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Show 322 Lewis and Clarke's Ex11edition depressed obliquely on the side next the river as if they had iUill{ to fill up the cavity formed by the washing of the river. In the open places ainong the rocky cliffs at·e two kinds of gooseberry, one yellow and the other red. ,.I'he former species was observed for the first time near the falls, the latter differs ft•om it in no respect except in colour and in being of a larger size: both have a sweet flavour, and are rather indifferent fruit. Friday 26. We again found the current strong and the 1•ipples frequent: these we were ob1iged to overcome by means of the cord and the pole, the oar being scarcely eve1• used except in crossing to take advantage of the shore. Within three and three quarter miles we passed seven smaU islands and reached the mouth of a large ct·eek which empties itself in the centre of a bend on the left side: it is a bold running stream fifteen yards wide, and received the name of Howard crettk after John P. Howard one of the party. One mile beyond it is a small run which falls in on the same side just above a rocky cliff. Here the mountains ree8de from the river, and the valley widens to the extent of several miles. The river now become~ crowded with islands of which we passed ten in the next thirteen and three qual'ter miles, then at the distance of eighteen miles we encamped on the left shore ncar a rock in the centt·e of a bend towards the left, and opposite to twe more islands. This valley bas wide low grounds covered with high grass, and in many with a fine turf of green sward. The soil of the highlands is thin and meagre, without any covering except a low sedge and a dr·y kind of gra!s which is almost as inconvenient as the prickly pear. 'l."'he seeds of it are armed 'vith a long twisted hard beard at thch· upper extremity, wltilc tlte lower part is a sharp firm point, beset at its base 'vith little stHr bristles, with the points in a direction contrary to tlte subulate point to which they aniwer as a barb. We sec also another species of pt·ickly pear. It is of a globular form, composed of an assemblage of little conjc leaves Up tlte Missouri. 323 springing from a common root to which their small points are aUaehed as a common centt·c, and the base of the cone forru~ the apex oft he lear which is garnished with a circular range of sharp thorns like the cochineal plant, and quite as stiff and even mot·c keen than those of the common fiat-leafed species. Between the hills the t·iver had been confined within one buudL·ed anti fil'ty or two hundred yards, but in the valley it widens to two hundred or two hundred and fifty yat·,ls, and sometimes is spread by its numerous islands to the di,stance of three quarters of a mile. 'rhe banks arc low, but the river never overflows them. On entering the valley we again saw the snow-clad mountains ,.l>eforc us, but the allpcarance of t.hc hills as well as of the timber near us is much as hcretof'ot·c. Finding Chabonea.u unable to proceed captain Clarke left him with one ot' the men, and accompanied by the other went up the rivet· about twelve miles to the top of a mountain. Here he had an extensive view of the river valley upwards and saw a large creek which flowed in on the right side. lie however uiscovcretl no ft·esh sign of the Indians, and therefore dctet·mined to examine the middle branch and join us by the time we reached the forks: he descended the mountain by an Indian path which wound through a deep valley, and at length reached a fine cohl spring. 'I'h.e day had been very warm, the path unshadcd by timber, and his thil'st was excessive; he was therefore tempted to th·ink: but although be took tbe precaution of1,reviously wetting bis head, feet and bauds, he soon found himself very unwell: he continued his route, and after resting with Chaboneau at llis camp, resumed his march across the north fol'k near a large island. 'l"'he fil'st 1mrt was knee deep, but on the other side of the island the water came to theit· waists and was so ra1,id that Chaboneau was on tlte point of being swe1,t away, and not ueing al>le to swim would have perished if ca1,tain Clarke had not rescued him. While crossing the islaml they killed two brown bear and saw • |