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the Missouri river, and southward across the southern boundary of the territory. This soil cannot be otherwise than very productive. I should think it especially adapted to wheat, rye, barley, and oats. I have seen, also, very fine Indian corn along the upper valleys of the Missouri river. It is in this district that what are called buttes by the Canadian French, and cerros by the Spaniards, are profusely scattered. Here and there the traveller finds surfaces, varying in diameter from a hundred feet to a mile, elevated from fifteen to fifty feet above the surrounding surface. They are not hills or knobs, the sides of which are more or less steep and covered with grass. Their sides are nearly perpendicular, their surfaces flat, and often covered with mountain cherries and other shrubs. They have the appearance of having been suddenly elevated above the surrounding surface by some specific cause. This marl and limestone formation is, in many localities, worked into fantastic or picturesque forms by the action of the elements. In one place, especially, called by the traders La Mauvaise Terre (the bad ground), and about thirty miles in diameter, it has assumed a marvellous variety of singular forms. From one point of view it assumes the aspect of an extensive and frowning fortification; from another, the appearance of an oriental city crowned with domes and minarets; and from a third, the appearance of a sterile, broken, and unattractive congregation of incongruous elements. These

delusive appearances are produced by distance and the position of the sun.

"The wrecks of the diluvian period of geology are spread all over this region, and most profusely on that portion north of the Missouri river. Detached masses of rock, some of. them hundreds of tons in weight, wholly unconnected with the adjacent geological formations, and evidently allied to those of the northern Rocky Mountain region, dot the whole country.

"The district which I will call the fourth, lying north of the Missouri river and west of Minnesota, is a succession of undulating plains, the soil of which is quite fertile but rather dry. These plains are covered with a thick grassy sward, which sustains innumerable herds of bison, elk, and deer.

"The fifth district is at the base of the Black Hills, between that range and the Rocky Mountains, and includes the valley of the Yellowstone, of the Maria's river, and a variety of other small valleys, circumvallated by an amphitheatre of mountains and gorgeous mountain scenery. The valley of the Yellowstone is spacious, fertile, and salubrious. The streams are fringed with trees, from whence the valley expands many miles to the mountains. The traveller can almost imagine himself upon the Danube; for the valley is sprinkled over at long intervals with cyclopean structures of granite, closely assimilated in appearance, from a distant view, to the stern and solitary castles with

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which Europe was covered and guarded during the middle ages. But these structures exceed those of Europe in magnitude and grandeur, and the woods and waters are disposed with a taste and beauty which the highest art must ever toil after in vain. It is encircled by a rich girdle of heights and mountains, the bases and dark sides of which are obscured in shrubs, and the summits tufted with noble forest trees. And here is to be the seat of a populous and powerful community in the far future.”

Snow falls at the foot of the mountains as early as September, and in the extreme south-eastern points of the territory as early as the first of November. These may be regarded as the two limits, between which the beginning of winter in different parts will range. In general, as one travels farther north and nearer to the mountains, the temperature will, of course, be colder than that of Iowa, which is opposite its south-eastern frontier.

The valley of the Nebraska or Platte river, and that part of the western side of the Missouri river which is below this, will be the parts of Nebraska which will first attract settlers.

The little section of the territory opposite Missouri, now occupied by the Ottoes and by the little colony of Halfbreeds which has been described, is, undoubtedly, one of the finest regions in the world. The part of Missouri opposite, known as the Platte Purchase, is regarded as the richest agricultural part of that state. A recent report of

the geological surveyor states, as the result of careful measurements, that the soil there is fourteen feet deep. The corner of Nebraska alluded to, and the eastern side of Kanzas, appear to share these great physical advantages. Settlers from Iowa and other states have already been "locating" there. The various positions which have received names will be described in another chapter.

The following extract describes an expedition from Council Bluffs into this lovely region:

"A short drive brought us to the Winter Quarters Ferry, twelve miles above on the river, where a good, wellmanned, and capacious steam ferry-boat was waiting, and in three minutes we landed all our company upon the farfamed soil of Nebraska. After a refreshing draught from a clear, cold spring that gushes from the hill-side, a few minutes brought us to the encampment of Messrs. Babbitt and Stiles, situated upon a pretty grassy knoll, with the green carpet thickly bespangled with myriads of red, juicy strawberries, which, by the by, abound plentifully in the river-borders of this highly interesting country. A cheerful camp-fire was soon blazing, and our animals turned loose to graze.

"We encircled the broad, spread table (buffalo skins. spread on the ground), and regaled upon luxuries. At a reasonable hour the camp-fire was well replenished, and a circular bed of robes, etc., spread, and all retired in quiet to repose, and to dream of the great future of that lovely land.

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Early morn brought the report of horses being missing. A scout soon returned with the conviction that they had been stolen by the Indians. A company of horsemen started on one trail north, while we, with a small company, took the road for the Elkhorn, where we arrived (thirty miles) in good camp time, after passing over a most delightful country for nearly the whole distance. There is, however, quite a scarcity of timber, which may only be found upon the streams.

"We encamped for dinner on the Papillon, where there is some nice timber and excellent water. In approaching near the Elkhorn, a glorious and grand scenery breaks upon the vision. The eye takes in, at a glance, the country ahead for some twenty miles, giving a full view of the Elkhorn and Platte rivers, with their winding courses, groves, bluffs, and valleys; at sundown the scenery is both grand and enchanting.

"The river being high, we met with no success in fishing, although there are fine fish in the stream. Our roast venison was eaten with a relish while seated on nature's grassy carpet around the camp-fire. Here we found a number of Pawnee Indians, one of whom had a monster of a young black eagle which he had captured after having broken one of its wings. We had an excellent night's rest, and at an early hour started homeward, snatching occasionally from their native beds a cluster of sweet flowers."

Settlers are also passing into the fertile region between