Rockies. Warren presented

Captain Andrew A. Humphreys with a detailed proposal for th

exploration, which Warren hoped might reveal connections between

Utah and navigable portions of the upper Missouri. Humphreys

recommended approval of the project. With his experience and

ability, Warren was the right man to fill this blank space on th

map. 41

Yet when the Yellowstone expedition set out in the spring of 1859

Warren was not at its head. Earlier in the year, his father died . Then

Warren accepted a position as assistant professor of mathematics a

West Point to be near his younger brothers and sisters at the famil

home in Cold Springs, New York. 42

The Civil War interrupted Warren's tour of duty at the academy

He entered active service as a volunteer lieutenant colonel, second i

command of a New York regiment, and rose to the rank of majo

general. Warren's most important service came during the seond da

of the battle of Gettysburg. While chief engineer of General George C

Meade's Army of the Potomac, Warren rushed reinforcements t

Little Round Top just in time to fend off a Confederate assault on th

Union Army's left flank. His quick action and keen eye for terrai

helped prevent a possible disaster for Union arms. 43

Just before the end of the war, at the battle of Five Forks 

Virginia, General Philip Sheridan removed Warren from comman

of the Fifth Corps. Sheridan's motive remains unclear, but the effe

on Warren's career was decisive. Many of his peers kept or wen

beyond their Civil War ranks, but Warren reverted to his permanen
rank of major and received only one promotion to lieutenant colonel

in the next 17 years. During this time he served as district engineer in

St. Paul, Minnesota, and Newport, Rhode Island . In 1879, the

government finally consented to examine the matter and convened a

court of inquiry. Warren died on 8 August 1882. Three months later,

the court absolved him of wrongdoing. 44

Warren's career included the normal blend of civil and military

engineering assignments. He participated in river improvements,

exploration, cartography, and both conventional and Indian warfare.

Moreover, one kind of duty plainly enhanced the ability to perform

another. Three expeditions into the northern plains sharpened the

fine eye that saved the day at Gettysburg.

Like so many other documents of Engineer exploration, Warren's

account of his travels involved the collaboration of a number of

scientists . By the mid-1850's, it was common practice for scholars to

accompany expeditions beyond the settlements. They used the

opportunity to study and assess plants and animals, geological

formations, and native peoples. Frequently, the Smithsonian

Institution played an important part in this enterprise, informing

scientists of expeditions and their destinations, lending equipment to

explorers, finding experts at universities to study collections, and

occasionally providing letters of introduction to foreign specialists .

On the other hand, Warren and many other explorers deposited their

natural history collections with the museum. 45

While Ferdinand Hayden was the only scientific collector to

accompany Warren, several others participated in the analysis of his

specimens. Hayden's "Catalogue of the Collections in Geology and

Natural History," appended to Warren's report, bore the names of

many prominent scholars of the day. Among them were John Torrey,

Fielding B. Meek, John S. Newberry, George Engelman, and

Spencer F. Baird of the Smithsonian, all of whom cooperated with

many expeditions. 46 Hayden's inventories, completed with the

cooperation of these and other scholars, provided a record of the

fauna and flora of the region and indicate the changesthat have since

taken place.

The publication history of the report underscores the importance of

relations with the Indians. Originally printed without a map, the

document appeared as an appendix to the Secretary of War's bulky

annual report of 1858. In 1875 the War Department reissued the

narrative, this time as a separate volume with a map. The year of

publication was significant. The existence of paying quantities of

gold in the Black Hills had been verified during the previous

summer. Ayear after publication, the major battles of the Sioux wars

would be fought. The slim book carried adual message to those eager

to seek their fortunes in the Sioux homeland . While it contained the

map and data that travelers to the region so badly needed, it also

delineated the risks they faced . Captain Humphreys' introduction to
Ferdinand Hayden, by J. Hudson Snowden. National Archives (Recor

Group 77, file Q579- 53).

the 1858 edition, pertinent when it was written, was even mor

meaningful in 1875: Warren's narrative, Humphreys cautione

gave "the objections urged by the Sioux against the passage . 

through the territory. This may provevaluable to any whitemanth

may travel there."47

The report provides more than a record of Warren's travels an

campaigns. 48 In addition to discussing the terrain, identifying fo

sites, and evaluating potential roads, Warren dealt at length with t

problems Indians and Anglo-Americans presented each other. 

perceptive and articulate participant in the expansion of the milita

presence in the Missouri River valley, Warren understood the forc

that brought on the climactic Indian wars. At a critical time in t

region's history, as war with the Sioux became imminent, 

described the Indians, their fighting qualities, and attachment 

their homeland, as well as the physical features of the country 

which the Army would have to fight them . Hayden's inventorie
while not as engaging as Warren's narrative, rounded out the

picture . Warren's Preliminary Report depicted a region in transition

and documented an important phase of the Army Engineer role in

the settlement of the West.
NOTES

1 . Warren to Sylvanus Warren, 6 October 1851, Warren Papers

New York State Library, Albany.

2. General Orders No. 5, Headquarters, Corps of Engineers

United States Army, 9 August 1882, File 649 ACP 76

Gouverneur K. Warren, Record Group 94, National Archives

3. For a survey of the role of topographical engineers in th

westward movement, see Frank N. Schubert, Vanguard o

Expansion: Army Engineers in the trans-Mississippi West

1819-187'9 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1980)

William H. Goetzmann, Army Exploration in the America

West, 1808-1863 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959), is 

more detailed account.

4. Robert M. Utley, Frontiersmen in Blue: The United States Arm

and the Indian, 1848-1865 (New York: Macmillan Publishin

Co., Inc ., 1967), pp . 113-14 .

5 . Robert G. Athearn, Forts of the Upper Missouri (Englewoo

Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1967), pp . 33-34.

6. Logan V. Reavis, The Life and Military Services of Gen. Willia

Selby Harney (Saint Louis: Bryan, Brant & Co., 1878), pp 

247-48.

7 . Warren to Colonel John J. Abert, 21 April and 31 May 1855

Letters Received, Topographical Bureau (Microcopy 506, Rol

80), Record Group 77, National Archives.

8. Warren, Journal 1855, Warren Papers; Warren, "Notes take

on the Sioux Expedition by Lieut. G. K. Warren, Top'l Engr,

Headquarters Map File (Q 578), Record Group 77, Nationa

Archives.

9 . Frederick T. Wilson, "Fort Pierre and its Neighbors," Journa

of the United States Cavalry Association, XII (September 1899

pp. 241-42; Assistant Adjutant General, Sioux Expeditio

(Captain Oscar F. Winship), to Warren, 4 June 1855, an

Warren to Colonel Abert, 19 September 1855, Letters Received

Topographical Bureau (Microcopy 506, Roll 80).

10. Wilson, "Fort Pierre," p. 228 .

11 . Assistant Adjutant General, Sioux Expedition, to Warren, 

June 1855, Warren to Colonel Abert, 21 March 1856, Lette

Received, Topographical Bureau (Microcopy 506, Roll 81

Hiram M. Chittenden, The American Fur Trade in the West, vo

II (Stanford : Academic Reprints, 1954), p. 767.

12. Assistant Adjutant General, Sioux Expedition, to Warren, 

June 1855, Letters Received, Topographical Bureau; Willia

H. Goetzmann, Exploration and Empire: The Explorer and t

Scientist in the Winning of the American West (New Yor

Alfred A. Knopf, 1967), p. 309 ; Gouverneur K. Warren, Ex
plorations in the Dakota Country in the Year 1855, 34th Congress, 1st Session, Senate Executive Document 76 (1856), p. 21 .

13. Warren, Explorations . . . 1855, pp. 21-35.

14. Warren, Explorations . . . 1855, pp. 22-27; Warren to Colonel

Abert, 23 August and 19 September 1855, and 28 January 1856,

Letters Received, Topographical Bureau (Microcopy 506, Rolls

80 and 81).

15 . Warren to-Colonel Abert, 28 January 1856, Letters Received,

Topographical Bureau; Warren, Journal 1855 .

16 . Warren, Journal 1855 . Harney's report of 5 September 1855 is

reprinted in Reavis, Harney, pp . 252-58.

17 . Reavis, Harney, p. 256; Merrill J. Mattes, The GreatPlatte River

Road (Lincoln : Nebraska State Historical Society, 1969), pp.

320-24 .

18. Reavis, Harney, p. 258; Warren, Journal 1855 .

19. Dr. James Hanson of the museum is presently preparing an

enthnohistorical analysis of the Warren collection.

20. Warren, Explorations. . . 1855, p. 19; Warren, Journal 1855.

21 . Warren, Journal 1855 .

22 . Reavis, Harney, p. 260; Secretary of War Jefferson Davis to

Honorable John B. Weller, Chairman, Committee on Military

Affairs, US Senate, 26 March 1856, in Warren, Explorations . . .

1855, pp. 1-2.

23. Warren, Journal, 1856, Warren Papers; Warren to William J.

Warren, 24 May 1856, Warren Papers; N. H. Hutton, Journal

for June 28-October 27, 1856, Warren Papers.

24. Gouverneur K. Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations in

Nebraska and Dakota, in the Years 1855-56-57 (Washington:

Government Printing Office, 1875), pp. 13, 15; Warren to

William J. Warren, 24 May 1856, Warren Papers; Utley,

Frontiersmen in Blue, p. 118.

25: 'Hiram M. Chittenden; History of Early Steamboat Navigation

of the Missouri River: Life and Adventures of Joseph LaBarge,

Pioneer Navigatorfor Fifty years identified with the Commerce

of the Missouri Valley, vol . I (New York: Francis P. Harper,

1903), pp. 208-09.

26. Gouverneur K. Warren, Memoir to Accompany the Map of the

Territory of the United States from the Mississippi River to the

Pacific Ocean, 33d Congress, 2d session, House of Representa

tives Executive Document 91 (1855), vol. XI, p. 90 ; Warren,

Journal 1856; Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations, pp.

15-16; Vincent J. Flanagan, "Gouverneur Kemble Warren,

Explorer of Nebraska Territory," Nebraska History, 51

(Summer 1970), p. 183. The section of the text on the return

during 1856 and the expedition of 1857 is adapted with minor

changes from Schubert, Vanguard of Expansion, pp . 122-29.
27. Hutton, Journal for 1856 ; Warren, Memoir, p. 90 ; Warren

Preliminary Report of Explorations, p. 16 .

28. Gouverneur K. Warren, Lieut. Warren's Official Journ

Commanding Explorations in Nebraska, 1857, Warren Paper

29. Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations, p. 17; J. Hudso

Snowden, Journal 27 June-14 November 1857, Warre

Papers ; Warren, Official Journal of 1857.

30. Warren, Official Journal of 1857.

31 . Snowden, Journal, 1857.

32 . Warren, Official Journal of 1857 ; Warren to Sylvanus Warre

3 September 1857, Warren Papers.

33 . Warren to Sylvanus Warren, 3 September 1857 .

34 . Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations, p. 18 ; Snowde

Journal, 1857 ; Mari Sandoz, Love Song to the Plains (Lincol

University of Nebraska Press, 1966), pp. 79-80.

35 . Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations, pp. 18-2

Warren, Official Journal of 1857 ; Snowden, Journal, 1857 .

36 . Snowden, Journal, 1857 ; Utley Frontiersmen in Blue, p. 119 

37 . Warren, letter draft, 27 January 1858, Warren Papers.

38 . Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations, pp. 51-52, 79. T

seven tribes were Oglala, Brule, Miniconjou, Sans Arc, Tw

Kettle, Blackfoot, and Huncpapa .

39 . Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations, p. 53 ; Warre

letter draft, 27 January 1858.

40. Warren, updated letter draft, Warren Papers; Utley

Frontiersmen in Blue, p. 271 .

41 . Warren to Sylvanus Warren, 9 December 1858, Warren Paper

Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations, pp. 7, 10-11 .

42 . Captain William F. Raynolds commanded the expedition . S

his Report on the Exploration of the Yellowstone Riv

(Washington: Government Printing Office, 1868).

43 "

.

Bruce Catton, The Army of the Potomac: Glory Road (Gard

City: Doubleday, 1952), pp. 291-94.

44. Louis H. Manarin, "Major General Gouverneur Kemb

Warren: A Reappraisal," unpublished M. A. thesis, Du

University, 1957, argues convincingly that Warren's outspok

criticism of his superiors set the stage for his dismissal fr

command .

45. Schubert, Vanguard of Expansion, pp. 63, 104 . Manuscri

collections of the Smithsonian Institution's archives, partic

lary the private correspondence of Spencer Baird, detail t

extent and character of the museum's relationship with office

of the Corps of Engineers and Corps of Topographic

Engineers.

46. Schubert, Vanguard of Expansion, pp. 63-64, 89-90, 139.

47. Quoted in Warren, Preliminary Report of Explorations, p . 
48. Other firsthand accounts of the battle at Ash Hollow were

written. These included the following: Philip St. George Cooke,

"March of the 2d Dragoons . . .," ed . by Hamilton Gardner,

Annals of Wyoming, 27 (April 1955), pp. 43-60; Richard C.

Drum, "Reminiscences of the Indian fight at Ash Hollow, 1855,"

Collections of the Nebraska State Historical Society, 16 (1911),

pp. 143-64; John B. S. Todd, "The Harney Expedition against

the Sioux : The Journal of Capt. John B. S . Todd," ed . by Ray H.

Mattison, Nebraska History, 43 (1962), pp. 110-11 .
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ARMY.

PRELIMINARY REPORT

OF

EXPLORATIONS

IN

NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA,

IN THE

- YEARS 1855-'56-'5°7

BY

IAEUT. G. K. WARREN, TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY,

[NOW MAJOR OF ENGINEERS, AND BVT. MAJOR GENERAL, U. 8. A.]

REPRINT.

WASHINGTON :

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE .

1875 .
NOTE -This report was originally printed in the appendixes to the

Report of the Secretary of War, in the President's Message and Documents, December, 1858.

The map was printed by resolution of the United States Senate.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,

'Washington, D. C., August 18, 1875 

SIR : In 1857 an exploration of the Black Hills was made by Lieut. 

K. Warren, Topographical Engineers, (now major of engineers, a

brevet major-general United States Army.)

A preliminary report of this exploration (embracing also his explo

tions in Nebraska and Dakota for the two previous years . 1855-156) w

appended to my annual report, as captain of Topographical Engineers 

charge of office of explorations and surveys for the War Departmen

for the year 1858.

As this report was printed with the documents accompanying t

President's annual message to Congress in December 1858, (in the 

nual report of the Secretary of War,) it can always be referred to 

official purposes, but is not accessible to those specially interested in t

region of which it treats .

Recent developments in the Black Hills country have awakened 

great interest in that region, and there are constant inquiries for t

report referred to.

I would therefore recommend that this report be reprinted at t

Government Printing-Office, and that 2,000 copies be furnished to t

Office, upon the usual requisition.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Engineers

Hon. PVM. W. BELKNAP,

Secretary of War.

Approved by order of the Secretary of War.

AUGUST 20, 1875.

H. T. CROSBY,

Chief Clerk
[EXTRACT FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF CAPTAIN A. A. HUMPHREYS

TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS, IN CHARGE OF EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS, TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS,

Washington, November 20, 1858.

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA.

The return in, November last of the expedition commanded by

Lieut . G. S. Wrren, Topographical Engineers, after the successfu

execution of the duties intrusted to him of reconnaissance and explora

tion in Nebraska, has been already reported . The maps have been

completed, all the necessary calculations of the astronomical and baro

metrical observations made, and the reports in relation to the differen

objects of the expedition are in an advanced state.

The principal objects of the expedition were to ascertain the bes

route by which to continue to the South Pass the military road now

constructing from the Mississippi River to Sioux City, on the Missouri

and to examine in this connection the valley of the Loup Fork of th

Platte, and that of the Niobrara, and to make such reconnaissance o

the Black Hills, about the sources of the Big Cheyenne, as circumstance

would permit, to determine their character, especially with reference t

the future military operations that may be carried on in this Territory

In accomplishing these objects, the expedition would obtain informatio

of the character and resources of the country, its adaptability to settle

ment and cultivation, and would develop its geography and geolog

along the routes pursued, nearly all of which were previously unex

plored by white men.

The preliminary report of Lieutenant Warren is herewith presented

The routes reconnoitered and mapped in 1857 are from Sioux City to th

mouth of Loup Fork ; thence up this stream to its source in the San

Hills ; and thence by the Niobrara to Fort Laramie. From this poin

the party proceeded north, and carefully examined the Black Hills, and

returning to the Niobrara, explored this stream to its junction with th

Missouri ; and also a route from the mouth of Turtle Hill River to For

Randall. Finally, the road from Fort Randall to Sioux City was sti

veyed.

With the report on these routes Lieutenant Warren combines that o

the routes examined by him in 1856, under orders from General Harney

of which examinations. no report has heretofore been presented.

In that year he made a careful reconnaissance of the Missouri River

from the southern boundary of Nebraska to a point sixty miles abov

the mouth of the Yellowstone, and of this latter stream to Powde

River.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

The routes explored, including those of 1.858, (of which a report has

been rendered and printed,) all lie east of the 106th meridian. They

lead once through the Sand Hills north and south, and twice east and

west, almost around the Black Hills, and through the valleys of the

following rivers, viz : the Platte, Loup Fork, Niobrara, White Earth,

Big Cheyenne, Missouri, Yellowstone, and James rivers.

The accompanying report of Lieutenant Warren is divided as follows :

Part 1 is a statement of the routes pursued and main incidents which

affected their direction and extent ; and in connection with this are

given the obiections urged by the Dakotas against the passage of the

expedition through the Territory. This may prove valuable to any

white men that may travel there.

Part 2 contains a general description of the surface of Nebraska ; an

account of the general structure of the country ; its principal geological

formations and the character of the soil ; and its adaptability in different parts to settlement.

It confirms the statements heretofore made by explorers in other portions of the western prairies of the generally sterile character of the

lands west of the 99th meridian, attributable to the absence of fertile

elements in the soil in large tracts like the Sand Hill region, and to the

want of timely rains.

The section in the mountains bordering these plains on the west is

described as containing small fertile valleys, with streams of water and

an abundance of building material, both of stone and wood, and an

ample supply of the latter for fuel . The opinion is expressed that this

section will be overspread by considerable settlements.

Part 3 contains a general description of the rivers and routes through

the Territory, with a discussion of the question as to the best route by

which to supply Fort Laramie and the interior. The conclusions arrived at in regard to this last question are, that the route up the Loup

Fork is impracticable, and, besides, is less direct than the Platte route ;

that the route along the Niobrara is barely practicable for wagons, and

that the difficulties to be met with on the road, together with the increased river transportation of the route, render it less favorable than

that up the Platte, whether the starting-point be Omaha City or

Nebraska City ; that a road from Sioux City to Fort Laramie, along the

Niobrara, would only be about forty miles shorter than a road proceeding from the same point direct to the Platte, at the mouth of Loup

Fork, and thence along the Platte route to Fort Laramie ; that the

shorter length of the Niobrara route is more than counterbalanced by

the great difficulties on that route, and therefore the route along the

Platte is the better of the two; that the route from the mouth of White

River west to Fort Laramie is probably practicable, and superior to that

along the Niobrara ; that the route from Fort Pierre to Fort Laramie is

likewise superior to the Niobrara route, but that the increased river

transportation and absence of settlements along this part of the Missouri River render these routes at present inferior to those of the Platte

Valley ; that above Fort Pierre, on the navigable part of the Missouri

River, there are no routes leading from it to Fort Laramie or the South

Pass that are as advantageous as those enumerated . It is further concluded that, of all the routes explored, the Platte Valley is the best

adapted for locating a railroad to connect the settlements to be formed

in the mountains with those along the Missouri River ; and that, as a

national route for a Pacific railroad, leading to the South Pass or to

Bridger's Pass, it is superior to any other in this latitude . These conclusions appear to be fully sustained by the facts advanced in their

support.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

The 4th part of the report treats of the Indian tribes, their number,

location, &c. An approximate estimate of their strength is made, and

routes by which to operate against them, in the event of hostilities, are

discussed. Almost every part of the country examined is practicable

for the operations of cavalry ; and routes practicable for the wagons of

a military expedition can generally be found, even in the Black Hills,

to such points as would be used as depots from which supplies for brief

periods could be furnished for military movements.

The 5th part of Lieutenant Warren's report is a brief statement of

the meteorological phenomena of the-country, as observed during the

explorations ; the most prominent facts respecting which are the extreme variableness of the phenomena of moisture and temperaturefacts which confirm previous statements in regard to them.

The report contains a catalogue of the fossils collected, with the

localities of the specimens, and similar lists of the plants and the collections in the different departments of zoology. All these collections

were made without interfering with the more immediate practical

'objects of the explorations, and reflect credit on the labors of Lieu

tenant Warren and his assistants. These collections are esteemed to

be of high scientific value ; and among the discoveries due to the labors

of the expedition are the discovery of the Potsdam sandstone, the oldest

of the fossiliferous rocks in the Black Hills, the first positive proof of

the existence in America of the formation corresponding to the Jurassic of Europe, and the discovery on the Niobrara of a now formation

of the Pliocene Tertiary, containing the remains of an extinct fauna

resembling that now inhabiting Asia, from which at least thirty-two

distinct species of vertebrates have been described by Professor Leidy.

The principal of these results have been published, by permission of

the Department, in the proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences

of Philadelphia. Accompanying one of these papers, prepared by Dr.

Hayden, is a small geological map of Nebraska.

A. military map of Nebraska and Dakota, on a scale of l 0 0 0 0 , prepared by Lieutenant Warren, and ordered to be engraved by the Senate

at its last session, is now ready for publication.

The completion of the exploration of the interior of Nebraska, about

the sources of the Yellowstone, Lieutenant Warren thinks could be

most advantageously- . and economically -made by an expedition organized to remain at least two years in the field, and the cost of this he

estimates at $60,000. This exploration has been a favorite object with

him, and his previous experience, and his knowledge of the Indians

and character of the country, would enable him to accomplish the work

with economy.

The highly creditable manner in which the explorations heretofore

" intrusted to him have been conducted, under many embarrassments,

difficulties, and dangers, prove him to be peculiarly well qualified for

the task.

A. detailed plan for the execution of the work will be found in the

report.
EXPLORATIONS IN' NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF LIEUT. G. K. WARREN, TOPOGRAPHIC

ENGINEERS, TO CAPT. A. A. HUMPHREYS, TOPOGRAPHICAL ENG

NEERS, IN CHARGE OF OFFICE OF EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS, WA

DEPARTMENT.

WASHINGTON, D. C., November 24, 1858

CAPTAIN : I have the honor to submit the following prelimina

report on the results of the explorations conducted by me in Nebras

in the years 1855,?56,?57. This report is divided as follows

1st. Routes explored, and main incidents affecting their directi

and extent ;

2d. Physical geography of Nebraska, character of the soil, a

resources of the country ;

3d. Remarks upon the climate and meteorology ;

4th. A description of the principal rivers, and discussion of t

merits of different routes ; and

5th. An enumeration of the Indian tribes, military posts, and rout

for military operations.

To the report is annexed a small map of Nebraska on a scale of 1 

6,000,000, showing the main physical features of the country and t

routes requiring further examination, as well as those already explor

The report is accompanied by catalogues of the paleontological, mi

eralogical, botanical, and zoological specimens collected on our exp

rations, prepared by Dr. F. V. Hayden, so as to phow the localit

where they were found. Much useful instruction as to the manner 

making meteorological observations and collecting specimens in natur

history was given to us by the officers of the Smithsonian Instituti

and the Secretary, Professor Henry, furnished us with rooms in which 

store the collections and elaborate the results . A brief report, by D

Samuel Moffitt, of the health of the party during the expedition 

1857;'is~ also.~appended.

- _ .. _, 

We have found it necessary to defer to a subsequent report the nar

tive and itinerary of the routes, the complete maps, profiles, and oth

illustrations, the tables of meteorological observations, and the resu

of our collections and observations in geology, botany, &c.

Some of the geological results have already been published by p

mission of the War Department in papers read by Dr. Hayden,/ M

F. B. Meek, and Dr. Joseph Leidy, before the Academy of Natu

Sciences of Philadelphia. A letter prepared by me for the Hon. 

W. Jones, Senator from Iowa, has also been published, accompani

by a small map of Nebraska, on a scale of 1 to 6,000,000. This map h

also been colored so as to indicate approximately the geological for

tions, and in this shape is published with one of the papers prepared 

Dr. Hayden in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences 

Philadelphia.

A map of my explorations in Nebraska was ordered to be engrav

by the United States Senate, during the last session, and is now nea

ready for publication . In preparing this map I availed myself of 

other explorations and surveys within the limits comprised by it, 
IO EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

eluding thus some late unpublished maps kindly furnished from the

Interior Department,) an acknowledgment of all of which is made

thereon . It was necessary to indicate on this map a considerable portion of the country not examined .by me in order to give it the greatest

practical value, and to show the relation of the parts I have explored

to those surrounding them. My design was to make the map a complete representation of all the region occupied by the Dakotas, and the

best routes by which to approach and traverse it, and along which to

conduct military operations to the best advantage ; in other words, to

make it a " Military Map of Nebraska and Dakota," which is the title I

have given it. It is on a scale of 1 to 1,200,000, and embraces all the

country from the 94th to the 106th meridian, between the 38th and 50th

parallels. In its northeast corner is the Lake of the woods, in the

southeast Fort Leavenworth, in the southwest Pike's Peak, and in the

northwest the junction of Milk River with the Missouri. A number of

rivers are put down on this map which have never yet been explored,

except at their months ; these are the Knife River, Heart River, Cannon

Ball River, and Moreau River. As the expeditions under myeommand

have gone almost around the section through which they flow, and

determined with a great degree of certainty that it is an open prairie,

and have gained some knowledge of their lengths and directions from

the Indians, they are probably represented with a considerable degree

of exactness.

On the small map accompanying this report the southern branches

of the Yellowstone River have also been represented with an approximation to correctness, by using information furnished by the expeditions of Captains Lewis and Clark, and Captain Bonneville, and also

from sketches, &c., obtained by me from traders and trappers. This

section of country, however, has much practical importance in relation

to routes through it by which to reach Utah from the navigable parts

of the Missouri and Yellowstone, and deserves a thorough exploration.

This examination I have always had a great desire to make, and in my

previous expeditions have taken much pains to ascertain the best means

of conducting it. In this I have been fortunate in meeting with Mr.

James Bridger, Mr. Alexander Culbertson, Mr. Robert Campbell, and

others well acquainted with the character of the country from personal

experience, and have. the assurance of the services of Mr. Bridger if--the -

exploration should be ordered.

On account of the great distance of the region to be examined from

the settlements, it is necessary to provide the expedition with the means

for remaining two summers, the intervening winter to be passed at

some suitable point on the Yellowstone or Big Horn rivers. It would

be difficult for an expedition to do more than go and return in the same

season, so that then little or no time would be allowed to explore. The

country is principally occupied by the Crow Indians, and, as I know

them to be friendly, I think a military escort can be dispensed with,

which is a material consideration under the present excessive require

ments of the military service . The method I propose instead is, to go

well provided with goods and presents by which to purchase of the Indians permission to pass through the country, and to employ them as

guides. In this way much expense can be prevented, and, with prudent

management, danger to the expedition can be avoided ; besides, valuable information will be gained from the Indians which would be withheld if we entered their country in a hostile attitude.

The expedition should be completely organized and equipped for the

field by the 1st of May, 1859, and remain in the field until the 1st of

December, 1860, nineteen months.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

There should be thirty men, at $30 per month, and eight assistan

as topographers, collectors, guides, &c., at $125 per month. This wou

require $38,000. Their provisions would cost about $7,000. Anima

and outfit $10,000. Indian goods $4,000. Contingencies $3,000. 

tal $60,000. Of this amount about $35,000 would be required the f

year. The bulk of the stores and goods required should be contrac

for, to be delivered at Fort Laramie or the Platte Bridge.

The expedition itself should proceed by the Missouri River to Fo

Pierre, where the necessary animals for a pack train should be ass

bled. At this point we should meet with some of the principal men 

the Dakotas, and overtures should be made to secure their assent 

our proceeding westward up the Shyenne and its North Fork, and then

to the source of Powder River, thus exploring a new route. Shou

this consent be withheld, and it should not be considered safe to proce

without it, the party could take the route by way of White River 

Fort Laramie and thence to the source of Powder River. The exp

ration should then be conducted along Powder River to its mout

thence up the Yellowstone to the mouth of Tongue River, up whi

stream a detachment should be sent to it*; source. The remainder 

the party should ascend the Yellowstone to the mouth of Big Ho

River, and up this latter stream to the point where it leaves the moun

ains, where it should be joined by the detachment which explo

Tongue River.

The approach of winter might require the party to pass that seas

in this neighborhood . or, if time sufficed, the expedition might asce

the Big Horn River io Wind River, where a very favorable winter

place could be found. Either of these places would be sufficiently co

venient to the supplies on the Platte. Under circumstances not fo

seen it might be best for the expedition to winter near Fort Laramie

The next season should be spent in examining the mountain regi

about the sources of the Yellowstone and Missouri, to ascertain t

character of the -routes leading south and west from the navigable pa

of these rivers., On returning, one portion should descend the Missou

the other the Yellowstone, to their junction, whereaMackinacboat shou

be in readiness, by which all could proceed to the settlements.

These explorations would determine the practicability of all the rout

marked on the accompanying map as deserving examination, andwou

require much activity on the part of those conducting them. Pa

trains should alone be used, as wagons greatly retard the operations o

party and vastly increase the difficulty of defending it against atta

The abundanceofgamein much of this region would render it unnecessa

to provide the usual quantity of bread and bacon, which always ma

the bulk of the provisions required.

The party. must be well prepared for defense against war parties, a

it would be desirable to arm each man with a revolver, and about thre

fourths of . them, in addition, should have a double-barreled gun, o

rifled, the other smooth. This is a .most effective gun either for hunti

or fighting.

Copies of my instructions from the Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary 

War, dated May 6, 1857, and from Brevet Brigadier-General W. 

Harney, dated June 3, 1856, are transmitted herewith.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. S. WARREN,

Lieutenant Topographical Engineers

Capt. A. A. HumPHREYS,

Corps of Topographical Engineers,

in charge Office Explorations and Surveys.
12 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, May 6, 1857.

SiR : Under the appropriation « for surveys for military defenses,

geographical explorations, and reconnaissances for military purposes,"

you will organize an expedition to ascertain the best route for continuing the military road between Fort Snelling and the mouth of the

Big Sioux to Fort Laramie and the South Pass, by way of the Loup

Fork of the Platte ; to make also such explorations in the Black Hills,

about the sources of the Shyenne and Little Missouri rivers, as the

time and means will permit ; and to examine the Niobrara or 1'Eau qui

Court River, upon your return route, for the purpose of ascertaining

its character and resources and the practicability of locating a road

along it, leading from the Missouri River to the South Pass, or from

Fort Randall to Fort Laramie.

The sum of twenty-five thousand dollars is set apart from the appropriation to defray the expenses of the expedition, which amount your

expenditures must not exceed.

The commanding general of the Department of the West will be

directed to detail an escort of thirty enlisted men of the infantry, under

the command of a second lieutenant, who will report to yon for duty.

'.transportation for the provision and equipage of the escort, their

subsistence, and their necessary ammunition, will be furnished, respectively, by the Quartermaster's, Commissary, and Ordnance Departments.

Upon the proper requisitions, officers of the Quartermaster's and

Commissary Departments at the military posts near the routes pursued

by the expedition will furnish, as tar as practicable, all necessary supplies for it, which, when required for the civil employ6s, shall be paid

for at cost prices at the places of delivery, from the appropriation for

the survey .

Twenty Colt's revolvers, of the Navy pattern, with belts, holsters, and

the necessary ammunition, will be furnished by the Ordnance Department ; those lost or damaged being paid for out of the appropriation for

the survey.

All other arms and ammunition for the civil employ6s (guides, hunters, herders, &c.) of the expedition will be paid for from this same

appropriation.

You are authorized to employ as assistants- - - =- --

And to pay their actual traveling expenses to and from the field of

operations .

You will procure your employ6s equipment, supplies, &c., at those

points which appear to insure the most economical and effective organization for your party, and prepare to take the field at the earliest

possible moment. While in the field, attention will be given to ascertaining everything relating to the agricultural and mineralogical resources of the country, its climatology, its topographical features, and

the facilities or obstacles which these latter offer to the construction of

rail or common roads.

You will communicate with the Department through the Office of

Explorations and Surveys, in charge of Capt. A. A. Humphreys, Corps

Per month.

A topographer, at a salary not to exceed . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $130

One assistant topographer, at a salary not to exceed . . . . . . . . . . 100

An assistant astronomer, at a salary not to exceed . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

A physician and geologist, at a salary not to exceed . . . . . . . . . . 125

An assistant physician and geologist, at a salary not to exceed . . 100

A meteorologist, at a salary not to exceed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

Topographical Engineers ; and to this office you will make the repo

and returns required by regulations of an officer of engineers in char

of a work or operation, and such other reports, transmitted as often 

the means of communication will allow, as will keep the Departme

apprised of all your movements, and the progress of the expedit

under your charge.

On the completion of the field duty, you will return, with your assi

ants, to Washington, and there prepare the maps and reports necessa

to a full exposition of the results of the expedition .

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN B. FLOYD,

Secretary of War

Lieut. G. K. WARREN,

Corps Topographical Engineers.

[Special Orders No. 26.1

HEADQUARTERS SIOUX EXPEDITION,

Ca»zp near old Fort Lookout, Missouri River, June 3, 1856

I. As it is important to obtain reliable information of the Missou

River, from Fort Pierre to some point above the mouth of the Yello

stone, near which Governor Stevens' route strikes it, Second Lieut

ant Gouverneur K. Warren, Topographical Engineers, is assigned 

this duty, and,will proceed with his party by the steamer St. Mary's 

the point above indicated.

On his return, Lieutenant Warren will procure a sufficient numb

of Mackinac boats, for the transportation of his party, stores, &c., 

enable him to effect a thorough examination of this part of the river.

II. The commanding officer of the Second Infantry will select an e

cient party from his regiment, consisting of two non-commissioned o

cers and fifteen men, to report to Lieutenant Warren as his escort . Th

will be furnished with three months' provisions, equipage, &c.

III. The assistant quartermaster at Fort Pierre will furnish the nece

sary transportation, and such supplies as Lieutenant Warren may

entitled to from his department, for the proper execution of these 

structions.

By order of Brevet Brigadier-General Harney.

A. PLEASONTON,

Capt. Second Dragoons, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
REPORT .

CHAPTER I.

ROUTES EXPLORED, AND MAIN INCIDENTS AFFECTING THEIR EXTENT

AND DURATION.

In presenting the following report of explorations in Nebraska, made

by me in the year 1857, I shall include also my previous reconnaissances

in that Territory in the years 1855-'56, while attached to the staff of

Brevet Brigadier-General W. S. Harney, commanding the Sioux expedition. As, at this time, a complete narrative of these cannot be made,

I shall only mention the routes pursued and the nature of the examination, and their give what I consider the most prominent results.

Areport of the explorations made in 1855, and map of the routes

pursued by the Sioux expedition, have already been published by the

United States Senate in a small document called "Explorations in the

Dacotah Country." During that year routes were examined from Fort

Pierre to Fort Kearney; from Fort Kearney to Fort Laramie, along the

Platte River ; from Fort Laramie to Fort Pierre ; and from Fort Pierre

~to the mouth of the Big Sioux River.

In 1856 I started from Saint Louis for Fort Pierre, in the middle of

April, accompanied by my assistants, Messrs. W. H. Hutton, J. H.

-Snowden, and F. V. Hayden, on board Captain Throckmorton's steamboat Genoa. During our passage up the Missouri we made a careful sketch of the river above the southern boundary of Nebraska by

means of compass courses, and distances estimated from the rate of

travel of the steamboat, and by astronomical observations for lati

tude. The elevated position of the pilot-house of the steamboat, which

the politeness of the captain allowed us to occupy, afforded advantages

for gaining a knowledge of the river, the extent of the sand-bars, and

the size and quantity of timber on the banks,the -nature o

_,

the -bottom

lands as regards marshes, &c., not equaled by those of any other

means of reconnaissance, and the topographer at the same time could

avail himself of the extensive and accurate knowledge of the pilot.

Our observations, by means of forwardand back sights, showed us that

the effects of local attraction on the compass by the iron on the boat

were not important, and the checks on the estimated distances, afforded

by the results of observations for latitude, proved that these estimates

were very accurately made by Messrs. Hutton and Snowden, who, by

turns, prepared the sketch of the river.

As far up as the mouth of James River our advance had been quite

rapid, the river being at a good stage ; but a short distance above that

point we encountered a sudden and heavy freshet in the river, (produced by rains,) with a current so rapid that our boat was unable to

.~udvance against it. From this cause we remained tied up to the bank

a whole day. As soon as the river began to fall the velocity abated,

and we proceeded on the voyage. So sudden, however, was the subsidence of the flood that, in five days after we had escaped the embargo

~of too much water, we found ourselves aground and drawing several
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

inches more water than there was anywhere on the bar, which stretc

across the river. This occurred to us near the first Cedar Island.

Under these circumstances, being anxious to reach Fort Pierre 

soon as possible, as was also Captain Frost, (who was sutler at the fo

and whose goods were the principal freight of the boat,) we determi

to leave the boat and proceed on foot to the dragoon camp, at the mou

of American Crow River, about eighty miles distant. Our means 

transportation were two horses, the property of Colonel Lee, Second 

fantry, and Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, of the Sixth Infantry, wh

carried our blankets and provisions; and vac were accompanied by a 

Moore and two men. On arriving opposite to the dragoon camp on 

evening of the third day's travel, we were informed that there was 

boat to bring usacross. We stayed on the bank of the river that nig

and the next morning renewed our signals to communicate with 

camp. These, however, failed to attract attention to us, and, our p

visions being short, we were obliged, though much wearied by our jo

ney on foot, (there having been a cold rain one day and night,) to 

tempt to reach Fort Pierre, eighty miles distant. This we accomplis

in three days, and arrived there on the 20th of May, completely 

hausted, having subsisted mainly on the birds killed with our shot-gu

The journey gave me an opportunity of viewing the country and 

appearances a few miles back from the Missouri.

The steamboat, having landed a portion of her freight at the pl

where we left her, reached Fort Pierre three days after us. On 

arrival all the tribes of the Dakotas west of the Missouri, except 

Sichangus and Ogallalas, were assembled in council, and a treaty 

peace was made with them by General Harney, which terminated 

Sioux war.

Instructions were now given me by General Harney to proceed w

my party in the American Fur Company's boat to the mouth of 

Yellowstone, and as far above as she should ascend, and to return 

means of a Mackinac boat, and carefully examine all points on the ri

to determine their suitability as sites for military posts, and to obt

such other information as we should be able with regard to the count

Anescort of fifteen men and two non-commissioned officers of the Seco

Infantry were placed under my command.__ We left...-Fort-Pierre .in

American Fur Company's boat '1 St. Mary," Captain Labarge, on 

28th of June, and reached Fort Union on the 10th of July. The b

landed most of her stores, and then proceeded to a point about sixty mi

above the mouth of the Yellowstone and .discharged the balance.

While ascending the river, the sketch of it was taken above F

Pierre, as it had been below, by Messrs. Hutton and Snowden, and 

servations were made by me for latitude. At Fort Union a 16-i

transit was set up, and observations taken during a whole lunati

bat owing to the cloudy condition of the nights during the time, and 

shortness of the nights themselves, only two sets of observations w

obtained on the moon and stars . The result of these gave the lon

tude of that post 1040 021 , with a limit of error of about 10'.

While at Fort Union we saw the Assinniboin Indians.

Having ascertained that. a Mackinac boat could not be prepared 

me before the 1 st of September, I determined to make an examinat

of the Yellowstone during the month of August ; and in carrying t

out I was fortunate in being able to purchase the means of land tra

portation from Sir George Gore, who was returning from an ext

sive hunting excursion on the waters of the Yellowstone and its branch

We left the mouth of the Yellowstone July 25, and, traveling leisur
16 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

up the left bank, reached a point one hundred miles from its mouth, beyond which it was impossible to advance with wagons along the valley

of the Yellowstone without crossing to the opposite banks. Here we

made a camp with the main body, and with a party of seven I proceeded,

with pack animals, over a very difficult country (known as the Bad

Lands of the Yellowstone) to the mouth of Powder River, thirty miles

further.

This was the furthest point up the Yellowstone that I intended to

proceed, and I was anxious to reach it and to fix its position, as being

a good and certain point with which any future reconnaissance could

connect. From the appearance of Powder River at the mouth, no one

would suppose the stream to be of the length it really is, and I was not

surprised at Captain Clark not having done so on his voyage down the

Yellowstone in 1806. On returning to our wagon camp, we all traveled

a short distance down the Yellowstone to a convenient point, where we

made a boat eighteen feet long and five feet wide, by stretching the

skins of three buffalo bulls over a frame made of small cottonwood and

willow trees. With this vessel a small party navigated the Yellowstone

to its mouth, carefully mapping the islands and bends of the river. The

wagons and land party returned to the Missouri by traveling over nearly

the route by which they ascended.

We enjoyed the greatest abundance of large game of all kinds while

on the Yellowstone River.

On reaching Fort Union again we found our boat nearly ready,

and, all our arrangements being completed, we left that place on the

1st of September.. A small party conducted the animals along the

shore on our journey down the Missouri, generally camping each

night with the boat party. Halts of two or three days were made at

all interesting localities, and map sketches were made several miles

up all the streams flowing into the Missouri ; and the map of the Missouri was also verified . These sketches, on a scale of one and a half

inch to a mile, are oil file and convenient for reference in this office.

Thermometer and barometer observations were made throughout the

period of the examinations of the year 1856. Dr. Hayden was indefatigable in his efforts to develop the geology of the region traversed,

and some of the results have already been published, by permission of

the War Department, in the Proceedings o-f -the Academy of Natural

Sciences in Philadelphia. A very extensive collection was also made

in zoology.

We reached Fort Pierre on our return on the 2d of October, at

which place our auimala were sold, and most of the soldiers returned

to their respective companies. A few accompanied us as far as the

mouth of the James River. We reached Sioux City on November 15,

and fortunately found a steamboat there, by means of which we proceeded with our effects to Saint Louis, and thence by railroad to Washington. The cost of this expedition to the United States was about

10,000.

No special report has yet been made by me on the results of this

year's exploration. The maps were about completed, and the material in the process of elaboration, when I was assigned to the command

of another exploration by the War Department, a brief account of

which I shall now proceed to give.

I received my instructions from the Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary

of War, May 7, 1857, the general terms of which were to make the

necessary examinations to determine the best route for continuing the

military road between Mendota and the Big Sioux westward to Fort
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

Laramie and the South Pass ; thence to proceed northward a

make such examinations on the Black Hills as my time and mea

would permit, and to return by the valley of the Niobrara, and ma

a careful examination thereof. I was assisted in the examination 

Messrs. J. H. Snowden and P. M. Engel, as topographers ; Dr. I+` . 

Hayden, as geologist ; W. P. C. Carrington, as meteorologist ; Dr. 

Moftt, as surgeon ; and Lieut. Jas. McMillan commanding the escort

The escort, numbering twenty-seven. men and three non-commi

sioned officers, under Lieutenant McMillan, all of the Second Infantr

was directed to meet me at Sioux City, transportation for it being f

nished by the Quartermaster's Department. Transportation for t

remainder of the party was assembled at Omaha City as soon as po

sible ; and on the 27th of June, under the charge of Mr. Snowde

set out for the rendezvous at the mouth of Loup Fork.

Accompanied by Mr. Engel, I then proceeded to Sioux City, whe

we found the escort had been awaiting us several days on the B

Sioux River. Through some misunderstanding there were no tea

sters furnished for the wagons of the escort ; and the mules, from 

disease of the hoof, and the wagons, and especially the harness, fr

long use, were of very inferior quality. It occupied me six days 

getting the train in traveling condition, which was only done 

abandoning one wagon and a large supply of stores for the esco

During this time a rumor* reached there of a fight having taken pla

between the soldiers and the Shyennes at Ash Hollow, in which 

hundred of the former were killed . Twelve of the soldiers of the esco

tempted by the high prices of labor in this vicinity, and tired of t

toils and privations of campaigning, deserted as we were about to. 

out, and some white thieves who infested the neighborhood of Sio

City carried off two of my best horses. These losses occurring in 

civilized community, where we supposed ourselves among friends, we

quite annoying, and gave rather unpleasant forebodings of what mig

occur to us when we should come among our enemies, the Indians.

We set out from Sioux City July 6, and, taking a direct course, join

the other party on the Loup Fork, being 11 days in going 110 mil

The route was. heavy from frequent rains, all the ravines being fil

with water, and the most insignificant rivulet requiring preparation, 

account of the soft nature of the soil, before a wagon could cross it. W

had to make one bridge (over Middle Creek) about 30 feet long, a

construct a raft with which to cross the Elk Horn.

The united party now set out on their journey westward on the Lo

Fork, meeting with no serious difficulties on the route (except the qui

sands in crossing the main north branch) till we came to within 50 mi

of the source of the stream. Here the river became shut up in a gor

impassable for wagons, and we were forced out among the difficult sa

hills which border the bluffs, and which extend north to the Niobra

and south nearly to the Platte. They also extend much further ea

but they occasioned us no difficulties till we were forced to leave t

bank of the stream .

We finally came to the source of the Loup Fork, and from this po

endeavored to proceed as directly as possible north to the Niobrara, 

we were somewhat apprehensive of losing everything, for want of wat

by endeavoring to push our way westward. through .the Sand Hil

These hills, however, were so impracticable for wagons that we we

forced much more to the west than we desired, and one day we we

unable to find water to camp by. There are numerous lakes in-this Sa

* This rumor was without foundation, as it afterwards appeared.

