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Show LA BONTE RIVEB- LA PRHLE. 59 stones, th$ same as those forming the crest of the ridge, and which seemed to be the result of some fQrce from beneath. The rocks were so. brokfen that no indication could, be obtained of their stratification. About one mile from La Bont£, the ridge on the left became lower, and the dip of the rocks was evidently less. They are composed of gray and white sandstone, clayey shales and clay, from which some few fossils were collected* The formation over which we have been travelling to- day seems to have been the result of the upheaving of the underlying strata, and the direction of the force would appear to have been from N. N. W. to S. S. E. It is not improbable that the trap and r^ d sandstone seen on the Platte about twelve miles above Fort Laramie is the result of the same action, as that point would be in about the direction in which such a line would strike the river. The formation of the high ridges seen on the north side of the Platte, is undoubtedly owing to the same cause. The strata observed to the" right of the" road before leaving the valley of the £ a Bontl were not conformable with, those on the ridge, but had a slight dip to the south- east. t They consisted of clay and coarse sandstone, and were analogous to those passed in the early part of the day. There can be but little doubt that they have been deposited since the elevation of the ridge. Tuesday, July 24.- Ther. at sunrise, 49°; Temperature of the spring the same. The road to- day passes over a rolling country, being spurs of the JBlaok Hills.. We crossed the dry beds of several small streams, skirted, in some instances, with willoWs, box- elder, wild- cherry bushes,; and occasionally with some large cotton- woods, until we reached the river La* PrSle. At this spot the mules were watered only, it being impossible to procure a blade of grass for them all the day. Consequently, we were obliged to continue on some four miles farther> until we reached the Platte, where we en-. camped in a pretty little grove of large cotton- woods, with but a very scanty supply of grass. The artemisia seemed, to- day, to have taken- complete possession of the country; and what little grass once grew along the Toad has been literally burned cut by the passing emigrants. v Upon arriving at the encamping ground, it was found, to our great grief, that the barometer was broken. It had been firmly fixed in an upright position, in the small springrcarriage, and care* fully strapped to one of the stancheons; but in coming down a steep and rough ravine, it must have received a jar that snapped |