Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-12-02

The principal q :adrupeds that had been seen
by the colonists in their various expeditions,
were the stag. iallow deer, hart, black and griz-
ely bear, antelope, ahsahto or bighorn, sea and
river otter, muskrat, fox, volt, and panther, the
latter extremely rare. The only domestic ami
mails among the natives were horses and dogs.
The country aboundcd with aquatic and land
birds, such swans, wild geese, b.ant, ducks OF
almost every description, pelicans, hcrons, gul!s,
snipes, curlews eagles, vulturcs. CROW :, ravens,
magpies, woodpcckers, pigeons, pheasants, par
tridges, grouse, and q great variety OF singing
birds.
There were few reptiles; tho only dangerous
kind was the rattlcsnake, and one striped with
black, elbow, and white, about four feet long. "A
monC the lizard kind was one about or 10 inches
in length exclusive Of the tail and three inches in
circumference. The tail was round, and Of the
same length the body. The head was TRAN
pular Gov cred with small scales, green, yellow
black and blue. Each foot had five toes, furnish
ed with strong nails probably to aid it in burrow-
ing, as it usually lived under ground on the
plains.
A remarkable fact, characteristic Of the country
west Of the Rocky mountains, is the mildness
and equabity Of the climate. That great noun
tain barrier seems to divide the continent into
different climates, even in the same degree Of
latitude. The rigorous winters, and sultry sum-
mcrs inequalities Of temperature prevalent on
the Atlantic side Of the mountains, but little
felt ON their western declivities.-The countries
between them and the Pacific blessed with
milder and steadier temperature, resembling the
climates Of parallel latitude in Europe. In the
plains and vallies but little snow falls throughout
the winter, and usually melts while falling. 1t
rarely lies on the ground more than two days
at a time, except on the summit OF the noun
I aims. The winters are rainy rather than cold
The rains for FIVE months, from the middle OF
March. are almost incessant, and often accom-
IL l,,~e ,nrc IlUhtn1nO-
The winds prevalent at this season are from the
south and southeast, which usually brings ram.
Those from the north to the southwest are the
harbingers Of fair weather and a clear sky. The
residue of the year, from the middle OF March
to the middle Of October, an interval OF seven
months is serene and delightful There is scarce
Nv any rain drought this time, yet the face OF the
country is kept verdant and fresh by nightly
dews, and occasionally by humid fogs in the NOR
ninps These are not considered preJudicial to
health, since both the natives and the whites
sleep in the open air in perfect imPunity while
this cquabc and bland temperature prevails
the lower country the peaks and ridges
of the vast mountains by which it is dominated,
are covered with perpetual snow THIS renders
them discernablc Mt great distance, shining at
times like bright summer clouds, at other times
assuming the most aerial tints and always form
ming brilliant and striking features in the vast
landscape. The mild temperature prevalent
drought the country is attributed by some to the
succession Of winds from the Pacific ocean, OK
tending from latitude twenty degrees to at least
fiftv degrees north. These temper the heat OF
sunmerso that in the shade one is incommodcd
by perspiration; they also soften the rigors OF
winter, and produce such moderation IN the Cit
mate. that the inhabitants can wear the same
dress drought the year.
The soil in the neighborhood Of the sea coast
is Of brown color, inclining to red, and gener-
ally poor, being a mixture Of clay and gravel.
Ia the interior, and especially in the valleys of
the Rocky mountains, the soil is generally black
ish; though sometimes yellow. 1t is frequently
mixed with mari and marine substances, IN a
state Of decomposition. This kind of soil ex-
tends to considerable depth, as may be Pcrce'v-
ed by the deep cuts made by ravines, and by the
beds of rivers. The vegetation in these valleys,
is much more abundant than near the coast; IN
fact. it is in these fertile intervals, locked up be-
tween rocky sierras, o. scoopcd out from barren
wastes that population must extend itself as II
were. in veins and manifestations, If ever the re-
cions beyond the mountains should become CT
Astoria.