2ND
18 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Hill country, but many of them are too much impregnated with salts to,

be wholesome. Some of these latter our animals drank out of without

injury. On reaching the longitude of 1020 30' we had the good fortune

to find an open stretch of country, with a large, well-marked lodge-trail

leading between the Platte and Niobrara, which, in one day's travel

northward, brought us to the Niobrara. We now proceeded rapidly

over an easy route to Fort Laramie.

During the journey there had been considerable sickness in the camp

from fevers, and one of the men was so near the point of death that a

halt of several days was made for his benefit. Dr. Moffitt also became

so ill as to require a delay of one or two days. These necessary stoppages, the difficulties of the route, rainy weather, together with my

being obliged to leave so much of our provisions behind at Sioux City,

reduced our supplies to a small amount, and for nearly two weeks we

were without sugar or coffee. We had also been very much disappointed in the amount of game ; and though the country gave evidence

of having recently beei'i occupied by large herds of buffalo, only a few

bulls were seen . During the early part of the journey,' mosquitoes were

abundant, and allowed our animals no rest at night, and immense numbers of flies, attacked them by day. These insects, combined, exhausted

and worried the animals more than the labor they performed, and the

lives of one or two were saved only by covering them with grease and

tar to keep the flies and mosquitoes away.

At Fort Laramie we entirely refitted the party, which took us a long

time, on account of everything being required for the Utah expedition.

It gives me great pleasure to state that the commanding officer, Colonel

Hoffman, and the acting quartermaster, Lieutenant Higgins, gave me

all the facilities at their command. Owing to the great number of animals that graze in the neighborhood, the grass was nearly eaten off, and

our animals recruited very little during our stay there. While there I

succeeded in getting several sets of observations for moon culminations,

which determined the longitude to be 1040 301 , with a limit of error of

about 4'. Dr. Hayden and Mr. Engel also made an excursion to Laramie Peak, which they ascended.

The party, on leaving Fort Laramie, was divided into two parts, as,

owing to_the lateness of the season, it was impossible to accomplish all

the objects of the expedition by keeping together. Though- iii ::-doing

this I subjected each portion to the possibility of being defeated by the

Indians, I deemed the case to justify the risk. The wagons were, half

of them, turned in to the quartermaster, and the remainder, with the

escort under Lieutenant McMillan, were to proceed down the Niobrara,

and await me in longitude 1010 30'. Mr. J. H. Snowden went with this

party to make the topographical recounaissances ; Dr. Moffitt also accompanied it. My own party consisted of Dr. Hayden, Mr. Carrington,

and Mr. Engel, and we had with us 17 men as packers, &c., and Mr.

Morin as a guide and interpreter. Our supplies were packed on mules.

Setting out from Fort Laramie on the 4th of September, we proceeded

direct for the Black Hills via Raw Hide Butte, Old Woman Creek, the

South Fork of the Shyenne, and Beaver Creek ; up a branch of this

last we entered the Black Hills. We continued north to the vicinity of

the Inyan Kara, (or the peak which makes the mountain,) a remarkable

high basaltic peak, one of the highest of these mountains, and so far to

the north that we had a full view of the prairie beyond.

Here we were met by a very large force of the Dakotas, who made

such earnest remoustrances and threats against our proceeding into

their country that i did not think it prudent for us, as a scientific expe-
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA . 1 

dition, to venture further in this direction . Some of them were f

attacking us immediately, as their numbers would have insured succes

but the lesson taught them by General Harney, in 1855, made the

fear they would meet with retribution, and this l endeavored to impres

upon them . We were at the time almost in sight of the place wher

these Indians had plundered Sir George Gore in 1856, for endeav

oring to proceed through their country, and one of them was actual

mounted on one of his best horses, taken at that time. Sir Georg

Gore's party was only about half as numerous as mine ; but there wer

a number of my party which I had picked up at Fort Laramie on who

we placed very little reliance.

The grounds of their objections to our traversing this region wer

very sensible, and of sufficient weight, I think, to have justified the

in their own minds in resisting ; and as these are still in force for th

prevention of the passage of any other party of whited not large enoug

to resist successfully, they are of sufficient importance to be repeate

here. In the first place, they were encamped near large herds of buffal

whose hair not being sufficiently grown to make robes, the Indians were

it may be said, actually herding the animals. No one was permitted 

kill any in the large bands for fear of stampeding the others, and onl

such were killed as straggled away from the main herds. Thus th

whole range of the buffalo was stopped -so that they could not procee

south, which was the point to which they were traveling . The intenti

of the Indians was to retain the buffalo in their neighborhood till the

skins would answer for robes, then to kill the animals by surroundin

one band at a time and completely destroying each member of it. I

this , way no alarm is communicated to the neighboring bands, whic

often remain quiet almost in sight of the scene of slaughter.

For us to have continued on then would have been an act for whic

certain death would have been inflicted on a like number of their ow

tribe had they done it ; for we might have deflected the whole range 

the buffalo fifty or one hundred miles to the west, and prevented th

Indians from laying in their winter stock of provisions and skins, o

which their comfort if not even their lives depended. Their ,feelin

toward us, under the circumstances, were not unlike what we shoul

feel toward a person who should insist upon setting-fire to our _barn

The most violent of them were for immediate resistance when I tol

them of my intentions ; and those who were most friendly, and 

greatest fear of the power of the United States, begged that I woul

" take pity" on them and not proceed . I felt that, aside from its bein

an unnecessary risk to subject my party and the interests of the expedi

tion to, it was almost cruelty to the Indians to drive them to commi

any desperate act, which would call for chastisement from the Govern

ment.

But this was not the only reason they urged against our proceedin

They said that the treaty made with General Harney gave to the white

the privilege of traveling on the Platte and along White River, betwee

Forts Pierre and Laramie, and to make roads there, and to travel u

and down the Missouri in boats ; but that it guaranteed to them that n

white people should travel elsewhere in their country, and th

frighten away the buffalo by their careless manner of hunting the

And, finally, that my party was there examining the country to asce

tain if it was of value to the whites, and to discover roads through 

and places for military posts ; and that having already given up all t

country to the whites that they could spare, these Black Hills must 

left wholly to themselves. Moreover, if none of these things shou
20 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

occur, our passing through their country would give us a knowledge of

its character and the proper way to traverse it in the event of another

war between themselves and the troops. I was necessarily compelled

to admit to myself the truth and force of these objections.

The Indians whom I first met were the Minikanyes, to the .number

of forty lodges, near whom, as they were very friendly, we encamped.'*

They were soon joined by the warriors of a large camp of Unkpapas

and Sibasapas, and our position, which was sufficiently unpleasant in

the presence of such a numerous party of half-avowed enemies, was

rendered doubly so by a storm of sleet and snow, which lasted two

days and nights, and against which we had but little protection .

A young Indian, who had accompanied us from Fort Laramie, considered the danger to us so imminent that he forsook our camp and

joined his friends, the Minikanyes.

Under these embarrassing circumstances my associates evinced the

most resolute bravery and determination to abide the result like true

men .

I consented to wait three days without advancing, in order to meet

their great warrior, Bear's Rib, appointed first chief by General Harney's treaty, merely changing our position to one offering greater

facilities for defense. At the expiration of the time, Bear's Rib not

making his appearance, we broke up camp, and, traveling back on

our route about forty miles, struck off to the eastward, through the

southern part of these mountains. The point where we turned back is

well marked by the Inyan Kara Peak, whose position was fixed by us.

After we had proceeded two days on our journey eastward, we were

overtaken by Bear's Rib and one other Indian who accompanied him.

He reiterated all that had been said by ,the other chiefs, and added

that he could do nothing to prevent our being destroyed if we attempted

to proceed further. I then told him that I believed he was our friend,

but that if he could do nothing for us, he bad better return to his people, and leave us to take care of ourselves, as I was determined to proceed as far as Bear Butte. After a whole day spent in deliberation, he

concluded to accompany us a part of the way, and he said he would

then return to his people and use his influence to have us not molested.

In return for this, he wished me to say to the President and to the

white people that they could not be allowed `to come trio-that country ; ---

that if the presents sent were to purchase such a right, they did not want

them. All they asked of the white people was, to be left to themselves

and let alone ; that if the presents were sent to induce them not to go

to war with the Crows and their other enemies, they did not wish them .

War with them was not only a necessity but a pastime. He said General Harney had told them not to go to war, and yet he was all the

time going to war himself. (Bear's Rib knew that when General Harney

left the Sioux country he had gone to the war in Florida, and was at

the time in command of the array sent against the Mormons.) He said,

moreover, that the annuities scarcely paid for going after them ; and

that if they were not distributed to them while they were on their visit

to the trading-posts on the Missouri to dispose of their robes, they did

not want them .

(It is a fact that for several years, owing to this cause, these Indians

have not come in for their goods -,it all .)

He said that he heard that the Ihanktonwans were going to sell their

* I am much indebted to the influence of Major Twiss, the Indian agent near Fort

Laramie, for his efforts to give the Dakotas a favorable opinion. of my expedition, and

to secure us a friendly reception.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 2

lands to the whites. If they did so, he wished them informed th

they could not come on his people's lands. They must stay with t

whites. Every day the Ihanktonwans were coming there but we

always turned back.

Whatever may have been Bear's Rib's actions after leaving us, it 

certain we saw no more Indians in the Black Hills. We completed o

reconnaissance along the eastern portion of these mountains as far 

Bear Peak, which forms another convenient and accurate point wi

which any future reconnaissance may connect with our own . We al

visited the North Fork of the Shyenne, in this vicinity. On our retu

we took a southeast direction, striking the South Fork of the Slryen

at the mouth of Sage Creek. We then proceeded up the South Fork 

French Creek ; thence southeast, through the Bad Lands, to Whi

River ; thence along the, sources of White Clay Creek and Porcupi

Creek ; and thence to the Niobrara, striking it in longitude 1020 03'.

We found the party under Lieutenant McMillan about forty mil

below where we struck the river, and eighty miles below where we h

first reached it on our journey westward in August. This interveni

distance had been carefully mapped by Mr. Snowden, and he had ma

several excursions at different places to examine the country, as I h

directed . Lieutenant McMillan's march down the river thus far h

not been made without much wordy opposition from the Brule Dakota

much of the same kind as that I have related as having been said 

me in the Black Hills. On finding that he was determined to procee

the chief, Little Thunder, sent four of his principal men to accompa

them, which they did for some days. At a, subsequent time, twent

two warriors charged into the camp, thinking the party was a tradin

expedition. Their insolence was checked by Lieutenant McMillan

threatening to fire on them ; whereupon they entered their usual prote

against the party's proceeding further, and the next day all withdre

Tire last twenty miles of Lieutenant McMillan's route was through dif

cult sand-hills bordering the river, the stream itself being so shut in 

high precipitous ridges that he was unable to travel along it .

We now found the route exceedingly laborious for wagons on 

count of the sand-hills, which continue to the mouth of Rapid Cree

The character of the immediate valley of the Niobrara precluded t

wagons from traveling along it ; so,' while Mr. Snowden - mapped t

route of the train, Mr. Engel traveled along the river, sometimes 

one side and sometimes on the other, and made a map of it. Even h

though riding a mule, found it difficult to keep up in this way with t

wagons, which slowly wound their way through and over the sand-hil

Our camps at night were here always on the main river. After pas

ing theRapid Creek, the sand-hills gave us no longer any trouble, (exce

for about twenty miles on the point between the Niobrara and Ke

Paha,) but the ravines and precipices still prevented the wagons fr

traveling within from five to eight miles of the Niobrara., and here M

Engel continued the sketch as before. Dr. Hayden also traveled alo

the immediate banks of the river, examining the character of the roc

and collecting fossils.

On reaching the mouth of the Keya Paha, the main party, with t

wagons, proceeded direct to Fort Randall, and a separate party, und

Mr. Engel, traveled down the Niobrara to its mouth, completing t

examination of that stream. It was my intention for Dr. Hayden 

accompany him, but on arriving at the place of separation we fou

the same geological formation -and characteristics as we knew to ex
22 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

at the mouth ; and as the intervening distance was only sixty miles, he

did not deem it necessary to go over it.

Fort Randall was reached on the 1st of November, and the escort was

returned to the regiment. We were most hospitably received by Major

Day, commanding the post, and the other officers of the Second Infantry,

and I take this occasion to acknowledge my indebtedness to this regiment

for the aid and protection they have afforded me in all my explorations .

Two sets of observations for moon culminations were obtained here,

but cloudy weather prevented more. The longitude as calculated from

them, is 980 34', with a probable limit of error of about 8'.

The party set out from Fort Ray dall on the 7th of November, and

surveyed the route to Sioux City, which was reached on the 16th . The

season being far advanced, no steamboat was expected, and the river

was full of floating ice. The weather as we traveled on toward Fort

Leavenworth became very severe, and the river became frozen over as

far clown as Saint Joseph's. During this time we made rapid progress,

but a mild spell of weather coming on made the road so heavy that with

the greatest exertion we hardly accomplished ten miles a day. During

this time the health of the party suffered severely from influenza . We

reached Fort Leavenworth on the 4th of December, and were fortunate

enough to meet there with a steamboat, by which we proceeded to Saint

Louis, and thence by railroad to Washington.

CHAPTER II.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF NEBRASKA ; CHARACTER OF THE SOIL AND

RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY.

Though my personal examinations have nowhere extended west of

the 106th meridian, there are certain points west of it to which I would

direct attention : The positions of the Missouri and Yellowstone west

of this meridian and north of the 46th degree of north latitude have

been well examined by Lewis and Clark and under Governor Stevens,

and the valuable information tbey,-obtained is widely known. The section, however, between the 46th parallel in the north and the 43d in the

south, the 106th meridian in the east, and the dividing line between the

waters of the Pacific and the Atlantic in the west, is comparatively unknown, except from the accounts afforded by trapping-parties. The

information given of it on the map of Lewis and Clark is derived from

this latter source ; as is also that on Colonel Bonneville's map, published

with Irving's work on "Adventures in the Rocky Mountains," &c. ; and

these are our most authentic sources of information. These maps have

been generally disregarded by subsequent map-makers, and previous to

the map I compiled for the Pacific Railroad Office, there have been no

mountains represented about the source of the Yellowstone. From inquiries I made of trappers in 1855, I became convinced of the existence

of these mountains, and represented them accordingly, endeavoring to

combine the information on Lewis and Clark's map and Bonneville's

map with that which T had procured from traders and trappers. In doing this, I represented the Big Horn Mountains perhaps too far to the

west, as they are perfectly visible from the summit of the Inyan Kara

Peak, in the Black Hills.

Leaving out of consideration for the present the smaller detached

mountain masses, and beginning with the main range of the Rocky
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 2 

Mountains, on the 49th parallel, we find their eastern base to have 

direction nearly northwest and southeast, and the range crossing th

Missouri at 1 ' The Gate of the Mountains." Continuing southeast, 

crosses the Yellowstone near where Captain Clark reached that river 

1806, (latitude 46,) just south of which it forms high, snow-covered peak

This line of mountains is broken through again by the Big Horn River

and the mountains receive the name of Big Horn Mountains. Th

southeast terminus of the Big Horn Mountains sinks into the elevate

table-land prairie, and the range, perhaps, re-appears again as the Lara

mie Mountains. (South of the latitude of Fort Laramie the line of th

eastern front of the mountains is nearly north and south.)

The Black Hills, whose geographical position we have determined, a

the most eastern portion of what has heretofore been considered a par

of the great mountain-region west of the Mississippi ; and it is worth

of note that, if a line be drawn from them to the Little Rocky Mount

ains, on the 48th parallel, which are the most eastern portion in that la

itude, this line will be parallel to the line of the main front of the mount

ains which I have already traced. What is still more significant is, tha

if a, straight line be drawn from the mouth of the Yellowstone to th

mouth of the Kansas River, it will also be parallel to the lines befor

mentioned, and will have about an equal portion of the Missouri on eac

side of it.

The line of the east base of the main mountain mass is the highest

of course, of any portion of the plains, and at Raw Hide Peak, nea

Fort Laramie, is about 5,500 feet elevation, as determined by the hor

izontally stratified Tertiary deposits, though, owing to great denudation

the average height there of this line of the plains will not be so grea

The same line, near the 49th parallel, has probably a somewhat les

elevation . The lowest line of the plains is that along the Missouri, an

its elevation, taken near Bijou Hills, (a point about on the perpendicula

to it from Fort Laramie,) is about 2,130 feet, which does not differ ma

terially from its height at the mouth of the Yellowstone. The slope o

all this part of the plains (being in a direction perpendicular to the line

of equal elevation) has therefore its line of greatest descent in a north

east direction, and north of the Niobrara ; this is the direction in whic

a majority of the rivers flow till they join with the Missouri or Yellow

stone. To the south -of - the Niobrara the greatest slope of the plains 

to the southeast, toward the Gulf of Mexico, and this is the directio

pursued there by nearly all the rivers of the plains. Thus the Niobrar

would seem, as it were, to run. along a swell or ridge on the surface

The average slope of the plains from the Missouri to the mountain

make nowhere an angle greater than one-half degree with the horizon

A remarkable feature in regard to this change of slope which occur

in the neighborhood of the course of the Niobrara is the shortness o

its tributaries, the surface drainage seeming to be away .from and no

toward its banks. A result of this is the absence of the amphitheater

like valley which rivers generally have, and which enable us to loo

down at the stream often many miles distant. Through the greate

portion of the middle half of its course you have scarcely any indica

tion of it as you approach, till within close proximity, and then yo

look down from the steep bluffs and catch, at the distance of two hun

dred to five hundred yards, only here and there a glimpse of the rive

below, so much is it hidden by the precipitous bluffs which, at th

bends, stand at the water-edge. So strongly was I impressed with th

fact that the surface drainage could never have been directed along it

course so as to have worn out this channel, that I think a portion o
2 4 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

it must have originated in a fissure in the rocks, which the waters have since enlarged and made more uniform in size, and which the soft

nature of the rock would render easy of accomplishment. It is worthy of remark, in this connection, that the bed of the stream in longitude

1020 is 400 feet higher than that of the White River at the point nearest

to this ; White River having there cut its way entirely through the Tertiary formation, flows along the Cretaceous, while the bed of the Nio- brara is in the Miocene Tertiary, the Pliocene forming the bluffs. The

bed of the Niobrara is also, in two-thirds of its upper course, from 300

to 500 feet above the bed of the Platte River at corresponding points at

the south .

In the section of the country through which the Niobrara flows the

soil is very sandy, so that what rain or snow falls sinks under the

surface, and none is lost by evaporation. This is gradually all poured

into the stream by the springs in the ravines, and in this way the river

is mainly supplied in seasons of low water, at which times it is one of

the largest streams of Nebraska.

The question of the slope of the plains is a subject to which I have

given much attention, from its scientific as well as practical interest.

Our barometric observations have enabled us, in some measure, to fill

up the gap between those of Governor Stevens on the north and

Captain Fremont's on the south, and thus give us the connected levels

over a very large area.

The observations upon the great Tertiary formation have developed

the fact, that since the close of the Pliocene period, the eastern base of

the mountains, which is the western limit of this formation, has been

elevated from 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the eastern, and this without

there being anywhere visible signs of upheaval, such as inclination

of the strata. The only direct evidence is in the immense denudation

which the Tertiary has undergone probably while this elevation was

in progress, and which causes of denudation must have been gradually extinguished, as there is, at the present time, no force at work

sufficient to have affected them. The evidence goes to show that the

elevation which has taken place since the close of the Pliocene period

has been in Nebraska remarkably uniform, and along a line in a general direction northwest and southeast, and nearly coincident with the

ranges of mou-ntain-s--Prevro ly upheaved .

The Black Hills received their last violent upheaval at the same

period as the Laramie Mountains, that is, at the close of the Cretaceous. The geological evidence goes to show that the Pliocene and

Miocene Tertiary, south of the Shyenne, are fresh-water formations ;

yet there are no ridges now standing to mark the northern boundary

to this basin. In the present relative position of the different parts

of these plains, the elevation of the Pliocene Tertiary formation is now

so great that much of the Black Hills and the Cretaceous on the Shy

enne should have been covered with it. This might, however, have

been the case, and since have all been denuded away. North of the

Shyenne the Cretaceous ridges are probably sufficiently high to have

separated the Tertiary beds south of it from the Lignite Tertiary to the

north. But still it is necessary to suppose that this last elevation of

the Tertiary has been somewhat greater near the 42d parallel than to the

north of it.

A most interesting problem could be solved in regard to these changes

of level, if a locality could be found where the Lignite Tertiary north

of the Shyenne would be in contact with the Pliocene or Miocene beds

to the south of it, as well as the more important one of the age of the

first relative to the two latter .
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

During the time of these changes since the formation of the Plioc

Tertiary, the soft sandy material of which it was composed has, be

crushed and separated by denuding forces, and an area of no less th

20,000 square miles, called the Sand Hills, has been covered w

barren sand, which, blown by the wind into high hills, renders t

section not only barren, but in a measure impracticable for trav

The Niobrara River, lying on a most desirable line of communication, a

direct in its general course, has one hundred miles of its banks obstruc

with these difficult hills, and the communication between this stre

and the Platte greatly obstructed and in some places entirely cut 

The subject of routes and communications I shall hereafter take up 

detail .

For nearly all of the knowledge of the age of the geological f

mations of the portions of Nebraska developed by my explorations

am indebted to the services of Dr. F. V. Hayden and Mr. F. B. Me

and Professor Joseph Leidy, whosepapers, published in the Proceedi

of the Academy of Natural Sciences, have already made known so

of the principal discoveries and results due to their labors. 

Hayden was the only one of those mentioned who accompanied me 

the field.

In the paper by Dr. Hayden, accompanying the geological map, p

lished in June, 1858, Dr. H. observes that " a much larger surf

might have been colored on the map with a good degree of confiden

but I have preferred to confine myself, for the most part,, to the resu

of my own observations in the field." The northeast portion of 

boundary of the Tertiary formation between the White and Niobr

rivers is there placed too far west, according to my own observations 

1855 and 1857 . The line between this and the Cretaceous is not west 

a straight line between the mouth of the South Fork of the White Ri

and the mouth of the Keya Paha. A small portion of Tertiary sho

also be shown on the north side of the South Fork of the Shyenne. T

great Lignite Tertiary formation most probably extends almost to 

base of the Big Horn Mountains.

It is of course impossible to give correctly the relative extent 

certain of the formations on a map of this scale. The width of 

upheaved sedimentary formations which encircle the igneous rocks 

the -Black Hills is-.-much--more developed on the western than on 

eastern slopes, owing to their difference in clip-on the western be

quite gentle, but steep on the other, causing them soon to disapp

under the Cretaceous rocks ; and this is one of the most import

features in the configuration of these mountains.

From what has been said it will be seen that the surface of 

braska presents two great sections-that of the plains and that of 

mountains.

The plains in this latitude are composed of nearly horizontal str

of the tertiary and Cretaceous formations, except in a small portio

the southeast corner, where the Carboniferous is developed. Though 

plains are much diversified by the effects of denuding agencies, 

present in different portions striking characteristics; yet they are, a

whole, a great uniform surface gradually rising toward the mou

ains, at the base of which they attain an elevation varying betw

3,000 and 5,500 feet above the level of the sea. The plains have th

distinct portions as determined by their geological formation : 

the Pliocene, and Miocene Tertiary ; 2d, the Cretaceous ; and, 3d, 

Lignite Tertiary.

The first sectton extends from the southern boundary north, nea
2 6 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

continuous to the 44th parallel, and contains a large portion of the

valleys of the Platte, Loup Fork, Niobrara, and White Rivers. Here,

except in the immediate valleys of the streams, which are composed

of good soil, naturally irrigated by springs from the bluffs, or susceptible of irrigation, much of the country- is sandy and unfit for cultivation. No valuable mineral or good building stone has been dis

covered in it. Here are to be found the Sand Hills, which occupy an

area north of the Platte of not less than 20,000 square miles. These

hills on the north begin between the White and Niobrara rivers, and

extend south probably beyond the Arkansas. Where we have visited

them, they vary in height from 10 to 200 feet, and in the western

portion are ranged in ridges running east and west ; but in traveling

you are frequently obliged to cross them, as the intermediate valleys,

which are also sand, are not continuous. About the sources of Loup

Fork many of the lakes of water found in them are impregnated w ith

salts and unfit to drink, and our sufferings in exploring them will

always hold a prominent place in our memories. The present form

of these hills is mainly if not entirely due to the wind. Where the

grass protects the surface the sand does not drift ; but if this is removed, the wind whirls the sand in the air, and often excavates deep

holes. I therefore look upon them as utterly impracticable for any line

of railroad ; for should any attempt be made to grade the surface, which

would be necessary, the wind would frll up the cuts with sand as with

drifting snow.

In this section is also to be found the Bad Lands, or 1Vlauvaises Terres,

of White River, so celebrated for their vertebrate remains. The locality

to which this name (Bad Lands) has been applied is in extent about one

hundred and fifty miles long, in a direction northeast and southwest,

and about sixty miles wide. The term « Bad Lands " was given to this

section by the traders, on account of the difficulty of getting a road

through a portion of it. The extent of the geological formation to

which these Bad Lands belong is very great, and, as the name is an improper one to be applied to the whole of it, I shall not use the term except in speaking of the portion occupied by it along the middle course

of the White River. In this part of White River some as beautiful valleys are to be found as anywhere in the Far West, though, like other

-parts ;-the majority-of---the country is barren . These Bad-Lands. of the __

White River country have frequently been spoken of as a vast, grave or

sepulchre, from the amount of bones found there ; and this figure of

speech has somewhat tended to give a gloomy idea of the place which

it does not especially deserve, as it abounds in the most beautiful and

varied forms, in endless variety, giving the most striking and pleasing

effects of light and shade. It has also been described as having sunk

away from the surrounding world, with the country rising like steps to

the Black Hills, which is not the case, many portions of these Bad

Lands being higher than all the intervening country between them and

the Black Hills, from which the portions on White River are distant

about thirty miles. The formation to which this portion belongs extends almost uninterruptedly east to the mouth of the Keya Paha,

and south beyond the Platte ; and an instance of the striking appearauce which it sometimes makes is exhibited in Court-House Rock

and Scott's Bluffs. The term "Bad Lands" is generally applied by

the traders to any section of the prairie country where roads are difficult, and in this way to parts of many distinct geological formations,

and, as it is generally calculated to mislead, should not be used. When

I shall use it occasionally, I use only the name of the country, as it was

originally given to mean bad land to travel through.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

The second section is the Cretaceous formation, forming the leve

country at the base of the Black Hills, the valley of the Shyenne River,

and the immediate valley of the Missouri River, from Heart River to

the Big Sioux. In this section the soil is clayey ; and wherever there

is a sufficiency of rain, or streams can be found to irrigate the land, i

will be productive. The great drawback to its fertility is a want of

timely rains. A portion of this formation, from the Big Bend to the

Shyenne, is composed of black shale, and contains much saline matter,

which renders the water in places unhealthy, and adds to the sterility

of the soil along the bluffs of the streams, where saline springs are common. In this section, too, there are no valuable minerals or good building stone, except that furnished by the bowlders.

The third section, or Lignite Tertiary, extends north and west to the

British line. The want of rain, which is felt in this area even more

than in the one to the south of it, renders it nearly barren. Everywhere through this formation, beds of lignite are to be found, sometimes

of a thickness of G and 7 feet. The burned appearance of earth, along

the banks of the streams, shows that in former times these beds have

been on fire over large areas, and in places are entirely burned out, and

those on Powder River are said to be on fire at this time. There is

every reason to believe that in places this lignite will be found of quality

good enough for fuel. In this section the bowlders furnish the only

good building stone.

In nearly all parts of Nebraska good clay for making brick can be

found.

The Carboniferous formation is developed in a small part of the southeastern portion of the prairie of Nebraska, and I will quote from the

report of Dr. Hayden in relation to the coal of this section

"The town of De Soto is the highest point known on the Missouri

where these limestones are exposed. Ascending the valley of the

Platte River, we find them quite well developed as far as the mouth

of the Elk Horn,where they pass beneath the bend of the river, and

the sandstone No. 1 occupies the country. " Several small seams o

coal have been found in these limestones at Bellevue and other lo

calities, and in the valley of the Platte. About ten miles above

its mouth I noticed a bed of very dark carbonaceous shale, 2 fee

in thickness, cropping out near the water's edge. This,_was considered by the inhabitants as a sufficient proof of the existence of a work

able bed of coal in the vicinity. The evidence now points to the

conclusion that though these limestones belong to the true Coal-Meas

ures, they hold a position above the workable beds of coal, and

that it is not probable a valuable seam of coal will be found north o

the southern line of Nebraska. A bed of coal of inferior quality has

been wrought near Leavenworth City, Kansas Territory, but it holds a

lower geological position than the limestones of the southern portion o

Nebraska, the dip of the strata being toward the northeast"

As our examinations were always somewhat hurried, there is room

to expect that workable beds of coal may yet be found here, but a

present we know of no facts against the opinion given by Dr. Hayden 

The seam of very inferior lignite found in the neighborhood of Sioux

City in the Cretaceous rocks may possibly, in some places, furnish fuel

of value, but where seen by us as exposed it gives but little promise

In this case, as well as the coal-seams in the Platte, mentioned above,

it may be that on penetrating to the interior portions of those beds they

will improve in quality.

The section of Nebraska which is now being occupied by settlers ha

2 7
28 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

fertile soil, not surpassed by any portion of the prairies of the Mississippi

Valley. Iii this eastern section will be found the fertile and wooded

valley of the Elk Florn River, and all the wooded parts of the valley of the river Platte. In the southern portion of it good building stone is furnished by the Carboniferous rocks.

After passing to the west of the 97th meridian we begin to meet with

sandy tracts, especially near the 42d parallel, in which latitude the

sand-hills extend the furthest east. In my former report I said that

but a small portion of Nebraska which I had visited is susceptible of

cultivation west of the 97th meridian. I did not mean to imply that

good land on these prairies would not be found west of it, for there are

fertile tracts as far west as the 99th meridian, in the neighborhood of

streams that are valuable, and contain wood enough to support settlements. In stating that the Territory is overspread by powerful tribes

of roving savages, and is only adapted to a life such as theirs, I did

not mean to imply that white men could not occupy it, but that if

they ever did they would have to lead a life similar to that of the

Indians, depending mainly for subsistence, not upon the buffalo, but

their own. herds and flocks for support ; and this is most emphatically

true of the region between the 99th meridian and the base of the

mountains.

There is one thing concerning the longitudes of places west of the

Missouri River which causes many persons to deceive, themselves ; and

is worthy of mention here. A common idea is that the course of the

Missouri is nearly south from Sioux City to Leavenworth City, and that

settlers may go as far west of the one place as the other and find fertile

lands. But the course of the Missouri between these points is so much

to the east that Sioux City is only fifteen miles east of the meridian of

Fort Riley, and Fort Randall is as far west as the western limit of the

Cross Timbers on the 35th parallel .

Though the western portion of the prairies of Nebraska is not much

inferior to that of corresponding meridians in Kansas and Northern

Texas, there is no disguising the fact that a great portion of it is

irreclaimable desert, with only a little wood and cultivable land along

the streams.

The reasons for this are, 1st, an insufficiency of timely rains ; 2d,

overlarge areas the soil does not possess the proper constituents ; 3d~= ---

the severity of the long, cold winters and short summers ; and a 4th

might be included in the clouds of grasshoppers that occasionally destroy the useful vegetation . They are nearly the same as the locusts

of Egypt, - and- no one who has not traveled on the prairie and seen

for himself can appreciate the magnitude of these insect swarms.

Often they fill the air for many miles of extent, so that an experienced

eye can scarce distinguish their appearance from that of a shower of

rain or the smoke of a prairie fire . The height of their flight may be

somewhat appreciated, as Mr. E. James saw them above his head as

far as their size would render them visible while standing on the top

of a peak of the Rocky Mountains, 8,500 feet above the level of the

plains, and an elevation of 14,500 above that of the sea, in the region

where the snow lies all the year. To a person standing in one of

these swarms as they pass over and around him, the air becomes sensibly darkened, and the sound produced by their wings resembles

that of the passage of a train of cars on a railroad when standing two

or three hundred yards from. the track. The Mormon settlements have

suffered more from the ravages of these insects tbau probably all other

causes combined. They destroyed nearly all the vegetables cultivated
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA . 2

last year at Fort Randall, and extended their ravages east as far a

Iowa.

It must be observed, however, that good grass will generally be foun

all over these plains, varying in quantity and kind with different local

ities, and that the desert character of the country is not like that foun

in the deserts on Green River and Snake River, west of the South Pass

where even a sufficiency for. animals cannot be found.

A very different condition of soil, water, and building-material o

stone and wood, exists when we reach the mountain region .

The Black Hills, or more properly mountains, lying between the fork

of the Shyenne, on the 44th parallel, between the 103d and 105th me

ridians, cover an area of 6,000 square miles. Their bases are elevate

from 2,500 feet to 3,500 feet, and the highest peaks are about 6,700 fee

above the ocean level .

The different rocks which compose these mountains, as determined b

our exploration, are1. Metamorphosed azoic rock, including granite.

II. Lower Silurian, (Potsdam sandstone.)

III. Devonian

IV. Carboniferous.

V. Permian.

VI. Jurassic.

VII. Cretaceous .

All the rocks below the Silurian are igneous and metamorphic, an

the stratification which they exhibit stands everywhere nearly vertical

with a strike varying between northeast and northwest. So constan

is this vertical dip, that it may not in reality indicate primary strat

fication, but some mechanical arrangement due to the molecular force

brought into existence during its cooling from the heated state. Al

the rocks, from the Silurian to the close of the Cretaceous, apparentl

lie conformable to each other. The shape of the mass is elliptica

the direction of the longest line of this or major axis being about nort

200 west. On the west the rocks dip, as a whole, very gently, and at 

distance of five miles from the foot of the hills the Cretaceous is appar

ently undisturbed, though at the base these rocks in some places stan

at an angle of 450. The manner in which this rock lies suggest

- .the .idea- that the Cretaceous probably forms a considerable- porti

of the elevated plateau between the Black Hills and Big Horn Mount

ains. The dip of the upheaved rocks on the west side is as a whol

very gentle, not amounting to more than from 50 to 150, and, co

sequently, they are considerably developed, and form more tha

one-half the mountain mass composing some very high ridges. Thes

rocks have a much greater inclination on the east side of the mount

ains, and soon disappear under the Cretaceous, forming a compara

tively narrow belt. The east base of the mountains is from 2,000 

3,000 feet below the western.

The rocks seem also to dip much more suddenly down on the sou

than on the north side . The strike of these upheaved strata is 

almost every direction corresponding, on the exterior, neatly with th

of the tangent to the outline of the mass, and on the interior being mor

nearly coincident with the direction of the major axis.

A result of this formation is that the upturned rocks break o

abruptly on the side toward the interior of the mass, and leave a

.open valley in many places between this steep slope and the gent

one which succeeds it as we approach the interior. In these valle

the best roads are found, and one, which nearly encircles the Bla
30 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Hills, is known among the Indians and traders as the Race Course or

Running Road.

The Inyan Kara Peak is basaltic, and the appearance through a powerful spy-glass of those to the north, known as the 1 ' Bear's Lodge" and

61 Little Missouri Buttes," indicates that they are also of this formation.

More recent volcanic action is visible at Bear's Peak, and two circular

spaces to the west of this peak, now occupied by muddy lakes, indicate

the existence here in former times of volcanic forces.

The highest mountain masses, such as Harney's Peak, on the east

side, are all granite, the rocks, as seen at a distance, appearing in the

same unmistakable form as those on the Raw Hide and Laramie Peaks,

namely, coarse granite or gneiss, standing in layers and slabs, indicating, a vertical stratification . A full description of these mountains

must be left for the final report. They'derive their name from being

covered with pine, whose dark green gives them a black appearance .

In reference to the Carboniferous rocks in these mountains, Dr.

Hayden says :

« The exact positions in the Carboniferous system to which the

limestones around Fort Laramie and in the Black Hills belong, are

not sufficiently clear from the evidence yet obtained. They do not

seem to be the equivalents of the beds above described along the

Missouri, though they may be. The texture of the rock is quite unlike

anv of the limestones of the Coal-Measure with which we are acquainted,

and there s-lems to be an absence of the fossils characteristic of the CoalMeasure limestones on the Missouri, and in Northeastern Kansas. The

latest opinion, however, of my associate, Mr. Meek, is that they belong

to the true Coal-Measures."

In these mountain formations, which border the great plains on the

west, are to be found beautiful flowing streams, and small rich valleys

covered over with fine grass for hay, and susceptible of cultivation by

means of irrigation. Fine timber for fuel and lumber. limestone and

good stone fok building purposes are here abundant. Gold has been

found in places in valuable quantities, and without doubt the more common and useful minerals will be discovered when more minute examinations are made.

I think it exceedingly desirable that something should be done to

-- encourage settlements in the neighborhood of Fort Laramie. __ The

wealth of that country is not properly valued, and the Indian title not

being, extinguished there is no opportunity to settle it. Those who

live there now support themselves by trade with the Indians, which

being already overdone, it is to their interest to keep others away.

If the Indian title were extinguished, and the protection of the territorial government extended there, so as to be effectual, there would

soon spring up a settlement that would rival that of Great Salt Lake.

The Laramie River is a beautiful stream, with a fine fertile valley, and

there are such everywhere along the base of the mountains. Pine

timber, of the finest quality, in abundance grows there, easy of access,

from which the finest lumber can be made ; building stone of good quality abounds. The establishment of the military post, and the constant

passing of emigrants, have driven away the game, so that the Indians

do not set a high value on the land, and it could easily be procured

from them .

The people now on the extreme frontiers of Nebraska are near the

western limit of the fertile portions of the prairie lands, and a desert

space separates them from the fertile and desirable region in the western

mountains. They are, as it were, on the shore of a sea, up to which
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

population and agriculture may advance, and no further. But t

gives them much of the value of places along the Atlantic frontier, 

view of the future settlements to be formed in the mountains, betwe

which and the present frontier a most valuable trade would exist. T

western frontier has always been looking to the east for a market, b

as soon as the wave of emigration has passed over the desert porti

of the plains, to which the discoveries of gold have already given 

impetus that will propel it to the fertile valleys of the Rocky Mountain

then will the present frontier of Kansas and Nebraska become the sta

ing point for all the products of the Mississippi Valley which the po

ulation of the mountains will require. We see the effects of it in t

benefits which the western frontier of Missouri has received from t

Santa Fe trade, and still more plainly in the impetus given to Leave

worth by the operations of the army of Utah in the interior regi

This flow of products has, in the last instance, been only in one directi

but when those mountains become settled, as they eventually must, th

there will be a reciprocal trade materially beneficial to both .

These settlements in the mountains cannot be agricultural to the sa

extent as those on the Mississippi Valley, but must depend greatly up

the raising of stock. The country furnishes the means of raising suf

cient quantities of grain and vegetables for the use of the inhabitan

and beautiful, healthy, and desirable locations for their homes. T

remarkable freedom here from sickness iS one of the attractive featu

of the region, and will, in this respect, go far to recompense the sett

from the Mississippi Valley for his loss in the smaller amount of produc

that can be taken from the soil. The great want of suitable buildi

material which now so seriously retards the growth of the West will n

be felt there.

How far the fine timbers in the interior of Nebraska can be rel

upon to supply settlements on the Missouri, is a question upon whic

am not qualified to give a very positive opinion.

The pine extends along the Niobrara and its side ravines for about 1

miles, and there is nearly an equal extent of it on White River ; but 

both streams it is of inferior quality and difficult of access. That 

the Black Hills is much better timber, and covers an area of abo

1,500 square miles ; but this is also in situations where there wou

be much labor in getting it out, and - an-Indian-war -would probab

attend the first attempts to do so. I think the Niobrara, White, a

Shyenne rivers could be used to bring the logs to the Missouri,- do

which they could be rafted.

The great want of timber which is felt along tLe settlements on t

Missouri, and the high price which this material commands, may pr

ably overcome all the difficulties I have stated to exist ; and, havi

done this as faithfully as I can, I must leave each one to form his o

opinion on the subject.

CHAPTER III.

REMARKS ON THE CLIMATE-METEOROLOGY.

The seasons I have spent in Nebraska have, as I am informed 

those who have resided there a long time, been favored with an unusu

supply of rain. With this caution as to the inferences which may 

drawn from our observations, I will give a short account of some of 

meteorological phenomena observed by us.
32 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

In the year 1855 we left Fort Leavenworth on the 15th of June, and

reached Fort Pierre on the 16th of July. During the passage up the

river we had 13 days of nearly calm weather ; 10 days of south or southeast wind, sometimes very strong ; seven thunder-storms, some of them

of great violence, with much rain, the amount diminishing as we ascended the river, (there being no heavy rain after the 29th of June, all

of which time we were above the mouth of the Niobrara.) The highest

temperature observed was on July 15, at 2 p. m., at which time the dry

thermometer gave 1020 in the shade, and the wet-bulb thermometer 690.

When we reached Fort Pierre we were informed that there had been no

rain or snow there for more than a year. The appearance of the vege.

tation confirmed this statement, as scarcely a green spot was anywhere

to be seen.

Hourly observations on the wet and dry bulb thermometers and barometers were made at Fort Pierre from July 17 to 25, and at the hours

of 7 a. m., 9, and 2 p. m., till August 7 . The mean height of the barometric column at this place is (reduced to 320) 28.436 ; the altitude

above the sea, 1,500 feet. The. highest temperature observed during

this time was, at 3 p. m., July 22. dry thermometer, 860 ; wet-bulb thermometer, 640 ; the barometer, reduced to 320, reading 28.310. On the

same evening we had a heavy fall of rain, with thunder and lightning,

about 5 miles south of the fort ; this was the first rain experienced in

the neighborhood . From July 22 to August 7 there were three violent

thunder-storms from the west, one of which was attended with a heavy

fall of rain . An abundance of rain continued to fall here during the

summer.

While on the journey from Fort Pierre to Fort Kearny, between

August 7 and August 22, we had much overcast and misty weather

nearly all the time, and on seven of the days rain fell in small quantities.

From August 25 to September 12 we were on the road along the

Platte River between Fort Kearny and Fort Laramie ; during this

time we had two heavy thunder-storms, attended with a large fall of

rain. While at Fort Laramie, we had heavy frost about the 25th of

.September. Fort Laramie has an elevation of 4,200 feet.

From September 29 to October 19 we were on the road to Fort Pierre.

The weather at times was very cold, and snow fell to the depth of four

inches on the night of the 3d of October ; f6r-"several °days-fn: the~'-firsc

part of this month the thermometer stood, at daybreak, at 290. On the

20th and 21st of October we had a violent storm of rain, sleet, and snow,

with high winds, which covered everything with ice. We were quite

surprised, on reaching the neighborhood of Fort Pierre, to find the grass

green and abundant, for it was such a contrast to its appearance in August, when everything seemed to have perished for want of rain. Much

snow fell here during the winter, and in the spring there were heavy

showers of rain, so that a more beautiful prairie country could not be

found than this, as it appeared in May and June, 1856. At the same

time the previous year the grasses scarce gave an indication of life.

We left Fort Pierre on the 28th of June, 1856, and reached Fort

Union on the loth of July ; on the passage the weather was comparatively clear, with light winds. Up to this time no rain had fallen there,

and in many places there was a great scarcity of grass. On the 15th a

heavy storm of rain and wind commenced at 9 p. m., and continued till

10 p. m. on the 17th. The wind for several days previous had been

light, and came from the north . On the 15th, at 2 p. m., the thermometer was at 900, the barometer (reduced to 320) reading 27.827. At 9 a.

m., on the 16th, the barometer read 27.735 ; thermometer 580. The
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 3

wind blew with great violence from the north all day on the 16th, 

that it was with great difficulty. we kept our tents standing ; and a po

tion of the inclosure of the American Fur Company's fort was blow

down . This storm was not accompanied by thunder and lightning. O

the 17th the weather was again clear ; wind light from the northeas

thermometer, at 2 p. m., 670 ; barometer, 28.179. Fort Union has a

elevation of 1,900 feet above the sea.

While at Fort Union and in the neighborhood we had after th

abundance of rain, so that the whole landscape in August and Septem

ber wore a beautiful green, and grass was plenty in places where, 

July, there was not a blade of it. The highest temperature we exper

enced here was on the 20th of July, the thermometer, at 2 p. m., readi

930. The earliest frost ever recorded to have occurred here was in t

month of August of 1855.

We left Fort Union the 1st of September and reached Fort Pierre 

the 5th of October. We were again struck with the variable nature 

the climate on finding that but little rain had fallen here during o

absence, and the grass had all dried up, though at this place the sam

period of the previous year it was everywhere green.

In the year of 1857, we started from Omaha the 28th of June, 

the midst of the rainy season, and reached Fort Laramie August 2

During this journey we had fifteen rainy days, or about one in fou

and on many other days there were showers with thunder and ligh

ning near us that are not included. The highest temperature was 100

2 p. m., August 11.

Prior to our arrival at Fort Laramie not much rain bad fallen ther

but on the 22d it commenced, at 11 a. m., to rain hard, and continu

with but little intermission till the 24th . This storm was not acco

panied by violent wind, and the barometer gave very little indicati

of its approach, preserving about a reading of 25.980. No one the

remembered to have ever seen so much rain fall at one time at th

placa.

I left Fort Laramie on the 4th of September ; we had one heavy ra

on the 10th, at the base of the Black Hills. While in the Black Hil

we had a storm that lasted from 6 a. m. on the 16th till 9 p. m. on t

17th . As we were traveling and changed our altitude during th

storm, and while it was coming,on -the-indications-of the barometer a

not of any value. Our elevation was about 5,500 feet . The sto

began with a cold rain, thermometer 540. The temperature gradual

fell till the rain changed to snow during the night of the 16th, and t

thermometer went down to 320. There was a strong wind a portion 

the time from the north. During the latter part of this storm we we

enveloped in the -clouds, and as it cleared up these gradually rose, 

we could see by the line they made along the sides of the high pea

and ridges.

We experienced a very violent storm, of about twenty-four hour

duration, on the 8th of October, while on White River, and had a f

of about six inches of snow on the Niobrara on the 18th of Octobe

From the 18th of October to the 31st, we had four storms of rain a

sleet.

I have not attempted here to give the direction of the wind duri

the period, as it could only be done satisfactorily by copying the dai

register. The prevailing wind through the year is from the north, as 

fully established by the sand-hills along the Niobrara. The wind h

blown these up to the brink of the precipices along the north bank, a

on the south has removed them to the distance of about half a mi

3 N D
34 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

October is generally a very windy month. In 1856, fifteen days of this

month, while we were traveling down the Missouri in a Mackinac boat,

from Fort Pierre to Sioux City, it blew so we could not proceed. The

prevailing wind at this time was from the south, and we had one violent rain-storm with a south wind.

A true indication of the nature of the climate of Nebraska is to be found in the character of the plants which grow there. Certain kinds,

unable to live through the long periods of drought which occur, are

rarely to be seen, and those which flourish best are such as require but

little moisture, or whose roots, penetrating deep into the soil, enable

them to draw a sufficiency of moisture from below. In the high prairies,

where there is a good soil, we find the bunch-grass growing in tufts,

but in many places interspersed with patches of cacti . The bottom

lands of many of the streams support no trees but the cottonwood and

willow, and some of them produce rank growths of the wild sage.

The absence of trees on all the prairie regions is another evidence of

the dryness of the climate, and even in places where they can grow, as

in the ravines, the excessive cold of the winter winds prevents theru

from reaching their full development, as is proved by the dead tops of

nearly all the trees which extend their branches above the level of the

prairie. The prairie fires have done much toward preventing the growth

of trees in places adapted to them, but it is not a sufficient cause to,

account for the general absence of forests.

An interesting instance of the effect of climate on the growth of trees

is to be seen in the cedar as you ascend the Missouri. At the first

Cedar Island, in latitude 43, these trees grow in the bottom lands of the

river, and are large and straight, those growing on the bluffs being of

an inferior quality.

The cedars diminish as you ascend, and the last of these in any number together are to be seen in the bluffs opposite the mouth of the Little

Shyenue, in about latitude 45, and here they are exceedingly crooked

and twisted. Along the Missouri and Yellowstone, in the Lignite Tertiary formation, we find the cedar unable to support itself above the

ground, and, spreading itself over the surface, presents the appearance

on the hill-sides of grass or moss.

During the time I have been in Nebraska I have found everywhere

an abundance of grasaf-"cept-.in-pl aceR-,neax.~tJa posts and others,

where it had been eaten off by the buffalo.

A considerable quantity of a small variety of corn is raised by the

Manda,ns, Rees, and Gros Ventres, near the 47th parallel, on the Missouri, and it is probable that this corn can be raised along the base of

mountains as far north as the 46th parallel . The entire mountain section of Nebraska will produce good wheat, where the land can be irrigated, and the abundance of grass for pasturage will permit of the raising of immense herds of stock.

This western portion of Nebraska may, therefore, in the future be

valuable for occupation for a people partly engaged in agriculture, but

relying mainly upon the raising of stock.

Many valuable inferences in regard to the climate may be drawn from

an examination of the catalogue of plants growing in Nebraska, prepared by Dr. Hayden, and appended to this report.

It is my intention to give tables of the meteorological observations in

a subsequent report. These, besides the indication they afford of the

climate of Nebraska, will be useful in aiding the determinations of the

progress and limits of storms over large areas in connection with exten-
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 3 

sive investigations on this subject carried on by the Smithsonian Inst

tution, under the direction of Professor Henry.

The thunder-storms, so far as we have observed them, have a grea

uniformity. The day after one has passed over is generally cold, wit

a light north wind and high state of the barometer. This conditio

lasts from one to three days, when the wind changes to the south an

gradually increases in force during the day, and sometimes falli

almost to a cadm at night. The barometer falls during the time, an

cumulus clouds begin to form. After the south wind has blown thre

or four days, a thunder-storm comes from the west generally in t

night ; the south wind often blowing a hurricane all the time the stor

is approaching from the west. This storm is again succeeded by coo

weather and a high state of the barometer, and in general we found 

sure indication of the approach or termination of a storm in the falli

or rising of the barometric column . These storms as seen on th

prairie have a number of independent centers, so that they often pas

across the landscape to the north and south without your receiving an

of the rain. They are frequently accompanied by a fall of hail an

violent gusts of wind.

CUAPTER IV.

DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL RIVERS AND DISCUSSION OF THE MERIT

OF DIFFERENT ROUTES.

In giving a description of the character and importance of the rive

examined, it will perhaps be best to discuss at the same time the sub

ject of routes, as they are intimately connected .

The Missouri, therefore, claims our first attention, and though it ha

been so repeatedly described . by others, . a few of its general feature

may be enumerated here. A detailed account of the various points w

examined as locations for military posts must be reserved for the fin

report. This ,great_,&tream_ hm -generally a uniform width from th

junction with the Yellowstone to its mouth, varying from one-third t

one-half a mile when the banks are full. In low water the width is muc

less, and dry bars of sand occupy portions of the bed, from which th

water has withdrawn. In the upper part of the river where the tree

do not destroy the force of the wind, the sand is blown about in th

most astonishing manner, and the clouds of sand can be seen for man

miles. Sand-banks are thus formed, generally at the edges of the tre

on the islands and points, and which are often many feet above th

level of the highest floods.

The force of these winds may be inferred from this, and from the

constancy during certain months, especially in October, are of them

selves one of the greatest obstacles to the navigation of the river.

The plans which these sand-banks exhibit are those of the perimete

of the islands and points on which they were formed, and not unlik

those of the Indian mounds in the Mississippi Valley, which are su

posed to be the remains of ancient fortifications . These banks alon

the Missouri have, therefore, been considered as the works of t

aborigines, such, for instance, as those described and figured by Lewi

and Clark as existing at Bon Homme Island. I have conclusive ev

deuce, from personal examination, that these were formed by the win
36 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

and are not the work of the ancient Toltecs, as some writers have supposed.

The river has generally, in the same stages of the floods, about as

good navigation on account of the depth above James River as it has

at that point, but an improvement takes place below this point, in the

depth of the water on the sand-bars in low stages, as you descend to its

mouth.

Along the banks of the Missouri the bluffs are generally clothed

with various species of trees as far up as the mouth of the Platte ;

above this point the timber is generally confined to the ravines and

bottom lands. These bottom lands attain a width of from ten to fifteen

miles after we get above Council Bluffs, which is almost continuous to

the mouth of James River. Throughout this section the edges of

the banks are lined with heavy cottonwood and other trees, and fuel

for steamboats can now generally be found cut up and prepared for

their use.

At James River the bluffs close in so that the general width of the

space between is only from one to two miles all the way to the Upper

Big Bend, near the 48th parallel. Here again the bottom lands become

wider, and continue at a width of from three to six miles to a point

about fifty miles above the Yellowstone. In this last section there is

also an abundance of large cottonwood timber, and the appearance of the

river is quite similar to what it is at Sioux City . Atter passing the

Niobrara the steamboat's crew will have to cut the wood required for

generating steam, and the only scarcity will be in finding dead trees

at such points as the boat can land at. Abundance of fuel exists

everywhere, if the wood was cut beforehand and hauled to suitable

landings. The portion of the river most deficient in wood is between

the mouth of the Little Shyenne and Cannon Ball rivers, but even

here there is an abundance for the purposes of navigation for years to

come.

One of the greatest obstructions to the navigation of the Missouri

consists in the great number of snags or trees; whose roots, embedded

in the channel by the caving of the banks, stand at various inclinations

pointing down the stream. These obstructions are, comparatively, quite

rare-abovee mouth of James River, but from this point clown to the

Mississippi it isa wonderoftenhow "teamboat can be navigated through

them. As it is they cause the boats to lie by during the night, and

thus occasion a loss of nearly half of their running time. But this is

not the only delay, for often on account of the wind the bends filled with

snags cannot be passed, and the vessel is frequently detained for days

on this account. This effect of the wind is much more seriously felt as

you ascend above Council Bluffs, for the protection afforded by the trees

on the banks is constantly diminishing.

Our examinations extended but sixty miles above the mouth of the

Yellowstone, but the portion between this and Fort Benton was examined carefully by the parties under Governor Stevens in 1853, and the

results are given in his report on the Pacific Railroad explorations. It

is the almost universal opinion of those who have examined this portion

of the river that it would be navigable in its best stages for light-draught

boats. From our reconnaissance in 1856, I feel convinced that, notwithstanding the difficulties to navigation which exist, the Missouri is a superior river to any in this country, except that portion of the Mississippi

which is below their junction . The navigation is generally closed by

ice at Sioux City by the 10th of November, and at Fort Leavenworth

by the 1st of December. The rainy season of the spring and summer
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 3 

commences in different years between the 15th of May and the 30th 

June (in the latitude of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Southern Nebraska

and lasts about two months. During this period the tributaries of t

Missouri in these latitudes maintain this river in good boating stag

The floods produced by the melting snows in the mountains come fro

the Platte, the Big Shyeune, the Yellowstone, and the Missouri abov

the Yellowstone, and reach the lower river about the first part of Jul

and it is mainly on these that the navigator of the Missouri above t

Niobrara depends. The length of time the flood lasts is in proportio

to the quantity of snow in the mountains, which varies greatly in diffe

ent years. On the average it may be said to last a month, but a steame

starting from Saint Louis on the first indication there of such rise woul

not generally reach the Yellowstone before it was nearly past this latt

point. Rivers like this, whose navigation depends upon the temporar

floods, are greatly inferior for ascending than descending boats. Th

rise at the Yellowstone would be about ten days reaching Saint Louis

and any good system of telegraphing along the stream, which woul

apprise those below, would more than double the advantages to the u

ward navigation . If a miscalculation is made by taking a temporar

rise for the main one, the boat has to lay by in the middle part of the riv

till the main rise comes. From this cause, I, starting on the 16th 

April, was thirty-seven days in getting to Fort Pierre, 1,250 miles fro

Saint Louis. Again, if the boat starts too late, the main rise may a

pass the upper river before she reaches it, and her progress will then b

slow and tedious. By starting June 6,1855, (which was too late, it bein

an early season,) we were forty-one days going to Fort Pierre.

The American Fur Company's boats are of the largest class of freigh

boats now navigating the Missouri . They are ably managed, and t

company possesses information by expresses sent from its trading pos

near the mountains, as to the amount of snow that has fallen and t

probable extent and time of the rise produced by its melting. The boa

are loaded and time of starting fixed accordingly. Their boats car

from one hundred and fifty to two hundred tons to the Yellowstone, 

distance of 1,900 miles, drawing from 3 to 31 feet of water, and mak

the passage up in from twenty-two to thirty-five days. Considerabl

freight is taken out for the post of Fort Union, and they general

--aseend°with that for Fort- Benton to about sixty miles above the maat

of the Yellowstone, and have, on one occasion, gone to Milk River, on

hundred miles farther.

The quantity of water is, on the average, about equal from the Ye

lowstone and Missouri at their junction, and above this point stea

boats venture with caution. The great risk, in proceeding farther, 

having the boat caught in the upper river during the winter, more th

counterbalances the prospective gain. The freight is then taken o

board of Mackinac boats and cordeled by hand, aided generally by sail

These boats are from 60 to 70 feet long, drawing 15 to 18 inches, (reg

lated somewhat by the cordeling force,) though 20 to 24 inches draug

could be used . The time from Fort Union to Fort Benton varies fro

forty to eighty days, depending on various causes, of which wind is t

most important. The river distance from Milk River to Fort Benton 

about five hundred miles.

The interests of the General Government would be much advanced b

making appropriations to remove the snags which obstruct 'tire riv

below James River.

The Yellowstone.--For the first one hundred miles above the mout

the bottom lands are nearly all on the left bank ; and the first for
valley on the right bank, and causes the difficulty which exists on the

other.

This point is also the highest point navigable for steamboats, and

those even of very" light draught cannot, except at high water, go further

than about fifty miles from the mouth, as, in the next space of fifty

miles, the channel is so very much divided up by wooded islands and

obstructed by gravel-bars . But at the point before mentioned as the

head of steamboat navigation, ledges of rock begin in the bed of the

stream, and about one-half mile below Powder River we encounter a

dangerous rapid, called by Captain Clark "Wolf Rapid." Two miles

above Powder River, Captain Clark describes another serious rapid,

which lie calls "Bear Rapid ;" and twenty miles above this another,

which he calls "Buffalo Shoal," and which he speaks of as being "the

most difficult part of the Yellowstone River." All these rapids are

passed every year by the Mackinac boats of the American Fur Company

on their way to Fort Alexander Sarpie, and there are probably no

obstacles sufficient to prevent them from reaching the point where this

river debouches from the mountains.

The valley, all the way to the mountains, is said to be practicable for

wagons. Above this point the river is said to be much inclosed by the

mountains, which are rugged and difficult, and covered with pine forests.

From Fort Union to Fort Alexander Sarpie, on the Yellowstone, the

-- :=~-Mackiii,ae~boats-axe from 50 to 60 feet long, drawing from 15 to -20- ;inches----

water, and make the distance, 225 miles. i n from fifteen to thirty days .

None of the tributaries of the Yellowstone, (Clark's Fork, Big Horn,

Tongue, and Powder rivers,) above their mouths, have ever been visited

by any exploring expedition, except those of trappers and hunters.

The Big Horn River is by far the most important of those streams,

and has been navigated by the traders in skin boats, carrying their peltries, from the point where it deboucbes from the Big Horn Mountains

to the Yellowstone, a distance of perhaps 150 miles. Above where the

stream escapes the mountains, it is not navigable for anything but the

smallest boats, and the gorges by which the stream passes the mountain range is impracticable for any kind of land transportation ; a considerable detour being required even for pack animals. The portion

navigable will, perhaps, according to the opinion of Colonel Robert

Campbell, of Saint Louis, furnish a depth of water for Mackinac boats,

- in high stages, of about 18 inches, but he thinks the navigation of this

stream for ascending boats could not be used to any advantage. An

undue importance has been given to the navigability of this stream from

the erroneous position of the Yellowstone, as laid down on nearly all

recent maps, except those from this office, as they make its position
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

nearly 100 miles too far south . The manner in which I have been ab

to correct this is given in my report on the compilation of the Gener

Pacific Railroad Map.

Powder River.--This stream rises near the southern point of the B

Horn Mountains, and flows a little east of north. The route from t

Platte to the Yellowstone along the stream is practicable, but as a rou

for wagons it is difficult, requiring the stream to be frequently crosse

and the banks are very muddy, and the bed is occupied in places 

quicksand .

The Little Missouri River rises near the North Fork of the Shyen

in longitude 1050. I have seen the country near its source, where 

forms the northern part of the upheaved stratified rocks of the Bla

Rills, and at the mouth where the Lignite Tertiary exists. Its gener

direction is northeast, and its course through the main portion must 

in this Lignite Tertiary formation . From the statements of members 

Sir George Gore's party, which traveled up the stream in 1856, I inf

that the route along or near its valley is practicable for wagons, thou

difficult. The valley is one of the great buffalo regions.

The Knife River, Heart River, Cannon Ball River, Grand and More

rivers, all rise in the prairie ridge east of the Little Missouri, and th

contain but little water in the winter and latter part of summer. 

have never seen any of them, except at their mouths, and their lengt

on my map indicate their comparative size.

The Big Shyenne is a most important river, and has its extreme sourc

west of the Black Hills, which its two main branches inclose . The

forks are supplied by numerous streams from the mountains, and th

unite in about longitude 1020 20', the river flowing into the Missouri 

latitude 440 48'. In its lower course I am informed there is fertile la

on its banks, and there are considerable areas in and around the Bla

Hills. The Shyenne River can probably be rafted, and the streams th

come from the hills could be used to drive the logs down to the riv

It must be borne in mind that the pine growing on the Black Hills 

difficult of access, and the expense of getting it out may render this f

supply of timber unavailable to the Lower Missouri. The Missouri 

the mouth of the Shyenne is in the center of the Dakota country, a

along its valley we have the shortest and best route by which to rea

_

-° . .-thei"tron-,holds .

Bad River, Wakpa Spicha, (sometimes called Teton River,) receives 

name from the unpalatable state of its water in low stages, and the di

culty of traveling along it in wet weather. It lies throughout in t

black-shale bed of the Cretaceous formation . It is along the sources 

its northern branches that the road from Fort Pierre to Fort Laram

is located.

White River, or White-Earth River, (Mankisita Wakpa, or Smokin

Earth River,) has generally an open, well-wooded valley, with a fine s

and luxuriant grass. The road between Forts Laramie and Pierre 

lows the valley from its source to the Bad Lands, where the river ent

a difficult section bounded with precipices like those on the Niobra

The Bad Lands extend continuously down the stream to the Sou

Fork, a distance of about seventy miles . Below this, the river win

through a handsome, well-wooded valley of the Missouri . Any one w

travels in Nebraska will always feel rejoiced when he reaches the ban

of this beautifuf stream. It is much resorted to by the Brulds. It h

numerous branches, the largest of which is called the South Fork. T

pine on White River and its tributaries is nearly equal in extent to t

on the Niobrara. This stream has been used by the traders to fl
40 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

down their peltries by means of skin boats from their former tradinghouse near Butte Cache. I believe it can also be used to raft down the

pine timber on the South Fork. The Niobrara being a stream heretofore unknown, and one in which

the people of Nebraska feel much interest, I shall describe it in detail.

This river is about three hundred and fifty miles long. From its source

to longitude 103° 15' it is a beautiful little stream of clear running water,

of a width of from ten to fifteen feet, gradually widening as it descends.

Its valley furnishes here very good grass, abounding in rushes or prele,

but is for the most ° part destitute of wbod even for cooking. After flowing thus far it rapidly widens, till in longitude 1020 30' it attains a width

of sixty to eighty yards ; its valley is still quite open and easy to travel

along, but destitute of wood, except occasional pines on the distant hills

to the north. In longitude 1020 30' it enters between high, steep banks,

which closely confine it, and for a long way it is a complete cation ; here,

however, wood becomes more abundant and pine is occasionally seen on

the bluffs, while small clusters of cottonwood, elm, and ash occupy the

narrow points left by its windings. In longitude 1010 45' the sand-bills

come, on the north side, close to the river, while on the south side they

are at the distance of from one to two miles off, leaving a smooth road

to travel on along the bluff's . The bluff's gradually appear higher and

higher above the stream as it descends uutil they reach the height of

three hundred feet. The sand mostly ceases, on the north side, in longitude 1000 23' ; but it lies close to the stream, on the south side, nearly all

the way to the Wazi-houska. Throughout this section, lying between

longitude 1020 00' and longitude 990 20', a distance of one hundred and

eighty miles, the Niobrara is in every respect a peculiar stream, and

there is none that I know of that it can be compared with. It flows

here between high, rocky banks of soft white and yellowish calcareous

and siliceous sandstone, standing often in precipices at the water's edge,

its verticality being preserved by a capping of hard grit. It is here

impossible to travel any considerable distance along its immediate banks

without having frequently to climb the ridges which rise sometimes perpendicularly from the stream. As you approach from the north or south

there are no indications of a river till you come within two or three

miles of the banks, and then only by the trees whose tops occasionally

-ri-se above the ravines in which they grow, -so-completely-i-s=i-t-wall

by the high bluffs which inclose its narrow valley. It seems as if it had

resulted from a fissure in the earth's crust, and now flows at a depth of

about three hundred feet below the general level of the prairie . The

soft rock which forms the bluffs is worn into the most intricate labyrinths

by the little streams, all of which have their sources in beautiful gush

ing springs of clear cold water. In these small, deep valleys the grass

is luxuriant ; pine, ash, and oak are abundant. To the agriculturist this

section has, however, comparatively little attraction, and that between

longitude 990 20' and the mouth, an extent of about ninety miles, is perhaps far more valuable. Here the bottoms will probably average a width

of a quarter of a mile, are susceptible of cultivation, and cottonwood,

oak, walnut, and ash will furnish settlements with all the timber and

fuel they will need. The river banks seem to present no good building

stone, nor did we, though searching diligently, discover any signs of

coal or other valuable minerals.

In describing the tributaries to the Niobrara, I shall begin at the

mouth and take the north side first. The Ponka River, which has a

very fine, well-wooded, and fertile valley, runs into the MiSSouri about

five miles north of the Niobrara, in latitude 420 48' north. Its course
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

is parallel and near to that of the Niobrara as far up as the mouth 

Turtle Hill River.

Turtle Sill River (Keya Paha Wakpa) is the main branch of t

Niobrara, and is about one hundred and twenty miles long. Prior 

the publication of my report and map of reconnaissances in 1855, t

branch was represented erroneously as being equal to the main riv

in size, above their junction.

I crossed it in 1855, sixty miles below its mouth, and it has a ve

fine valley, one-half to three-quarters of a mile wide, with good s

and a limited quantity of cottonwood timber. The bed of the stre

is sandy, and its waters are clear and sweet ; width at the mouth fi

yards. The first twenty miles of the space between this branch and 

main river is occupied by sand-hills.

The next northern branch which joins the Niobrara, in longit

1000 23', is named Mini-cba-duza-Wakpa, or Rapid Creek. At 

mouth it is about eight yards wide, with a valley about a quarter 

half a mile wide. and a soil quite fertile ; the banks are scantily frin

with small trees. It forms about the eastern border of the sand-hi

on the north side of the Niobrara; as far as we could see. Its length 

about fifty miles.

There are numerous ravines with steep rocky banks, contain

springs and running streams, extending out from five to seven mi

between this branch and the Keya Paha, at the heads of which oc

sionally good camping-places may be found.

The mouth of the next stream is in longitude 1010 1.8' ; it has scarc

any appreciable valley, and flows between high rocky bluffs difficult 

ascend and descend ; it is about five yards wide, with clear; deep, swi

running water, and is probably about 35 miles long.

The mouth of the next northern tributary is in longitude 1010 3

and is called White-Earth Creek ; it is about three-fourths the size 

Rapid Creek, which it resembles in every particular, and is about 

miles long. The next, in longitude 1020, is a small spring rivulet abo

26 miles long, and above this the branches are all small runs comi

from the bluffs, generally dry except after rains, with scarcely any v

leys to speak of.

On the south side of the Niobrara there are numerous small branch

coming in between its junction with -the Misgonrt` °rtd"tW hTt whe

it receives the waters of the Turtle Hill River. Three of these are 

considerable size, probably 35 miles long, the bluffs along nearly all 

them being more or less covered with scattered pine, and their v

leys occupied with clumps of cottonwood, oak, ash, &c. The posit

of the Elk Horn River, about 30 miles south of the Niobrara, preven

any of these southern branches having a length greater than I ha

stated. From the mouth of Turtle Hill River to that of the Wazi-honsk

there are still a greater number of short southern branches, all conta

ing springs of water, and abounding in pine and beautiful oak grov

Wazi-honska means, in the Dakota language,-" the place where t

pine extends far out ;" and this stream, whose mouth is in longitu

1000, is probably 40 iniles long, and all its bluffs and side ravines 

green with pine. Its valley, though not so wide, is very similar to t

of the Niobrara in this part, which has been described.

S nake River, whose mouth is in longitude 1000 45', is quite a la

stream, some thirty yards wide, its bluffs covered with pine, with a n

row valley like the Wazi-honska.

Above this there is scarcely any branch coming in from the so

deserving mention .
42 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Niobrara is a very shallow and " swift-flowing stream," as the Canadians say "17Eau qui Court," abounding in rapids in two-thirds of its

upper course, and in its middle portion filled with small islands . In the

lower portion its width exceeds that of the Missouri River, and is spread

out over sand-bars. The bed in the broad portions is quicksand and

difficult to ford . Its waters rapidly increase in volume through its middle portion, from the multitude of springs and streamlets that constantly

flow into it from the foot of the blnffs and out of the ravines.

The traders of the American Fur Company have navigated it with

skin boats, carrying peltries from their former trading-house near

Snake River, and the stream might permit of rafting if the timber

should be found of quality, and quantity, and accessibility to defray

the expenses. I cannot, however, look upon it as capable of furnishing timber for the country on the Missouri, for the reason that much of

the pine is too small, crooked, and knotty, and grows in places difficult

to transport it from. The species is what is called the Rocky Mountain

pine, has a yellowish-white appearance, and abounds in resin . The distance on the Niobrara over which these pine ravines extend is about

120 miles.

A road could not be made on the bottom lands of the Niobrara ; it

must keep out on the high prairie so as to head the ravines. From the

mouth to Turtle Hill River it would take the narrow divide between the

Niobrara and Ponka Rivers. It should remain on the north side of

Turtle Hill River from 20 to 30 miles farther, and then cross that

stream, as it would thus avoid the sand at the junction of the Niobrara

and Turtle-Hill rivers, and cross the latter where there is a better ford

or narrower 'stream to bridge. Turning then toward the Niobrara, this

river must be crossed in longitude 1010 20' to avoid the sand-hills, and

the route must continue on the south side to about longitude 1020, when

it should again cross to the north side. These crossings for a wagon-road

could easily be made at a ford or by bridging, but a proper bridge for a

railroad-crossing at these places would be a stupendous undertaking ;

for, on account of the nature of the banks and ravines, good approaches

could not be found so as to descend to the level of the stream, and the

bridge would have to be built very high . From longitude 1020 west

there are no difficulties, beyond a scarcity of wood, in reaching Fort

Laramie, or continuing direct to--- t ° 3 s - t1 in thiscourse - "

abundance of excellent pine would be found near Raw Hide Peak .

A preferable road might be found by continuing up Turtle Hill River

to its source, and then along the divide between Niobrara and White

Rivers, striking the former stream in longitude 1020 ; but these divides

are generally bad for wagon-routes, on account of scarcity of water,

and it is not certain that we would by that route avoid the sand-hills.

I consider the north side of the Niobrara superior to the other for a

road for the first 90 miles above the mouth, as the greater number of

streams coming in at the south side would occasion considerable detours

in gaining good crossing-places and approaches. The portion of the

river flowing through the sand-hill region has the sand on the south side

generally for one-half a mile,, blown away by the wind, leaving a smooth

route. On the north side these hills are crowning the very edges of the

precipices that rise from the river, and cannot be avoided. The evidence that this difference between the two sides was due to the wind is

very complete, and shows that the prevailing winds blow much more

from the north here than from the south .

The Elk Horn River rises in about longitude 990, about 25 miles south

of the Niobrara River. Its general course is southeast, and it empties
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

into the Platte. As far up as I have seen it, which is in latitude 42

has a broad, fertile, and well-wooded valley. Where crossed by L

tenant Smith in 1855, nearly south from Fort Randall, it is describe

him as " a beautiful creek of clear water, with well-timbered banks 

firm sandy bottom .",

The valley of the Loup Fork is broad, fertile, and well wooded u

far as the old Pawuee villages, a distance of about 80 miles. Ab

this the valley begins to grow sandy and wood more scarce, 'and a

'the meridian of 1000 becomes worthless. An occasional farm-site co

however, be found almost to its head. Near its source it flows thro

high rocky precipices similar to those on the Niobrara ; but its so

is in the open and desolate sand-hills, a miserable region, impass

for ordinary wagon-trains, and by all means to be avoided. The s

remark is true of its main north branch and of Calamus River, 

probably of the south branch .

The Platte River is the most important tributary of the Missour

the region under consideration, and its broad and grass-covered val

leading to the west, furnishes one of the best wagon-roads of its le

in America. From its mouth to the forks, the bluffs are from two to 

miles from the water, making an intermediate bottom-valley of f

four to eight miles wide. From the forks to Fort Laramie the bl

occasionally come down to the water's edge, and the road has to c

the points of the ridges. From Ash Hollow to Fort Laramie the 

is sometimes heavy with sand. Fine cottonwood grows along the ba

and on the islands, from the mouth to Fort Kearney ; from here up 

scarce and of small size. Cedar is found in the ravines of the bluff

the neighborhood of the forks and above. The river is about a 

wide and flows over a sandy bottom. When the banks are full 

about six feet deep throughout, having a remarkably level bed ; bu

is of no use for navigation, as the bed is so broad that the water sel

attains sufficient depth, and then the rise is of short duration.

The streams of the prairies of Nebraska below the Yellowstone, f

ing into the Missouri River, are none of them navigable to any reli

extent ; and as most of them run from west to east, their greatest p

tical value is in affording the land route of communication between 

present western settlements and those to be formed in the mounta

Their valleys furnish us the one _routes by which to traverse the in

vening desert, for here onlyare suchsupplies of water to be found as 

required, and here, too, is the only soil that can be cultivated, and s

scanty supplies of wood as the region produces.

Of all the valleys of rivers running into the Missouri, that of 

Platte furnishes the best route for any kind of a road leading to 

interior, and the best point of starting is the vicinity of Omaha C

An appropriation of $50,000 has been expended on bridges, &c

the eastern portion of it, and the only important improvement rema

ing to make it far superior to any route on the south side of the Pl

is the establishment of a good crossing of Loup Fork, either by br

or ferry, both of which are difficult : the first on account of the wi

of the stream-1,000 yards ; and the latter on account of the sh

and shifting sand-bars. The ford is bad, by reason of quicksa

Twenty-five thousand dollars would probably make a good cros

to this stream, as the place is within the limit of the settlements. 

road improvement in the West would be of greater value to the 

grant or to military operations ; and this once done the route wo

not' only be the shortest one, in this latitude from the Missouri to 

mountains, but would not throughout have one serious obstacle all 
44 EXPLORATIONS IN NEERASKA AND DAKOTA.

way to the South Pass. Any route that takes the south side of the

Platte River has the South Fork to cross, (which is about as difficult a

stream . as the Loup Fork,) at a point where bridging it or establishing a

ferry is, at this time, impracticable ; the road then, along the North

Fork, has bad places at Ash Hollow and Scott's Bluffs, and has to

cross the Laramie River and the North Fork of the Platte by bridges,

over which the emigrant must pap toll . The route by the north side

of the Platte crossing the Loup Fork is, therefore, of particular value,

especially for early travel in the spring, when the streams are generally

high.

1 have spoken of the locality of Omaha being, in my opinion, superior

to any other as a point from which to supply the interior portions of the

country along the Platte. This in a measure depends upon the improvements being made of the crossing of Loup Fork. At present Nebraska

City is a point presenting almost as short a road, which could be made

quite so if bridges were placed over a few small streams. and which

could be done at an expense to the General Government of not more

than $20,000. A considerable distance of river transportation would

also be saved to stores brought from Saint Louis by selecting Nebraska

City instead of Omaha. Besides, the first mentioned must always be a

superior point from which to supply Fort Kearney. The cost of river

transportation to this point is about 75 cents per 100 pounds. The distance from Nebraska City to Fort Laramie, by the proposed improved

route, is about five hundred and twenty-five miles. From Fort Leavenworth to Fort Laramie it is about six hundred and forty-five miles.

The price paid for transportation, by the Quartermaster's Department,

, on these roads, is about $1.50 per 100 pounds per hundred miles.

It will thus be seen that the transportation of stores to Fort Laramie,

by the route from Nebraska City, would be a saving over that from Fort

Leavenworth of about $1.55 per 100 pounds. The total expense from

Saint Louis via Nebraska City would thus be $8.621 per 100 pounds, and

I shall use this route in making a comparison of the advantages offered

by any route to the north of it .

The first place which apparently offers a superior route is the neighborhood of Fort Randall. Stores can be delivered at this point from

Saint Louis at a cost of about $2.25 per 100 pounds. The distance to

Fort-Lam-ami-e-,-is-about-three Lundreu-and -eighty miles,, which, at the

rate of $1.50 per 100 pounds per hundred miles, would give a total cost

of about $7 .95 per 100 pounds, which would apparently indicate a saving over the Nebraska City route of $0.67 per 100 pounds. There are

two reasons, however, why this advantage is practically not now attainable : first, the neighborhood of Fort Randall, as a depot for supplies,

men, and animals, is not to be compared with Nebraska City, the former

being in a comparatively barren country destitute of inhabitants, and

where the necessary store-houses can only be constructed at ail expense

not less than $100,000 ; second, the great difficulties of the route from

Fort Randall west. That it is practicable to take wagons along the

Niobrara is shown by our expedition in 1857. The wagons were loaded

with about 2,000 pounds, and drawn by eight good mules to each.

Our time of traveling from Fort Laramie to Fort Randall, counting

the clays necessary to stop to rest the animals, was thirty days. About

one hundred miles of this route was through sand-hills, where I do not

think the ordinary transportation trains could have traveled except in

the slowest and most fatiguing manner.

The route I have already indicated on the south side of the Niobrara,

in my description of that stream, would be preferable to the one we
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 4

traveled, on account of the sand, but the difficulty of crossing the riv

would counterbalance the advantage gained by so doing.

The route between Sioux City and Fort Randall is a very good on

and an appropriation of $10,000 should be made to bridge the Vermi

ion, for the use of the troops at the fort in hauling supplies from t

settlements in Iowa.

This route, and - that -by the Niobrara, would seem to be the mo

direct and proper one by which to continue the military road fr

Mendota to the mouth, of the Big Sioux, westward to the South Pas

But the great difficulties of the Niobrara route, and the impracticabili

of any between it and the Platte, determine me to advise its locati

direct from Sioux City to the mouth of the Loup Fork.

The road this way, and thence along the Platte Valley, will only 

about forty miles longer than by way of the Niobrara. A bridge is 

quired over Middle Creek, at a cost of $5,000 ; one over the Elk Horn, 

a cost of $20,000 ; and one over the Loup Fork, at a cost of $50,000. 

good crossing for the Loup Fork could be made for 9325,000.

The next point on the Missouri which claims attention, as one fr

which to supply Fort Laramie, is the vicinity of old Fort Lookout. 

route from this point should keep north of the White River, and int

sect the present road from Pierre to Laramie. The eastern portion 

the route I have only examined in part, but feel confident that it i

good one, except for about thirty miles through the Bad Lauds, in whi

I have no doubt a route could be found that, with some improvemen

would be equal to the corresponding part of the Pierre and Laram

route.

'The route west of this would then be the excellent one along t

valley of White River, at the head of which a difficult section of abo

twelve miles needs considerable improvement. This route would 

about three hundred and sixty miles from the Missouri to Fort Larami

and deserves especial consideration as being the proper continuation 

the route located between the Missouri and Fort Ripley under the 

terior Department, with the design of being continued to the Sou

Pass. Stores can be delivered at Fort Lookout for about $3 per hu

dred pounds.

The route from Fort Pierre to Fort Laramie is one that has long be

in use, and is about three-°hundhvd-an&°tweuty--three mites-long. -- Stor

can be delivered here for about $3.50 per hundred pounds. I think 

probable, as settlements advance up the Missouri, and Nebraska a

Iowa and Dakota become populated, this route, or the one starting fr

Fort Lookout, will claim attention .

At Fort Pierre the navigable portion of the Missouri is at its neare

point to Laramie and the South Pass, and above it, of course, there 

no competing routes for supplying this section. Neither does the ne

est navigable point for steamboats on the Yellowstone or its tributar

offer any route whose diminished length would compensate for the 

creased river. transportation. It is believed that any route which kee

east of the Big Horn Mountains is practicable for wagons between 

Yellowstone and Missouri, and that the direct route between Fort La

mie and Fort Benton is favorable to military movements.

In consideration of the best routes for supplying the interior, I ha

mainly had in view the wants of present occupation of the count

When the habitable portions of Nebraska become occupied, as t

eventually will, other routes will become important from causes not n

operating and that cannot be foreseen ; but I believe that those whi

are now most important will still maintain the ascendancy from 
46 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

effect of natural causes and the structure of the country. The same

routes now most used and best adapted to the wants of military occu.

pation were long before used by the trader, the Indian, and the buffalo,

as best adapted to their wants ; and when future requirements shall

demand increased facilities of transportation and locomotion, and railroads shall be built, then they, too, will be found near the main routes

now traveled by the trains of the emigrant and the army.

As I before stated, an irreclaimable desert of two hundred to four hundred miles in width separates the points capable of settlement in the east

from those on the mountains in the west. Without doubt these mountain

regions will yet be inhabited by civilized men, and the communication

with the east will require railroads, independent of the want of an interior

overland route to the Pacific. For this purpose the valley of the Platte

offers a route not surpassed for natural gradients by any in the world,

and very little more is to be done west of the Missouri than to make the

superstructure . A cheap road for light trains and engines could easily

be built, and when settlements are formed in the mountains will become

profitable ; and the gold that hasbeen discovered there in valuable quantities may produce this result much sooner than we anticipate. TheNiobrara apparently presents a more short and direct route to the interior

than the Platte, but its natural features are not so favorable. The direct

route from Sioux City to Fort Laramie by the Niobrara would be, for a

railroad, about forty miles shorter than by way of the Platte and Fort

Kearney.

I do not, however, consider the route by the Niobrara as impracticable, but think that the difficulties in the way of constructing it will

overbalance the advantages of being a shorter route from the Missouri.

If the route be considered as starting at the city of Chicago, thence via

Rock Island, Omaha, and the Platte Valley, the distance is about the

same as that by Dubuque, Sioux City, and the Niobrara ; the one large

bend which the former makes at Fort Kearney being counterbalanced

by the number of small ones of the latter.

A route for a railroad to the Pacific from the neighborhood of Saint

Paul, by way of the South Pass, would keep on or near the general

course of the wagon-road lately laid out by Colonel Nobles to the Missouri, at Fort Lookout, and thence along the north side of White River,

as before indicatedShould. ,-- ---~- - - _--- _ .r_,__

Should a route ever be required from the west shore of Lake Superior to the South Pass, it could be located on a very direct and practicable line, via Fort Ripley, Lake Traverse, and the Big Shyenne, and

deserves examination.

R But a route from Lake Superior west to the South Pass would probably not compete in advantages with that examined by Governor

Stevens near the 49th parallel . It may, however, be questionable

whether one of equally as many advantages could not be found by

proceeding directly west from the Bois de Sioux to the Missouri at Fort

Clark ; thence by way of Knife River to the Yellowstone River at the

mouth of Powder River. The valley of the Yellowstone then offers a

direct route west to the mountains, where Captain Clark crossed them

in 1806, and thence near the route he pursued to the Bitter Root Valley.

The more direct route would be down the valley of the Salmon River ;

but the information we possess of this stream indicates its character

through the mountains to be one of great difficulty .
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 4

CHAPTER V.

INDIANS-MILITARY POSTS--ROUTES FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS, ETC

I shall here repeat, with some additions, the account of the Dakota

given in my-report of explorations in 1855.* The Dakotas are scattere

over an immense territory, extending from the Mississippi on the eas

to the Black Hills on the west, and from the forks of the Platte on th

south to Devil's Lake on the north. They say their name mean

' 1 leagued" or «allied," and they sometimes speak of themselves as th

"Ocheti Shaowni," or « Seven Council Fires." These are the seve

principal bands which compose the nation, viz

1. The Mde-wakan-tonwans, meaning "Village of the Spirit Lake."

2. Wah-pe-kutes, meaning" Leaf-Shooters."

3 . Wah-pe-tonwans, meaning " Village in the Leaves."

4. Sisi-tonwans, meaning "Village of the Marsh."

These four constitute the Mississippi and Minnesota Dakotas, an

are called by those on the Missouri "Isanties." They are estimated a

6,200 souls. Some of these on the Mississippi have long been in con

tact with the white settlements, and having sold much of their lands t

the Government, have abandoned many of their former habits an

cultivated the soil. Communities have been formed which have mad

some approach toward civilization ; others of them still live principal

by the fruits of the chase in their primitive wildness, and have of lat

years occasioned much trouble to the settlers of Northern Iowa. It wa

they who committed the murders last winter on Spirit Lake.

5. Ihanktonwans, (Yanktons,) 14 Village at the End?' These are some

times called Wichiyela, meaning" First Nation ." They are found at th

mouth of the Big Siouxand between it and the Missouri River, as hig

up as Fort Lookout, and on the opposite bank of the Missouri. The

are supposed to number 360 lodges. Contact with the whites has con

siderably degenerated them, and their distance from the present buffal

ranges renders them comparatively poor. Atreaty has been made wit

them, by which they have ceded most of their land to the United State

6. Ihanktonwannas, (Yanktonnas,) meaning oneofthe'' End Village

bands. Theyrange wteendames i i& and the Missouri, as high nort

as Devil's Lake, number about 800 lodges, and are spirited and warlike

and will give much trouble to the settlers in Dakota Territory. The

suffered severely from the ravages of the small-pox in the winter of 185

and 1857. A small portion, under a chief called Little Soldier, live 

dirt lodges during the summer. From the Wazikute branch of this ban

the Assinniboins, or Hohe of the Dakotas, are said to have sprung.

7. The Titonwans, " Village of the Prairie," are supposed to constitu

more than one-half of the whole Dakota Nation. They live on the wes

ern side of the Missouri, and extend west to the dividing ridge betwee

the Little Missouri and Powder Rivers, and thence south on a line nea

the 106th meridian. They are allied by marriage with the Shyennes

but are enemies of the Pawnees and Crows. The Titonwans, except 

* I am largely indebted for the following description to the `° Dakota Grammar a

Dictionary," one of the volumes of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, pu

lished in June, 1852, by the Smithsonian Institution, Professor Joseph Henry, Secreta

It was edited by Rev. S. R. Riggs, A. M., missionary for the American Board of Forei

Missions, under the patronage of the Historical Society of Minnesota. Also to the lett

of G. A. Belcourt, missionary priest, published with the report of Bvt. MaJ. Samu

Wood, Sixth United States Infantry, in 1850.-(See H. Ex. Doe. No. 51, 31st Cong., I

sass .)
48 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

few of the Brules, on White River, and some of the families connected

with the whites by marriage, have never planted corn . They are divided

into seven principal bands, viz

1. Uukpapas, 1 ° they who camp by themselves." They roam from the

Big Shyenne up to the Yellowstone, and west to the Black Hills ; to this

band Mato Chiqukesa, or the Bear's Rib, belongs, who was made by

General Harney the first chief of the Dakotas. They number about 365

lodges.

2. Sihasapas, (Blackf6et.) Haunts and homes same as the Unkpapas

They number 165 lodges. These two bands have very little respect for

the power of the whites.

3. Itazipchos, (Sans Are, "no bows?') Roam over nearly the same territory as the Uukpapas. They number about 170 lodges. It is difficult

to say how these bands received their present names ; the Itazipchos

being as well provided with bows as any other band, and use them as

skillfully .

4. Minikanyes or Minni-kanjous, (meaning "they who plant by the

water.") They number about 200 lodges, and roam principally from the

Black Hills south to the Platte. They are generally well disposed

toward the whites.

5. Ogalalas or Okandandas. They number about 460 lodges, and are

generally to be found on or near the Platte near Fort Laramie. They

are the. most friendly disposed toward the whites of all the Titonwans.

6. Sichangus, (meaning Burnt Thighs,) Brules. They number about

380 lodges, and live on the Niobrara and White Rivers, and range from

the Platte to the Shyenne. They include the Wazazhas, to which

belonged Matoiya, (the Scattering Bear,) made chief of all the Dakotas

by Colonel Mitchell of the Indian Bureau, and who was killed by Lieutenant Grattan.

7. Oo-he-non-pas, (Two Boilings, or Two Kettle band.) Theseare now

very much scattered among other bands. They number about 100

lodges. Some of them are generally to be found in the neighborhood of

Fort Pierre.

The Dakotas, on and west of the Missouri, which includes all but the

Isauties, are the only ones I have beard estimated. I should think

eight inmates to a lodge, and one-fifth of them warriors, an ample allowName of baud. Lodges. I Inmates. Warriors.

In the summer the Dakotas follow the buffaloes in their range over

the prairie, and in the winter fig their lodges in the clusters or fringes

of wood along the banks of the lakes and streams. The bark of the

cottonwood furnishes food for their horses during the winter snows, and

Ihanktonwans,(Yanktons)- . . . . . . .- . . . . . . . . . .-- . . 360 2,880 576

Ihanktonwannas,(Yanktonais) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

800 6,400 1,280

Unkpapas------- . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . .- . . . ._- .. 365 2,920 584

Sibasapas,(Blackfeet) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 1,320 264

Itazipchos, (Sans Arc) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 170 1,360 272

Mini-kan jous .- . . . . . .----- .- . . . . . . . . . . .- . . . . . . . .- . . 200 1,600 320

Ogallalas . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 460 3,680 736

Sichangus, (Brul6s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... . :380 3,040- 616

Oo-he-non-pas, (Two Kettles) . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 800 160

3,000 24,000 4,800
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 4 

to obtain it many streams have been thinned or entirely stripped o

their former beautiful groves. Their. horses are obtained by traffic wit

the Indians farther south, who have stolen them in New Mexico, o

caught them wild on the plains toward the Rocky Mountains ; consid

erable numbers are also raised by themselves. The nation is one of th

most skillful and warlike, and most numerous in our territory, an

could they be made to feel more confidence in their own powers, woul

be most formidable warriors. In single combat on horseback they hav

no superiors, a skill acquired by constant practice with their bows an

arrows and lances, with which they succeed in killing their game at ful

speed. The rapidity with which they shoot their arrows, and the accu

racy of their aim, rivals that of a practiced hand with the revolver

Notwithstanding the destruction of their numbers by small-pox and

cholera, it is the opinion of some that they are increasing in number

rather than diminishing, except where they mingle with the settlement

oh the frontier.

These Dakotas formerly all lived around the headwaters of the Mis

sissippi and Red River of the North, and in their migration to the south

west have been preceded by the Shyennes, (with whom they are o

friendly terms,) who have given their name to the Shyenue of Re

River, to the Big Shyeune of the Missouri, and to the section of countr

they now occupy between the Platte and. the Arkansas. The Dakota

then lived on much of the land now occupied by the Chippewas, and th

Chippewas at that time inhabited the region between the Sault St

Marie and Lake Winnepeg, the Crees, their allies, occupying that fro

Lake Winuepeg and other lakes as far as Ibis-is-kad ji-wan (Saskatchawi

River) and toward ,the Assiniboin River. The plains to the south of th

last stream were the scene of many contentions and bloody combats

nevertheless, oftener the residence of the Dakotas than of the other tw

tribes, until that nation was divided into two bodies, originating i

jealousy of the women, which ended in their being irreconcilable ene

mies to this day. The less powerful and flying party took refuge in th

rocky precipices of the Lake of the Woods, and received from the Chip

pewas the name of Assiniboins, or Dakotas of the Rocks, under whic

name they are now generally known to the whites. They, however

retain among themselves the name Dakotas, and speak that language

_- he--uther I)- taa, in - speaking of them, always call them hope, o

enemies.

The Assiniboinsthen allied themselves with the Chi ppewas and Cree

and forced the Dakotas to abandon all the country north of the Shy

enne, which is now regarded as the boundary between these tribes.

The Chippewas, Crees, and Assiniboins are friendly to each other an

united in their hostility to the Dakotas, and it is improbable that an

lasting peace can ever be effected between them. The common wa

ground is the region about Lake Minniwaken, to which they all repa

to hunt buffalo. The Assiniboins and Crees may yet occasion us n

little difficulty, as a large portion of their lands is in the British terr

tory . They both are now well disposed and friendly. I saw them whi

at Fort Union in 1856, and they were particular to inform us that th

did. not want to sell their land, and could not spare any of what th

now occupy.

These Indians have comparatively few horses, and rely largely 

dogs, of, which they have great numbers, for transportation. The fle

of these animals also serves them as food- The Assiniboins numbe

about 450 lodges, or 3,600 souls. They suffered severely from the smal

4 ND
50 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

pox in 18056-1 57. Their country extends from the Red River west along

the Missouri as far as the mouth of the Milk River.

The Absarakos or Crows occupy the country about the Yellowstone

and its branches, being bounded on the east by the Dakotas, south by

the Platte, and west by the dividing line between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific .

Their country abounds with everything Indian life requires, and

they are generally well disposed toward the whites, but have as yet

seen little of them in their country since 1830, when the trappers were

so numerous. They were then much dreaded by these adventurers.

The Crows are fine warriors ; have plenty of horses, mainly derived

from traffic with the Flatheads. They live generally in skin lodges, and

number about 600 lodges, or 4,800 souls.

Minnetarres, or Gros Ventres. This is a small band of the Crow

Nation, living in a village of flirt lodges, surrounded by a rude stockade,

near Fort Berthold. They raise corn, beans, pumpkins, &c. They

number now about 800 souls, but, from a variety of causes, are diminishing.

The Arricarees, or. Rees, are a branch of the Pawnee Nation, from

which they have become separated by the migration of the Dakotas,

and by these latter they are both known by the same name-Pedanis.

The Rees live in a village near Fort Clark, in a manner exactly similar to the Gros Ventres, and number about 840 souls. Formerly they

were numerous and powerful and occupied'a large village at the mouth

of Grand River. This was destroyed during the expedition under

Colonel Leavenworth, sent there in 1825 or 1826 to chastise them for

the attack on the trading party of General Ashley. The remains of

dirt-lodge villages all along the Missouri attest how numerous the

Iudians of this tribe must have been before the invasion of their lands

by the Dakotas.

The Mandaus live in a village, six miles above Fort Clark, in the same

manner as the Gros Ventres. They seem to be the last remnant of a

distinct tribe from any of those around them. They have, through the

agency of the small-pox, rapidly diminished since they were visited by

Lewis and Clark, and now number about 250 souls. They live in constaut dread of the diseases which white men have been at times intro

dudn-g--among--them, and the main and oft-repeated request~whieh th _

made to the Indian agent when I was there in July, 1856, was that ho

would keep sick white men away. When I returned there in September, and saw them again a victim of that scourge, the small-pox,

brought among them that year by the steamboat of the rival company

to the American Fur Company, and saw the despair depicted on every

countenance, it made me feel heartsick to think what wrongs these

poor savages have suffered from the cupidity of my own race. The

authors of this calamity, which visited all the tribes in this region, are

fully exposed in the report of the Indian agent, Colonel Vaughan, in

1856-1 57.

Bear's Rib, the Unkpapa, gave me the following list of persons that

died of this disease, from this cause, in 1856 and 1857, that he had

beard of, though the disease was still at its work of death in some

parts of the Crow country

Persons.

Roes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Hobos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . 1 .2500

Big Head's band of Ihantonwans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Sihasapas . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

1) 832
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

It would be safe to assume the following as probable deaths in tri

not included in this list :

Gros Ventres and Maudans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Absara.kos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,

Making a. total of at least 3,000 souls.

1,

Before such blows as this the red race would soon disappear ; no w

could be so fatal to them. The Government should, by all that 

humane, employ some competent person, at a proper salary, to vi

them yearly and vaccinate these Indians, and thus arrest the viole

of these scourges.

These three little bands, the Gros Ventres, Mandans, and Rees, 

fast dwindling away. They never can work much harm to the whit

and their mode of life at a fixed abode requires them to be peacef

They exist now rather by sufferance of the Dakotas than,by their o

power, for the Dakotas could soon destroy them if they chose, as th

did the villages of the Pawnees, on the Loup Fork, in about the ye

1836. The Dakotas find it convenient for themselves to permit the 

istence of these villages, as their produce of corn, &c., forms a valua

commodity of trade between them .

The Ponkas are the small remnant of a once powerful tribe, and n

live near the mouth of the Niobrara. They are on friendly terms wi

the Dakotas. The Government agents have lately effected a tre

with them by which a right to most of their lands has been purchase

and a reserve marked out for their location on the Niobrara And Pon

Rivers, near Fort Randall. The treaty has, I believe, not yet been ra

fied by the Senate. They number about souls.

The Pawnees were formerly one of the most numerous and powerf

and warlike of the Indians of the prairie. They have, through t

agency of _the small-pox and their constant wars with the Dakotas a

Shyevnes, been greatly reduced, and their numbers now do not probab

exceed 4,000. They occupy the country on the Platte below Fort Ke

ney, and on Loup Fork . A treaty was made with. them in the winter 

1857, by which they ceded a large portion bf their -lands to the "U`n t

States, and agreed to retire to a reserve .on the Loup Fork, where we

their villages which were destroyed by the Dakotas. This treaty 

not yet been ratified .

The Shyeunes occupy the country between the Platte and Arkans

	souls rivers, and number about . . These Indians have always be

friends with the Dakotas, and associate much with them. During 

summer of 1857, while the vigorous expedition conducted by Colon

Sumner was operating against them, a number to the amount of 

lodges took refuge among the Dakotas, in the neighborhood of the Bla

Hills.

They will probably unite with the Dakotas in the event of a

general war ; though it is believed, from the great moral effect p

duced by the march of the Utah expedition through their comm

country, that they must see the futility of ever being able to cont

against the power of the United States.

Of all the aborigines in the Territory under consideration, the Dakot

are probably the ones that have undergone the least material diminut

of their numbers since their discovery by the whites. They are s

numerous, independent, warlike, and powerful, and contain within th
52 EXPLORATIONS IN INIEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

selves means of prolonged and able resistance to further encroachments

of the western settlers. Under the present policy of Government, which

there is no reason to believe will ever be changed, these encroachments

will continue and new wars will result. I do not mean to say that a

peaceable advance of the settlements westward might not be effected,

but under the operation of present causes it will not. All of these conflicts end in the discomfiture of the native races, and they are fast melting away. It is not, as many suppose, that those dispossessed retire

farther west ; this they cannot do, for the region to the west of one tribe

is generally occupied by another with whom deadly animosity exists.

Hence, when the white settlements advance their frontier, the natives

linger about till disease, poverty, and vicious indulgence consign them

to oblivion. The present policy of the Government seems, therefore,

the best calculated that could be devised for exterminating the Indian .

The advance of the settlements is universally acknowledged to be a

necessity of our national development, and is justifiable in displacing

the native races on that ground alone. But the Government, instead of

being so constituted as to prepare the way for settlements by wise and

just treaties of purchase from the present owners, and proper protection

and support for the indigent race so dispossessed, is sometimes behind

its obligations in these respects ; and in some instances Congress refuses

or delays to ratify the treaties made by the duly-authorized agents of

the Government. The result is, that the settler and pioneer are precipitated into the Indian's country, without the Indian having received the

just consideration promised him ; and he often, in a manner that enlists

the sympathies of all mankind, takes up the tomahawk in defense of

his rights, and perishes in the attempt.

It is frequently the case that the settlers are unjustly charged with

bringing about these wars, and, though I feel for the Indian, I cannot

but sympathize with the pioneer, whose life is liable to be sacrificed to

the Indian's vengeance.

The western settlers are now fighting the battle of civilization exactly

as our forefathers did on the Atlantic shores, and under circumstances

that command an equal amount of our admiration and approval .

We are in the habit of looking on the power of the United States as

invincible, but it is far from being so regarded by the savages on our

frontier. Many of them have never-Tgee fWlt-rt:-°-Th .- ndifaus _-,.

far outnumber the whites, and, if our sympathies must go with the weak,

they should be with the settlers, who are only able, after all, to maintain their ground by the aid of the Army .

one of the chief's of the Dakotas told me that they had a grand council in the summer of 1857, on the North Fork of the Shyenne, and that

their hearts felt strong at seeing how numerous they were ; that if they

went to war again they would not yield so easy as they did before . At

that council they solemnly pledged to each other not to permit further

encroachments from the whites, and he fully believed they were able to

whip all the white men in the world. In truth, they are not without

reason in thinking so. They have never seen the whites except in small

parties, stealing through their country, unable to resist them or protect

themselves from insolence ; or they find them shut up in little tradingposts, where for days they dare not, at times, open the gates or show

their heads above the inclosure, and where, whenever a band of young

warriors wish to have a frolic, they go and shoot their dogs, chickens,

cattle, &c., break the windows, and commit any other outrage their

fancy may suggest, as a diversion . They have seen the Indian agent,

'(their tether, as he is called,) the direct representative of the President,
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. .

insulted and abused with impunity by their own race, and sometimes 

dread of losing his life, and they, many of them, entertain no respe

for the power of our Government. Numbers of them have never se

a soldier of the United States Army, and scarce credit their existence

Bear's Rib (a great friend to peace with the whites and the most i

fluential warrior in his nation) said his people could not be controll

by him, and that if he should attempt it in some cases his own life wou

be the forfeit.

There are so many inevitable causes at work to produce a war wi

the Dakotas before many years, that I regard the greatest fruit of t

explorations I have conducted to be the knowledge of the proper rout

by which to invade their country and conquer them. The Black Hil

is the great point in their territory at which to strike all the Teton D

kotas, except the Brules and Ukandandas. Here they can assemb

their largest force, and here I believe they would make a stand . In t

event of another outbreak, a post should be established at the motUh 

the Shyenne, on the north side, from which to operate simultaneous

with troops from Fort Laramie. From both of these points wago

trains could move with ease, and supplies could without difficulty 

sent thus to the troops in the field . These operations would undoub

edly bring on a battle, where the superiority of the weapons of civiliz

warfare would secure a victory to us. They .will not, I think, perm

the occupation of the vicinity of these hills without offering a dete

mined resistance. Driven from these they must go north towards t

Missouri, where a still better field to operate against them will be foun

as this region is everywhere practicable. In this event it might beco

necessary to establish a temporary post above the Shyenne, and a mo

suitable and effective location is to be found near Long Lake, on t

Missouri.

Those who may take refuge in the ravines and fastnesses along t

Niobrara, or in the . sand-hills, should be operated against from For

Randall, Kearney, and Laramie. Should the Isanties and Ihankto

wannos be hostile at the same time as the Titonwans, they should 

operated against from Fort Ridgeley.

It wit be perceived that in this plan I have considered a war wi

all the ilakotas to be on our bands, which at no distant day is probabl

and that there --wiH I re 'd= 'n' '" `columris 'and a very lar

force to successfully operate over so much country. These colum

need not exceed in any case a strength of 400 men, and these should 

subdivided so as to beat up the country as much as possible, and 

deavor to draw the Indians into an engagement where they may ha

some hope of success. With proper troops and commanders we ne

not even then fear the result.

The movement of large compact columns is necessarily slow, and th

can easily be avoided, which the least military skill teaches the India

to do. The war once begun should not be stopped till they are eflec

ally humbled and made to feel the fall power and force of the Gover

ment, which is a thing in which the Northern Dakotas are entir

wanting.

I believe a vigorous course of action would be quite as humane as a

other, and much more economical and effectual in the end. With prop

arrangements the Assiniboins and Crows and Pawnees could be ma

most useful allies in a war with the Dakotas. I see no reason why th

should not be employed against each other, and thus spare the lives 

the whites .

In giving my opinion of the best way of bringing the-Dakotas to s
5 4 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

mission, in the event of a war, I think it my duty to state that I believe

many of the causes of war with them might be removed by timely action

in relation to the treaties, which are from time to time made with them,

and a prompt and f4ithful fulfillment of our own part of the stipula.

tions, and it is to be hoped that Congress will afford the means of carrying into effect the treaty made by General Harney in 1856, and those

made by the Indian Bureau in 1857 with the Ihanktonwans and Poncas,

and that it will provide liberally for those who have been dispossessed

of their lands or impoverished by having their game driven off by the

approach of the whites.

I have always found the Dakotas exceedingly reasonable beings, with

a very proper appreciation of what are their own rights. What they

yield to the whites they expect to be paid for, and I never have heard a

prominent man of their nation express an opinion in regard to what

was due them in which I do not concur. Many of them view the extinction of their race as an inevitable result of the operation of present

causes, and do so with all the feelings of despair with which we should

contemplate the extinction of our nationality.
MEDICAL REPORT .

BY DR. SAMUEL H. MOFFITT.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 31, 1858.

SIR: I submit a report of the most important cases of sickness th

required medical treatment in the party under your command, fr

June 15 until December 4, 1857 .

After the party reached the Loup Fork it was necessary to rema

in camp for a number of days awaiting the arrival of the escort. Th

mouth of that stream was reached July 4, and we encamped near t

river not far from the town of Columbus. It was in this locality th

the most serious cases of illness which occurred in the party wer

generated . In passing up the Platte we traveled principally at som

distance from the stream . Near the river, and along some of its trib

taries, swampy districts of country exist which might endanger t

health of persons living in their vicinity during the summer and autum

I noticed long marshy tracts of this kind overgrown with heavy veget

tion aloe ; the Loup Fork at, this point. Soon after our encampment 

good deal of bilious derangement prevailed in the party, and the pre

ence of miasmatic poisons was soon made apparent in the occurrence 

a number of cases of intermittent fever. Nearly all of the party exp

rienced unpleasant disturbances of health here. The season had bee

unusually wet and the heat was extreme. Vegetation was consequentl

developed very rapidly, and it was, therefore, not difficult to account f

the early appearance of disease among us. Under ordinary circu

stances I would consider this region as healthy as most prairies, but t

past seasons were particularly favorable to the development of malari

All of the cases, however, that were treated here yielded readily, an

when we commenced our journey up the Loup Fork no complaint wa

heard.

We scelried, however, peculiarly unfortunate in the start ; for, a fe

days after we bad got finally under way, the most serious case of sic

ness which we bad to encounter during the trip commenced . On Jul

23, May, a teamster, exhibited the symptoms of fever, and it soon b

came apparent that this man must suffer a long and severe illnes

under the most favorable circumstances his chances for recovery woul

have been considered few, and the circumstances under which we wer

of necessity placed tended greatly to diminish those chances. Dela

was out of the question, as his case, if it resulted favorably, woul

require at least a fortnight, and we therefore placed him in the bes

situation that was possible in traveling, and did all in our power t

promote his recovery. This case was an interesting one to the medica

practitioner ; it was one of those in which the signs and symptoms 

typhoid and .of remittent bilious fevers were intimately blended . De

lirium commenced early, with stupor, diarrhea, and that peculiar co

dition of the tongue and mouth noticed in typhoid fever ;with thes

some of the common symptoms of remittent fever were exhibited, an

although the attack could not be cut short by quinia, its violence wa

greatly modified by that agent. The sickness of this man embarrasse

our progress seriously, but after nearly three weeks of trouble an

anxiety with his case we were gratified to note his convalescence . 
5 6 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

halt of three days during the most excited period of his disease tended

greatly to promote a favorable termination . May was hauled the entire

distance to Fort Laramie, not being able to perforin any duty until we

reached that point. On the 8th of August I was attacked with bilious

remittent fever myself, and can testify from experience to the inconvenience from being sick on the prairies. My attack was not severe,

and yielded in eight or ten days. These and the cases of intermittent

were the only cases of fever that occurred in the party during the season.

The country through which we passed, up to this point, was along

the Loup Fork. That portion of it most favorable to the production of

fever is near its mouth . As you approach the sources of the river there

are fewer wet tracts near the stream, and the country generally is not

so flat. I notice the marshes particularly, as that is the only condition observed which could interfere with the health of the population

if the country were inhabited. These are not numerous after you leave

the mouth of the river some distance, and there is nothing to warrant

the inference that the country is not highly' favorable to health.

Indeed, in most respects, this region, so far as health is concerned,

may be considered as highly favored . As you approach the elevated

regions near the mountains, the atmosphere is exceedingly dry and

pure. Much has been said of the favorable effects of a residence in

this region upon persons laboring under pulmonary diseases. As this

far-western region becomes more generally known, I think the subject

will attract greater attention. I think the rational explanation of

the improvement in consumptive cases that has been noted in this

quarter is found in the dryness of the atmosphere. Sudden changes

of temperature here, if not less frequent than in some of our Eastern

States, are certainly not productive of the same bad consequences to

the invalid. The lungs of those who are suffering with phthisis are

here free from that constant irritation to which they are subjected in

an atmosphere loaded with moisture ; and the feeling of buoyancy and

strength that is imparted encourages the invalid to make new exertions to promote recovery. A residence in such an atmosphere, combined with habits of active exercise, and constant living in the open air,

might, in some cases I am sure, be productive of the best results . An

intelligent friend, now residing at Fort Laramie, informed me that in

his youth he was attacked with phthisis, that horrible disease being

hereditary in his family. He was rapidly declining, and went to this

far-western region in hope that the climate might prove beneficial . He

made his home among the wandering bands of Indians, and avoided

none of the exposure incident to such a life., He lay constantly in the

open air, and took as much exercise as possible. His health improved,

and in a year or two he was entirely restored, and is now residing at

Fort Laramie a strong and healthy man . I have heard of many other

cases similarly restored. III New Mexico consumption is unknown, I

am informed, as a disease originating in the country, where the climate

has the additional advantage of being warm .

During the extremely hot weather that continued during our journey

up the Loup Fork, our party suffered very little with diarrhea or dysentery. A number of cases of the former occurred, but only a few

required any treatment, and but a single case of dysentery, which was

mild . After reaching Fort Laramie, those who had been sick rapidly

recovered, and when we left that post all of the party= were in excellent

health .

During the fine weather that continued for a few weeks in the beginning of the fall no cases of sickness occurred . In October the weather
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA. AND DAKOTA.

became inclement, and was very cold and wet. During our trip dow

the Niobrara no complaint was heard, except in some chronic cases

which were somewhat aggravated by the bad weather and exposure

and when the party reached Fort Randall all were in good health . Sev

eral of the soldiers had suffered from scurvy during the summer ; thes

improved during the trip down the Niobrara, along which stream w

found an abundance of plums and grapes. After leaving Fort Randall

(November 7,) the members of the party were attacked with influenza

and this disease prevailed during the entire trip from Randall to Leav

enworth, and only four or five members of the party escaped an attac

Some of the men, who were much exposed to the inclement weather tha

we experienced on the trip, suffered severely, and at times a sufficien

number were not off of the sick-list to carry on the train property. Al

recovered, however, and when we reached Leavenworth the party wa

in good health . Below is an enumeration of the most important case

Respectfully,

Lieut. G. K. WARREN,

Topographical Engineers.

5

SAMUEL H. MOFFITT,

Physician to Expedition.

treated during the season . Many trifling cases occurred of which n

note was taken.

Diseases. No. cases. I Results.

Intermittent fever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Recovered

Bilious remittent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . z Recovered 

Diarrhea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Recovered

Dysentery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gonorrhea, acute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

3

Recovered

Recovered

Orchites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Recovered

Gleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Recovered

Chronic cystitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Recovered

Diabetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Improved

Granular conjunctivitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Improved 

Tarsal ophthalmia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Recovered

Influenza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Recovere
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA .

CATALOGUE OF THE COLLECTIONS

IN

GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY,

OBTAINED BY

THE EXPEDITION UNDER COMMAND OF LIEUT. G. K . WARREN,

TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS,

BY

F . V. HAYDEN, M. D .
WASHINGTON, D. C., November 28, lbotl.

Si$ : In compliance with your request I have prepared a catalog

of the collections in geology and natural history, obtained in Nebrask

and portions of Kansas, during several expeditions to those Territori

under your,command.

The list cannot be made out at this time as complete as could b

desired, but it will be at once evident to all that the amount of ne

and valuable material thus secured, will, when properly studied an

illustrated, form a large and positive addition to science. Of t

fossil Mollusca collected, most of the new species have been indicat

in. scientific journals by my associate, Mr. Meek, and myself, an

bout seven hundred figures prepared, making, when arranged for t

engraver, about fifty quarto plates. The fossil plants from Cretaceou

formation No. 1 will also be included in the volume, and consist 

eighteen species, all of which are supposed to be new to science. Th

fossil plants of the- Tertiary era, of which there is a large series, remar

ably well preserved and of great beauty, have not yet been studied 

any extent. We simply know that they comprise about fifty specie

all of which are supposed to be new, and would alone form a good-siz

quarto volume. Descriptions and suitable illustrations of these plan

will be made during the winter or spring.

The fossil Mollusca are arranged in their stratigraphical order, th

bringing at once before the geologist the characteristic'fossils of eac

formation known in the Northwest, fromthe Carboniferous to the Te

tiary, inclusive. The work will thus form a standard of reference f

those who may wish to study the geology of the West, and will enab

the explorer, even though but moderately versed in the science, to d

termine the age of the formations over which he may be travelin

The fossil Vertebrata, which are very numerous in species, a lar

proportion of which were entirely new to science, have been. plac

in the hands of Dr. Leidy, the great comparative anatomist of Phil

delphia, who informs us that the drawings are nearly ready for t

engraver.

The following is a list of the memoirs already published in the transa

tions of scientific societies on the geology and -paleontology of Nebras

and Kansas, by F. B. Meek and F. V. Hayden

1. Descriptions of sixty-three new species of Acephala, Gasteropod

and Cephalopoda, from the Cretaceous formation of Nebraska Territory.

(Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia, Marc

1856, p. 16. )

2. Descriptions of new species of Acephala and Gasteropoda from t

Tertiary formations of Nebraska Territory, with some general remar

on the geology of the country about the sources of the Missouri Rive

.-

(Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pa., June, 1856, p.16.) .

3. Descriptions of new fossil species of Mollusca, collected by Dr. 

V. Hayden in Nebraska Territory, together with a complete catalog

of all the remains of Invertebrata hitherto described and identified fr

the Cretaceous and Tertiary formations of that region.-(Proc. Aca

Nat. Sci. Pa., November, 1856, p. 22.)

4. Descriptions, of new species and genera of fossils collected by D

F. V. Hayden in Nebraska Territory, under the direction of Lieut. G. 

Warren, United States Topographical Engineers! with some remarks 

the Tertiary and Cretaceous formations of the Northwest, and the para

lelism of the latter with those of, other portions of the United States a
62 EXPLORATION'S IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Territories. Communicated by permission of the Secretary of War.-

(Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pa., May, 1857, p . 34.)

5. Descriptions of new organic remains ..from Northeastern Kansas,

indicating the existence of Permian rocks in that Territory.-(Transactions of the Albany Institute, Vol. IV-read March 2, 1858.)

6. Descriptions of new organic .remains collected in Nebraska Territory in the year 1857, by Dr. F. V. Hayden, geologist to the exploring;

expedition under the command of Lieut. G. K. Warren, Topographical

Engineers, United States Army, together with some remarks on the

geology of the Black Hills and portions of the surrounding country.-

(Proc; Acad. Nat. Sci. Pa., March, 1858, p. 19.)

By F. V. HAYDEN

7. Notes explanatory of a map and section, illustrating the geological

structure of the country bordering on the Missouri River, from the

mouth of the Platte to Fort Benton, in latitude 470 30, N., longitude

1100 30' W.-(Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pa., May, 1857, p. 10.)

8. Notes on the geology of the Mauvaises Terres of White River.-

(Proc. Acad . Nat. Sci. Pa., June, 1857, p. 8.)

9. Explanations of a second edition of a geological map of Nebraska

and Kansas, based upon. information obtained during au expedition to

the Black Hills, under the command of Lieut. G. K. Warren, Topographical Engineers, United States Army.-(Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pa.,

June, 1868, p. 22.)

Dr. Leidy's descriptions of the new Vertebrata, collected from time to

time, are distributed through various numbers of the Proceedings of the

Philadelphia Academy for the years 1856, 1857, and 1858. The principal paper was published' in March last, and bears the following title

46-Notice of remains of extinct Vertebrata from the valley of the Niobrara

River, collected by Dr. F. V. Hayden, geologist to the expedition under

the command of Lieut. G. K. Warren, Topographical Engineers, United

States Army, by Joseph Leidy, M. D."

The details of the geology of the regions explored will be reserved

for your final report.

The following is the number of species comprised in the collection

from each department of natural history as far as they have been studied,

up to this time. The catalogue includes none--of---the insects, of which

there are many species, nor the cryptogamic plants, which have not yet

been identified

Number of species of fossil Vertebrata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 77

Number of species of fossil Nollusea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

Number of fossil plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Number of minerals and geological specimens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423

Number of species of recent mammals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Number of species of birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Number of species of recent Molluscs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Number of species of fishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Number of species of reptiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Number of species of recent plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 500

Of the fossil Nollusea named in this catalogue, 186 species were new

to science ; upwards of 50 of the Vertebrata and all the fossil plants are

supposed to be new. A number of rare or entirely new species were

discovered in all departments of natural history. The specimens are

now deposited in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, and in
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 6

behalf of the expedition 1, would return my grateful thanks to the di

tinguished Secretary of that institution for the numerous facilities h

has very kindly afforded for their investigation.

F. V. HAYDEN,

Geologist and Naturalist.

Lieut. G. K. WARREN,

Topographical Engineers, U,8. A.

GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY.

In order to render this catalogue something more than a mere list 

species. I have attempted to present a summary of the geological forma

tions, as far as they are at present known; in Kansas and Nebrask

This will render more' clear the geological relations of the fossils fro

the Potsdam sandstone to the Pliocene Tertiary.

The rocks of Nebraska, as far as they are at present known, are r

ferrible to the following geological systems

1. Metamorphosed azoic rocks, including coarse grautte.

2. Lower Silurian . (Potsdam sandstone.)

3 . Devonian.

4. Carboniferous.

5. Permian.

fi . Jurassic.

7. Cretaceous, Upper, Middle, and. Lower, (including Wealden ?)

8. Tertiary.

9. Post Pliocene or Quaternary.

Passim; over the granitic and azoic rocks, we find that the Potsda

sandstone, or the lowest member of the Silurian period, is quite we

developed in the Black Hills. It is there brought to the surface by t

upheaval of the igneous rocks, and forms a narrow belt around the mos

elevated portion of the Black Hills. This formation, though well know

and studied in many parts of the United States, had not been discovere

in the region of the Rocky Mountains prior to Lieutenant Warren'

exploration of the Black Hills, during the summer of 1857. So far 

is yet understood, this member 'of the geotogicaLseries has revealed t

first indications of organic life on our planet. The following species 

fossils, belonging to what Barrande, the great paleontologist of Bohemia

has called the " Primordial Fauna," have been identified from th

Potsdam sandstoneof the Black Hill's and suitable illustrations prepare

Lingula antiqua, (Hall ;) a species of Lingula very similar . to L. prima

(Conrad,) occurs in vast numbers, forming layers several inches 

thickness ; a species of Obolus, very closely ; allied to 0. oppolinus, 

figured by Muchisou and De Verneuil in their work on the geolog

of Russia, and fragments of a trilobite, apparently identical with . on

of the forms figured by Dr. Owen,from the Potsdam sandstone 

Minnesota.

The discovery of this formation in the far West is a'matter of t

highest geological interest, and its existence in the Black. Hills bei

now well established, we may look for its discovery in many other. par

of the West, and it will undoubtedly be found holding a similar pos

tion all along the ea$tern slope of the Rocky Mountains.

No welbmarked fossils have ;yet been obtained from the suppos

Devonian period in Kansas or Nebraska, and its existence there 

with our present evidence, quite problematical.
64 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

A large collection of fossils was secured from the Carboniferous group,

in the Black Hills, near the Laramie range of mountains, in the southeastern portion of Nebraska and in various parts of Kansas. A large

and fine collection of Carboniferous and Permian fossils were collected

by Mr. F. B. Meek and the writer, in Kansas, during the past summer.

These fossils are now being investigated at the Smithsonian Institution.

I will therefore omit a catalogue of the Carboniferous fossils until our

results are more complete. The organic remains from all the localities

above mentioned, as well as from many other parts of the West and Southwest, have several species in common, and the others are of the same

types ; so that the evidence seems to be conclusive that these limestones

are all of the same geological age, and belong to the true Coal-Measures.

One of the most interesting series of rocks in the West are best developed in Kansas, but most probably exist near the Black Hills also.

These rocks were at first supposed to be the American representatives

of the Permian group of Europe ; but much more study will be required

to give them their exact position in the geological scale. A large collection

of fossils from these rocks has been studied with considerable care by

Mr. Meek and the writer, and they seem to warrant the conclusion that

by far the greater portion of the strata of the so-called Permian in the

West hold an intermediate position between the Carboniferous aiid the

Permian of the Old World. A thorough and clear solution of this

problem becomes, therefore, the most interesting feature in American

geology at the present time.*

The following species, most of which are of Permian types, have

been described by Mr. Meek acrd the writer, and published in the

Transactions of the Albany Institute. The larger part of them were

obtained by Mr. Hawn and Dr. Cooper in Kansas, and the remainder

were collected by the writer in Nebraska, opposite the northern boundury of the State of Missouri, and in the Black Hills, while attached to

lieutenant Warren's party :

1. Monotas Hawni, Meek and Hayden.

2. Afyalina (1lfytilus) perattenuatus, Meek and Hayden.

3. Bakevellia parva, Meek and Hayden.

4. .Edmdonia i' Calhouni, Meek and Hayden.

3. Pleurophorus is oceidentalis, Meek and Hayden .

fi. Pleurophorus-(Cardinia)-subcuneata, .. .1Vleek and Hayden .

7. Lyousia (Panopaea) coneava, Meek and Hayden.

8. Panopcea Cooperi, Meek and Hayden.

9. Nautilus eccentricus, Meek and Hayden.

10. Leda (Nucula) subscitula, Meek and Hayden.

A fine series of fossils, which we have supposed to be of Jurassic

.age, were obtained from the Black Hills during the summer of 1857 .

None of the species, so far as examined, seem to be positively identical

with those found in the Jura of Europe, but they all belong to the same

.genera, and many of the species are closely allied to forms which are

characteristic of that period in the Old World. In order to render more

clear our opinion that thesg fossils are Jurassic, i will repeat, in connection with the names of e wli species, the evidence derived from the

study of the fossils, which has already been published by Mr. Meek and

myself, in March, 1858 :

* The upper portion of the so-calte .l Parmian in Kansas seems to be destitute of

true Carboniferous fossils, but contains aa abundance of those belonging to Permian

types. We are therefore of the opinion that the upper two or three hundred feet of

these rocks are probably on a parallel with the Permian of Europe, and that the interinediate group which we have mentioned fills up the hiatus between the Carboniferous

and Permian of the Old World.
5ND

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 6 

1. Lingula brevirostris, 'Meek and Hayden .

2. Avicula ( .Monotis) tenuicostata, M. and H., a closely-allied repr

sentative of the Liassic species Monotis sustriata, Munster.

3. J11ytilus pe-rtenuis, M. and H.

4. Area (Cucullea) inornata, M. and H. Very similar, to C. Munste

(Leiten) from the Lias.

5. Panopaea (Myacites) subelliptica, M. and H. Very similar to t

Liassic forms, M. liassensis and M. Alduininus of Quensted.

6. Ammonites cordiformis, M. and R., may be regarded as the Ameri

can representative of the European Liassic species, A. cordatus of Sow

erby.

7. Ammonites Hearyi, M. and H.

8. Belemnites densus, M. and H. This species is so closely allied 

the oolitic B. eccentricus, Blainville, that we are in great doubt whethe

it is reiilly distinct. It,is also allied to the B. panderianus of d'Orbign

from the Lower Oolite.

9. Pentacrinus asteriscus, M. and H., so closely resembles the P. sc

laris, Uolfuss, that it was with considerable hesitation. that it wa

described as new.

From the above evidence we think we may safely consider the gro

of rocks from which the fossils were collected as the American repr

sentative of the Jurassic rocks of the Old World . We have still in t

the collection several undescribed species, which are all of Jurassic type

There is, also, at the base of No. 1, in the Black Hills, a fresh-wat

deposit, which we are in doubt whether to place with the Jurassic 

Lower Cretaceous. The fossils are a species of Unio (U. nucalis, Meek a

Hayden,) and a small Planorbis.

Near the mouth of the Judith River, on the Missouri, is a most inte

esting series of strata, deposited in a basin-like depression in Cret

ceous formation, No. 1. These beds are composed of sand, sandston

clays, and very impure lignite, with remains of fresh-water, land, and 

few estuary shells ; also, remains of saurians, turtles, fishes, &c. Th

exact age of this deposit has not yet been determined, the 111ollus

pointing to the conclusion that it belongs to the Tertiary period, whi

the Vertebrata are considered by Dr. Leidy to belong to Wealden typ

and allied to those forms discovered by Dr. Mantell in the Weald

strata---of -England . With evidence so conflicting before us, it will 

necessary to make a second exploration of that region before we c

come to any positive conclusion as to its age. The following section, 

descending order, will represent the different beds with sufficient acc

racy and detail for our present purpose
66 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Section of fresh-water and estuary deposits near the mouth ofJudith River.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

80 feet . . .

10 feet . __

80 feet . . .

20 feet _ _ _

100feet25 feet . . .

100 feet . . .

Yellow arenaceous marl passing downwards into gray grit, with small

seams of lignite ; contains great numbers of Ostrea aubtrigonalis ~,

Cyrena, occidentalia, Melania uonvexa, &e.

Impure lignite, containing much sand. Ostrea subtrigonalis ? and

silicified wood.

Alternations of sand and clay, with particles of lignite ; also reddish

argillaceous concretions with a few saurian teeth, and fresh-water

shells .

Alternate strata of sand and clay, with impure lignite and silicified

wood in a good state of preservation .

Variable bed, consisting of alternations of sand and clay with large

concretions containing great numbers of Melania, Paludina, -Helix,

Planorbis, Cyclas, &c., associated with saurian remains resembling

the Iguanodon and Megalosaurus, Trionyx, &c.

Alternations of impure lignite and yellowish-brown clay, the latter

containing great numbers of Unio, Paludina, Melania, Cyclas, and

the fresh remains referred by Dr. Leidy to the genus LePidotu&

Ferruginous sand and clay, having in upper part a seam three or

four inches in thickness, nearly made up of shells of Unio. Lower

part ferruginous and coarse gray grit, with a seam near the base

entirely composed of remains of Unio Danai, U. Decvyi, and U. auhapat-ulata .

Table showing the stratigraphical position of the fossils from the "Bad

Lands" of the Judith.

A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

VERTEBRATA.

1. Paleoscincus costatus, Leidy ___ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . --- * . . . . .

2. Trachodon mirebilis, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * * . . . . . . . .

3. Troodonformosus, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . .

4. Deinodon horridus, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . .

5. - -Crocodilus humitis, Leidy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6. Trionyxfoveatus, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ : ----

7. Lepidotua oo4dentalis, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . .

8. Lepidotus Haydeni, Leidy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MOLLUSCA.

9. Cyrena occidentalia, Meek and Hayden ------------ * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .

10. Corbula aubtrigovalis, Meek and Hayden . . .-. . .__ * . . -- -- . . __ . . .

11. Corbula perundata, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . .__ . . * . . . . --- -- -- . . .

12. Physa subelongata, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . _ . _ _ _ _ * . . _ . ----

43. Paludina vetula, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . -- . . --- -- "'

14. Paludina Conradi, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . ._ . . . * __ - . - . -- .- ---

15. Melania aubtortuosa, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . "'

, 16. Melania omitta, Meek and Hayden ------ .--_ . .__ _ . __ __ . __ ._ ----

47. Melania subleavis, Meek and Hayden _ . .

18. Melania invenusta, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19. Vitrina obliqua, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . .

20. Helix occidentalia, Meek and Hayden-------------- . _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ * . . . . . . . .

21. Helix vitrinoides, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * .- _ --

22. Planorbis tenu.ivolvis, Meek and Hayden . . . .. . . . . . . . . -- . * - - ---

23. Planorbis amplexus, Meek and Hayden . . ._ . . . . . . . _ . ._ . . . . _ . .--

24. Unio Danai, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . -- --

25. Unio Detveyanus, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

26. UnioaubRpatulatus, Meek and Hayden ------------ _ . . . . .

. . .

.I --i --- ---
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 6

The Cretaceous group, which occupies so extensive an area on t

'Upper Missouri. has been separated into five divisions, which prese

well-marked lithological differences, and contain, for the most part, di

tinct species of organic remains.

Vertical section of the Cretaceous formations of Nebraska Territory, so f

as determined.

Formation No. 1 seems to constitute paleontologically an indepen

ent division, none of its organic remains ranging in other formatio

above or below. Nos. 2 and 3 seem to form one group, the Ostr

eongesta and Inoceramus problematicus passing from one to the othe

Gray and yellowish arenaceous clays

16

and sandstones, sometimes weathering to

a pink color, containing Belemnitella ul- Moreau trading-post o

c bola, Nautilus Dekaya, Ammonites placenta, and under the Tertiary

A. lobatus, Scaphites Conradi, Baculites ova- atSa,geaudBearCr ks.

e

tub, and great numbers of other marine Fox Hills.

Mollusca . °o

Great area about Ft.

Bluish and dark-gray plastic clays, conPierre and along the

taining Nautilus Dekayi, Ammonites platen- Missouri below there. +s

ta, Baculites ovatus, and B. compresses, with Udder No. 5 at Sago

and Bear Cr'ks. Great 14

numerous other marine Molluaca-reniains

of Moaaaauras.

Bend of the Missouri .

o

Near Milk and Muscle

Shell Rivers .

Dark, very fine unctuous clay,

containing much carbonaceous matter, with veins and seams selenite, w

sulphuret of iron, fish and scales,

r) (local .)

n

Bluffs along the MisLead-gray calcareous marl, weath- souri, below the Great +5

ering above to a yellowish tint . a) Bend. Extends to Big w

Z

Scales and other remains of fishes- a-+ Sioux River, and oc- o

Ostrca congesta-passing downward °o curs along the latter

Y, into- '-' stream.

Light-gray or yellowish li mestone, , ;

containing great numbers of Inoceramus problematicus, fish-scales, and c

Oatrea congeata .

c' Dark-gray laminated clay scales and Along the Missouri

a

""

other remains of fishes, small Ammonites, Bluffs from ten miles . a

Z Fnoeeramus problematicus F, Serpula, small above James River to

oyster-like O. congesta, &c. Big Sioux River. a~

Yellowish and reddish friable sandstone, Near the mouth of a

, .;

with alternations of dark and whitish Big Sioux River and ti clays. Seams and beds of impure lignite, t

between there and °o

Z

fossil wood, impressions of dicotyledonous Council Bluffs. Near leaves, Solen, Pectunculus, Cyprina, &c.

Judith River. f c

Lower Cretaceous .

o
F$ EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Divisions 4 and 5, which are the most fossiliferous formations on the

Upper Missouri, contain many species in common, especially of the

Cephalopods, and therefore form a third group.

The Cretaceous system, as developed on the Upper Missouri, therefore forms lithologically five well-marked subdivisions, while paleontologically it admits of separation into three independent groups.

The age and geological position of divisions 2, 3, 4, and 5, have been

sufficiently attested by the numerous species of organic remains which

have been published, from time to time, by my associate, Mr. Meek, and

myself. In regard to the age of No. 1 much doubt existed, until we

had an opportunity to examine a fine series of dicotyledonous leaves,

which I had discovered in this formation near Blackbird Hill, on the

Missouri, while attached to Lieutenant Warren's party, in the spring

of 1857 . These leaves proved to us that the formation under consideration could not be older than Cretaceous, and this conclusion was

published by us in several of our later papers. Although the evidence

that it is of Lower Cretaceous age was perfectly satisfactory- to us, some

writers have considered it Triassic, while others have regarded it as

Jurassic and even Miocene Tertiary. In a late publication addressed to

Mr. Meek and the writer, Professor Marcou says : " ' Allow me respectfully to suggest to you that I cannot see anything of Cretaceous in what

you call No. 1 of your Nebraska section. It appears to me that you put

in your No. 1, or Lower Cretaceous, all sorts of strata of different ages,

except true Cretaceous rocks?' That the rocks in question are not newer

than Cretaceous I will endeavor to prove, both from stratigniphical and

paleontological evidence.

Evidence from stratigraphieal position .

Near the old Otoe village, on the Platte River, about five miles

above its mouth, No. 1 rests directly upon limestone strata of the true

Coal-Measures ; and at this point I found a species of Laurus, apparently

identical with a plant obtained near the mouth of the Big Sioux, and

at Blackbird Hill. Near De Soto, about twenty miles above Omaha

City, the Carboniferous limestone ceases to appear, and No. 1 rests

with concordant stratification upon it. There is not the slightest disturbance of the strata in this region, but they dip gently toward the

northwest. I traced No. 1 with great care to Blackbird -Hill, about

sixty miles above De Soto, and found a few plants at different Jocalities. At Blackbird Hill an extensive quarry had been opened to procure stone for building the large mission establishment at that place.

From this quarry I collected the fine series of dicotyledonous leaves,

before mentioned. I then directed my course toward the mouth of the

Big Sioux, about forty miles, further up the Missouri, and examined

the country with great care. The red sandstone, No. 1, was the principal rock in that region, but upon the summits of the bluffs, resting

upon the sandstone apparently, I often found layers of a yellowishwhite, rather soft limestone, fully charged with Inoceramus problematicus

and fish-remains . Near Sioux City, about two miles below the mouth

of Big Sioux River, is a vertical section of No. 1, rising about thirty

feet above the water's edge. At the base of this vertical cut I collected

a number of leaves, similar to those observed at Blackbird Hill . From

the high bluffs, bordering upon the Missouri, the inhabitants of this

region obtain immense quantities of the calcareous rock of No. 3, composed almost entirely of I. problematicus, and convert it into lime. On

the Big Sioux River, about six miles above its mouth, I took the following section of the strata from a vertical cut with considerable care
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Yellow marl, a recent deposit.

No. 3. Shaly limestone, gradually passing into bed below, with 

abundance of Inoceramus problematicus, and fish-remains.

No. 2. Dark plastic shaly clay, with ferruginous concretions.

No. 1 . a-Yellow friable sand.

b-Earthy lignite, 6 inches.

c--Variegated sandstones and clays, extending to water's edg

with dicotyledonous leaves.

Section near the mouth of Iowa Creek.

No. 3. Gray and yellow marl, with immense numbers of I. prob

maticus, Ostrea congesta, and fish-remains.

No. 2. Dark plastic clay with Ammonites resting concordantly up

the bed below.

No. 1. Sandstone just above water-edge.

At this last locality I found in No. 1 the plant which Professor He

refers to, Taurus primigenia, and a shell which we, have described 

Solen Dakotaensis. Here No. 1 passes from sight beneath the we

known Cretaceous bed No. 2.

With regard to our No. 1 holding a position beneath well-mark

Cretaceous beds, I think I need not say anything further.

Paleontological evidence.

Sphenopteris. Pyrus.

Abietiles. Alnus.

Acer. Salix.

Fagus. Magnolia.

Populus. Credneria.

Cornus. Ettingshausinia.

.Liriodendron.

The fine series of fossil plants from No. 1, which I collected on 

Missouri, as well as those obtained by my friend, Mr. Meek, and myse

during our recent .trip to Kansas, were placed in the hands of our frie

Dr. J. S. Newberry, the well-known authority in fossil botany, and f

him we received the following notes :*

11 They include so many highly-organized plants, that were there 

among them several genera exclusively Cretaceous, I should be dispo

to refer them to a more recent era?'

"A single glance is sufficient to satisfy any one they are not Triass

Up to the present time no angiosperm dicotyledonous plants have b

found in rocks older than Cretaceous, while of the eighteen spec

which comprise your collection, sixteen are of this character."

~~ The species of your fossil plants are probably all new, though g

erally closely allied to the Cretaceous species of the Old World. Fr

the limited study I have =given them,- 1 have referred them to the foll

ing genera

." Of these the last two are exclusively Cretaceous and highly char

teristic of that formation in Europe?'

From the evidence which we have given, we think we are warran

in regarding our No. 1 as Cretaceous, and probably of Lower Cretace

age. This matter will be discussed more fully hereafter. Thered sa

stone at the mouth of Big Sioux is the type of our No. 1, and its r

tions to the sandstone strata, near the Judith River, are not positi

determined .

"Dr. Newberry's remarks will appear in the January number of Silliman's Jou

with our joint paper.
70 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Table showing the stratigraphical position of the Cretaceous fossils hitherto

identified from Nebraska Territory.

Formations in ascending order.

1 ( 2 3 14 5

1. GENUS CALLIANASSA .

1 . Callianassa Dauai, Hall and Meek ------------------------ .- __ _ . * . . .

2. GEN. BELEAINITELLA .

2. Belemnitella mucronata, Sclil.otbei)u------------------------ __ . __ _ .

3. Belemnitella P halhaser, Meek and Hayden ------------------ . _ _ _ _ ----

3. GEN. NAUTILUS.

4. NautilttsDeZCain,Morton --------------------------------- _ . . _- ----

4. GEN. AMMONITES.

5. Ant)nonites place))t a, Do Kay ------------------------------ ._ . _ . ----

6. Antmwtites lobalms, Tnomy -------------------------------- .- . ._

7. Ammonites opalus, Owen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ . . . . ----

8. Aminonites complexus, Hall and Meek ._ . .. . . . .- . . . __ . . . .- . ._ ._ . . _ . .

9. r1))t?ito)iit(!sl)et,ca) -i))atus, Hall and Meek-, ------------------ ._ . * * . . ._-

10. Ammonites Halli, Meek and Hayden_ . . .- . .- . . . ._ . . .___ ._ . . . . . . . ._ * . . .

5. GEN. TURRILITES.

11. Turrilites Ncbrasccnsis, Meek and Hayden ------------------ .

-

----

12. Turrilites Cheye)ow))sis, Meek and Hayden ----------------- . . . _ _ . . _ _ . _ _ _ ----

13. .'L'urrilitesu.mbilicatus,Meekand Hayden ------------------- . . . __ __ . .

_-

14. Turrlites (felicoceras) cochleatus, Meek and Hayden _ . _ _ . . . . _ . _ _ . _ _ _ . . .

GEN. ANCYLOCERAS.

15. Aucyloceras? Xicolletti, Hall and Meek -------------------- . . . . ----

16. Artcyloceras? Morto)d, Hall and Meek --------------------- . ._ . ---- ~ .-- . * - .-

17. Ancyloceras (Hautite. ,) )iuc~cs,_,b7;eek and Hayden . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .

7. GEN. PTYCIIOCERAS.

18. Ptychoceras Hortoui, Meek and Hayden-------------------- __ . . . .- * - .

8. GEN. HELICOCERAS.

19. Ilelicoceras tenuicostatus, Meek and Hayden .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * ---

20. Helicocerasi'tortus,Meek andHayden _ .. . . . .- . . . . . . . . . .__ . . ._ . - . -- * --

9. GEN. BACULITES.

21. Baculitesovatns,Say-------------------------------------- . . - . ----

22. Baculites con(press)s, Say ---------------------------------

___ . . ----

23. Baculites grandis, Hall and Meek -------------------------- ._-- ---- ---- ----

10. GEN. SCAPIIITES.

24. Scaphites Conradi, Morton, sp -----------------------------

_ . ._ ___ . __ . ----

25. Sca.phites Vaudene))A8, Morton, sp ------------------------- .-_ _ . __ _ .

26. S. A'icolletti, Morton, sp----------------------------------- _ . . . ._

27. S. )to(1osus, Owen----------------------------------------- __ _ . __

* 28 S larrifo)-ntis nlp.nk and 14s,,v(Inn------ .------------------- .---I * -- -
, Meek and Hayden 

31 . T. hloreaurttsis, Meek and Hayden . .__ . . .____ . . ._ ._ . . ._ . .

13. GEN. ACTEON.

'..32 . A . coitcinntts, Hall and Meek .____ . .____ . .____ . . . ._ :33 . 11 . sabrlliplicrts, Meek a,nd Ifuyden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34. A . (Solidu la) attenrtattt, Meek attd Hayden -----------------

14. GEN. AVALANA.

35. A. mbglobosa, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15 . GEN. NATICA.

36. N. Tiiomyaua,Meek and1iayden -------------------------

37. 11 obliyttata, Hall and .Meek ------------------------------

38.

~ ._ . .

N. cocitrua, Hall mitt Meek --------------------------------

39. X.lrtdwiirmformis, Hall and Meek------------------------------

40. N. a m bigna, Meek ant] Hayden

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _

41. A~ suberassa, :!leek attd I1 ayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42. N. occiderrtalis, Meek and Hayden . . . . ._ . ._ ._ . . ______ ._ .__ . ----

43. N. Aloreatteusis, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . .

16 . GEN. SOLARIUM.

44. .S . flexrcistriatunt, Evans and Slinmard------- --------------

17. __GFN, Tulmo.

45. T. Aebrascerrsis, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . _ .

46. T tettniliucatus, Meek and Hayden -----------------

18. GEN. RoSTELLARIA.

47. R. Nebrascertsis, Evans and Sliumard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48. R. fits i ;ormis, Hall and Meek -----------------------------

49. R. biarrgulala, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19. GEN. FUsus.

50. F. Shumardi, Hall and Meek ----------------- . . . . . . . . . . . .

51. l+ : tenuilineabts, l3:ill and Meek ---------------------------

52. E. Dakotaettsis, Meek and Hayden . _ _ . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

53. 1". Gallrirtiauas, Meek and Hayden . ._ . . . .__ . . . _

54. If . coWortus, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55. Ii'. Cidbertsoni, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

!- .

56. E fexuocostatus, Meek anti Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

57. 1". Aetcbcrryl, Meek and Hayden -------------------- .___ .

58. I+: T attgltaui, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~_

59. F. subturrittts, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

60. F. irdertca, t«s, Meek and Hayden .--------------------------

61 . F. (Plettrotonut) Scarboroughi, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . .
---EXPLORATIONS

IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Table showing the stratigraphical position, &c.-Continued.

Formations in ascending order.

1 2 3 4 5

20. GEN. BusycoN.

62. B. Bairdi, Meek and Hayden . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21. GEN. FASCIOLARIA.

63. F. cretacea, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ . .

64. F. buccinoides, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22. GEN. BUCCINUM.

65. B. f vinculum, Hall and Meek . . . .__ . ._ .__ . .____ . ._ . . . . ._ . __ ._ ___

66. B. constrictum, Hall and Meek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23. NEw GEN. PSEUDOBUCCINUM, Meek and Hayden.

67. P. Nebrascensis, Meek and Hayden .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24.. GEN. CAPULUS, Hall and Meek.

68. C. oecidentalis, Hall and Meek. . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

69. C. fragilis, Meek and Hayden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25. GEN. HELCION.

70. H. borealis, Morton, sp . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ __ __ *

71. H. sexcucatus, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *

72. H. patelliformis, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *

73. H. alveolus, Meek and Hayden ---------------------------- __ ___ __

74. H.subovatus, Meek and Hayden--------------------------- ---- __ __

75. H. carinatus, Meek and Hayden--------------------------- ---- __ __ *

26. GEN. DENTALIUM.

76. -D.- gracilis, Hall and Meek_ . : . . _ . _

77. D. fragilis, Meek and Hayden . _

27. GEN. BULLA.

78. B. volvaria, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *

79. B. minor, Meek and Hayden ------------------------------ __ __ __ __

80. B. occideiatalis, Meek and Hayden------------------------- ----- ._ ___ *

81. B. subcylindricw, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *

28. GEN. XYLOPHAGA.

82. X. elegantula, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . *

83. X. Stimpsoni, Meek. and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . .

29. GEN. PIROLAS.

84. P. cuneata, Meek and Hayden. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30. GEN. TEREDO.

85. T. globosa, Meek and Hayden ----------------------------- __ __ . . . .

31. GEN. SOLEN.

86. S.? Dakotaensis, Meek and Hayden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . -
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Table showing the s0atigraphical position, &c.-Continued .

Formations in asce

ing order.

1 2 3 4 

32. GEN. PHOLODOMYA.

87. P. elegant0a, Evans and Sbumard------------------------ __ - ---- ----

88. P. (Gonom.ya) Antericana, Meek and Hayden ----------_- ---- ---- ---- ----

89. P. undata, Meek and Hayden ---------------------------- ---- --- -- -

90. P. fibrom, Meek and Hayden I-------------------------- - . . . . . . .

91. P. 8ubventricmm, Meek and Hayden . -------------------

31 GEN. PANOPEA.

92. P. occidentalis, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34. GEN. SOLEMYA.

93. S. subplicata, Meek and Hayden . . ._ .__, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31 GEN. MACTRA.

94. H. formo8a, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 

95. M. Warrevana, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . n -- ---- ----

9& Walts, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36. GEN. TELLINA.

97. T. ? Cheyennen8i8, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

98. T. equilateralis, Meek and Hayden -----------------------

99. Y. s0ula, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100. 1. subelliptica, Meek and Hayden ------------------------ - -w ---- - -- ----

10L 11 11ou" Meek and Hayden ------ ---------------------- -- _- - .-- __ *

102. T. 8ubtortuom, Meek and Hayden .. . . .. . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . .

* .. . . . . . . . .

37.13EM CYTHEREA.

103. C. Mimuriana, Morton . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

104. C. orbiculata, Hall and Meek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 - . . . . . . . .

i05.--C : tenuis, Hall and Meek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

106. C. Deveyi, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . --- ----

107. 0. Nebrmcen8i8, Meek and Hayden . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

108. C.,vellucida, Meek and Hayden -------------------------- --- ---- ----

*

109. C. Avenana, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38. GEN. VENUS.

110. V. ? circulari8, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .

39. GEN. LEDA.

111. L. ventrica8a, Meek and Hayden

112. L. fforeauensis, Meek and Hayden ----------------------- -

40. NEW GEN. CORBULAMELLA, Meek and Hayden.

113. C. gregaria, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -

41. GEN. THRACIA.

114. T. F gracilis, Meek and Hayden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42. GEN. AsTARTE.

11 .q A nrqflf7,140,_ MAAlr and TfavilAn ---------------------------
74 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Table showing the 8tratigraphical position, &e.-Continued.

Formations in ascending order.

146. A. Raydens, Hall and Meek . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- _ . . .

1 2 3 4 5

43. GEN. CRASSATELLA.

116. C. Evan8i, Hall and Meek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

44. GEN. LUCrNA.

117. L. 8ubundata, Hall and Meek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - ---- ----

118. L. oooidentali8, Meek and Hayden ------------------------ ---- ---- ----

45. GEN. HETTANGIA.

119. H. Amwicana, Meek and Hayden ------------------------

46. GEN. CYPRINA.

120. C. arenaria, Meek and Hayden ---------------------------

121. C. cordata, Meek and Hayden .__ . . . . . . ._ . .____ . ._ ._ . ---- ----

122. C. compi-&sa, Meek and Hayden .__--------------------

123, 0. ovata, Meek and Hayden ----------------------------- -

124. C. WAWA,Meek and Hayden . .__ . . . .__ ._ . . . ._ . . .__ . . . . . . . . . . -

47. GEN. CARDrUM.

125. C. SpftiftUM, Meek and Hayden ------ -------------------

48. GEN. NUCULA.

126. N. 8ubna8uta, Hall and Meek . .___ . . . .__ . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .

127. N. ventricosa, Hall and Meek .______---------- ._ - ---- ----

128. N. scitula, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

129. N. Evan8i, Meek and Hayden -------------_------------ --- ---- ---- ----

130. N. equilaterali8, Meek and Hayden ------------------------ ___ .- .-- . T_

131. N. 80plana, Meek and Hayden . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ - ---- ----

131 14 canmlkha, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

133. - N. planomarginata, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

134. N. 0801eta8triata, Meek and Hayden .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . .

49. GEN. PECTUNCULLTS .

135. P. parvula, Meek and Hayden ._____ . . . . . . ---------------- __ - ----

131 P. subh0hoatu, Meek and Hayden . . -- . _- i . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50. GEN. CUCULLUA.

137. C. Nebra8cenSi8, Owen . . . . . . . . .

.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . _-

- ---- ----

138. C. cordata, Meek and Hayden .___ . . . .__ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ _- - - ---- ----

131 0. Shunwrd" Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _

140. C. exigua, Meek and Hayden .__. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

51 . GEN. MYTILUS.

141. M. attenuatus, Meek and Hayden ------------------------- ---- ---- ---- ----

142. M. Galpiniauu8, Evans and Shumard--------------------- _- ---- ---- ----

143. M. subarcuatU8, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

52. GEN. AvicULA.

144. A. triangulari8, Evans and Sbumard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

145. A. lingWfOrMU8, Evans and Shumard
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Table showing the stratigraphicalposition, &c.-Continued.

7

Formations in ascen

ing order.

There are still in the collection several undescribed species of Mollusca, also remai

of fishes from Nos. 2, 3, and 4.

The great Lignite Tertiary basin differs from the Tertiary basin 

White River, by its numerous beds of Lignite, more or less pure, and 

the extent and beauty of its fossil flora. Some of the beds of Ligni

1 2 3 4 

53. GEN. GERVILIA.

147. G.subtortuosa, Meek and Hayden ------------------------ ---- __ . . * 

54 . GEN. INOCERAMUS.

148. Lproblentaticus, Schlothein --------------- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * _ . 

149. I. Barabini, Morton .___, .____ . .____ ._ . ._ . . . . .__ . . .___ . __ __ ._ * 

150. I. Sagensis, Owen .____ . . . . . . . . .___ . .__ . . . . . . . .___ . . .__ . _ . . . __ . 

151 . I. Nebrascensis, Owen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ ._ . . *

152. I. subleavis, Hall and Meek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. _ . _ . . . *

153. I. convexus, Hall and Meek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ _ . *

154. I. tenuil-ineatus, Hall and Meek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._

155. I. Conradi, Hall and Meek ------------------------------- ._ * _ . __ -

156. L fragilis, Hall and Meek ._ . ._ . . .__ . . ._ ._ . ._ . ._ ._ . . ._ ._ * _ . 

157. I. ventricosus, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . 

158. Lpertenuis,Meek andBayden--------------------------- *

159. L incurvus, Meek and Hayden . . ._ . . . .___ . .__ . ._ . . . . . ._ . . . . . _ . .* 

160. I. untbon anus, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * 

55. GEN. PECTEN.

161. P. rigida, Hall and Meek

162. P. Nebrascensis, Meek and Hayden ----------------------- _ _ _ _ ---- * .

56. GEN. OSTREA.

163: Ostrea eongesta, Conrad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ . . *

. .164. Ostrea larva, Lamark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ ._ _ .

165. Ostreapatina, Meek and Hayden . .____ . ._ . ._ . ._ .__ . _ .___ _ . _ . ---- * 

166 . Ostrea glabra, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

57. GEN. CAPRINELLA.

1_6_ .7 ., Caprinella coraloidea, Hall and Meek

58. GEN. LINUULA.

168: Lingula subspatulata, Hall and Meek . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * 

59. GEN. SERPULA.

169. Serpula f tenuicarinata, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . _ . 

60. GEN. HEMIASTER.

170. Hemiaster f Humphregsianus, Meek and Hayden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * 

61. VERTEBRATA.

171 . Mosagarus Missouriensis, Leidy . . _ __ . . . . . _ _ _ . . _ _ _ . . . . . _ _ . . . . _ . * 
76 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

are seven feet in thickness, but they usually vary from two to four feet.

The collection of fossil plants from this deposit is very fine, consisting

of nearly fifty species, all of which are as yet undescribed, but are

supposed to be new to science. Many of the leaves strongly resemble

those of existing forest-trees, and seem to belong to the genera Platanus,

Acen Ulmus, Alnus, Populus, Betula, Shulex, &e. The Molusca con

sists of land and fresh water, with a few estuary shells. These have all

been described, and drawings made. Five species of Vertebrata have

been discovered in this deposit. The following species oforganic remains

have, up to this time, been described from this basin

VERTERRATA.

1. Thespesius occidentalis, Leidy.

2. Ischyrotherium antiquum, Leidy.

3. Mylognathus priscus, Leidy.

4. Compsentys victus, Leidy.

5. Emys obscures, Leidy.

MOLLUSCA.

6. Cyclasformosa, Meek and Hayden .

7. Cyclas fragilis, Meek and Hayden.

8. Cyclas subellipticus, Meek and Hayden .

9. Cyrena moreauensis, Meek and Hayden .

10. Cyrena intermedia, Meek and Hayden.

11. Corbula mactriformis, Meek and Hayden.

12. Unio priscus, Meek and Hayden.

13. Bulimus trees, Meek and Hayden.

14. Bulimus vermiculus, Meek and Hayden.

15. Bulimus limneaformis, Meek and Hayden.

16. Bulimus Nebrascensis, Meek and Hayden .

17. Pupa helicoides, Meek and Hayden.

18 . Limnea tenuicosta, Meek and Hayden.

19. Physa longiuscula, Meek and Hayden.

20. Physa rhomboidea, Meek and Hayden.

21 . Physa Yebraseensis, Meek and Hayden .

22 . Planorbis subumbilicatus, Meek and Hayden. .

23. Planorbis convolutes, Meek and Hayden .

24. Planorbisfragilis, Meek and"Hayden.

25. Velletia (Ancylus) minuta, Meek and Hayden .

26 . Paludina multi lineata, Meek and Hayden.

27. Patudina Leai, Meek and Hayden .

28. Paludina retusa, Meek and Hayden.

29. Paludina peeuliaris,tMeek and Hayden.

30. Paludina trochiform-as, Meek and Hayden.

31. Paludina?Leidyi, Meek And ;Hayden .

32. Valvata parv~la, Meek and' Hayden .

33. Melania minutula, Meek and Hayden.

34. Melania Anthonyi, Meek and Hayden.

35. Afelania multistriata, Meek and Hayden.

36. 11felania Nebrascensis, Meek and Hayden .

37. llfelania Warrenana;,Meek and Hayden .

38. Melania tenui ;carinata, Meek and Hayden .

39. Cerithium Nebrascensis, Meek and Hayden.

The Tertiary basin of White and Niobrara rivers forms one of the

most interesting and remarkable fresh-water deposits on our continent.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

It differs, both lithologically and paleontologically, from the two basi

previously alluded to. It contains no fossil plants, no lignite beds, a

not one of the numerous species of organic remains which have be

collected from it is identical or allied to species found in other portio

of the Tertiary of the Northwest. Two distinct faunas are represente

by the collections from this deposit-the'fauna of the Miocene peri

from the region of White River and the fauna of the Pliocene peri

from the Niobrara. The latter fauna has enabled Dr. Leidy, the di

tinguished comparative anatomist, to arrive at some important concl

sions. He says

" The extinct fauna of the Niobrara is especially rich in remains 

ruminating and equine animals. Among the former are several peculi

genera, of which two are closely allied to Oreodon and Leptauchenia, 

the Miocene deposit of the Mauvaises Terres ; one is allied to the mus

deer and another closely approaches the camel. Besides the remains 

a true species of Equus, the collection contains those of two species 

Hipparion, and several peculiar genera of the equine family. Ther

are also remains of several species of canine and feline animals, of 

small species of beaver, and of a species of porcupine more nearly alli

to that of the 041 World than to our own recent one. The collecti

further contains remains of a rhinoceros resembling those of Indi

those of a new species of mastodon, and those of a large elephant.

"One of the most remarkable circumstances in relation with th

extinct fauna is, that it is more nearly allied to the present recent one 

the Old World than to that of our own continent. From a compariso

of our recent fauna and flora with that of the eastern continent, t

deduction has been made that the western continent is the older of t

two, geologically- speaking, whereas the Niobrara fauna would indica

just the reverse relationship of age. A number of similar instance

show that totally different fauna and flora may be cotemporaneous

and do not necessarily indidate different periods of existence."

Vertical section, showing the order of superposition of the diferent beds 

the Tertiary basin of White and Niobrara Rivers.

Subdivisions. Localities . c 

W Yellow siliceous marl, similar in its Most fully developed along

character to the Loess of the Rhine, the Missouri River, from the +

passing down into variegated indurated mouth of the Niobrara to w

p clays and brown and yellow fine grits ; Saint Joseph ; also in the o

a

contains remains of extinct quadrupeds, Platte Valley and on the °

p., mingled with those identical with re- Loup Fork. 

E-1 cent ones ; also a few mollusca, mostly e

O

identical with recent species so far as

W

determined .
78 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Vertical section, &c:-Continued.

Subdivisions. Localities.

1st. Dark-gray or brown sand, loose, Covers a very large area

incoherent, with remains of mastodon, on Loup Fork, from the

elephant, &c . 2d. Sand and gravel, in- mouth of North Branch to

coherent . 3d. Yellowish - white grit, source of Loup Fork ; also

with many calcareous, arenaceous con- in the Platte Valley. Most

H cretions. 4th. Gray sand with a green- fully developed on the NioW

ish tinge ; contains the greater part of brara River, extending from w

H

Pi the organic remains. 5th. Deep yellow- the mouth of Turtle River e

rc~ ish-red arenaceous marl. 6th. Yellow- three hundred miles up the W

Z

pa ish-gray grit, sometimes quite calcare- Niobrara ; also on Bijoux ~o

W

ous, with numerous layers of concre- Hills and Medicine Hills. e

tionary limestone, from two to six Thinly represented in the

,--, inches in thickness, containing fresh- valley of White River.

water and land shells, Succinea, Limuea,

Paludina, Helix, &c., closely allied and

perhaps identical with living species :

also much wood of coniferous character.

Usually a coarse-grained sandstone ; Most fully developed along

sometimes heavy bedded and compact ; the upper portion of Niosometimes loose and incoherent ; varies brara River and in the re- m

much in different localities. Forms im- gion around Fort Laramie. `*"

meuse masses of conglomerate ; also Seen also on White River

contains layers of tabular limestone, and on Grindstone Hills.

with indistinct organic remains ; very

few mammalian remains detected, and x

those in a fragmeutary condition. Passes

W gradually into the bed below.

U

O

A dull reddish-brown indurated grit, Niobrara and Platte Riv- +;

with many layers of silico-calcareous ers ; well developed in the

A

concretions, sometimes forming aheavy- region ofFort Laramie ; also c bedded fine-grained sandstone ; contains in the valley of White River. (8,

comparatively few organic remains. Conspicuous, and composing c the main part of the dividing riflge between White t°n

and Niobrara rivers.

Very fine yellow calcareous sand, not White River, Bear Creek,

differing very materially from Bed D, Ash Grove Spring, head of

with numerous layers of concretions Shyenne River. Most con- m

U

and rarely organic remains, passing spicuous near White River. w

down into a variegated bed, consisting o

of alternate layers of dark-brown clay c

and light-gray calcareous grit, forming

W

bands, of which I counted twenty-seven

Z

at one locality, varying from one inch

W to two feet in thickness.

O

c

Adeep flesh-colored argillo-calcareous Old Woman'sCreek, a fork

lz~ indurated grit . The outside, when wea- of Shyenue River ; also on , .;

ap thered, has the appearance of a plastic the head of the South Fork

O P4 clay. Passes down into a gray clay, of the Shyenne ; most con- e

p .~z with layers of sandstone, underlaid by spicuous on Sage and Bear ;?

~;

pa a flesh-colored argillo-calcareous strat- Creeks, and at Ash Grove o

um, containing a profusion of mamma- Spring. Well developed in o

N lian andchelonian remains. Turtle and numerous localities in the

Oreodon Bed. valley of White River.

H
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Vertical section, &c.-Continued..

Catalogue of all the fossils hitherto described, from the Tertiary formatio

of White and Niobrara Rivers, with a table showing their stratigraphi

position.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11 .

12.

13.

14 .

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

RIIMINANTIA.

Oreodon gracilis, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Oreodon Culbertsoni, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Oreodon major, Leidy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Agriochoerus major, Leidy ----------------------------- _ . .

Agriochoerus antiquus, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Poebrotherium Wilaoni, Leidy . . _ . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .

LeptomeryxEvansi,Leidy_ . . . . . . . .- ._ . ._ .-_ . . . . . . ._ : . _ . .

Leptauchenia decora, Leidy ..--------------------------- . . .

Leptauchenia major, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __- . _ .

Protameryx Halli, Leidy ------------------------------ . . .

Meryeodus necatua, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Megalomeryx niobrahensis, Leidy . . . . . . . . _ . . . . _ _ _ _ . _ . . . .

Merychochmrua proprius, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Procamelus occidentalis, Leidy ------------------------. . .

Proeatnelus robustua, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Procamelus gracllis, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Merychyu8 elegans, Leidy . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Merychyim mediua, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Herychyus major, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cervua Warreni, Leidy . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Beds in ascending ord

C. D. E.

Subdivisions . Localities .

P

Light-gray fine sand, with more or Old Woman's Creek ; also

less calcareous matter, passing down in many localities along the

into an ash-colored plastic clay, with valley of the South Fork of

large quantities of quartz grains dis- Shyenne. Best development

W _ seminated through it, sometimes form- on Sage and Bear Creeks.

Z

E ing aggregated masses like quartzose Seen at several localities in 

sandstone cemented with plastic clay ; the valley of White River. 

then an ash-colored clay, with n. green-

!:S tinge, underlaid at base by a lighta°

gray and ferruginous siliceous sand and

gravel, with pinkish bands. Immense

r, quantities of silex, in the form of seams,

all through the beds. Titanotherium

Bed.

~D 16 Cretaceous beds 5 and 4, with their Exposed underneath the

W a

usual lithological characters and fossils. Tertiary Beds on the South

~a Fork of Shyenne and its

~r southern branches ; also in

W c

White River Valley, near its

source.
80 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Catalogue of all thefossils hitherto described, &c.-Continued.

Beds in ascending order.

A. B. C. D. E. F.

MULTUNGULA.

21. Chooropotamus(Ilyopotamus) americanus, Leidy. . . _ _ _ . _ .

22. Entelodon flortoni,Leidy .____ . . . .__ . .____ ._ .____ . ._ ._ .__

23. Entclodoningens,Leidy_ .___ . . .____ . ._____ .___ . . ._o~ . . . * __ " -------

24. Titanotheriunt Prouti, Leidy -------------------------- *

26. Paleochterus probus, Leidy .___ : . .____ . ._ ._ . . . . ._ . . .__ . ____

__ _

"

_ _ __ ___ ----

27. Leptochcorits spectabilis, Leidy _ . _ _ _ . . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ . . . * _ . . . . . . . . . .

28. Rhinoceros occidentalis, Leidy .____ . . .___ . . .___ . . . . .__ . ___ * * * * _ _ .

29. Rhinoceros H+ racodon nebrascensis Leid

30. Rhinoceros erassus, Leidy ----------------------------- _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ *

31. Mastodon (2ctralophodon) meriftcus, Leidy . _ _ . . . _ . _ _ . . . _ _ _ _ . . _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ . . . .

32. Elephas (Euelephas) intperator, Leidy

SOLIDUNGULA.

33. Hipparion, S. Hippotherium occidentals, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34. Hipparion, S. Hippotherium speciosum, Leidy----------- . _ _

. . .

_ _ _ _ ----

35. Anchitherium Bairdi, Leidy --------------------------- _ _ * . . . . . .

36. Anchitheri-um (Hypohippus) afnis, Leidy--------------- __ _ . _ . '`

37. Anchitherium (Parahippus) cognatus, Leidy ------------ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ ---- * . . .

38. Meryehippus inaignis, Leidy . _ . . . . _ . . . . . . _ . _ _ . . _ _ _ _ . _ . _ _ . _ . _ _ _ _ . . -* _

39. Merychippus mirabilis, Leidy _ . ._ ___ . . ____ .__ . __ . . __ . . __ . . __ __ ---- .__ . ----

40. Equusexcelaics,Leidy -------------------------------- _ . __ _ . __ _ ._ "

11. Equus (Protohippus) perditus, Leidy .

RODENTIA.

12. Stenoftber nebrascensis, Leidy -------------------------- _ _ _ . ---- * * _ . _ . . . . .

43. IschyrOMys typos, Leidy -------_------ . . _ . . . . _ . . . .

44. I'alteolagtts Haydeni, Leidy ---------------------------

. _

----

----

--

* * . _ . _ .

15. Eumyselegaaa,Leidy--------------------------------- ._ * ._

46. Rystrix (H,ystricops) veuustus,Leidy__ . . _ . _ ._ . . _ . .____ . . . _ . . . _ . : . _ . * _ .

47. Castor (Eucastor) tortus, Leidy_ _ . . _ . . . _ . _ _ . _ . _: . . . . _ _ . _ . . . . _ _ _ . _ . . . . . . . _ . .

CARNIVORA .

48. Hymiodonhorridus,Leidy___ ._ ._ . . . ._ . . . . .____ ._ . . ._

19. Hymnodoncruentu,s,Leidy .__ . . ._ ._ . .____ . ._ ._ . . . . . . ._ . ._ .

50. Hymnodou cruciaus, Leidy ._ ._ .___ . . .__ . . . __ _ . _ . . . . ._ . .__ * . _ . _ _ . . . _

51 . Amphicyouvetus,Leidy . .__ ._____ . ._ . .__ . . .___ ._ ._ . . . . _ . . . * _ ._ __ _ . _ ._

52. Amphicyon gracilis, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . _ _ _ _ _ ----

53. Leptaretus primus, Leidy _ . _ . .

54. Dsin:ictisfelina,Leidy ._ .______ .___ ._ ._ ._ . ._ . .__ . .___ _ . * _ . ._ . . ----

55. Machairoduspa-ima'vrts,Leidy------------------------- __ . . " __ _ . ___ ----

56. Felis (Pseu.d(eturus) intrepidus, Leidy ------------------ __ . _ . __ __ ----

57. XY lurodon ferox, Leidy .___ . . .____ . .___ .__ .__ ._ . .____ _ . __ _ . _ . ----

58. Canis" maus,Leidy----------------------------------- _ . _ . __ __ _ .

59. Canis tenterari-us, Leidy ------------------------------ _ . ._ . _ . ----

60. Canisvafer,Leidy ----------------------------------- : . __ ._ ._ ----

C) 1. Canis (Lpicyon) Haydeni,Leidy . .__ . . . ._ ._ . .___ . . .__ _ . __ _ _ . _ . _

CHELONIA.

62. Testitdonebrascettstis,Leidy---------------------------- . .

* * * __

. .

63. Testudo (Stylemys) niobrahensis, Leidy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . _ . . . _ .

MOLLUSCA.

64. Helix Leidui. Hall and Meek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . -- . . . .-
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Catalogue of all thefossils hitherto described, &e.-Continued :

MOLLUSCA-Contill ued.

65. Planorbis nebrascensis, Evans and Shnmard ------------

66. Lyntnea diaphana, Evans and Sliumard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

67. Lyntnea nebrascensis, Evans and Shnmard . . . . . .. . . . . . .

68. Physa secalina, Evans and Shumard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .

CRUSTACEA.

69. Cypris Leidyi, Evans and Shnmard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6ND

Beds in ascending orde

A. B.

MINERALS AND GEOLOGICAL SPECIMENS.

I .-IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS.

1 Gneiss ferruginous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Twelve miles northwest of F

Laramie.

2 Mica slate__ . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

3 Mica, more micaceous . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

4 Granite, coarse . . . . . . . . . . Laramie Peak.

5 Mica slate, with silvery mica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Four miles north of Fort Laram

6 Granite, pulverulent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raw Hide Butte.

7 Felspar, flesh-colored from No. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

8 Granite, fine-grained, micaceous . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

9 Granite, gray _ ._ .__ . . . .,. .. . . ._ . . . ._ . . . .___ . . Laramie Hills.

10 Quartz, white . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

11 Hornblende slate . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

12 Hornblende rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

13 Mica slate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

14 Hornblende rock in granite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

15 Red felspar from 14 . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

16 Crystalline, quartz from 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

17 Flesh-'colored felspar from 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

18 Mica slate, with garnets .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

19 ------ do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

20 Mica, containing iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

21 Flesh-colored felspar in large crystals . . . . . . . Do.

22 Chlorite slate . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

23 Mica slate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

24 Granite, coarse, over No. 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

25 Felspathic granite, pink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Do.

26 Quartz veins in 25 . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

27 Hornblende rock, masses in granite. . . .. . . . . . Do.

28 Granite, fine-grained ------------------------ Do.

29 Hornblende rock_. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . Do.

30 Hornblendic granite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

31 Hornblende, with crystals of felspar_ Do.

32 Mica slate, horublendic Do.

33 . do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

34 Mica slate, with large plates of mica . . .. . . . . Do.

35 Granite, white felspathic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . Do.

36 ,Quartz, veins in 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

--

Do.

37 Siliceous limestone, Silurian or Devonian_ _ . . Do.

38 Siliceous limestone, Silurian or . Devonian, Do.

highly crystalline.

39 . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . .. Do.

39J Syenite, pink, under 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.
82

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

87

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and geological specimens--Continued .

I.-IGNEOUS AND METAPHO11IC ROCKS--COU'd.

Metamorphic siliceous limestone ------------

Metamorphic siliceous limestone, purplish- . .

Quartz, in granite ___ . ___ . .__- . . . . .__ . .____ .

Metamorphic limestone, gray . .

Mica slate .___ ._____ .__ ._ ._ __ ._ . . ._ . . . . . .

Micaceous granite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.do -------------------------------------

Mica slate, fine-grained ---------------------

Metamorphic limestone, crystalline . . _ _ _ _ . _ _ .

Metamorphic limestone, purplish . . . . . . . . . . . .

Metamorphic limestone, shu ilar to 48 _ _ _ _ _ . _ .

Talcoso slate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Felspatbic granite, flesh-colored-------------

Mica slate, wi th garnets --------------------

Mica slate, very fine grained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Talcose slate, dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Talcose slate, light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Porphyritic trap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hornblende slate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Felspathic granite, pink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pllates of mica from 59 ----------------------

Quartz vein in chlorite slate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cbloriteslate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tracbyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .

Quartz veins in 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

------ do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chlorite slate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hornblende rock, underlying Tertiary series _

Schorl in quartz from clay slate . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Augite . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Quartz, with felspar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Porphyritic trap, columnar . . _ _ . . . _ _ _ _ . . . . . . .

. . . . . .do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

__do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

'rracbyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vesicular trap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tracbyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Siliceous limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Porphyritic tracbyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Compact tracbyte, with scales of mica . . . . . . .

. . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .____ . . . . . ._______ . . . .

Gray basaltic trap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Porphyritic tracbyte . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Quartzite ----------------------------------

Gray tracbyte ------------------------------

Metamorphic sandstone---------------------

II .-SEDIMENTARY ROCKS.

Silurian and Devonian .

Potsdam sandstone, red, with Lin.gula an tiqua.

Potsdam sandstone, gray, fine, with Obolus . _ .

Potsdam sandstone, porous,-with Trilobites . _ .

Metamorpbic, conglomerate .over granite. . . . .

Metamorpbic, with cherty pebbles . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . do--------------------- . . . . . . . . . . .

Argillaceous limestone, Devonian. . . . . . . . . . . .

Metamorphic conglomerate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .

CarCarboniferous .

Limestone, with Spirifer . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . .

Raw Hide Butte.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Black Hills.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Raw Hide Butte, west side .

Do.

Black Hills.

Do.

Do.

Laramie Hills.

Stone Butte, Black Hills.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Raw Hide Butte.

Stone Butte, Black Hills.

Bear Peak, Black Hills.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Laramie Hills.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Black Hills.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and geological spechne-res-Continued.

I1.-SEDIMENTARY itoci.s-Continued. .

Carboniferous-Continued.

98 Blue cherty limestone, with Splrigera snbtilita. Black Hills.

99 Blue cherty limestone, with corals . . . . . . . .. . Do.

100 Blue cherty limestone, with Spirifer lineatns_ . Do. lot Ph.ynconella ntortnoni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

1112 Rhynconella ntoktnotri, with Cyathophyllum . ._ . Do.

103 1{hynconella mormoni, with 7,aphrentis _ . _ . __ __ Do.

104 Rhynconella mortnotd, with Syringapora_ . . __ __ Do.

105 Ithyttconella mormoni, Porites . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Do.

106 Yellowish cherty limestone, over 98, with Do.

Spirifer rockyntontana. Do.

107 Yellowish cherty limestone, over 98, with Do.

Spirifer canteratus and lineatus.

103 Clkerty nodules in 9:i . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

109 Arogonitein98----------------------------- Do.

110 Coarse, granular limestone, with crinoidal Fort Laramie.

columns.

111 Blue compact limestone, Productus and Tere- Do.

bratttla snbtilita.

112 Blue compact limestone, corals . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

113 Blue compact limestone,with8piriferlineatu& Do.

114 Yellowish cherty limestone, with Productus . . Waran Spring near Fort L:axam

115 White limestone, with Spirifer rockyniontana . . Near Fort Laramie.

116 Terebratula snbtilita from, 110 . . .___ . _ . __ . ._

117 Panoprva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near Tecama, Nebraska.

118 Allorisma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . Bellevue, Nebraska.

119 Productus ---------------------------------- Do.

120 Spirifer canteratus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

121 Terebratula snbtilita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

122 Bellerophon .__ . .____ . .____ . .__ . .__ . . . .__ ._ ._ Do.

123 Chonetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

124 . Chcetetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

Permo-Carboniferous and Permian.

125 Arenaceous limestone, foliated with Bakevellia . Black Hills.

1-26 Red sandstone, soft, very fine grain, under 125 . Do.

127 Pink sandstone, over 126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

1213 Limestone, (125,) with Orthomratite .. . . . . . . . . Do.

129 Limestone, with Bellerophon ----------------- Do.

130 Limestone, with Pleurotontania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

131 Limestone, with Spirifer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

132 Limestone, with Allorisma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big Blue, Kansas Territory.

133 Yellow magnesian limestone, with Nautilus, Smoky Hill Fork.

Atonotis, Bakevellia, Myahna. 134 Yellow magnesian limestone, compact, with Banks of Missouri, south line 

Mytilus. Nebraska.

135 Magnesian limestone, with Monotis . . . . . . . . . . Big Cottonwood.

136 Magnesian limestone, with Avicula . . . . . . . . . . 12 miles west of Big Blue.

137 Chertz rock, gray, with Avicula andMyalina . _ Black Hills.

138 Chertz rock, (Burch stone,) with crinoidal col- Do.

umns.

139 Sacarhoid gypsum, over 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . Smoky Hill Fork.

140 Monoli8, from 136 Do.

141 Blue limestone, porous, with fenestella . . . . . . Big Blue.

142 Cellular calcareous rock -------------------- Smoky Hill Fork.

143 Cellular calcareous rock, more compact . . . . . . Do.

144 Cellular calcareous rock, with spherical cavi- Do.

ties .

145 Cellular calcareous rock, more argillaceous . . _ Near Cottonwood Creek.
8 4

146

147

143

149

150

151

152

153

154

1',5

156

158

159

160

161

16.2

163

164

165

166

167

163

169

170

171

172

173

144

175

176

177

173

179

180

181

18.?

1t+3

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and geological specimens-Continued .

II .-SEDIMENTARY ROCKS-Continued.

Jurassic.

Arenaceous limestone, light brown, with Avi- I Black Hills.

cula tenuicostata.

Arenaceous limestone, bluish, over 146, with Do.

Avicula.

Ferruginous limestone, with Citpricardia ----- Do.

Ferruginous limestone, red, with Avicula . .__ . Do.

YelloNv arenaceous limestone, with Serpula . _ . Do.

Limestone bored, with lithophagous mollusks . Do.

Red marl, overlying 141, C011tailling Snowy Do.

gypsum.

Snowy gypsum, from 152 .-------------------- . Do.

Crystalline gypsum, from seams in 152. . . . . . . Do.

Fibrous gypsum, from seams in 15'2 . . . . . . . . . . Do.

Blue compact limestone, (freshwater,) in 158, Do.

containing Unio nucalis and Planorbis.

Arenaceous limestone, same as 150, contain- Do.

in(-, Peutacrinus, with Serpula and Ostrea Do.

attached to surfaces.

Yellowish argillo-arenaceous limestone, with Do.

Ostrea, Upper Jurassic.

Gray shell limestone, containing Ammonites, Do.

Belemites, &c., interstratitied with 158.

Snowy gypsum, with no stains, equivalent of Bib Horn River.

153.

Gypsum, with crystals of selenite . . . . . . . . . . . .

Snowy gypsum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near sources of Yellowstone.

CRETACEOUS.

Formation No. 1.

Conglomerate and sandstone, with Uvios. . _ _ .

Conglomerate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Conglomerate, fine, with Melanias and Cyclas.

Gray arenaceous limestone, with Melania and

Helix .

Conglomerate, same as 165 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arenaceous limestone, (166,) with leaves of

Credneria, Alelanias, &c.

Indurated ferruginous clay, with Afelanias . . . .

Ferruginous sand, with Unio danai . . . . . . . . . .

Indurated clay, with Melanias and scales of

Lepidotus, above 166.

Shell limestone containing Melavias . . . . . . . . ..

Impure sandy lignite, (stratum D of section).

Shell limestone, same as 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cream-colored shale, burnt, from over lignite

beds.

Compactargillaeeous limestone, with Cytherea

oweni-, (marine,) beneath fresh-water beds.

Ferruginous sandstone, with Telling subtorMosa.

Rough gray limestone, with Ostrea glabra

Ferruginous sandstone, with Inoceramu,s peetenuis, upper marine strata.

Lignite, over 179-----------------------------

Carbonaceous sand from decomposition of

lignite bed, over 179.

Impure sbaly lignite, with selenite . . . . . . . . . . .

Limestone, with Cypris, lower part of formation No. 1.

Silicified wood, ferruginous . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .

Silicified wood, coniferous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bad-lands of Judith.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Rocky Mountain Creek.

Near Ammel's Island.

Black Hills, east base.

Do.

Do.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and geological specimens-Continued .

CIIFTACHOUS-COI)tintied .

Formation No. 1-Continued.

186 Bone of _ _ . . . _ _ _ _ _

.---------

Black Hills, east base.

187 Bone of saurian or cetacian ------------------ Do.

188 Dense ferruginous sandstone . . _ _ . _ _ _ _ . ._ _ . . . Black Hills, west base.

189 Quartzose sandstone, bluish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

190 --- --- - - - --- ------ ------ ------ -- - --- ---- -- --

191 Conglomerate from junction of Cretaceous Platte Valley.

and Carboniferous rocks.

192 Coarse ferruginous sandstone, with pebbles, Do.

over 199.

19:3 Dark ferruginous sandstone, over 192 . . . . . . . . Do.

194 Dark ferruginous sandstone containing much Do.

iroll .

195 ------ do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

196 Ferruginous sandstone ---------------------- Blackbird Hill .

1.97 Ferruginous sandstone, fine-grained --------- Mouth of Elk Horn.

198 Dark coarse sandstone, very ferruginous _ Do.

199 Red;ferrugiuousf4ndstone, with many species Black Hills.

of dicotyledonous leaves.

200 .do ------------------------------------

201 Light gray quartzose sandstone, with balls of Black Hills.

sulphate of iron, over 199.

202 Light gray quartzose sandstone, with dicoty- Do.

ledouous leaves.

20:1 Whitish pulverulent sandstone, over 199_ Sioux City.

204 Whitish pulverulent sandstone, fine-Grained, Blackbird Hill .

under 199.

205 Indurated clay, bluish ---------------------- Do.

206 Indurated clay, yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Decatur.

207 Indurated clay, yellow ---------------------- Do.

208 Ferruginous sandstone, with striated bivalves Big Sioux.

and Cytherea arenaria .

209 Indurated clay, with dicotyledonous leaves . . Do.

210 Indurated sand, fine, yellow, with leaves of Do.

Salix.

211 Ferruginous sandstone . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Mouth of Iowa Creek.

212 Ferruginons baudstone, fine-grained, with Mouth of Big Sioux.

impressions of dicotyledonous leaves.

213 Ferruginous sandstone, with Soleudacolahenais. Do.

214 Lignite, under 209 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

215 Silicified wood, bored by Teredo . _ _ _ . . _ . . _ _ _ _ Big Sioux.

216- ------ do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blackbird Hills.

217 . . . . . . do ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ . . ._ . . . .__ . . . . . ._ . Smoky Hill Fork.

218 -- .- .do .___ ._ ._ . .____ . ._

.---------

.__ Republican Fork.

219 Coarse .ferruginous sandstone, with leaves of Smoky Hill .

Credneria .

220 Sandstone, very ferruginous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

221 Cellular ferruginous rock ------------------ Do.

Formation Alo . 2.

222 Masses sul phuret iron, with sulpbate -------- Mouth of Vermillion .

223 Crystallized sulphuret iron, with sulphate . _ . Do.

224 Crystallized gypsum ------------------------ Do.

225 ------ do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . Do.

226 Crystallized gypsum, in plates ------ -------- Do.

227 Large crystals selenite iu black clay . . . . . . .. . Do.

228 ------ do ._ . _do . . . . . . . . do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

229 Ferruginous shale, with remains of fishes ___ . Do.

230 Ferruginous shell limestone . ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

231 Yellow clay, with gypsum Do.

2:32 Conglomerate, with green siliceous pebbles _ . Do.

233 Conglomerate, with sharks' teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.
86

234

235

236

237

238

239

240

241

242

243

244

245

246

247

248

249

250

251

252

253

254

255

256

257

258

259

260

261

262

263

264

265

266

267

268

269

270

271

°?72

273

274

275

276

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and geological specimens-Continued .

CRETACEOUS-Continued .

Formation No. 2-Continued.

Gray arenaceous limestone, with Cytherea

orbiculata.

Gray arenaceous limestone, with fish-scales _ .

Dark gray indurated clay, with fish-scales . . .

Arenaceous limestone, (234,) with Serpula . . . .

Conglomerate, with fish-teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arenaceous limestone, gray, with 1-uoceramus

problematicus .

Formation No. 3.

Soft yellow limestone, with Ivoceramus problemalicu&

Gray snarl, with Ostrea congesta, and fish remains, (base of No. 3.)

.do -----------------------------------

Scale of Cyclocladus, in 242------------------

Fibrous carbonate of lime, with Ostrea congesta attached to surface.

Yellow marl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

------ do-------------------------------------

Yellow m

marl, lighter ----------------- . ._ .__ .

Crystalline carbonate of lime, seams, in marl .

Crystalline carbonate of lime, greenish, in

marl.

Black plastic clay, upper part of No. 3 . . .

Shale, argillaceous, with fish remains, over 250

Shale, argillaceous, with fish remains, calcined

by combustion, of 250.

Formation No. 4.

Blue clay, with Ftychoceras mortoid . . . . . . . . . .

Yellow clay,. with crystals of gypsuin . . . . . . . .

Whitish alum clay, seams, in 253 . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hyd. silicate of magnesia, masses, in formation No. 4.

Crystals sulphate baryta -------------------

White aluminous earth, in seams .. . .. .. .. .. . . . . . .

Aluininous clay, (255) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Forruginous concretions, throughout formation No. 4 .

Crystalline argillaceous limestone, (cone in

cone.)

Crystals of seleuite in clay beds . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Seleoite and fibrous carbonate lime . . . . . . . . . .

Yellow clay, with selenite ------------------

Dark argillaceous shale, with Inomrant,us__ .

131ae concretionary limestone, with Rostellaria

Indurated clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Decomposed shale, (253) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

. . . . .

Brown hematite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

Brown hematite, more earthy . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

Dog-tooth spar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

Gray arenaceous limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

Gray arenaceous limestone, with carbonized

matter and shells .

Soft argillaceous shale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Concretions of compact blue limestone, containing gteat numbers of fossils.

Concretions of compact blue limestone, containing large crustacean, (undescribed .)

Mouth of Vermillion .

Do.

Black Hills, east base.

Dixon's Bluffs.

Do.

Black Hills, west base.

Big Sioux.

Mouth James River.

Do.

Do.

Durions Hills.

De.

Bijoux Hills.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Near Bijoux Hills.

Do.

Do.

Great Bend of Misiiouri.

Do.

Bijoux Hills.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Shyenne River.

Fort Pierre.

Mouth Shyenne.

Twelve miles above Fort Pierre.

Mouth of Cannon Ball River.

Long Lake, Mo.

Do.

Fort Pierre.

Big Shyenne.

Do.

Mussel Shell River.

Milk River.

Cannon Ball River.

Yellowstone River.

Do.

Do.
277

278

279

280

2dl

282

283

284

285

286

287

238

289

290

291

292

29'3-

294

295

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and geological specimens-Continued .

CRETACEOUs-Continued.

Formation No. 4-Continued.

Crystallized carbonate of lime, yellow, forming nucleus of concretions.

Crystals of selenite -------------------------

Blue indurated clay, with fibrous gypsum . . . .

Dove-colored laminated shale . . . . . . . . . . . ----

Petrified wood bored by Teredo bisinzi.ata . . . . .

"Cone in cone," (241) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Iudurated clay, with shells . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

Soft micaceous sandstone, thin seam, in clay

bed.

Vertebra of Mososaurus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wood bored by Zylophaga stimpsuni ----------

White alumiuous clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Formation 11ro . 5.

Yellow arenaceous limestone, with Venus . . . .

Yellow arenaceous limestone, softer . . . . . . . . . .

Yellowish calcareous sandstone, with Cgpr-ina

Yellowish calcareous saudstone, decomposed .

Soft fine sandstone, with Rostellaria . . . . . . . . .

Ferruginous sandstone, with Cytherea . . . . . . .

Silicified wood, with bark . . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . .

Silicified wood, bored by Teredo globosa ------

TERTIARY.

-Lignite basin .

296 Yellow arenaceous clay on Cretaceous rocks297 Yellowish indurated clay, with fresh-water

shells, over 296.

298 Gray sand, fine, over 297--------------------

299 Coarse gray calcareous sandstone, with

fossils.

300 Soft argillo-calcareous shale, with fossil shells301 Ferrugiuous shale, with coniferous plants . . . .

302 Dove-colored bandstone, with silicified wood .

303 Yellow indurated sand, with estuary shell of

genus Cyrena.

-04 Light-colored indurated clay, base of section .

305 Dark carbonaceous clay, over 304 . . . . . . . . . . .

306 Lignite, over 305 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dark argillaceous shale, over 306 . . .- . . . . .307 . . . .

308 Yellow indurated sand, with l'aludiua and

Melania.

309 Grayish iudurated sand ---------------------

310 Dove-colored calcareous shale, with Unios and

other fresh-water shells .

311 Argillaceous limestone, with fossil plants . . . .

312 Fine light-colored marl, under lignite bed . . . .

313 I Lignite, bright and compact ----------------

314 Drab indurated clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

315 Light-colored marl, with impressions of dicotyledouous leaves.

316 Earthy lignite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .

317 Lignite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

318 Lignite, more impure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

319 Concretionssulpburetiron, common throughout Tertiary series.

320 Septaria, spherical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

321 Carbonaceous iudurated clay,,charged with

vegetable remains, fresh-water and laud

shells, Bulimus, Physa, Pupa, &c.

Forks of Shyeune.

Do.

Do.

GrandRiver.

Cannon Ball River.

Grand River.

Fort Pierre.

Do.

Mussell Shell River.

Fort Lookout.

Head of Little Missouri .

Do.

Cannon Ball River.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Long Lake.

Do.

Long Lake.

D,,.

Top of Square Butte.

Thunder Butte.

Do.

Do.

Cherry Creek.

Fort Clark.

Do.

Do.

Red Spring.

Fort Berthold.

Do.

Do.

High ]in tte, Little Missouri .

Fort Union.

Do.

Yellowstone.

Do.

Do.

Fort Union.

Do.
88

32;2

:323

:324

325

326

:327

328

329

330

:331

:332

333

334

335

3:36

337

338

:339

340

341

342

343

344

345

346

347

348

349

350

351

352

:353

354

355

356

356j

357

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and geological specimens-Continued .

TERTIARY-Continued .

A .-Lignite basin-Continued.

Mineralized wood -------------------------- Fort Union.

Carbonized wood, from lignite bed . . . . . . . . . . Do.

Light sandy marl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

Shell marl, containing fresh-water shells ._ . . Do.

Impure lignite ----------------------------- Do.

Light-colored fine clay, under lignite bed _ . . Do.

Brown shale, with vegetable impressions . . . . Milk River.

Siliceous shale, containing much vegetable Do.

matter.

Gray shell limestone, soft . _ _ . - . . . _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ . . Do.

Carbonaceous clay, with Unio, Paludina, &c. . Yellowstone.

Coarse gray shell limestone . _ . . _ . . . . _ . . _ _ _ _ . Elk Horn Prairie.

Compact bluish limestone, with freshwater Red Spring.

shells .

Gray calcareous sandstone, with Unio, Pala- Yellowstone.

ding, &c.

Soft argillaceous limestone, with Paludina Pardu River.

rochiforniis.

Crystallized carbonate of lime in concretions. Fort Union .

Dove-colored argillaceous limestone, with im- Do.

pressions of ferns, over :315 .

Brown calcareous shale, with Taxilef --_ _ . _ _ .

Silioifiedwood ----------------------------- 0

Silicified wood, partially carbonized .__ . _ _-_ .

. . .__ .do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .

. . . . . . (10 -----------------------------------

------ do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Silicified wood, with cavities lined with drusy

quartz .

Dove-colored clay, metamorphosed by burning out of lignite beds.

Brownish sbale, metamorphosed by burning

out of lignite beds.

Scoria, black, formed by burning out of liguite beds.

Scoria, yellowish, formed by burning out of

lignite beds.

Scoria, black compact, formed by burning

out lignite beds.

Scoria., green vitreous . . . . _ . ----------

Scoria, green vitreous, formed by burning

out of lignite beds.

Scoria, red, very porous ---------------------

Scoria, brown. Very porous, formed by burning out of lignite beds.

Shale, burned, red, with vegetable impressions.

Shale, burned, bright red, with vegetable impressions.

Shale, burned, vermilion, with gypsum . . ._ . . Do.

Shale, burned, black ferruginous ._. _ .____ . Do.

Calcareous pumice from burning of limestone. Do.

scales of mica.

Yellowstone.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Fort Union.

Mussel Shell River.

Do.

Yellowstone.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

B.-While River Basin .

Bed 9 .

358 Red sandy clay, containing pebbles, base of On Sbyenne River.

Titanotherittnt bed.

359 Teeth of Titanotherium prouti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Old Woman's Fork.

360 Coarse whitish sandstone, above 358 . . . . . . . . . Sbyenne River.

361 Coarse whitish concretionary sandstone .. .. . . . . Do.

362 Soft whitish calcareous sandstone, with Do.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and, geological specimens-Continued .

TF[tTIA11Y-Continued.

B.- White River Pa8bl-Continued.

363 Greenish plastic clap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shyenne River .

3134 Greenish plastic clay, upper part ------------ Salve Creek.

:365 Plates of chalcedony ------------------------ Bear Creek.

366 ------ do ._ .__ . ._____ . ._ . . . .__-_ . .__ ._ . .____ . Do.

367 . ._ _ .(lo ___ ._ ._____ . . . .___ . . .___ ._ . . .__ . . .__ . Do.

M8 .Fibrons carbonate lime . : _ _ . . _ _ _ . ..- ._ .

------

Do.

369 Dark chalcedony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

:370 Matrllesite .___ . . _ ._____

-

. ._ Do.

371 Calcareous conci etion, separating; Bed Afrom Do.

Bed B.

Bed B.

372 Pinkish indurated marl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

:373 Whitish in(lurated marl, from over 372____ : . . Do.

374 Pinkish calcareous concretion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

375 Decomposed marl, from 372 and 373 . . . . . . . . . . Do.

376 Decornrosed marl, from 372 and 373, with Do.

Oreodon.

Bed D.

377 Cream-colored marl . .__ . ____ . .___ .___ . .__- . . White River.

378 Siliceous limestone, with fresh-water shells, Do.

PlanorN8, 7imnen, &.c .

379 Tnfaaeons concretionarv limestone . . . . . . . . . . De.

3b0 Cream-colored marl, containing; Oreodon . _ _ ._ . Do.

Bed E.

381 Soft white grit ----------------------------- Do.

382 Conglomerate, shove 381 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

:383 Conglomerate, with granitic pebbles_. . ._. . . . . . . Do.

3134 Soft white sandstone, with Oreodon . . . . . . . . . Do.

385 Calcareous conglomerate . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fort Laramie.

386 Conglomerate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . Bijoux Hills.

387 Calcareous concretions. i n marl, under 386. . . . Do.

388 Snlpllate baryta, foliated crystals, in 387 _ .__ . Do.

389 Green siliceous concretions, in limestone; con- Medicine Hills.

taining fresh-water shells .

390 . . do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

391 Coarse n" hi'ish sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

. . . . . . Bad Land Creek.

392 Conalolnerate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grind Stone Hill .

393 gnartzose conglomerate--------------------- 1)o.

:394 White. infusorial earth, base of Bed E, local _ . Running Water.

395 . . . . . . (10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loup Fork.

396 ---- ------- ------ ---- ---- ---- ----

397 Indurated marl. white . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Warren's Fork.

398 Siliceous tllfa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Niobrara River.

399 White marl .--------------- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loup Fork.

400 Whitisli cllertylimestone -____ .__ .__ . ._____ . Do.

401 White foliated limestone-------------------- Niobrara River.

402 ----------------

40:3 White tufaceous marl, containing fresh-water Loup Fork.

shells .

404 Silicified wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . Running Water.

405 .do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Do.

406 Siliceous sinter_ Sage Creek.

407 Carbonate of limo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . Bear Peak.

408 Ferruginons conglomerate . . . . . . . . . .

.

. . . . . .. . Yellowstone River.

409 Micaceons granite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . De.

410 Hornhlendic rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do.

411 Limestone, with corals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . Do .
90

412

413

414

415

416

417

418

419

420

421

422

423

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Minerals and geological specimens-Continued .

TERTIARY-Continued.

B.-White River Basin-Continued.

Limestone, with Spirife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Limestone, with Orthoco-atite____ ._ .___ . .__ . .

Limestone, with Sgringopora

Chalcedony --------------------------------

Silicified wwood .-----------------------------

Limestone, with red chert

Concretlotls, from yellow snarl --------------

Siliceous sinter, from springs ---------------- Sand, from sand-hills -----------------------

Very fine gray sand, from sand dune _ . . . . . _ .

Prismatic iron-ore ----_--------------------

Efflorescence on soil

Dr. Newberry rendered me valuable assistance in making out the preceding catalogue.

MAMMALS.

Yellowstone River.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Bi - S,onx.

Black Hills.

Do.

Powder River.

Mouth Big Horn.

Cannon Ball River.

The mammals of the collection have already been examined by Professor Baird, and most of the species determined. The collection contains skins, skeletons, and skulls of nearly all the larger mammals of

the plains, with a large number of specimens of most of the smaller

ones. I will here say a few words in regard to the present distribution

of some of the larger animals on the Upper Missouri. Many- of them

are fast passing away, and in a few years must become extinct. The

buffalo, which has been so important an agent in the preservation of

the Indian, is now gradually- gathering into a smaller area ; and although in the valley of the Yellowstone and along the Upper Missouri

thousands may yet be seen, they are annually decreasing at a rapid rate.

In 1850, buffaloes were seen as low down on the Missouri as the Vermillion River, and in 1854 a few were killed near Fort Pierre, but at the

present tiine none, except now and then a stray bull, are seen on the

Missouri River below Fort Clark .* They are, however, quite abundant

at this time oil the Platte River and Along the valley of the Smoky Hill

Fork of the Kansas. Probably at this time all the larger animals, as

buffalo, elk, (leer, antelope, bighorn, and beaver, are more abundant in

the valley of the Yellowstone than in any other portion of the Upper

Missouri.

Descending the Yellowstone River in the summer of 1854, I saw, for

the distance of 350 miles, the prairies on both sides of the river

covered with herds of buffalo, and on the sand-bars large numbers of

ell., deer, and antelopes. Elk and white-tailed deer (Cervus leucurus)

are quite abundant even in the northern parts of Iowa, but the blacktailed deer (Cervus inacrotis) is seldom seen below Fort Pierre. It is

found chiefly in the most rugged portions of the country, in the region

of the Black Hills, or in the vicinity of the mountains. The interminable ravines of Sage Creek and the Shyenne River are noted places for

them . The antelope is seldom observed below Fort Pierre. It is,

however, the most abundant animal in the Sioux country, and confined to the open prairies. The bighorn, or mountain sheep, (Ovis

* These animals occupy very different localities in different years and different seasons.-Lieutenant Warren.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 

ntontana,) is quite abundant in the almost inaccessible regions know

as the Mauvaises Terres, or Bad Lands, but are not hunted much 

the Indiaus for food . The beaver are increasing very rapidly, a

many of the mountain streams literally swarm with them. Since t

days of the trapper are over, and the price of their fur has become 

reduced, the inducements to hunt them are not very great, and th

are allowed to multiply undisturbed. Their flesh is eaten to some 

tent by the Indians and traders, and in the absence of other meat 

considered quite a delicacy. The raccoon is seldom seen beyond t

frontier. A few have been killed in the valley of White River, b

they seldom pass up the Missouri above latitude 420. The following 

a list of the mammals contained in the collection and now deposited 

the Smithsonian Institution

1. SorexHaydeni, Baird, (n . s.)-Ilayden's Shrew .-Fort Pierre to Fo

Union, Nebraska Range on the Missouri River, from latitude 44.20 

45.00.-This small species of shrew is quite rare in Nebraska. It 

seldom seen alive, though sometimes found dead along river banks. 

single specimen was caught at Fort Pierre in the autumn of 1856, a

a second one at Fort Union near the mouth of the Yellowstone. Thr

specimens were secured .

2. I3larina brevicauda, Gray.-Short-tailed Shrew .-Illinois to N

braska .-A single specimen of this species was obtained near Fort Be

thold, on the Missouri, in latitude , longitude ; very rare.

3. Scalops argentatus, 'Aud . & Bach.-Silvery Mole.-Detroit to Fo

Riley, and south to Prairie Mer Rouge? Range in latitude from 42

to Louisiana? in Imigitude 83 to 97.-One specimen of this beauti

species was collected near the mouth of Big Sioux River. I do 

think it occurs high up on the AIiasouri River.

4. Lynx rufus, Raf.-Wild Cat.-Atlantic to .Pacific. Upper Misso

to the Gila River. Not on the Rio Grande ?-The skins of this anim

are very often brought to the different trading-posts ou the Upper M

souri by the Indians, though seldom seen by the traveler. There is 

portion of the country bordering on the Missouri River, or its tribu

ries, where it does not exist to a greater or less extent. The Cana

Lynx (Lynx canadensis) has also been observed in several localities 

the traders of the country.

5. Canis occidentalis var. griseo-albus .-White and Gray Wolf.-Nor

America generally ?-Canis occidentalis var. nubilus.-Dusky Wolf

Missouri River to the Pacific .-This species, with its numerous varieti

is exceedingly abundant throughout the region of the Upper Missou

above latitude 430. It is most abundant where the buffalo ran

and subsists mostly upon them. Their skins are made an article 

trade, bring valued at $1 apiece.

6. Canis latrans, Say.-Coyote ; Prairie Wolf.-Fort Riley, Sansas, 

the Pacific, and Upper Missouri to the Rio Grande of Texas. 'th

animal is much smaller, and the skins sell for only half the price of 

C. occidentalis. It is exceedingly abundant throughout the Upp

Missouri country, extending down into the settlements, where they of

do much mischief to the farmers.

7. Vulpes macrourus, Baird .-Prairie Fox.-Upper Missouri to Pla

of Columbia, O. T.-This is much the finest animal of the genus in t

country. The skins are remarkable for the thickness and beauty 

their fur. The different varieties, as Silver, Cross, and Black Fox, 

well known among the traders, and are much 'valned. A skin of 

Silver variety is a great prize, often selling for $100.

8. Vulpes velox, And. & Bach.-Sit Fox ; Swift Fox.-Plains wes
9 2 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

Missouri to the Cascade Mountains of Oregon .-Like the Prairie or

Barking Wolf, this animal is fond of wandering down among; the settlements and committing his delweclations upon tile farmers. It is tnrrc ;ti

hunted by the traders ; but its skin is not very valuable, averagttlg only

about 25 cents per skin. It is very abundant around prairie-clog villages, and subsists to a great extent upon the inhabitants.

9. Putorius lonrlicctuda, Rich .-Long-tailed Weasel.-Uplrer Missouri

and Platte, (Carlton House, H. B. T., Riclr .)-Not uncolnrnon throughout the Northwest, though seldom seen by the traveler. Its skin is

highly prized by the Indians, who use it for Inaldng articles of dress,

tobacco pouches, and for other ornamental purposes.

10. Lutra canadensis, Sab.-American Otter.-Northern parts of tile

United States to Florida, and west to the Rocky Mountains. Not un

common in the streams that flow from the north into the Missouri . I

cannot ascertain that it has been seen above the rnoutlr of tile Niobrara

River on the Missouri. Tire only specimen obtained by our party was

taken in a beaver trap in the Niolrrara, about eighty miles alcove

its, mouth. Otter skins are imported into tile country every year l)y

the traders, and are prized very highly by the Indhrus for ornamental

purposes.

11 . jlfehhitis mclAitica, .-Common Skunk.-United States, east of the

Missouri plains and north of Texas.-Very common throughout the

Upper Missouri country.

12. TaXidea antericana, Waterh .-t7issouri Badger.-Iowa and Wiscousin to the Pacific coast, and from Arkansas to 4t)o N. Lat., (to 580 N.

lat., Rich .)-This animal is not rare, though not very abundant oil the

Missouri. It seems to be of very little economical value, except for food

to tile starving Indian .

13 Procyon lotor, Storr.-Common Raccoon .-Massachusetts to I+ lori(la,

and west to Fort Kearney. Not in Southern Texas?-Very abundant

in the vicinity of Council Bluff's, where the s1drr is made a considerablo

article of trade with the Indians. It is not found high up oil the Missouri . The highest point that I have observed it was near the mouth

of the Niobrarrr River, though I have been infortned that they are sometimes seen in the valley of White River.

14. Ursus horribilis, Ord .-Grizzly Bear.-Plains of Upper Missouri to

the Rocky Mountains, and along their,base, thence to the coast of California, (not of Oregon or Washington `)--This formidable animal is still

quite abundant toward the sources of the Missouri. At tile present time

it, is very seldom, if ever, seen below Fort Pierre. But one skin was

taken by our party .

15. Sciurits ludoricianus, Custis.--Western Fox Squirrel.--Mississippi

Valley.--Very abundant about Council Blutfs. Gradually becomes rare,

acid ceases near the rnoutlr of White River.

10% Sciurzts carolinensis, Gm.-Gray Squirrel ; Black Squirrel.-:--Eastern

United States to the Missouri River.---Two specimens of this squirrel

were taken, one near Fort Leavenworth, and the other near the mouth

of tile Platte. It is seldom, if ever, seen above this point.

17. Sciurus frentontii, Towns.-Mountain Gray Squirrel .--A specimen

obtained at Lara.nlie Peak is supposed to belong to this point.

18. Sciurtts hudsonius, Pullas.---Red Squirrel ; Chickaree.--Labrador

(hit. 560) to Mississippi ; and in the United States from the Atlantic to

the Missouri River--Several specimens supposed to be identical with

this species were collected in the Black Hills, and is quite abundant in

the gal: woods of that region.

19. Ta-ntias quadriz" itta-tus, Rich.-Missouri Striped Squirrel .-Upper
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 9

Missouri to Rocky Mountains, and west to the Cascade range. Alocn

the Rocky Mountains as far south as Fort Stanton, New Mexico. La

330 3W.-Very common in the 11 Ba(l Lands" and rocky portions of t

Upl)er Missouri . Seldom, perhaps never, seen below Fort Pierre.

20. 8perm.ophilus frauklini, .Rich.-Gray Gopher.-Northern. Illino

and Wisconsin, and to Mimiesota and Saskatchewan.-Olle specimen 

the above species was taken near the mouth of the Loup Fork of t

Phitte. Quite rare.

_'l . Sj)er)nophilits trideccm-liaaeatus, An(]. .C- Bach.-Striped Gol)he

Prairie Squirrel .-Eastern Michiga-rn to the plains of the Missouri, a

south to Red River, Arkansas, and Fort Thorn, N. M.-Very abunda

on all the prairies of the Northwest .

22. Sphcrmophilus Townseu(lii, Bachman .-Townsend's Spormol)hile 

Rocl:y Mountains to the north .-Several specimens were collected ne

Fort Laran)ie.

23. Cynomys ludoviciamus .-Prairie Dog.-Mill. River and Upp

Missouri ;west toward the Rocky Mountains ; south to Re(l Rive

southwest to the Upper Rio Grande, and a short distance into Sonor

-Very abundant from the mouth of the Niobrara to the mountain

found in great numbers in the valley of the Yellowstone and along t

Missonri above Fort Union .

24. Arctoiuys flai)iventer, Bachuian.-Yellow-footed Marmot.-Bla

Hills, Nebraska.-This animal is very rare, but one specimen havi

been secured on the Upper Missouri. The skins of only two individua

are in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution .

2:i . Castor canadensis, Kuhl.-Alnerican Beaver.-Throughout t

entire area of North Aiuerica.-'The history of this animal is more int

estin(- than that of any other on. the Upl)er Missouri. In the pal

days of the tral)per, the beaver became very scarce in the West ; b

since the price of their fur has become so low as to render the busine

of trapl)ing them an unprofitable pursuit, they have multiplied to 

enormous extent, so that all the little streams flowing from the moun

ains literally swarm with them . Their skins, however, are still a co

siclerable article of trade.

26. Gcomys bursaries, Rich.-Pouched or Pocket Gopher.-Missou

to Minnesota and Nebraska.-Very abundant on the rich botto

around Council Bluffs and BiSiouxg ,- .where they do much mischief 

the gardens. One specimen was taken near the mouth of Big Siou

and a second on the Niobrara.

27 . Thomonu.ys rufescens, Maxim .-Fort Union Gopher.-Fort Pie

to Fort Union on the Missouri .-This gopher seems to take the pl

of the Geomys bitrsarius from Fort Pierre to the mountains. Two sp

imens were collected at Fort Union and one at Fort Randall on 

3Iissonr1 .

08. Jaculus hudsonius.-Jumping Mouse.-Nova Scotia, (Labrad

Pennant,) to Southern Pennsylvania, and west to the Pacific Ocean

Very rare. Only two specimens were obtained near Fort Union.

29. P_ erognathus flavrts, Baird.-Upper Missouri, along eastern slo

of Rock- Mountains to Sonora and Chihuahua ; and along the 

Grande to Matamoras.-Cgllected on the Loup Fork during the su

mer of 1857.

30. Dipodo)?tys ordii, Woodhouse.-Kangaroo Rat.-Platte Riv

along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, into Durango a

Coahuila, Mexico.-A single specimen was taken on the Niobr

River.

31. 31us vausculus, Linn.-Common Mouse .-North America general
94 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

(Introduced.)-Abundant at all the fur-trading posts on the Missouri.

Mus rattus, or Common Rat, is also introduced .

33. Ilesperomys sonoriensis, LeConte.-Sonorian Mouse.-Upper Missouri and Rocl{y

Mountains to I+)1 Paso ,ind Sonora.-Very abundant

near Fort Union and along the Yellowstone. Twenty-five specimens

collected .

33. Ilesperomysleuco(Iaster .-Missouri Mouse.-Plains along the Upper

Missouri .-Very rare ; but two specimens Secured ; one near Bijoux Hills,

the other on Vermillion prairie, and are the only specimens in the museum

of t .lte Smithsonian Institution .

34. Neotoma cinerca .-Ploclcy Mountain Rat.-I~astcrn slope of Northern Rocky Mountains anal IJl)l)er Missouri.-Not rare, but seldom captured ; usually found among the dry trees on the river-bottoms . The

only specimen secured was taken at Fort Sarpy, hear the mouth of the

Big Ilorn River, on the Yellowstone.

35. Arvicolo Ilaydeni, Baird, (n . s.)-Tort Pierre, Nebraska.-But one

specimen of this species has ever been detected .

36. Lelrus campestris, Bach .-Prairie Hare.-Upper Missouri and Saskatehewan plains to the Cascade range of Oregon.-This hare, though

not extremely abundant, is not uncommon in the Northwest, from the

mouth of Niobrara River to the mountains. Four specimens were collected-on the Yellowstone.

37. Lepus sylvaticiis, Bach .-Gray Rabbit.-Froiu Massachusetts

throughout the United States as far as Indianola, Texas? and west to

the Missouri as far as Fort Union, Nebraska.-Found all along the

Missouri River to the mountains, but mostly confined to the wooded

bottoms of the rivers and streams. Eight specimens are in the collection of the expedition.

33 . Lepus artemisia, Bach .-Sage Hare.-Itegions west of the Missouri to the Rocky Mountains, and to the Cascade Mountains of Oregon along the Columbia on the north, and to the city of Chilitialma on

the south .-Abundant in the Bad Lands and on the sage plains of the

Upper Missouri River. Five specimens were obtained by the expedition .

39. Cervus canadensis, Erx1 .-American Elk .-Northern portions of

United States to Upper Missouri, and west to the Pacific . Found in

the Alleghenies of Pennsylvania and Virginia. (North to 570, Rich .)-

Most abundant in the valley of the Yellowstone and along the Missouri

River above Fort Union . Not rare, though less abundant as low (Iowa

the Missouri as Council Bluffs. The collection contains two pairs of

skisis, two of skeletons, with numerous separate skulls, and about

twenty pairs of antlers .

40. Cervus leucurus, Doriglass.-IVhite-tailed Deer.-Upper Missouri

and Platte to the Columbia River and Washington Territory . Western

Texas and New Mexico 1-Very abundant along the river-bottoms ;

most common from Council Bluffs to Fort Pierre. Pour skins, with

numerous separate skins and antlers, were obtained.

41 . Cervus macrotis, Say.-Mule Deer.-Upper Missouri and Platte to

the Cascade range, (head of Des Chutes River.) Oregon Territory.

Not extending to the Pacific. Headwaters of Arlzansas .-1luch more

abundant on the Upper Missouri than the Cervits leucurus . Four s1:ins,

two skeletons, and about thirty separate skulls and horns were collected.

43. Antilccapra americana, Ord .-Prong-horn Antelope ; Cabree.-

Pla.ins west of Missouri, from the Lower Rio Grande to the Saskatchewan, and west to the Cascade and Coast range of the Pacific slope.-This

beautiful and fleet animal is found everywhere on the open grassy plains,
EXPLORATIONS IN NE13RASKA AND DAKOTA. 

from the month of the Niobrara River to the 11Ulmltalns. Our collect

col)talils eight skills entire, Olle slieletoll, :11111 a large tll)Illbl'C Of slill

43. Oris ?noutarta, Ctivier .-l'ighoril ; Momltain Slleel) .-Brok

ground oil the Uj)per 1.lissouri alld Platte. ILocliy Moulltaills general

As far west, at least, as Coast alld Cascade Momltaills of tile Pacif

slolw.-Very abmldmlt ill the rll-o- od alld inaccessible portions of t

Uplwr Missouri, especially tile 11 Mid rJailds ."

41. Bcrs miiericamts, (.x~nc~lill .-r~lnhricall Bulrllo.-Forinerly fou

throu=rhout nearly the whale of North Amoriea, east of the, Rmll

Molllltaills . Now collfilled to the plains «- e.-;t of tilt ; Missouri and alo

the slopes of tile Izocli}- Molllltaills .

4.i . Vesl)crtilio prubtosits, Say.-.c.Ul over the United States east of t

Rocky Monlltaills .

46. Tespcr, tilioitoctiraga-rts,LeColite.-Coil)illoiltllrol) ;llouttllecouu

east of the Roclq Momitains.

47. Vespertilio noraboraceiisis, Gmelitl .

BIRDS .

No 

apuciw

1 .---G'a.tha.rtcs aura, (Lit)ti .11lig. Turkey Buzzard . All of North

America, except the arctic regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

2.-Falco (Falco) aatatimi, Bomlparte. Duck Hawk. North

America, east of the Rocky 11oull taills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

3 .-Falco (Hypotriorchis) colunrbarius, Linn . Pigeon 11awk .

Teml)erate 'North America, Mexico, Central America,

Northern South America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

4.-Falco ((,ertnaia) l)olyagrlts, Cassin. Prairie Falcon. Western North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

5.-Falco (Tinrtttnculvs) sparrcrius, Unit . S1)arrow Hawli.

Entire conthlellt of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

.

-----

6.-Accipitcr mexicanus, Swains. Western North America ._ . 

7.-Butco smahismii, Botlap. Swaiilson's Buzzard. Northern

and Western North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

. . . . . 

S.-Buteo bairdii, Hoy. Baird's Buzzard . Northeru alld Western North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

- 9.-.Buteo (Poecilopterrlis) borealis, (Gtllelill,) Vieill . Red-tailed

I-lawli . Eastern North America ; fur countries ; Cuba ;

Jamaica . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

10.-Archibuteo ferrughteus, (Licht.,) Gray . California Squirrel

Hawk. Western North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

11 .-Circus hudsonhis, (Linn .,) Vieillot. Marsh Hawk. All of

North America mid Cuba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

1`..' .-Bubo virginianus, (Gmelitl,) Boll. Great horned Owl. The

whole of North America. Runs into varieties, atlanticus,

pacificus, arcticus, magellanicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

13.-Ohcs wilsonianus, Lesson. Long-eared Owl. The whole of

Temperate North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

14.-Brachzlotits cassinii, Brewer. Short-eared Owl. The whole

of Temperate North Alllerica ; Greerlla.nd ; Cuba . . . . . . . 

15.-Syrnium nebulosum, (Forster,) Gray . Barred Owl. Eastern North Aulerica ; Fort Tejon, Cal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

16 .-Athene hypugwa, Bonap. Burrowing Owl. From Mississippi River to the Rocky Moutitains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17 .-Conurus carolinensis, (Linn .,) Kuhl. Parakeet. Southern

and Southwestern States, as far west as the Missouri . . . . 
96 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

1N10 .of

specimens.

18.-Coccygus antericanus, (Linn.,) Bonap. Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Eastern Unite(l States to the Missouri plains .----------- 6

19.-Coccygus erythrophthalmus, (Will.,) Bon. Black-billed Cuckoo .

United States to the Missouri plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

20.-Picas (Trichopicits) villosus, Linn . Hairy Woodpecker.

Northern and western regions ; Tar. major, medics,

minor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

21 .-Picus (Trichopicus) pubcscens, Linn . Downy Woodpecker .

Eastern United States, toward the eastern slope of the

Itocky Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

22.-Picoides dorsalis, Baird. Striped Three-toed Woodpecker.

Laramie 1'eak, Rocky Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

23.-Sphyrapicus varius, (Linn .,) Baird. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. Atlantic Ocean to the eastern slopes of Itocky

Mountains ; Greenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

24.-Sphyrapicus thyroideus, (Cass.,) Baird. Brown-headed

Woodpecker. Cascade and Coast range of California

and Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

25.-Centurus carolinus, (Linn .,) Bon. Red-bellied Woodpecker.

North America, from Atlantic coast to the eastern slope

of the Rocky Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

26.-illelanerpes erythrocephalus, (Linn.,) Sw. Red-headed Woodpecker. North America, from the Atlantic to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

27.-Melanerpes torquatus, (tails.,) Bonap. Lewis' Woodpecker.

Western America, from Black Hills to Pacific . . . . . . . . . . 6

28.-Colaptes auratus, (Linn .,) Sw. Flicker. Eastern North

America to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains ;

Greenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

29.-Colaptes mexicanus, Swain. Red-shafted Flicker. Western North Ainerica, from the Black Hills to Pacific . _ . . . 21

29a.-Colaptes hybridus, Baird. Cross between two preceding.

Upper Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30.-Cheatura pelasgia, Stephens. Chimney Swallow. Eastern

United States to the slopes of the Rocky Mountains ;

Bijoux Hills, O. T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

31.Antrostomus nuttalli, (And.,) Cassin. Nuttall's Whippoorwill. High central plains to the Pacific coast . . . . . . . . . 2

32.-Chordeiles popetite, (Vieill.,) Baird. Night Hawk . North

America generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 5

33.-Ceryle (lllVaceryle) alcyo2t, (Linn .,) Boie. Belted Kingfisher. Entire continent of North America . . . . . . . . . . . 2

34.-Tyrannus carol-inensis, (Linn .,) Baird. Kingbird. Eastern North America to Rocky Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

;;5.-Tyrannus verticalis, Say. Arkansas Flycatcher. Western

North America, from the high central plains to the

Pacific ----- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

36.-Sayornis fuscus, (Gm.,) Baird. Pewee. Eastern North

America . . . . . . . . _ . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . 1

37.-Sayornis sayus, (Bon .,) Baird. Say's Flycatcher. Upper

Missouri River and central high plains westward to the

Pacific and south to Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

38.-Contopus richardsonii, (Sw.,) Baird. Short-legged Pewee.

high central dry plains to the Pacific ; Rio Grande valley southward to Mexico ; Labrador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . .
53.-Helminthophaga celata. (Say,) Baird. - Orange-crowned Warfiler. Mississippi River to the Pacific ; south to Northern

Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

54.-Seiurus aztrocapillus, (Linn .,) Sw. Golden-crowned Thrush.

Eastern North America to the Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

55.-Seiurus noveboracensis, (Gm.,) Nutt. Water Thrush. Eastern

United States to the Missouri, and south to Guatemala,

perhaps to Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

56.-Dendroica coronata, (Linn .,) Gray. Yellow Rump . Eastern

North America to the Missouri plains ; stragglers seen on

Puget's Sound . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

57.-Dendroica audibonii,(Towns .,'Baird. Audubon'sWarbler.

Pacific coast of United States to Rocky Mountains ; south

to Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

58.-Dendroica pennsglvanica, (Linn.,) Baird. Chestnut-sided

Warbler. Eastern United States to the Missouri . . . . . . . 

59. Dendroica striata, (Forster,) Baird. Black Poll Warbler.

Eastern North America to the Missouri high plains ;

Cuba ;

Greenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

7 ND

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

11~0 .

" ExTitue

9

of

39.-Entpidotwx tainimus, Baird. Least Flycatcher. Eastern

United States to Fort Bridger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

40.-Turdus (Turdus) ntustelintw, Gin . Wood Thrush. Eastern United Suites to Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

41.-Turdus (Turdus) ,fuscescens, Stephens. Wilson's Thrush .

Eastern North America to the Missouri ; north to fur

countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

42.-Turdus (Turdus) sulainsonii, Cab . Olive-backed T11rusli .

Eastern North America to Fort Bridgcr ; south to 1lexico mud Peru ; north to Greenland ; accidental in Europe

and Siberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

43.-Turdus (Turdus) aliche, Baird. Gray-cheeked Thrttsli .

Mississippi region to the 1'lissouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

44.-Turdus (Planesticus) vtigratorius, Linn . Robin . Coutitient

of North America to Mexico------------------

'

. . . . . . . 

45.-S-ialia sialis, (Lion .,) Baird. Bluebird. Eastern -North

America to west of Missouri ; Fort Laramie . . . . . . . . . . 

46.-Sialia arctica., Sw. Rocky Mountain Bluebird. Upper

Missouri to Rocky- Mountain range, and south to Mexico ;

rare on the coast of California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

47.--Eegultts calendula, (Line .,) Licht. Ruby-crowned Wren .

United States, from Atlantic to Pacific . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 

48.-Anthus ludovicianus, (Gm .,) Licht. Titlark . North America

generally ; Greenland ; accidental in Europe . . . . . . . . . . 

49.Mniotilta vat-ia, (Lion.,) Vieill . Black and White Creeper.

Eastern North America to Missouri River ; south to

Guatemala. Var. longirostris, Baird . Florida --------- 

50.-Parula americana, (Linn .,) Bonap. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler. Eastern North America to Missouri River ; south to

(xuateniala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

51 .-Geothlypis trichas, (Linn .,) Cab. Maryland Yellow throat.

North America, from Atlantic to Pacific . . . . . . . . . . 

52.-Icteria longicauda, (Lawr.) Long-tailed Chat. High central plains of United States to the Pacific ; south into

Mexico . . . . . .,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
98 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

o. ox

apecimcue. 60 .-I)endroica ccstira, (Gm . .) Baird . Yellow Warbler. United

States, from Atlantic to Pacific ; south to Guatemala and

West l.rlclies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

61 .-Dendroica maculo8a, (Gm.,) Baird . Black and Yellow Warbler. 1A,'aStern United States to the Missouri ; south to

Guateimila__ . . . . . . . .__ . . . . . . . . . . .__ . . . . . . . .__ . . . . . . . 1

62.-Setopl«q/cc ruticilla, (Linn.,) Sw. redstart. Eastern United

States to Fort Bridget- ; West Italics ill winter . . . . . . _ . . 7

63.-1'rlrctnga lucloviciana, (Will.,) Bon. Louisialia Tanager.

From the black 11ills to the Pacific ; south to 1'Iexico . _ 2

64,Ilirundo luwrreoruni, Bartoii . Baru Swallow. North Americo, from Atlantic to Pacifi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

65.-Ilirundo lunifrons, Say. Uliff Swallow. North America,

from Atlantic to Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

66.-Cotyle rilmria, (Line .,) Boie. Bank Swallow. INorth America gerle.rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

67.-I'rogne hurl)urea, (Linn .,) Boie. Purple Martin. North

America generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

6S.-Amlmlis cedrorum, (Vieill .,) Baird. Cedar Bird. North

America generally ; south to Guatemala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

69.-111giculestes townsendii, (And.,) Cab. Townsend's Flycatcher.

United States, from rocky Mountains and Black Hills

to the Pacific ; south to the borders of Mexico . . . . . . . . . 1

7t1 .-Collyrio borealis, (Bon .,) Baird . Great Northern Shrike.

Northern regions, ft-oin Athultic to Pacific ; in winter

south, through most of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

71. .-Collyrio excubitoroides, (Sw.,) Baird . White-rumped Shrike.

Missouri plains and fur countries to Pacific coast; eastward into Wisconsin, 11huois, and Michigan ('t) . . . . . . . . . 6

72.-TTireo gilvus, (Vieill .,) Bon . Warbling Flycatcher. Atlantic

to Pacific coilst of the United States ; var. sivainsonii,

Columbia river . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

73.-Vireo (Lanivireo) solitaries, (tails.,) Vieill. Blue-headed

Flycatcher. United States, from Atlantic to the Pacific 2

74,11iinus earolinensis, (Lulu .,) Gray. Catbird. Eastern

United States to Fort Bridger-_ . . . . . . . . . 3

75.-Oreoscohtes naontanus, (Towns.,) Baird. Mountain llockingbird. Rocky Mountains, from Fort Bridge south

to Mexico ; along valley oC Gila and Colorado ; San

Diego, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

76,IIaq)orhynchits rufus, (Liun.,) Cab. Brown Thrush. Eastern North America to Missouri River, and perhaps to

bi-h central plains, unless replaced by a long-tailed

variety, (11. longicaitda) _--- .------------------------ 6

77.-Sa.lhhictes obsoletus, (Say,) Cab. Rock Wren. High central plains, through the rocky Mountains to the Cascade range, (but not on the Pacite coast 11) Fort Tejon . 6

7S.-Cistothorics (Telnaatodytes) halustris, (tails.,) Cab. Longbilled Marsh Wren . North America, from Atlantic to

Pacific ; north to Greenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

7 9.-Cistothorus (Cistothorus) stellaris, (Licht.,) Cab. Shortbilled Marsh Wren. Eastern United States to the Loup

Fork of Platte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

St) .-Troglodytes acdon, Vieill . House Wren. Eastern United

States to the Missouri, or to the high central plains . 1
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

No. 

specirio

S1.-Troglodytes parkniartni, And . Parkulan's Wren. WeAtern

America, front the high central plains and Upper Missouri to tale P,,lci fic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . 

82.-Sitta. cauadcnsis, Linn. Red bellied Nuthatch. North

America to the Rocky Mountains, probably also to the

1'aclfic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

S3 .-Polioptila cwridea, (Linn .,) So-lat. tune-gray Flyeatcher.

Uiiited States, from Atlantic to Alissouri, and oil the

southern border from tile Gulf of Alexico to tile COlSt

rnoulltalns of Calitorni;l, south to (x11a'-'einala . . . . . . . . . . . . 

S4.-.Lophophanes bicolor, (Linn.,) Boil. Tufted Titmouse. Eastern North tkinerica to the Missouri River, or else replaced there by a L. missur -ensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

S5.-P_ arns selrtentrio italis, Harris. Lout;-tailed Chickadee. INIissouri River to the Rocky Mountains, or else replaced

there by I'. albescerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56,J_'reniopltila corauta, (tails.,) Boie. Shy Lark. Everywhere

oil the prairies and desert plains of North America ; Atlantic States in winter. A smaller variety oil the weste.rll plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ . . . . ._

S7.-Carlxrclcreuslrttrlrur~errs, (Gel .,) Gray. Purple Finch . North

Alilerica, front Atlantic to the high central plains . . .

SS.-Chrysoinitris tr-istis, (Lien .,) Bon . Yellow Bird. North

America generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

S9.-Chrysowitris pines, (tails.,) Bon. Pine Finch. Nort11

America,, from Atlantic to Pacific .------ -------------- 

90.-Currirostra am.ericana, (Will.) Red Crosslrill. North

America generally, coming southward ill winter. Resident in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Perhaps var.

mexicana in Rocky Mountains . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . 

91.-Curvirostra leucoptera, (Gin .,) Wils. White-winged Crossbill. Northern parts of North America generally .. _ . .,

93.-Plectrophanes (Centror)ltanes) ornatus, Towns. Chestnutcollared Bunting. Plains of the Upper Missouri .-------- 

93.-Plearophanes :1Centrophanes) 7nelanomus, Baird. Eastern

slope of the Rocky Mounts iris ; Mexico, on the tablelands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

.

-------------

94.-Plectrophanes (Rhynchophaaes) maccownii, Lawn Eastern

slopes of Rocky Mountains ; from Fort Thorn, N. M., as

far east as the' Black Hills, north of the Platte . . . . . . . . . 

95.-Passerculus savanna, (Will.,) Bon . Savannah Sparrow.

Eastern North America to the Missouri plains . . . . . . . . . .

96.-Pocecetes gramineus, (Gin .,) Baird. Grass Finch. United

States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific ; or else one

species to the high central plains, and another from this

to the Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

97.-Cotttrrticttlus passerines, (tails.,) Bou . Yellow-win ;red Slrarrow. Eastern United States to the hi-h central plains,

(Loup Fork ;) also along the valley of Gila and Colonldo 1

9S .-Coturniculus henslowi, (And .,) Lou. Henslow's Buntill~.

Eastern United States as far north as Washington ;

westward to the Loup Fork of Platte . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . 

99.-Chondestes grarmnaca, (Sly,) Bon . Lark Finch. From

Wisconsin and the prairies of Michigan to Pacific coast ;

south to Texas and Mexico on the plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
100 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

No. of

specimens .

100.-Zonotricltia levcophrys, (Forster,) Sw. White-crowned

Sparrow. United States, from Atlantic to the Rocky

Mountains, where they become mixed up with Z. gantbelii ; Greenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

701 .-Zonotricltia gambelii, (Nutt.,) Gambel . Rocky Mountains

to the Pacific coast ; Fort Bridger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

10_`.' .-Zonotriclda querula, (Nutt.,) Gamb. Harris' Finch. Missouri River, above Fort Leavenworth . . . . .

. . .

. .

------

2

103.-Zonotrichia albicollis, (Gm.,) Bon. White-throated Sparrow. Eastern United States to the Missouri . . . . . . . . . . 13

104.-Junco oregovtm, (Towns.,) Sclat. Oregon Snowbird . Pacific; coast of the United States to the eastern side of the

Rocky Mountains ; stragglers as far east as Fort Leavenworth in whiter, and Great Bend of Missouri . . . . . . . . 2

105.-Junco caniceps, (Woodh .,) Baird. Rocky Mountains, from

Black Hills to Fort Bridger and San Francisco ; mountains of New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . .

2

10G.-Junco hyemalis, (Linn.,) Sclat. Snowbird. Eastern United

States to the Missouri, and as far west as Black Hills . . 3

107 .-Spizella monticola, (Gm.,) Baird. Tree Sparrow. Eastern

North America to the Missouri ; also on Pole Creek and

Little Colorado River, New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

108.-Spizella pusilla, (Will.,) Bon. Field Sparrow. Eastern

North America to the Missouri River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

109.-Spizella socialis, (Will.,) Bon. Chipping Sparrow. North

America, from Atlantic to Pacific . . 2

110.-Spizella pallida, (Sw.,) Bon. Clay-colored Bunting. Upper Missouri River and higli central plains to the Saskatchewan country . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

111.-Melospiza (Melospiza) melodia, (Will.,) Baird. Song Sparrow. Eastern -United States to the high central plains . . 2

112.-Melospiza (pielospiza) lincolnii, (And.,) Baird. Lincoln's

Finch. United States, from Atlantic to Pacific, and

south through Mexico to Guatemala. . . . . - . - - . - - - . . - - .

113.--Melospiza (Helospiza) pahmtris, (tails.,) Baird. Swamp

Sparrow. . Eastern Uuited States, from the Atlantic to

the Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1

114.-Calamospiza bicolor, (ToNvus.,) Bon. Lark Bunting. High

Central Plains to the Rocky Mountains ; southwesterly

to valley of Mimbres and Sonora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

115.-Euspiza americana, (Gm.,) Bon. Black-throated Bunting.

United States, from the Atlantic to the border of the

high central plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 17

116.-Guiraca (Goitiophea) ludoviciaeta, (Liun.,) Sw. Rose-breasted

Grosbeak. Eastern United States to the Missouri

plains ; south to Guatemala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

117.-Guiraca (Goniaphea) melanoeejAala, Sw. Black-headed

Grosbeak . High central plains, from Yellowstone to

the Pacific ; table lands of Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

118.-Guiraca cwrulea, (Linn.,) Sw. Blue Grosbeak. More

Southern United States, from Atlantic to Pacific ; south

to Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

119,-Cyanospiza ama;na, (Say,) Baird. Lazuli Finch. High

central plains, to the Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ica, from high central plains to the Pacific ; east to

Pembina, and perhaps to Wisconsin 

130.-Icterus s1purius, (Line.,) Bon. Orchard Oriole. United

States, from the Atlantic to the high central plains ;

probably throughout Texas ; south to Guatemala. . _ . 

131 .-Icterus Baltimore, (Linn.,) Daaulrn . Baltimore Oriole.

From Atlantic coast to the high central plains, and in.

their borders ; south to Guatemala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

132.-Icterus Bullockii, (Sw.,) Bon. Bullock's Oriole . I1igh

central plains to the Pacific ; rare on Upper Missouri ;

South into Mexico ------ --------------------------- 

= 133 -Scolecophagus frr-rtffineus (Gna .,) Sw . Rusty Blackbird.

From Atlantic coast to the Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

134.-Scolecopkagus cyanocephalus, (Wagl.,) Cab. Brewer's Bhac",kbird. High central plains to the Pacific ; south to 111exico ; Pembina ; Minnesota . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

135.-Quiscalus versicolor, (Linn.,) Vieill . Crow Blackbird.

Atlantic to high central plains ; Fort Bridger --------- 

136.-Corvus carnivorus, Bartram. American Rax- en . Entire

continent of North America; rare east of the Mississippi . . . ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

137.-Corvtcs americanus, And. Common Crow. North America

to the Missouri region ; also on the coast of California p

(Not found on the high central plains?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

138.-Picicorrus columbianus, (tails.,) Bon. Clark's Crow . From

Rocky Mountains to Pacific ; east to Fort Kearney . . . . 

139.-Pica hudsonica, (Sabine,) Bon. Magpie. Arctic regions

of North Arnerica ; the United States, from the high

central plains to the Pacific, north of California . 

140.-Cyanura quacrolophus, Biird. Long-crested Jay. Central

line of Rocky Mountains to the table-lands of Mexico . . 

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

No

1

o

120.-Cccrdittalis viiginiattits, Bonaparte. Red Bird. More south-'

portions of the United States to the Missouri ; probably along valley of Rio Grande to Rocky Mountains- 

121 .-Pipilo erythrophthalmus, (Lieu .,) Vieill . Ground Robin.

Eastern United States to the Missouri River. . . . . . . . . 122. Pipilo aretieus, Sw. High central plains of Upper Missouri, Yellowstone, and Platte ; Fort Bridger . . . . . . . . . . 

123.-Pipilo chlortcrus, (Towns.,) Baird. Blanding's Finch. Valley of Rio Grande and Gila. Rocky Mountains north

to the South Pass ; south of Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

124.-Dolich.ongx orgzivorus, (hrrall .,) Sw. Boblink. Eastern

United States to Fort Bridger, Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

125,llolothrus pecoris, (Gm .,) Sw. Cow Bird. United States,

from the Atlantic to California ; Fort Bridger . . . . . . . . 

126.-Agclaius phaniccu.s, (Limn .,) Vieill . Swamp Blackbird .

United States, from Atlantic to Pacific--------------- 

137.-~Tccnihocclzlta-lus ictcrocel~lccdzts, (I3ou.,)13~aird . Yellow-headed.

Blackbird. Western America, from Texas, Illinois,

Wisconsin, and North Red Ri%, er to California ; soutli

into Mexico ; Greenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

128. -Sturnella magna, (Linn .,) Sw. Meadow Lark . Eastern

United States to the high central plains ; south to

Mexico ; Cubal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

129.-Sturnella neglecta, And. Western Lark. Western Amer-
In? EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

0. of

SIICC11llellS.

111 .-Perisoreus canadensis, (Linn .,) Bon . Canada .Tai~ . Northern Aitlet'l( ;a itlto t11e Ilurtll('1°11 Harts of the United States,

front Atlantic to Pacific ; farther south in lkocky Moulltaills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1-12-I,etopistes 9n9(jratori(l, (31 .3111)1 .,) S«' . Wild Pigeon . North

America to high central phiins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1-1 :1 .-Y,cmai(Irt)w carolinew;is, (l~illu .,j Boll. Common Dove.

Throtirhout United States, front z\tl~llltic to Pacific ;

1111,1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . .

111-l ;tr()o ohscuru8, Say. Dusky Grouse. lflach Hills of

Nehraska to Cascade Motintains of (.)re-1111 and Wasltil1 .t(t)) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G

1-1 :P .-Cell lroccrczm urop)hasianz(s, (Boll .,) Sw. Cock of tilt Phlms.

Sage phtills of the Northwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

11t~.-I'(vIi(x'ccles phasianellus, (Lint1 ,) 11aird . '3111 .11-1) - tafed

Grouse. Northern prairies and phlitl8, from \Viscollsilt

to (Alscades of Oregon 1111d titi ashill-torn . _ _ . . _ . . . . . _ . .

14i,Cv)pidol)ia ci(lrido, (Lilill .,) 11aird . Pr:lirie Hell . westerlt

prairies and plains, within the limits of the Ullited

States, east of the l :ocky Alountains ; solitheast to (1 .11-

catiietl, Louisialm ; east to Pocono Mountains ; Pennsylvania, Long 181,11111, ltandd eaeteI'll coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1-18.-Orty.X' ')' ;')'(ji))2(19l')(s, (IJ1111.,) .131()11 . Partridge ; Quail.

14"'Istern United States to the high central plains . . . . - 1

149.-(31)'2(8 a-n)cricanus, (Lime .,) Ord. NN'hooping Crane. Florida

and Texas ; stranglers ill Mississippi vafey . . . . . . . . . . 1

O.-11-r(ett herodias, Linn . Great Blue 1-lercnl . Thron-pout

the entire territory of the United States ; West Indies_ . 1

151,Potaurt(s lenti!ji2)ost(s, Steph. Bittern . Entire conthlent

of North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . `3

152,Ch(madrit(s 2'ocil'e)'us, Cassill . Killdeer. Nortlt

America to the arctic regions ; Me-.\ico ; South America 5

(Oxychus) mcifi-rus, (Linn .,) Cassill . Killdeer.

North America to the arctic regions ; 31exico ; Soutli

America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

:hgiatitis(UxI/echus)2))ontanits, ('Towns.,) Cassin . M(`lun"tolli

4

plo\- er. Western North America ; Fort Bridger alltl'

Fort Tejcm----------- . . . ._ . .- . ._

'

_ _ 5

(~fg((tlet(s) mclodus, (Ord.,)Cah. Piping Plover. _

Eastern (''oast of North America ; Nelbrasha ; Louisiana . 31-1

1JtJ .-Reeut"virostra an)ericana, Gin . American Avoset. All of

Temperate North America ; Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

157.-Phalarop)(s i.rilsonii, San. Wilson's Phalarope . Entire

Temperate regions of North America ; New Mexico . . . (

158 .-Philohcla n)ia)or, (Gm.,) (tray. American Woodcock .

Eastern North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

159 .-Gallinago wilsonii, (Temm .,) Bon . English Snipe. Entire

temperate regions of North America ; California, . . . . . . . 4

160.-Tringa (Actodromas) tcilsonii, Nuttall. Least Sandpiper.

Entire Temperate North America . . .

.

. . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1G1.-T-)~i))ga(Acto~l)'ot)i(ts) ho'na1)arth, Schlegel. North America,

east of the Rocky Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .

1G_' .-Erevnetes petrificatus,111. Semi-palmated Sandpiper. En2

tire temperate regions of North America ; South Amerlea ; varying much in size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 10

sIli-cinic

163.-G(trubcttct mclauoleitca, ((xtn .,) Bon . Tell-tale ; Stolle

of North America and 1'iurope . . . . . .

------

.

175.-Ncttiort crccca, (I,illll .,) Kallp. Ellglish Teal. lalrope --------- ; acci(lelltNll oil tdo~ eastern coast of the United States . _ . .

176.-biter(/ucd(d(c discors, (l .illll .,) Steph. 1>llle-1\1llged Tel .

l:asterii North. America to Rocky Mountains. Not yet

fouled oil the 1'aeitic. coast nor in Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . 

177,tl)(dulcc cly!)er(t(t, (Lilm .,) lloie. Shoveler. Continent of

North America ; abun(lant in Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . 

178.-Marecaamericamc, (Gm .,) Stephens, BaMpate_; American

Wi(lgeon . Continent of Nou'th Aulerica - accidental in

ljnrope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

179.-Aix spousa, (Lime .,) Iloie. Summer Duck. Continent of

North America . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

180.-F.rismattwa ritbida, Bon . Ruddy Duck . Whole of

North America ; abundant throughout the interior_ . . . 

181.-Alergits amerieauus, Cass. Sheldrahe. Whole of North

America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.---------------182.-Lophodytes cucullatus, (I :inn.,) Reich. Hooded Merganser.

Whole of North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

183.-Laws delawarensis, Ord. The Icing-billed Gull. Arctic

America, Texas to Labrador, western rivers, northwest coast . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

184.-Sterna freuata, Gambel . The Least Tern. Texas to Labrador ; western rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

185.-Hydrochelidon plumbea, (Will.) The Short-tailed Tern.

Texas to the New England States ; Mississippi Itiver

and tributaries ; fur countries . . . . . - . _ . . . . _ _ . . . - . - . . _ 

186.-1'odicelts califbrnicus, Heermann . California Grebe. Western North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ctirle11' . 11,astenl mid Northern North America . . . _ . _ _ . 

169 .-Porz((ua (Por-ntua) caroli.uct, Vieill . Common li :ail . Elltire

temperate regions of North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

170.-Fidica (rmeri(+(cur(, (irmelin . Coot. Entire temperate re_

iolls of Nol.tll Hill(Erica----------------------------

171 .-Cy~/rrrr., bitccmator, Rich. Trumpeter Swan . Western

America, froill the Mississippi 'Valley to tilt Pacific' .__ . 

172.-B(, )')ticla (Lcucoblcpharou) cvcuadcllsis, (11- .illll.,) Boie. Call<Mla

(loose. 1Vhole of North America. Accidental ill

hurolle . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . ._ . . . .___ ._____ ._- ._ . . . . . .___ 

173.- tu((s bo.sehas, (Litln.,) Mallard . Eiitire emitinent of North

America and greater part of Old Worl(I . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

174 .-1)(t/ila acitta, (Limi.,) Jellylls. Sprig-tail ; Pill-tail . Whole

Siiipe . Entire temperate regions of North America.

Mexico . . ------

------

164,1Ar!acopliilits soliftritts, 1>oti . Solitary S'l ]Id pi per.

Elltlre tell) perate regions of North l1 .llleric.l . N1vxico . . 

165.-Trbr(!oides macidarius . (Liull .,) (xray. Spotted S.'I'll(lpiper .

1'.laire Temperate North America ; Ore-on . Accllleiltal

illhllrope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . 

166 .,tctititrits bartramirts, (Will .,) Bon . Field Plover. Eastern

-North Alilerica ; Solltll America. 1+)llrope . . . . . . . . . . . 

167.--Limos(( fcdoa, (Lima .,) Ord . Entire temperate rel;ions of

\ortli America . South :America . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

. . . . .

.

168.-1rtutcrrirts (L'!i(t-r)Lrtr .s) bor'c((lts, ( h`ln'st .,) Lath-,till. hiS(lllllliall\
1()4 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

FISHES.

A series of the principal fishes inhabiting, the Missouri arld its triblrtaries were collected alrd preserved in alcohol, and are lrow deposited

in tile rrlrtsetrrrr of tile Srrrithsonian Institrttion . A, portion are still tilldescribed, and of those already deterurilred, 1)r. Girad has verb kindly

furnished me tile following list

1 . Mizostedion Wrens, Grd . Fort Union, :Mo .

.: . Gctstc?"ostetlti llretlT2stll7rs, Kirt] . Yellowstone River.

3. 11mhlwlon yrunnicus, Ratin. Mills Niver.

4. Piwtclod?rs oliraccus, Grd. Yellowstoue Uiver.

. 1Voltrr°tts faius, Rafn. Yellowstone RiVer .

(i . ('rc-rpiwlcs damrdis, Grd . Fort Pierre.

7. I'tychostowtus Ilcgtdcui, Gird. Yellowstone River.

S. Aeonrus yriscus, Grd . Platte Itiver.

!l . Acourus lactarins, Grcl. Milk :River.

1() . Cotostomus Nttclrlii, Grd . Mill: River.

11 . I'imcphalcs .. itsciattts, (rd . illill : Nivcr.

1 :' . Il9G+)ywtthrrts arygrilis, Grd, Mill: River.

1 :i . .llgboyuothns .Erarrsi, Grd . Fort Pierre .

14. 11 ryyrens cl ulcris, Grd . Sweetwater.

1 :i . Poyotrichtlrys co-mmunis, (Ird . 'Hill: River.

:Iii . (aukio yclidus, GiA. Alilk liver .

17. Lcucosonr-us dissimrlis, (,rd . Milk Itiver.

18. Let(coscrrttus -»tacrocephid us, Grd. Fort Pierre .

1!). NOcornis 'rtelJrasee'nti'iS, Grd. Sweetwater.

`:0. Xcruotil?ts speciosus, Grd . Platte River.

::1. l'Iargyrtts lurtcructni, Grd . Sweetwater.

'. llyodoir teryis?ts, Iiesa . Fort Stirpy, Yellowstone.

Ati'caphi)-htPrchus plcttyrhptchus, I aird . Upper MisSouri .

2'4. 1'ol ycrdon fuli ant, Lacep. Fort, Pierre.

REPTILES.

A lame collection of reptiles was nrircli~ froiii illl harts of the Upper

illissonri, and it is probablcthat tile following;- list represents clitite fully

that portion of the Nebraska fimtra . The species have lwen identified

lrv Professor Ii.rirtl and Mr. I: . _l(etirricott, and the lrecirueus are deposit~d ill the museum of the Swithsonian Inst.rtiltion .

1 . Tricruy.r . -Yellowstone River.

2. ];'rays cltyfttrts . Ycllu~~~stotre Eiver.

3. ],mats . Mouth Powder River.

4. Cishrdo. Dlonth Powder River.

. Crottdrts con tlucxt?rs, Say. Yellowstone R-fiver .

0. Crofitlophorrrs terycmirttts, I=Iolb . Yellowstone River.

7. .Euh(hritr wirtalis var. Parietalis, I3. & G. Loup Fork.

ti, 10ctirtict. S'rrrd trills.

1) . 11'eroditt sipcdon, 13. & G. Yellowsiotre River.

10. Wcicrodoit ?rasic?rs, 1> . & G. Sand hills of Loup Fork.

11 . 1'ittmpltis sagi, .11 . .C (i . Sand hills of Lotrp Fork .

1?. Amphibolrts sayi. Fort Ilenton oil Missouri I:iver .

13. Pctscctuiort,llarirentris. Mead of Loup Fork.
t

of sit no gill aaddjl .znoss!K i

11t~~ollol :a ul'111t au saspcluloo HE 11 1 0 amm-Ilsoal I)um [ , put sllolls

u! st[p 'Salunoa u

(

11 iul ~tl an punol tit atll jo otp pogI1LI .IVA SIal ~1`1tat1 oslm

(AS) fulan lvailuapI I11jn atp modoangl 'l! v11e7joInd

vintrpa 

'slayunu 31 : 5111 av . Itlouln oaam palwit of ipHdtlso nip luiod

11111LII liga(l .1 1)aallo1 .i Slsuoieaa( ut n~al sapllvaul : pil't .1a111oCl!ISa (

11L1115 s1111,0a1s '0Aoc1U

J0

01`11 .Id SIsnoina IIMottzl soia0ds l1` st gill

))ppsoo .%~ : s1 ptitigl u! `sI)1aaSa1 .~Igvduad "up 41100 . Iloptl(I! jo

44

`sopods x111 11,1111uu [llaq o 1)anaasaad It! , '11`)(10011

ac~j 0111 Isoilt :(1 .11 1 : jV!A1IIII " valczdauy ?t(aPliVTj st gill SIllo .lod ;~I Spa

lultlo,l u1` osoill 'suoi4aa S,)IIj, .mV ', -null 

.',11)aIMoua ,lo 0111 s0!'-)ads

osalslIalls .111 0, I1t Io `0111Ln SL 501II uJa03 0111 Isatj tlut111(1ialllo0 of

aoil

p,ull:11`1 tlllll .11 111! .4 .i jva :) 'oau I glom[ Otp l, .4tgmollo s1txl,lllaa atoll

; .1,)111[[ aa,)n .t1 , )1llulsltt : 1)

all! Jute[ `RII,)(Is:)ilIm II gaom

:1

'~ "

Ak "

.

.t1V

: 1 .l )1' ,, I tit .~[tL~ .l,)ltli .) ilils .~ ul gill ."oloo! 'Ist a

.0.iillt~)tl1)O1il lit -~t! :n .lall s Sproll gill 'mm's gill s1, .1 .4a stmv 0111 -101`11

.(,C .~a1) saaa .1()It 1p al)t11p1'l " oaoll fit ilaa", , In asllallillil : :0x1 1 lo.

.

:) 14 .1S-= s la'l ()_ : ) .1 . :1-101 . .1`-1- `c) - .llo a~ill su "` .10111 ()i) .III oI" .r~,[Il)s1nl11 :q Sl . 11'

., I)JOA!J1 3o all) .1()A 111 : .It a .t(1111a .w po' III ) 0III r ?

": ~aldt SO' 0111 .10ltsn S I() ,

: I)tlt .mdsll!jr .~ ` 1)111, ,,!III st 0111 .zout o

- u1 l 

IV :111Q11tn `t1t 1JLinIV

11o10 . 0111 ,)tIILS .)d .) .)1 `s : s1 ant 1)[111 .Iana S ',)(to ,lo uloill q 0111 onl()

s0pod.kl lll() 0,80111 .1 01()1110 .x1,8[[) SaAOaII,81`,8)1` 01 sn alp Imomis-ol)tn -stI)

i(I(its1)111, 1)J,I.1,)_111`1 lo . ail il1noN at1J, aQpol"onq .I()

: 1 1aml to

st,

[lank su Iutp .lo

all[ tanosg1V .l .gl aa : 1)111 11 :1[ .11 1 .l() alit JOAUVI

a() alt[ (qtl() JOAIU l1'lll

`owns1` :o1t 'Spli 3tjolt `a1Q alp `gums s'v

.11); oat Illols)1ij1!s ()1 .tatd o :111 X11 ,olooz , 1m)L~ `,)lit os j at sI, .1 poIlloSamia

.1 :111asA1dJ .m!J1 s .l() 5!111 :mltm(I 11 jo alt[ ;1 : .111`)1 1' ao asalp :) 111!()

.)

) .il :lslllt)a sa~l!l : 1)[11 'It' some Jo . 'Ivoa .Iod :11os 11 :I1 .iillt ;1 .I ~ plttolls

s1

1()11 of act 1)uolsao1)uu :lp jt aalllta lo " osolp sllopoolloa I :1" 01[1 aapinl

Mr

SSla . 

Joaongj otp (tpaog poll

.)1[1I1a~1 .[,1ll0 [110 all[ C ,1 '[)iloil() ;lclo 1)o11tt .1d

< :llil :i11(IIJI)t I .)v :111latu,' it! .1 :) .11 : .1'1 1) ul ;)lIl : .~0(ll 4) :) -00[11) 1

ti>1 em~loq ~up

111 oulos

x

:litt,l .)1)-t :11[(1[ d() 

:-.mt olp .) I)alua(lop' .) :)llcr .11()101 i `1

'pnosst14 .T, oil .t_l ,) :n-ll .1J11 "Ilolls .111 .[0 :) .k 5ao _~IIutp[ :zo ;ulltllt p Scl

1N1110111) atll ImaAas suogjpadw my sul)lxun sll()11mml ,1() all[

;111 ;) .1 ~Illls,) sopas 3o .z .)~) .) '11t ~u11 . 1 : a111t lu1m pllta ;u"o1v m)t .1,)11 0

i c'0

ILN510321 'W)SA'I'1014

tR .t ttolr) . "

j o/irj ypnor/poox

jf o/ir YN/Ortll00

()/lq/ .r-)rttr) .>t 'Sr1rtP

mrt(j

.u,y,l trnyuy .r .y(Lr '~rlt}nor,(/t(

trr)~)oa)a~,y/ .(ury mttrr/})rr

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06 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

FLUVIATILE SHELLS.

1. Unio alatus, Say . Big Sioux River.

2. Unio levississimus, Lea . Big Sioux River.

3. Unio luteolus, Lam. Big Sioux River.

4. Unio asperimus, Lea. Big Sioux River.

h. Unio rectos, Lea. Big Sioux River.

6. Unio elcgans, Lea. James River.

7. Urio zizzag, Lea. White Earth River.

S. Unio anadontoides, Lea. Jaines River.

9. Magaritana complanata, Lea. Fort Clark. i n Missouri.

10, Anadonta Ferussaciana., Lea. White River, Nebraska,.

11 . Lymnea elodes, Say. Mouth Big Sioux River.

12. Lynrnca nuttalliana, Lea:. Mouth Big Sioux River.

1:3 . Lymnea humilis, Say. Mouth Big Sioux River.

1_4 . Lymnea llaydeni, Lea. Mouth Big Sioux River.

15, Lymiiea Kirtlandiana, Lea . Mouth Big Sioux River.

16. Lymnea u-nebrosa, Say. Grindstone Creel:, Nebraska Territory.

17 . Lymnea lubr-icoides, Lea. Grindstone Creek, Nebraska Territory .

18. l,,yrrnrzca 1'ltilaclelphica, .Let,t . Grinclstcrrre Creek, Nebra,ska Territory.

19. Planorbis bicar-inatus, Say. Mouth Big Sioux River.

20. Planorbis trivolvis, Say . Mouth Bits Sioux River.

21 . Planorbis lentos, Say. Mouth Big Sioux River.

22. Planorbis parvus, Say. '.Mouth Big Sioux River.

23. Planorbis campanulatus, Say. Mouth Big Sioux River.

24. Physa hetcrostropha. Mouth Bid; Sioux River.

25. I'hysa integra ?, Hald . Jtilouth Big Sioux River.

26. Phpa elongata, Say. Alouth Big Sioux River.

27. Physa ampularia, Say. Mouth Big Sioux Eiver.

28. I'sidiuon -? Grindstone Creek.

29. Cyclas -? Grindstone Creek .

30. Daphnia -? Grindstone Creek.

31. Amnicola porata, Say. Fort Berthold.

32. Amnicola lapidaria, Say. Fort Berthold.

LAND SHELLS.

33. Helix minusczda, Binney. Council Bluffs, Nebraska. Territory .

34. llelix lincata, Say. Council bluffs, Nebraska Territory .

35. helix striatella, Anthony. Comwil Bluff:,, Nebraska Territory .

36. Ilclix irz flecta, Say. Council Bluffs, Nebraska Territory .

37. _Helix hirsuta, Say. Council Bluff's, Nebraska 'territory .

38. 11clix solitaria, Say. Council Bluff's, Nebraska Territory.

39. helix alternata, Say. Council Bluff's, Nebraska, Territory .

40. Ifelix elerata, Say. Council Bluffs, Nebraska Territory .

41. Ilc!lix .fcdlax, Say. Council Bluffs, Nebraska Territory .

42. llclix corrcava, Say. Council Bluff's, Nebraska Territory .

43. Ilelix hi(lera, Say. Council Bluff's, Nebraska Territory .

44. l1cli.x- pro/'urzcla, Say. Near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory.

45. helix multil-ineata, Say . Near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory.

46. Ifelix nzonodon, R.ackett. Near Fort Leaven worth, Kansas Territory .

47 . 11clix ptclchella, hull . Near Fort Lea,venwort11, Kansas Territory .

48. llclo.- c.ostata, 11 rr11 . Near Fort. Lc avenworth, Kansas Territory- .

49. I1clix arborea, Say. 1lritt on the Missouri, near Fort Berthold .

hll . Iii-fix chercsiua, say. l) : Io oll the Mi " sorlri, near Fort Berthold .

51. 11clix ctectrbur, (lould . Drift on the Missouri, near Fort Berthold.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 10 

52. Helix cooperi, (new spec.,) Binney. Black Hills, Nebraska Territor

53. Pupa nebraskana, (new spec.,) W. G. Binney. Fort Berthold7 N

braska Territory .

54. Pupa blandi, (new spec.,) W. G. Binney. Fort Berthold.

55. Papa arntigera, Say. Fort Berthold.

56. Pupa pcntodon, Say. Council Bluff's, Nebraska Territory.

57. Pupa modesta, Say. Council Bluffs, Nebraska Territory .

58. Pupa, badia, Adams. Council Bluffs, Nebraska Territory.

59. Bulimits lubricus, Mull. Fort Berthold, on Missouri .

60. ~`ucchtea i~emsta, Say. Yellowstone.

61. 8itcci.nea retusa, Lea. Yellowstone.

62. 8ucci-nea hapdeni, (stew spec.,) W. G. Binney. Yellowstone.

63. Succinca lineata, (new spec.,) W. G. Binney. Fort Union and Ye

lowstone.

64. Succinea nutta?limia, Lea. Fort Union.

65. b'uccinca obliqua., Say. Fort Berthold, Nebraska Territory .

BOTANY.

The collection of recent plants from the Upper Missouri is very lar

and numerous in species . Comparatively few of them have 1>ee

determined and their names presented in this list. The complete cat

logue, with the necessary- remarks and descriptions of new species, wi

appear in the final reliort.

The vegetation of Kansas and the southern and soutbeastern portio

of _-Nebraska is luxuriant in the highest degree. The broad botto

prairies of the Missouri, from Council Bluff's to the tuouth of the Ni

brara, are of inexhaustible fertility, sustaining a vegetation variable 

its character and of enormous growth. The upland prairies possess 

soil comliosed of yellow marl, well adapted to agriculture and grazin

All that portion of Nebraska which borders upon the Missouri, for o

hundred to one hundred and fifty miles into the interior, is alrea

settled to a great extent, and the traveler sees in prospective many 

the fittest fauns in the West. The beautiful valley of the Platte cann

be surpassed for fertility of soil and the variety and luxuriimce of i

vegetation . Scarcely- a, section of land call be seen at the present ti

that is not already occupied by the courageous and persevering pionee

and made to yield most abundant crops. Sufficient timber occu

along the banhs of ravines and streams for all economical purpose

After li,issing above latitude 430, the soil becomes less tertile, clima

inuch drier, and vegetation less luxuriant. The whole country, thoug

well ad,ipted for the purposes of pasturage, is not well suited f

agriculture, except in comparatively- few localities. There is very litt

timber but that which skirts the streams, and consists for the most pa

of cottonwood, elfin, ash, and boxwood . 1.keaching the mountains, 

the bear's Paw, Snowy, Girdle, Black Hills, or Laramie Hills, an ine

haustible supply of pine timber is found, with many other varieties 

trees common to the northern regions . The numerous broad valleys 

the Black Hills possess a very fertile soil and abound ill springs of pur

water, and the time cannot be far distant when this region as well 

the country- around Fort Larande will be settled by a thriving popul

tion, and the vast forests of pine rendered serviceable to the wants 

man .

That there is a marked improvement in the character of the count

as we approach the mountains has already been noticed in publish

reports. The valley of the Yellowstone liver, after passing the mout
108 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

of the Big Horn, is spoken of by both traders and Indians as quite

fertile, abounding with excellent timber, tine clear springs of water,

and a luxuriant vegetation. The Crows, who now possess this region,

regard it as the finest country in the world. The immense beds of

gypsum, of the Jurassic formation, along the eastern slope of the Rocky

Mountains, some of which are twenty feet in thickness, would furnish

an inexhaustible supply of that excellent fertilizer.

Much might be said in regard to the influence of soil, climate, geological structure, &c., upon the vegetation of the Upper Missouri, as well

as the geographical distribution of species ; but time will not permit,

though many facts have been gathered bearing upon these points.

These will appear with the more complete catalogue when the final

report is published.

The following meteorological notes were taken at Fort Pierre and

Vicinity in the spring of 1855, and though very brief may prove of some

interest :

March 7.-Weather fair ; grass starting tip fresh and green near Black

Hills. Grasshoppers and ants quite active. Antelope returning to the

open prairies from their winter home in the north.

March 8.-Weather very fine and warm. Saw common striped snake,

(Eutainia parietalis.)

March 9.-Saw red-headed woodpecker, (31elanerpes erythrocephalus,)

and in company with it a beautiful black glossy woodpecker about the

same size, (Melanerpes torquatus.)

March 10.-Saw two fine plants on the south side of Bear Peak, six

hundred feet above the level prairie around it. One of them, Anemone

patens, was in blossom ; the other was just coming into bloom.

The ice broke up in the Missouri River March 6, as far as Fort

Clark, latitude 470. Tlien came several days of stormy weather, during

which the river was frozen over a second time so firm as to sustain

heavily loaded teams. The ice again broke up on the 22d for about the

same distance up the Missouri. At Fort Union the ice (lid not yield

until the 3d of April.

April 9.-Four species of umbelliferous plants in bloom ; heavy frost

during the night, so that ice formed upon the little pools an inch in

thickness ; grasshoppers quite active and abundant.

April 10.-Cold ; some snow .

April 11 .-Fair weather ; a strong breeze blowing though quite WArm

small species of Carex in blossom .A . Saw yellow-shafted flicker, (Colaptes auratus,) and meadow lark, (Sturnella neglecta.) At night the frogs.

commenced a gentle croaking, for the first time this spring.

April 12 .-Various kinds of insects quite abundant ; common garter

snake, (E. parietalis,) killdeer, (Charadrius vociferus,) geese, and ducks

abundant ; American elm (Ulmus americana) in full bloom .

April 13.-Saw a large flock of swans, (Cygnus buccinator ;) a beautiful Ranunculus in bloom, (R. glaberrimus.) The long-billed curlew

(Numenius longirostris) quite abundant running on the upland prairie .

April 16. The 13-lined squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) quite

abundant on the high prairie.

April 20.-Saw to-day birds : wild geese, (Anser erythropus,) kingbird, (Tyrannus crinitus,) robin redbreast, (Turdus migratorius,) (a few

robins were seen near Fort Pierre, April l,) the meadow lark, flicker,

killdeer, turkey buzzard, (Cathartes aura,) mourning dove, (Ectopistes

carolinensis,) common cowbird, (Molothrus pecoris,) very abundant ; also

a gull (Larus franklinii) was seen on the river. The following plants
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 10

were in bloom : Astragalus caryocarpus, .Shepherdia argentea, a species 

Salix, Populus angulata, and a fine bluebell, (1'tfertensia virginica.)

April 23.-Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius ph(xniceus) abundan

Prunus americana in bloom ; Symphoricarpus occidentalis and Artenris

in full foliage.

May G.-Saw blue heron, (Ardea herodias ;) Cornus stoloniferus 

bloom .

May 7.-Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) seen on the Teton River.

May 8.-Saw cliff swallow, (Cotyle riparia ;) also a large rattlesnak

(Crotalus eonfluentus ;) Castileia sessilifora in full bloom.

May 9 .--Senecio aureus, a species of Salix, and a Juncus in full bloo

May 10.-Iii the valley of White River the trees are in full foliag

and the bottom and upland prairies are covered with a rich green carpe

of grass, and multitudes of plants are now in blossom . Malvastru

coccineunt just coming into bloom. Mammalaris nuttalli and Alliu

stellatum are, in full bloom .

May 12. Ranunculus aquatilis in bloom . At this time, so many bir

and flowers, stange to me, have made their appearance that I canno

indicate them . Spring has fairly arrived, and summer is approachin

During the month of May considerable rain fell, so that the stream

were much swollen. But for six or eight months past we have ha

very little rain, not more than one or two inches. All the vegetati

was parched with drought.

The ' 1 June rise" is said by the mountaineers to commence invariab

at -the time when the roses are in bloom. This year the roses were 

blossom June 1, though I saw some in flower May 14 in the Whit

River Valley. The rise in the waters of the Missouri commenced 

Fort Pierre, June 11, 4 inches the first day, 5 inches the second, 

inches the third, 4 to 8 inches the fourth, and afterward falling graduall

This is usually called by the mountaineers the " big rise," and is due 

the melting of the snows, which accumulate during the winter in t

ravines and valleys of the mountains near the sources of the Missour

There was comparatively little snow in the mountains last winter, an

there has been very little rain during the spring, consequently the ri

this year is quite small .

June 1 .-Yucca angustifolia, P. olygala alba, Opuntia missouriensis, a

in full bloom. The cacti bear the most beautiful -blossoms of any--

the plants of the prairie.

The principal part of the plants enumerated in the following catalog

were identified by the distinguished botanist, Dr. George Engelmann

of Saint Louis, Missouri. A few were determined by Dr. Torrey, an

the remainder by the writer. A good collection of mosses, lichens, an

fungi was obtained, but the species have not yet been studied, thoug

they will be ready for the final report. It will be seen, therefore, th

no department of the geology and natural history of the Upper Missou

has been neglected in our explorations.

1. Clematis Virginiana, Linn . Very abundant from the mouth of th

Missouri to Council Bluff's .

2. Clematis ligusticifolia, Nutt. Fort Pierre to the mountains. Ver

abundant about Fort Union ; also at Fort Laramie, head of t

Platte.

3. Pulsatilla patens, D. C. This plant is called by the Indians t

harbinger of spring. I saw it on the south side of Bear Pea

March 9, 1855, just coming into bloom . It is found quite abu

dantly in the White River Valley ; also in the sand hills of Lou

Fork.
11 0 EXRLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

4. Anemone Pennsylvanica,. Lynn. Abundant from the mouth of the

Missouri to the mountains, though most common below latitude 430.

5. Anemone Caroliniana, Walt. Quite common around Council Bluffs

to Niobrara River.

6. Anelitone cylindrica, Gray. This plant is quite rare ; only a few

itidividuals were seen near the mouth of the Big Sioux River, and

on Loup Fork.

7. Ranunculus repens, var. Marylandicus, Torr. and Gray. Low, wet

places on the Upper Missouri.

8. Ranunculus Pennsylvanicus, Linn. Council Bluffs, Niobrara, Platte

Valley.

9. Ranunculus recurvatus, Poir. Mouth of the Missouri to Niobrara

River ; also, sparingly, in White River Valley.

10. Ranunculus abortivus, Linn. Wet and sandy places to Niobrara ;

sparingly to the mountains.

11. Ranunculus seeleratus, Linn. Not rare throughout the Upper Missouri country.

12. Ranunculus glaberrimus, Hook. The only locality in which I ever

saw this plant was at Grindstone Hills, near Bad Lands, where it

was in bloom on the 9th of April.

13. Ranunculus eymbalaria, Pursh . Seen on the Yellowstone and Missouri.

14. Ranunculus agicatilis, Linn. Very abundant in the White River

Valley, in the streams and little lakes.

15. Myosurus minimus, Linn . Missouri bottoms, opposite Saint Joseph's ;

also on the upland prairie, near Fort Pierre.

16. Aquilegia Canadensis, Linn. Does not extend above Council Bluffs

or the Big Sioux.

17. Isopyrum biternatum, Torr. and Gray. Seen sparingly as far up the

Missouri as the mouth of the Platte.

18. Delphinium trieorne, Mich . Extends to the mouth of the Big Sioux ;

range to Niobrara, in latitude 430.

19. Delphinium azureum, Mich. Abundant on the open prairies to the

mountains.

20. Delphinium viriseens, Nutt. Fort Pierre.

21. Thalietrunt cornuti, Linn: Not__rare or-muu,ntains,

22. Thalictrunt dioicum, Linn. Abundant to Niobrara River.

23. Mydrastis Canadensis, Linn. Found only in the Carboniferous limestone region to Council Bluffs ; perhaps rarely to Big Sioux River.

24. Actea rubra, Bigelow. Council Bluffs.

25. Asimina triloba, Dunal. Common Papaw. Extends up the Missouri

to the mouth of the Big Sioux River.

26. Menispermum Canadensis, Linn . Most abundant in the limestone

regions to Council Bluffs ; seen rarely on wooded banks to the

Yellow§tone.

27. Berberis aquifolium, Pursh. A very .abundaut shrub in the Laramie

range of hills and Black Hills.

28. Podophyllum peltatunt, Linn. Abundant along the lower part of the

Missouri River, gradually ceasing at the mouth of the Platte.

29. lfelumbeum luteunt, Willd. Lower portion of the valley of the Platte,

and on the broad, wet bottoms about Omaha City. It is now quite

rare, on account of the great use of both roots and seeds for food

bw the Omaha, Otoe, and Pawnee Indians.

30. Nymphea odorata, Sit. Found by Dr. Cooper in Kansas.

31. Argemone Mexicans, Linn. Found only at Bellevue, Nebraska Territory : fine yellow flowers.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 11 

32. Argemone hispida, Gray. Bad Lands, White River, Loup Fork, Fo

Laramie.

33. Sanguinaria Canadensis, Linn. Rich woods about Council Bluffs.

34. Corydalis aurea, Willd. Not seen on the bottoms to mountains.

35. Dicentra cuccullaria,, D. C. In shady woods to mouth Big Sioux.

36. Nasturtium palustre, D. C . Not uncommon to mountains:

37. Nasturtium obtusunz, Nutt. On the Upper Missouri and Yello

stone.

38. Nasturtium sinuatum, Nutt. Fort Clark, Upper Missouri.

39. Nasturtium sessiliforum, Nutt. Along Missouri.

40. Nasturtium limosum, Nutt. Along low bottoms near to Counc

Bluffs .

41. Dentaria laciniata, Muhl . Shady woods around Council Bluffs.

42. Nasturtium calycinum, Engelman, nov. sp. Annuum erectum s

diffusum, hirsutulum ; folis caulinis anguste oblongis sinuatis s

subpinnatifidis bassi auriculata arete sessilibus vel semi amplexic

ulibus ; racemis confertifloris demum elougatis ; pedicell s fio

flavido et silicula ovoidea acuta parva hispidula cum stylo gracil

vix longioribus ; calyce persisente. Sandy bottoms of the Yello

stone-River, Fort Sarpy to Fort Union. In aspect as well as in t

style, (fully a line long on a silicle Ij line in length,) this speci

resembles some Vesiearice, but the numerous seeds are those of 

Nasturtium. The stem is about a foot high, often much branch

and diffuse . The ovate lanceolate acutish sepals commonly persi

until the valves of the pod had .fallen . The pubescence of t

pod consists of very short and pointed thick-based simple hair

(A. Gray.)

43. Arabis Canadensis, Linn. Common along Missouri to Fort Union

44. Arabis hirsuta, Scop. Fort Union and Bad Lands.

45. Arabis laevigatat D.,C. , Shady woods to mouth of Platte.

46. Arabis dentata, Torr. and Gray. Council Bluffs.

47. Sisymbrium caneseens, Nutt. Fort Pierre and Yellowstone.

48. Erysimum asperum, D. C. Abundant on the high prairies to Fo

Pierre and Fort Union.

49. Erysioxum cheiranthoides, Linn. Yellowstone and Bad Lands.

50. Wanleya pinnatifida, Nutt. Abundant on the marl banks near Ni

brara_ Rivtr,r, k' xz .P.ierre ; .rarely on the Yellowstone.

51. Stanleya integrifolia, James. Dr. Gray thinks it. i s a different for

of last species. 52. Vesicaria ludoviciana, D. C. Sterile hills, Fort Pierre, and Yello

stone.

53. Vesicaria alpina, Nutt. Same as preceding.

54. Vesicaria didymocarpa, Hook. Bad Lands.

55. Sinapis nigra, Linn . About old houses and cultivated fields, Cou

cil Bluffs and Fort Pierre.

56. Capsella bursapastoris, jinn. Same as preceding.

57. Draba micrantlm, Nutt. Bad Lands.

58. Draba Caroliniana, Walt. Council Bluffs.

59. Draba brachycarpa, Nutt. Lower Missouri.

60. Lepidium ruderale, Linn. Along Missouri to mountains.

61. Lepidiuna Virginicum, Linn. Fort Pierre and Yellowstone.

63. .Cleome integrifolia, Torr. and Gray. Bad Lands, Fort Union, Ye

lowstone; Bad Lands of Judith;'Platte Valley, Fort Laramie, a

not a generally diffused plant, but growing abundantly in: localiti

63. Polanisia unigldndulosa, 'Gray. First seen on gravelly hills abo

Fort Pierre ; also on Loup Fork.

64. Viola palmata, Linn.' Fort Pierre.
112 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

65. Viola cucullata, Sit. Fort Pierre.

66. Viola Nuttallii, Pursh. Bad Lands.

67. Viola Canadensis, Linn . Fort Pierre.

68. Viola tvicolor, Line. Council Bluffs.

69. Viola. delphinifolia, Nutt. Prairies around Council Bluffs.

70. Silene antirrhina, Linn. Council Bluffs.

71. Sitene stellata, Ait. Dixon's Bluffs.

72. Alsine Michauxi, renzl . Mouth Big Sioux.

73. Cerastium nutans, Raf. White River, Bad Lands.

74. Cerastium arvense, Linn. Council Bluff's.

75. Moehringia lateriflora, Linn. Along Missouri to Council Bluffs.

76. Paronychia sessiliflora, Nutt. Fort Union, Laramie Peak, Black

Hills.

77. Stellaria longipes, Goldie. Council Bluffs.

78. Portulaca oleracea, Linn. On saline clay soil, Teton River, near

Fort Pierre ; also near base of Black Hills, (indigenous.)

79. ClaytoniaVirginica, Linn . Rocky woods, as high up the Missouri as

Council Bluffs.

80. Abutilon avicennce, Gaertn. Naturalized near Council Bluffs.

81. Malvastrum coccineum, Gray. Makes its appearance on the Missouri

about latitude 430, and continues to the mountains.

82. Tilia Americana, Linn. Abundant to Big Sioux ; seen sparingly to

mouth of Niobrara, where it ceases.

83. Linum rigidum, Pursh. Throughout the prairie portion of the

Upper Missouri.

84. Linumperenne, Linn. Fort Pierre and Fort Union .

85. Linum bootti, Planchou. Found by Dr. Cooper in Kansas.

86. Oxalis stricta, Linn. Generally diffused .

87. Oxalis violacea, Linn. Rich prairies and cultivated fields around

Council Bluffs ; seen nearly as high as Niobrara, in. full bloom

June 20, 1857.

88. Oxalis corniculata, Linn. Upper Missouri .

89. Geranium maculatum, Linn. Common to Niobrara.

90. Geranium earolinianum, Linn. Mouth of Big Sioux.

91. Impatiens pallida, Nutt. Shady woods to mountains.

92. Impatiens fulva, Nutt. Council Bluffs and Big Sioux.

93. .Xanthvmjlum Amexicanum,.M ll.___-Woody bottoms, and islands of

the Missouri, to Fort Pierre.

94. Ptelia trifoliate, Linn. Around Council Bluffs.

95. Bhus glabra, Linn. Council Bluffs, White River Valley.

96. Rhus copallina, Linn. Abundant in Missouri and Kansas.

97. Rhus toxicodendron, Linn. Abundant in woody places to the

mountains.

98. Rhus aromatica, Ait. Along Missouri.

99. Rhus trilobata, Nutt. First makes its appearance about latitude

430, and occurs abundantly on sterile hills to the mountains.

100. Vitis riparia, Michx. Banks of Missouri, Bellevue, N. T.

101. Vitis -indivisa, Willd. Big Sioux River .

102. Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Michx. Very common in woody bottoms

throughout the country, but grows most luxuriant in the rich

woods from mouth of Missouri to Big Sioux, where it often so

clothes old dry trees that they seem still alive.

103. Rhamnus lanceolatus, Pursh. Council Bluffs.

104. Ceanothus sanguineus, Pursb. Mouth of White River.

105. Ceanothus ovalis, Bigelow, var. pubescens. Common on the Cretaceous hills below Fort Pierre ; also in the sand hills of Loup

Fork on the Niobrara River.
106. Celastrus seandens, Linn. Along Missouri to Fort Union .

107. Euonymus atropurpureus, Jacq. Woody bottoms to Fort Union .

108. Euonymus Americanus, Linn. Mouth of Platte.

109. Staphylea trifolia, Linn. Council Bluffs.

110. .Xisculus glabra, Willd. Missouri bottoms to Big Sioux River.

111 . Acer dasycarpunt, Lhshart. Bellevue, Nebraska.

112. Acer rubrunt, Linn . Highest limit on Missouri, latitude 420.

113. Acer saccharhtunt, Wang. Limestone regions of Kansas and sout

ern portion of Nebraska.

114. lfegundo aceroides, Moench . One of the few trees which extends 

the mountains.

115. Polygala alba, Nutt. On sterile hills to Fort Union .

116. I'olygala v6rticillata, Linn. Moist places on prairies ; Port Pierre 

Bad Lands.

117. I'olygala senega, Linn. Council Bluffs.

118. Ficia Americana, hluhl. Upper Missouri generally.

119. Lathyrus linearis, Nutt. Upper Missouri generally .

120. Lathyrits polymorphus, Nutt. White River Valley.

121 . Lathyrus venosus, Muhl. Rich bottoms, Big Sioux.

122. Phaseolus pauciflorus, Benth. Bad Lauds.

123. Amulrhicar pea monoica, Nutt. White River valley. . Fort Clark .

124. Apios tuberosa, l oench. Along sandy woody bottoms of Mi

souri. A species of mouse gathers large numbers of the tube

of this plant for his winter store. These 11 cach6s" (as they a

called) are eagerly sought by the squaws, and the tubers take

and used as food. I have seen several bushels of the roots in 

single lodge. Cooked with buffalo-meat, they make a very pa

atable dish .

125. Glycyrhiza lepidota, Nutt. Diffused generally.

126. Psoralea lanceolata, Pursh . From Bellevue to Yellowstone.

127. Psoralea foribunda, Nutt. Big Sioux River to Bad Lands.

128. Psoralea camrtpestris, Nutt. Bad Lands.

129. Psoralea argophylla, Pursh. A most beautiful plant, covering t

plain as with silvery velvet. Big Sioux to mountains.

130. Psoralea cuspidata, Pursh. Fort Pierre to Bad Lands.

131 . Psoralea esculenta, Pursh . Affords the Indians a very nourishin

farinaceous root upon which they subsist almost entirely in th

spring and early summer months, when game is scarce. It 

also a great favorite of the grizzly bear.

132: Arnorpha fruticosa, Linn. A common shrub, above Missouri 

mountains.

133 . Amorpha canescens, Nutt. Very abundant on the upland prairie

Loup Fork, and Niobrara River.

134. Amorpha nana, Nutt. Fort Laramie and high up the Missouri.

135. Dalea aurea, Nutt. Bad Lands.

136. Dalea alopecuroides, Willd . Big Sioux River.

137. Dalea laxifora, Pursh. Fort Pierre to Yellowstone.

138. Petalostentunt candidum, Mich. Big Sioux River.

139. Petalostemum multiflorum, Nutt. Fort Pierre to Bad Lands .

140. Petalostemum violaeeum, Mich. Upper Missouri to Bad Lands.

141. Petalostemum. villosum, Nutt. Bad Lands.

142. Trifolhcnt stoloniferum, Muhl. Bad Lands.

143. Trifolium pratensei Linn . Lower Missouri.

144. Trifolium repens, Linn . Lower Missouri.

145. Hosackia Purshiana, Benth . Sandy bottoms of Missouri.

146. Astragalus hypoglottis, Linn. White River to Bad Lands.

8ND

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.
114 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA .

147: Astragalus gracilis, Nutt. Bad Lands to the Yellowstone.

148. Astragalus striatur, .. Nntt. Fort Pierre to Bad Lands, covering

prairies like clover-fields .

149. Astragalus ]ITissouriensis, Nutt. Fort Pierre to Fort Union .

150. Astragalus caryocarlms, Ker. Fort Pierre to Bad Lands. 151 . Astragalus P. lattensis, Nutt. Fort ,Pierre.

152. Astragalus Canadensis, Linn. Fort Pierre to Bad Lands.

153. Astragalus racemosus, Pursh. Abundant in the sandy bottoms of

Missouri ; Cedar Island.

154. Astragalus Drummondi, Douglass. Sterile hills around Fort Union.

155 . Astragalus adsu-rgens, Pall . James River.

156. Pliaca ccespitosa, Nutt. Bad Lands.

157. Phaca longifolia, Nutt. Bad Lands. 158. Phaca pectinata, Hook . Upland prairies on the Yellowstone River,

abundant.

159. Phaca elongata, Hook. Fort Pierre to Fort Union .

160. Orytropis Lamberti, Pursh. Very abundant on prairies around Big

Sioux and Niobrara Rivers.

161. Orytropis splendens, Douglass. James River.

162. .Homalobus multiflorus, Nutt. Big Sioux to Bad Lands.

163. Kentrophgta montana, Nutt. Abundant in sandy river-bottoms on

the Yellowstone.

164, Hedysarum boreale, Nutt. Abundant, mouth of Yellowstone.

165. Desmodium Canadense, D. C. Fort Clark.

166. Desmodium Dillenii, Darl. Big Sioux River.

167. Desmodium paniculatum, D. C. Bellevue, W. T.

168. Desmodium nudiforum, L. C. Bellevue, W. T.

169. Lespedera capitata, Michx. Abundant on the rich bottoms about

Council Bluffs, Big Sioux.

170. Lespedera hirta, Ell. On Missouri.

171. Crotalaria sagittalis, Michx. Big Sioux River.

172, lupinesPUWlus, Pursh . Common on the Yellowstone.

173. Lupines perennius, Linn. Platte Valley.

174. Thermopsis rhombifolia, Nutt. From Council Bluffs to Fort Pierre ;

Bad Lands, &c.

175. Sophora sericea, Nutt., White River Valley ; Fort Pierre.

-176: Gleditschia4ricanthos, Linn. Occurs as high on the Missouri as

Big Sioux.

_

177. Cercis Canadensis, Linn. Same as preceding.

178. Cassia Chwmacrista, Linn . Sandy bottoms of Missouri, from

Cotzncit Bluffs to White River.

179. Desmanth.us brachylobus, Benth. Council Bfuffs and Platte Valley ;

rich bottoms.

180. Schrankia uncinata, Willd. Gravelly hills on the Upper Missouri

generally.

181. Gymnocladus Canadensis, Law. Abundant in woody bottoms to Big

Sioux.

182. Baptisia leucophea, Xutt. Platte Valley.

183. Prunus Americana, Marsh. Fort Pierre.

184. Prunus pumila, Linn. Abundant in the sand-hills of Loup Fork ;

along Missouri River near Little Soldier's Camp.

185. Prunes serotina, Ehrh. Council Bluffs.

186. Prunus Virginiana, Linn. 'Generally diffused.

1137. Gillenia stipulacea, Nutt. Mouth of Big Sioux.

188. Gillenia trifoliate, Moeneh. Mouth of Big Sioux.

189. Agrimonia eupatoria; Linn. Bellevue, N. T.
190. Agrimonia pare-iflora, Ait. Around Fort Union.

191 . Cha'morhodas erecta, var. Nuttallii. Torr. and Gray. Big Bend an

Yellowstone.

192. Geum strictum, Ait. White River to Yellowstone.

1901 . Geum album, Grnel. Fort Pierre and Mandan. village .

194. Geum triflorum, Pursh. Fort Union .

195. Potentilla Norvegica, Linn. Council Bluffs to Yellowstone.

196. Potentilla paradoxa, Nutt. Along banks of Missouri.

197. Potentilla efusa, Dougl. ? Prairies near Fort Clark.

198. Potentilla Pennsylvaniea, Linn., var. strigosa. Bad Lauds .

199. Potentilla diversifolia, Lehm . Bad Lands.

200. Potentilla rigida, Nutt. Yellowstone.

201. Potentilla Canadensis, Linn . Big Sioux River.

202. Potentilla anserina, Linn . Niobrara run to Fort Pierre.

203. Potentilla fructicosa, Linn. On the Yellowstone.

204. Potentilla arguta, Pursh . Fort Clark and Fort Union.

205. .Fragaria vesea, Linn . Along Missouri to Yellowstone.

206 . Fragaria yirginiea, Ehsh. Fort Union .

207. Sa2iguisorba annua, Nutt. Fort Union.

208. Rubus occidentalis, Linn. Council Bluffs.

209. Rubus strigosus, Mich. Sparingly on Yellowstone.

210. Rubus VWosus, Ait. Council Bluffs.

211. Rosa blanda, Ait. On prairies generally.

212. Rosa lucida, Ehrh. White River ; Fort Pierre.

213. Cratcvgus punctata, Jacq. White River ;. Big Bend, &c.

214. Crataegqis tomentosa, var. mollis, Gray. Mouth of Big Sioux.

21.5 . Amelanchier Canadensis, Torr. and Gray. Common throughout th

Upper Missouri country ; bears a delicious fruit, which ripens 

June.

216. Epilobium angustifolium,

near Council Bluffs.

217. (Enothera biennis, Linn .

the mountains.

21.8 . (Enothera albicaulis, Nutt.

rare.

219. (Enothe)4 a cespitosa, Nutt. Arid hills of_Upper Missouri. ..

220. (Enothera serrulata, Nutt. Council Bluffs to Fort Pierre.

221 . (Enothera pinnatifida, Nutt. Bad Lands.

222. Gaura biennis, Linn. Along Missouri to Council Bluffs.

223. Gaura coccinea, Nutt. Common on high prairies and hills fro

Council Bluffs to the mountains.

224. Ludwigia palustris, Ell . Wet places in Platte Valley, near Lou

Fork.

225. Circea lutetiana, Linn . Fertile woody places along Missouri 

Niobrara.

226. Myriophyllum spicdtum, Linn. Common in ponds throughout uppe

Missouri.

227. Hepparis vulgaris, Linn . In standing pools, Upper Missouri.

228. Xentzelia ornata, Torr. and Gray . Arid argillaeeous hills fro

latitude 43° to the mountains.

229. 111entzelia nuda, Torr. and Gray. Same as preceding.

230. Opuntia Missouriensis, D. C. Common throughout the Upper Mis

souri> region.

231. Opuntia fragilis, Nutt. Peculiar to arid phiins, Upper Missouri.

232. Opuntia.

233. Mammalaris vivipara. Seen'on the rich bottoms between Niobra

and Fort Pierre ; bears beautiful purple blossoms.

EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA . 11

Linn . Not uncommon in Kansas, al

Common along the valley of Missouri 

White River Valley and Yellowstone 
11 6 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

23-1. J1(wou(daris Xuttalli. Common throughout the Upper Missouri

country above Fort Pierre ; most abundant in. White River

Valley .

235. Rihes ,ilissou) , iensis, \utt. Woody limestone banks around Council

f1"5 .

236. Ii.ihcs,lloridum, Linn . Common oil the tipper :Missouri and I- alley

of Yellowstone.

_`.'37 . .h',ib(-s (titrelcm, 1'ursh . l3,anlcs and ravines alon : Missouri and Yellowstolle.

2:15. h;chinocystis lobata, Torr. and Gr.iy . Ilurio1Iti' Hills oil -Missouri .

239. 1'enthorum sedoides, Li11I1 . III wet places, Platte N"alle3- ; mouth of

Loap Fork.

`.'-1(l . 1le')(chc'ra Americana, LiIIn. Not rare in woolly phtces along

_l issotlri .

:'-11. . I1(o))(onelis Viryi)1ica, Linn . Abnnditnt ill linlestoiie woods along

ll issottri to lilouth of the Platte Ewer.

1, 2. ' .i. i(c afwca, LKoch . Prairies along -1is~ouri to hi", Sioux and

iol)rara.

2-13. 1'olyt(c)fi(t 1- )(tta.llii, 1) . C' . Dry argillaceons -tills and upland

prairies aromld Fort :Pierre ; also oil the Yellowstone.

944. Mimt line(cre, AIiclix . illoist places from month of Missouri to

ivI)ttllt<tilts .

2-15. _'17aaslriuon barhinodc, Nntt . "Rich woody places along ,Missouri .

:.',1G . Yhaspf)(m (()(re10)1, Nutt. Near Council 111tlft's .

:..',M7 . 1'e) :('ed(mio». .~(K'))fef(I(fe('2!?)2, -utt. Common oil high prairies around

Cotttlcil 131utiti .

248. Osmorrliiza lorfyistylis, 1). C . hoist fertile woods to Fort Pierre.

''-1'.l . hsworrhiza hrertstltlis, 1) . C. 1N"ith the preceding.

:: :) 0. Gic1(ta '»)actfl((M, 1AII11 . Wet places, PhItte N"ltlley .

_'51 . Arolia a))(dica)di8, Linn. Limestone woods to Big Sioux River.

252. Corms forida, -jinn. Alow, the ricll wooded bottoms its high as

Fort Leavenworth .

_`.'53 . Corn1(s stolonf/cra, Micllx . Wooded bottoms of _Missouri from

ltlouth to source.

25- M . Co), nf(s sericca, Linn . 11bund .tnt along _Missouri bottoins. Tile

inner bark is much used 1)y the Sionx Indians with their tobacco

ill proportions of three to one ; called hytlrr trad-ei's- 11 . rcd osier11

255. Sywphorica)1)its occident(dis, lt . .l')r . Tile iiiost al)ttit(l111It sltrut) along

the rivers )tnd streallls from the nlottth of the _Nlissollri to the

1tlotllitnins ; often called 11 blue wood," Inuch used for makilli;

brooms ; sonletinles covers the river bottoms almost exclusively.

`)5G . Louicera cdiata., Mulil. Woody ravines, near Council IIlItft:,, N. '1` .

257 . Triosk)()u perfoliat)(oa, Linn. Not rare as high till tire -Missouri as

itlonth of 11ig Sioux.

253. Sa)nb)(cf(s Ca))ade))sis, Lieu. Colnlnou along' -lissouri ; seen in the

valley of Yellowstone.

2'51) . Galh(uf ((l)(rh)e, Line. Woody places along -fissouri.

"Mil) . Galhon trifd)t))i, Line . hoist low spots oil _Missouri .

''Mil . Galhon ho)'c(de, hiIIII . Smile as preceding.

lit . Galh(uf trifornni, Micllx. Situle )ts preceding.

"633 . Cepholm(tlms occideut(dis, 31ichx. Platte \"~tlle~- near Loup Fork .

264. Olden1mfdia anfp(stifolia, Gray. Along Missouri to Council Fluffs.

2(i5 . 1 cruouia /i(scic)dai(( ) Miclix. Quite c0111111011 Oil prairies, valley of

Missouri .

2(i(i . Kithnitl c)fpatorioides, Line. Council I11nih to Niobr~ira .

26 71 . .E1(patorim)) perfoliatwn, Linn. On rich bottom prairies near mouth

of Lig Sioux.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA . 11 

2C8. Ertpatoriuur ptolrrtreu t, Linn . Council Bluffs to James River.

`_'69 . Enpotoriitm ayeratoidcs, Linn . Woody bottoms, Council Bluff's t

Fort Pierre.

24-1) . Li(tris,,;pictda, Willd . Rich bottoms, Bid; Sion\.

271 . Aster cordifolilts, Linn. Not llncolllnlon, 11'io, Sioux find Nlobrllra 

272. A.vtcr sattyitifirlhts, Willd . Big Sioux and \'iobr;lr.l .

273). Aster a:itrcits, Lindl . Council .hllifl:s .

274. Astcr ruidtillorits, Alt. Cumleil Bllllf: .

`75. Aster scr , icctts, Veldt . Fort Pierre.

276. :lster , Xorcc-Arigliw, alt. Low places oil 11issouri .

277. ; kter ht~ris, Li 11ll . ITllllc~r llis,ullri .

278. J.rit1cr-ou ponilron, __Nlitt . lIil;h hills aromld Fort 1'101110 .

27!l. .E) , i(Ierou stri(/osrtm, Jtalll . Low places, Vermillion Prairie.

280. _Eriycron 1'hilmlelphicrou, Linn . A.1111vial bottollls of Missouri .

281 . .7;riyeron ()auadeuse, Linn . Common all over Missouri country.

2>82. Aplopaphus spiuidostts, 1). C . High prairies of Upper Missouri .

283 . Solidayo rigid((, Linn .

284. Nolidafto inccow, Torr. .C Gray.

285. Solidago neruorcdis, Ait.

286. Solidayo giflantea, Ait.

287. 8olidago 111issouriensis, Nutt.

288. Griudelia squarrosa, I)luml. Common oil high prairies frond lati

tude 430 to the mountains ; medicinal among Indians .

289. Chrysopsis villosa, Nutt. Common oil dry hills, Fort Pierre.

290. AItialphium laciniation, Linn . Called by the inhabitants of the conn

tr,y- ' 1 compflss plant ;" reaches its healthiest growth on tile ric

fertile bottoms of Missouri, but often fouled in great abundance

on the high prairies. The highest point on the Missouri Rive

that I have observed this plant is clear latitude 4-10

,

mouth White

River ; most abundant in the Platte Valley- and oil the broa

rich bottoms between Council Bluffs and Niobrara River, wher

it sometimes occupies large areas to the exclusion of other vel e

tation. That the leaves of this plant set their faces north and

south may be proved by a pocket compass. Forty-nine plant

out of fifty exhibit this peculiarity. It thus becomes an excel

lent guide to the traveler _across the pathless prairies.

291 : Silphium pcr;f -oliahtm;"Line:` Seldom seen above Niobrara.

292 . Iva axillaris, Pursh . Dry argillaceous hills. Fort Pierre and For

Union.

293. Ambrosia trifida, Linn . Along streams and borders of woods fro

mouth of tire Missouri to mountains. Quite abundant.

294. Ambrosia coronopifi)lia, Torr. and Gray. Fort Pierre.

295. 1'mithium strumarium, Linn. Sandy bottoms of Yellowstone.

296. Echirracea purpu-rea, Moench . Purple cone flower ; called rattle

snake weed in the West, and is found abundantly throughou

the country. Root very pungent. Used very effectively by th

traders and Indians for the cure of the bite of the rattlesnake 

297 . Lepachhs columnaris, Torr. and Gray. Common throughout th

Missouri country- , but most abundant from Council Illufl's t

Niobrara I iver, oil the rich broad bottom prairies. In flowe

July 8. Rays usually yellow, sometimes of a deep purple velvet

298. Lepachys pinnata, Torr. and Gray. Vermillion Prairie. Rare.

299. Ritdbeckia hirta, Linn . Council Bluffs .

300. Heliopsis leavis, Pers. Along streams in Kansas and Souther

Nebraska.

301 . felianth-ics giganteits, Linn . Common on Upper Missouri.
118 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

302. Helianthus gross-serratus, Martens. Common on prairies.

303. Coreopsis tripteris, Linn . Council Bluffs .

304. Coreopsis tinctoria, Nutt. James River, Big Sioux, &c.

305. Actinomeris squarrosa, Nutt. Common in thickets and along

streams in Kansas and Nebraska.

306. Bidens connata, Muhl. Missouri, and White River Valley . 307. Bidens Beckii, Torr. Council Muffs.

308. Dysodia chrysanthemoides, Lag. Very abundant in prairie-dog villages on the Upper Missouri.

309. Helenium autuninale, Linn . Kansas and Southern Nebraska.

310. Anthemis arvensis, Linn. Naturalized to Fort Leavenworth .

311. Achillea millefolium, Linn . Found all over the prairie country of

the West ; must be indigenous west of the :Mississippi . 312. Antennaria plantaginea. R. Br. Upper Missouri and Black Hills .

313. Antennaria dioica, R. Br. Same as last.

314. Artemisiafilifolia, Torr. Gravelly hills along Platte ; ' 1 Bad Lands.'

315. Artemisia cana, Pursh. In the valley of Missouri and Platte.

316. Artemisiafrigida, Willd. From latitude 430 to mountains.

317. Artemisia dracunculoides . Fort Pierre to Bad Lands.

318. Artemisia tridentata, Nutt. Common in Bad Lands.

319. Artemisia biennis, Willd. In Platte Valley.

320. Artemisia Canadensis, Michx. Near Fort Laramie.

321. Artemisia ludoviciana, Nutt. Shyenne River.

322. Gnaphalium uliginosum, Linn. Council Bluff.

323. Senecio aureus, Linn. Council Bluffs and Big Sioux.

324. Senecio integerrinius, Nutt. About Council Bluffs to mountains.

325. Linosyris graveolens, - Torr. and Gray. A very common shrub from

latitude 440 to mountains ; sometimes associated with Sarcobatus

vermicularis, and sometimes taking its place.

326. Cacalia tuberosa. Nutt. Not uncommon on the rich bottoms of the

Missouri and Platte.

327. Lygodesmia juncea, lion . - Avery abundant plant all over the sterile

hills of the Upper Missouri and its tributaries ; grows most luxuriantly on the second upland prairie. It makes its first appearance near Council Bluffs, and extends to the mountains.

328. Circium altissimum, Spreng. Platte Valley.

329. Brickelia oblongifolia. _ Arong Missouri River.

330. Franseria anibrosioides, Cab. Sandy bottoms of the Yellowstone.

331. Sonchus asper, Vill. Council Bluffs.

332. Mulgedium pulchellum, Nutt. Big Sioux River.

333. Troximon cuspidatum, Pursh. Council Bluffs and Big Sioux.

334. .Lobelia cardi-nalis, Linn. Moist places along the Missouri to the

Big Sioux ; in Kansas, on Big Cottonwood Creek.

335. Lobelia spicata, Lam. Mouth of the Platte.

336. Lobelia, infata, Linn'. Yellowstone Valley, where it is cultivated

by the Crow Indians, and used in their religious ceremonies.

337. Campanula rotundifolia, Linn. Common to Fort Clark.

338. Specularia perfoliata, D: C. Throughout the Upper Missouri country.

339. Arctostaphylos uva-ursa, Spreng. Very abundant on the high rocky

hills about Fort Clark ; also abundant in the mountains. It is

the 'real "kininkkinnick" of the Indians, and used by them to

mix with their tobacco in preference to any other plant. The

bark of Cornus sericea is used as a substitute only in the absence

of the A. uva-ursi.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 11

340. Chintaphila umbellata, Nutt. Black Hills.

341. Diospyros Virginiana, Linn. Is found in Kansas.

342. Plantago major, Linn . On river bottom near Fort Clark.

343. Plantago patagonica, var. gnaphaloides . Very abundant in san

soil and gravelly places on the Upper Missouri.

344. Plantagopusilla, Nutt. On prairies near Fort Pierre ; also on th

river opposite St. Joseph, in Kansas.

345. Lysamachia stricta, Ait. Platte Valley, upon Missouri.

346. Ut-ricularia infata, Walt. In ponds, Council Bluffs, White Rive

Valley.

347. Phelipcea ludoviciana, Don. Sandy prairies, Yellowstone.

348. Aphyllon fasciculatum, Torr. and Gray. Great Bend of Missour

349. Aphyllon uniforum, Torr. and Gray. Council Bluffs .

350. Scrophularia nodosa, Linn. Abundant along thickets and -streams

Kansas and Nebraska.

351. Chelone glabra, Linn. Along valley of Missouri to latitude 430.

352. 'Penstemon grandiforus, Fraser. A beautiful plant, found along th

bluffs of the Platte, banks and sandy bottoms of Missouri t

mountains.

353. Penstemon caruleum, Nutt. Eagle.Nest Hill, White River Valle

354. Penstemon erianthum, Nutt. Hills around Fort Pierre.

355. Penstemon albidum, Nutt. Low, with glabrous calyx. Hills aroun

Fort Pierre.

356. Penstemon cristatum, Nutt. On high prairies ; Upper Missouri.

357. Penstemon gracile, Nutt. Prairie bottoms, near Fort Pierre.

358. Penstemon pubescens, Solander. Fort Pierre ; June.

359. Penstemon levigata, Solander. Fort Leavenworth ; May360. 111imidus virgeus, Linn. Council Bluffs and Big Sioux.

361. Mimulus Jamesii, Torr. On the Platte. Dr. Cooper.

362. Gratiola Virginica, Linn . Quite common along the Missouri .

363. Veronica anagallis, Linn. Common ; Council Bluff's.

364. Veronica scutellata, Linn . With the preceding.

365. Veronica peregrina, Linn . Fort Pierre.

366. Geradia purpurea, Linn. Council Bluffs.

367. Castilleia sessilifora, Pursh. Common about Council Bluffs .

368. Castilleia septentrionalis, Lindl. Black Hills.

369. 111 1elampyrum americanum, Michx. Extends up the Missouri as fa

as the mouth; of the Platte.

370. Dianthera anaericana, Linn. Platte Valley.

371 . Verbena bracteosa, Michx. A very common plant about prairie-clo

villages on the Upper Missouri.

372. Verbena hastata, Linn. Platte Valley.

373. Verbena stricta, Vent. Platte Valley ; July.

374. Verbena aubletia, Linn . Along the Missouri in Kansas.

375. Lippia lanceolata, Michx. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory.

376. Phrynta leptostachya, Linn. Not rare along the Missouri to lati

tude 430.

377. 31entha Canadensis, Linn. Common in wet places, valley of th

Missouri and Platte.

378. Lycopus sinuatus, Ell. Same as preceding.

379. Monarda fistulosa, Linn . Common along streams to mountains.

380. Hedeoma hirta, Nutt. Abundant in the prairie-dog villages, Uppe

Missouri.

381 . Blephilia ciliata, Raf. Fort Pierre to Bad Lands.

382. Lophanthus anisatus, Benth. James River ; on Missouri.
120 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

383. Scutellaria parvula, Michx . Council Bluffs.

384. Tencrium Canadense, Linn. Council Bluffs.

385. Lithospermum canescens, Lehm. High prairies, Council Bluffs.

386. Lithospermuna latifolium, Michx. Fort Pierre.

387. Myosotis glomerata, Nutt. On dry sterile hills, Fort Pierre, and

Bad Lands.

388. Onosmodium hispidum, Michx. Prairies about Teton River ; Fort

Pierre.

389. Mertensia Virginica, D. C. Fort Pierre ; in bloom April 20, 1855.

390. Echinospermum patulum, Lehm. Prairies about Fort Pierre.

391. Echinospermum lappulum, Lehm. Prairies about Fort Pierre .

392. Sydrophyllum Virginicum, Linn. Shady woods as high up the Missouri as mouth of White River, and in White River Valley.

Most abundant in the Carboniferous limestone regions of Council Bluffs ; April.

393 . Sydrophyllum macrophyllum, Nutt. With preceding.

394. Ellisia nyetelea, Linn. About old houses and gardens to Big Sioux,

and along old roads in prairie-dog villages on the Upper Missouri.

395. Phacelia circinata, Jacq. In Kansas ; Dr. Cooper.

396. Phlox divaricata, Linn . Council Bluffs and Platte Valley:

397. Collomia linearis, Nutt. Common about Fort Pierre ; Fort Union .

398. (cilia longiflora, Torr. In. sand hills of Niobrara River.

399. Ipomea leptophylla, Torr. I have seen this plant in but one locality along the Missouri-Bear Creek, near " Bad Lands." But

in the sand hills on Loup Fork, along the Niobrara, and around

Fort Laramie, it is very abundant.

400. Cuseuta glomerata, Choisy. Abundant on sandy bottoms of Missouri.

401. Solanum nigrum, Michx. Not rare on the sandy bottoms of Missouri.

402. Solanum triflorum, Nutt. Very abundant in prairie-dog villages on

Upper Missouri.

403. Solanum Carolinense, Linn. Along Missouri to Council Bluffs.

404. Physalis lanceolata, Michx. Sandy bottoms of Missouri to Fort

Pierre.

405.- Thysalis viscosa, Lin n .

406. Androcera lobata, Nutt.

along old roads, and

407. Apocynum cannabinum,

souri to mountains.

408. Asclepias macranthera, Torr . Not rare on

the moist prairies of

Upper Missouri, Loup Fork, Platte Valley ; July 16.

409. Asclepias incarnata, Linn. Moist places, Loup Fork; Platte.

410. Asclepias tuberosa, Linn. Mouth Big Sioux and in Platte Valley.

411. Asclepias verticellata, Linn . Abundant on prairies ; Fort Pierre.

412. Anantherix viridis, Nutt. Platte Valley ; Loup Fork ; July 16.

413. Acerates longifolia, Nutt. Common around Fort Pierre.

414. Acerates angustifolia, Nutt. With preceding.

415. Fraxinus Americana, Linn. Generally diffused.

416. Asarum Canadense, Linn. Near Council Bluffs.

417. Oxybaphus angustifolius, Torr. Dry hills around Fort Pierre.

418. Chenopodium album, Linn . Platte Valley ; Fort Pierre.

419. Obione canescens, Moq. "Bad Lands ;" common .

420. Salicornia herbacea, Linn . Saline places ; Fort Union.

Sandy bottoms of Missouri to mountains.

Very abundant about old trading-houses,

in prairie-dog villages on Upper Missouri.

Linn. Abundant on low bottoms of Mis-
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 12

421. Sarcobatus vermicularis, Nees. This is one of the most abundan

shrubs on the Upper Missouri. It makes its first appearanc

near latitude 440, and seems to thrive best in the saline clays 

the Cretaceous and Tertiary formations. It is sometimes call

" 4 greasewood 11 by the traders, and is often used for fuel by the

on the Yellowstone River, where it grows to the height of ten o

twelve feet, with trunks two to three inches in diameter. On th

Yellowstone and along the Missouri it sometimes covers man

square miles to the exclusion of other plants.

422. Amaranthus albus, Linn . Sandy bottoms and shores of Missour

423. Rumex persicarioides, Linn . Sandy bottoms of Missouri.

424. Rumex venosus, Pursh . Old Ponca village ; Loup Fork.

425. Polygonum amphibium, Linn. Low wet places along Missouri.

426. Polygonum aviculare, Linn. Council Bluffs along Missonri.

427. Polygonum tenue, Michx. Council Bluffs to mountains.

428. Benzoin odoriferum, Nees. Woody bottoms along Missouri, belo

Niobrara.

429. Shepherdia argentea, Nutt. Very abundant from mouth of Bi

Sioux River to the mountains. It boars a profusion of red aci

fruit, called buffalo berries .

430. Eleagnus argentea, Pursh. I have seen this shrub in but one local

ity in Missouri, near Fort Clark, on the high Tertiary hills.

431. Comandra umbellata, Nutt. Fort Pierre and on the Yellowstone.

432. Euphorbia corallata, Linn. Quite common on Missouri to latitud

450.

433. Euphorbia marginata, Pursh. Very abundant to mountains.

434. Euphorbia maculata, Linn . Same as last.

435. Euphorbia polygonifolia, Linn. Along old roads, Upper Missouri.

436. Ulmus fulva, Michx. Abundant on the rich bottoms of Missouri t

Big Sioux, and ceases to appear at the mouth of Niobrara River

437. Ulmus Americanus, Linn. Along rivers and streams to mountains

438. Celtis occidentalis, Linn. Abundant near to Niobrara River.

439. Morus rubra, Linn. Very abundant to month of Big Sioux ; see

sparingly and of small growth to the mountains.

440. Urtica gracilis, Ait. Thickets and streams to Niobrara.

441. Urtica Canadensis, Linn. Same as preceding.

-44a

-443 .

. Parietaria

Xumulus lupulus,

Pennsylvanica,

Linn .

Mubl

Most

.

abundant

Missourr°

in

and

the

Yellowsto;-

Upper Missour

country.

444. Platanus occidentalis, Linn. Abundant on the rich bottoms of Mis

souri and Kansas ; but ceases to appear about one hundred mile

above Council Bluffs.

445. Juglans cinerea, Linn. Big Sioux.

446. Juglans nigra, Linn . Does not extend above latitude 430.

447. Quercus tinctoria, Bartram. Council Bluffs and Big Sioux.

448. Quercus rubra, Linn. With preceding.

449. Quercus macrocarpa, Michg. Extends to mountains.

450. Corylus Americana, Walt. Abundant around Council Bluffs.

451. Betula. Black Hills.

452. Alnus. Black Hills.

453. Populus tremuloides, Michg. Black Hills.

454. Populus angustifolia, Torr.

455. Populus monilifera, Ait. A large tree, constituting by far th

greater portion of the timber along the valley of Missouri.

456. Salix. Several species.

457. Pinus ponderosa, Douglass. Black Hills.
122 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

458. Abies Douglassi. Bad Lands of the Judith.

459. Juniperus Virginiana, Linn. Along Missouri to mountains.

460. Arunt triphyllum, Torr. Low ponds to Big Sioux.

461 . Arum Pracontium, Schott. Found by Dr. Cooper in Kansas.

462. Typha latifolia, Linn . Mouth of Platte.

463. Sparganium ramosttm, Hudson. Low places to Fort Pierre.

464. Lemna. Common in ponds on Upper Missouri .

465. Potamogeton natans, Linn. White River Valley.

466. Potamogeton pecti.natus, Linn . In ponds. Bad Lands.

467. Alisma plantago, Linn. Common in ponds, Upper Missouri.

468. Sagittaria variabilis, Engelmann. With preceding.

469. Platanthera leucophea, Nutt. Lower Platte.

470. Spiranthes cernua, Rich. Rich bottom prairies of Vermillion .

471 . Cypripediumpubescens, Willd. Rocky banks to Big Sioux River.

472. Cypripediunt a.cattle, Ait. With the preceding.

473. Iris versicolor, Linn . Lower Platte.

474. Sisyrinchium anceps, Linn. Bottom prairies to Fort Pierre.

475. -Hypoxis erects, Linn . Council Bluffs.

476. Trillium sessile, Willd . Extends to Big Sioux.

477. Smilax herbacea, Linn. Common. Mouth of Platte.

478. Smilax rotundifolia, Linn . Along Missouri to mouth of Platte.

479. Smilacina stellata, Desf. Very abundant to Niobrara, and occasionally seen to the mountains .

480. Smilacina racentosa, Desf. Council Bluffs .

481 . Polygonatum giganteum, Dietrich. Council Bluffs .

482. Allium Canadettse, Linn . Big Sioux.

483. Allium reticulatum, Nutt. Abundant about Fort Pierre.

484. Alliunt stellatum, Nutt. Platte and Loup Fork .

485. Lillium canadense, Linn. Big Sioux to Fort Pierre.

486. .Erythroninm americanum, Smith. Council Bluffs .

487 . Erythronium albidum, Nutt. Council Bluffs .

488. Yucca angustifolia, Sims. From the mouth of Niobrara River to

mountains ; on sterile hills.

489. Streptoptts amplexifolius, D. C. Council Bluff's.

490. 11lelanthium Virginicum, Linn. Big Sioux.

491 . Juncus tenztis, Willd. Abundant on bottoms of Missouri .

-492. Juncus polycephalus, Miclix. Bad Lafidg,&c. ` `-~_-

493. Tradescantia Virginica, Linn . Sandy bottoms of Missouri and its

tributaries ; generally diffused.

494. Scirlms. Many species.

The Carices of the botanical collection were submitted to the distinguished botanist, Professor Chester Dewey, of the University of

Rochester, New York, who is unquestionably the best living Caricographer in our country. Even now, at the advanced age of seventy-four

years, his enthusiasm in his favorite departments of natural history

continues unabated ; and that his useful life may still be spared to us

many years to, come is the earnest desire of more than one young

student of science who have been encouraged by his kind words and

unselfish aid to seek a recognition in the scientific world . After a careful examination, the following catalogue and notes were received form

Professor Dewey

MY DEAR SIR : I incloAe the list of all the Carices from Nebraka

Territory that you placed in my hands for examination . The whole is

a very interesting collection . t only wonder that, with your other
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA. 12

objects of special attention, you were able to seize upon so many of the

sedges ; and yet I know they are only a small portion of the plants yo

have thus preserved.

Wishing you all prosperity, and rejoicing in your perseverance an

success, I am truly yours,

Dr. F. Z'. IIAYDEN.

LIST OF NEBRASKA CARICES.

C. DEWEY.

495. Carex strantinea, Willd. Above Fort Pierre.

var. Minor, Dew. Fort Pierre.

496. Carex cristata, Schm. Little Sioux River.

497. Carex stipata, Muhl . Little Sioux River.

498. Carex vulpinoida, Muhl. Common.

499. Carex mirabilis, Dew. Common.

500. Carex cephaloidea, Muhl. Near Fort Leaven worth.

501. Carex scirpoides, Schk . - Near Fort Leavenworth.

502. Carexfestucacea, Schk. Missouri, below Fort Pierre.

503. . Carex Muhlenburghii, Schk. Missouri, below Fort Pierre.

504.'* Carex vulpina, Linn. Large and fine. Missouri, below For

Pierre.

505. Carex tenera, Dew. Missouri, below Fort Pierre. .

506. Carex hookeriana, Dew. Missouri, below Fort Pierre.

507. Carex rosea, Schk . Southern Nebraska.

var. radiata, Dew. Southern Nebraska.

508. Carex setavea, Dew. Southern Nebraska.

509. Carex teretiuscula, Good. Southern Nebraska.

510. Carex scoparia, Schk. Common.

511.t Carexpetasata; Dew. Upper Missouri.

512.$ Carex stenophylla, Wahl. Upper Missouri.

513. Carex festiva ?, Dew. (Too old to decide.) Near Fort Leaven

worth .

514. § Carex Douglasii, Boott. Before credited to arctic regions.

515. Carex leporina, Linn. Before credited to arctic regions.

516. Carex obtusata, Lily. Upper Missouri.

517. Carex blanda, Dew. Near Fort Clark. _

518. Carex aneeps, Schk . Near-Fort Clark.

519. Carex hystericina, Wild. Eagle-nest Creek.

520. Carex grisea, Wahl . Near Fort Leavenwortb.

521. Carex inarginata, Muhl . Missouri, near Fort Pierre.

522. Carex arctata, Boott. Missouri, near Fort Pierre.

523. Carex crauei, Dew. Missouri River.

524. Carex steudelli, Kth. Missouri River.

525. Carex ntoodii, Dew. Missouri River.

526. Carex eburnea, Boott. Missouri River.

527. Carex lanuginosa, Michx. Yellowstone, &c.

NOTES BY PROF. DEWEY.

* C. vulpina, Linn . First found in our country in Ohio, several years since, and canno

be confounded with C. 8tipata, Muhl. It seems to abound in Nebraska, large and fin

t C. petasata, Dew. Collected first in Arctic America, and is abundant in Nebraska

t C. stenophylla, Wahl. A northern carex in Europe, and first published by Dr. Boot

among the ' 1 Carices of British North America" as common there, and is abundant 

Nebraska.

§ C. Dougla8si, Boott. First described in Dr. Boott's work, just mentioned, but no

ound in Nebraska, which seems to have strayed, like C. Richardmi, into our latitude
124 EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

528. Carex aristata, K. Br. " Bad Lands."

var. longo-lanceolata, Dew. « Bad Lands."

529. Carex riparia, Good. Along Missouri.

530. Carex trichocarpa, Muhl. Along Missouri.

531. Carex vesicaria, Linn. Along Missouri.

532. Carex longirostris, Torr. Along Missouri.

533. Carex filifornds. Good . Eagle-nest Creek.

534. Carex acuta, Linn. Eagle-nest Creek.

535. Carex vulgaris, Fries . Eagle-nest Creek.

536. Carex stricta, Lam. Eagle-nest Creek.

537. Carex strictior, Dew. Eagle-nest Creek .

538. Carex recta, Boott. Near Fort Pierre.

539. Carex davisii, Torr. Yellowstone River.

540. Carex shortiana, Dew. Along Missouri.

541. Carex ampullaeea, Good. Along Missouri.

542. Carex monile, Tuekerman. Along Missouri.

543. Carex curta, Good. Yellowstone River.

544. Carex laeustris, Willd.

The following specfes seem to be new

545. Carex Nebrascensis, Dew. Missouri River, near Fort Pierre.

546. Carex Haydeni, Dew. Missouri River, near Fort Pierre.

547. Carex Meekii, Dew. Yellowstone River.

548. Carex leavi-conica, Dew. Yellowstone River.

549. Zizania aquatica, Linn. Along Missouri, wet ponds near Council

Bluffs.

550. Alopecurus geniculatus, Linn. Near low wet spits on Missouri, near

Big Sioux and mouth of Loup Fork.

551. Vilfa cuspidata, Torr. Along Missouri River ; also on high hills

along White River.

552. Sporobalus heterolepis, Gray. Along Shyenne River in Missouri.

553. Agrostis michauxiana, Torr. Bottoms of Kansas, also on James

and Shyenne Rivers, Upper Missouri.

554. Agrostis cryptandra, Torr. Banks of Little Sioux River.

555. Muhlenbergia glomerata, Linn. Abundant on prairies of Upper

Missouri, ; wood-lands, &c.

556. Calamagrostis Canadensis, Beauv. Lower Missouri.

557. Calamagrostis longifolia, Henk. Sandy bottoms.

558. Calamagrostis stricta, Nutt. Along Missouri ; moist places.

559. Stipa spartea, Linn. Prairies of Upper Missouri.

560. Stipa capillata, Linn.

561. Stipa membranacea, Pursh. Sandy banks of Shyenne River.

562. Aristida pallens, Nutt . Sterile hills along Missouri ; also on the

Platte.

563. Spartina cynosuroides, Willd. Low situations on Missouri.

564. Bouteloua oligostachya, Torr. Upland prairies of Missouri.

565. Sesleria dactyloides, Nutt. This is one of the most abundant as

well as useful grasses on the Upper Missouri . It grows in low

matted tufts, covering the prairies oftentimes for many miles, and

furnishing a most nutritious and palatable food for the buffalo,

deer, and other game ; also for the horses of the Indian and

voyageur.

566. Festuca tenella, Willd. Valley of the Missouri.

567. Festuca nutans, Willd. Along bottoms of Kansas.

568. Saleria cristata, Linn.
EXPLORATIONS IN NEBRASKA AND DAKOTA.

569. Eatonica P. ennsylvanica.

570 . Poa pratensis, Linn.

571. Poa annua, Linn. Sandy bottoms along Missouri .

572. Poa nervata, Willd. On the Kansas,

573. Poa nemoralis, Linn. Shady woods and ravines on Missouri.

574. Arundo phragmites. Abundant in moist places around Counci

Bluffs.

575. Elymus Canadensis, Linn. Wooded banks to mountains.

576. Bruchmannia cruci,formis, Jacq. A beautiful grass, growing in lo

moist places. I have not seen it above Fort Pierre.

577. Uniola stricta, Torr. Hills of the Upper Missouri.

578. Uniola paniculata, Linn. Near Fort Leavenworth, K. T.

579. Triticum repens, Linn . Abundant along Missouri River.

580. Sordeum pratcnse. Above Missouri River.

581. Sordeum pusillum, Nutt. Above Missouri River.

582. Hordeum jubation, Ait. Above Missouri River.

583. Aira latifolia . Above Missouri River.

584. Aira elongata. Above Missouri River.

585. Ceratochloa grandiflora.

586. Cenchrus tribzdoides, Linn. Very common in Kansas, and seen o

sand bottoms in the valley of Yellowstone.

587. Andropogon scoparius, Mic;hx. Sandy bottoms of Missouri.

588. Eragrostis poaoides, Beauv. Along sandy bottoms, Lower Mis

souri.

589. Monroa squarrosa, Torr. i n Whipple's Report. Great Bend of th

Upper Missouri.

590. Equisetum arvense, Linn. Sandy bottoms along Missouri .

591. Equisetuna hyemale, Linn . Covers large areas on sandy bottoms o

Missouri and tributaries .

592. Adiantum pedaticm, Linn . Council Bluj's.

593. Botrychium Yirgi?2icum, Swartz. Mouth of the Platte.

*U .S .GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1981--0-731-016

12
US Army Corps

of Engineers

Office of the Chief

of Engineers

EP 870-1-7

Oct 1981