LIST OF PLANTS 
FOUND ON THE 
PLAINS OF WESTERN DAKOTA AND EASTERN MONTANA 
DURING THE 
SUMMER OF 1877 AND SPRING OF 1879, 
BY 
V. HAVARD, 
ASSISTANT SURGEON, U. S. A. ; 
BEING PART OF 
APPENDIX SS 
OF THE 
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS FOR 1880 
WASHINGTON: 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1880. LIST OF PLANTS 
FOUND ON THE 
PL4INS OF WESTERN DAKOTA AND EASTERN MONTANA 
DURING THE 
SUMMER OF 1877 AND SPRING OF 1879, 
BY 
V. HAVARD, 
ASSISTANT SURGEON, U. S. A. ; 
BEING PART OF 
APPENDIX S S 
OF THE 
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS FOR 1880. 
WASHINGTON: 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1880. LIST OF PLANTS 
FOUND ON THE 
PLAINS OF WESTERN DAKOTA AND EASTERN MONTANA DURING THE 
SUMMER OF 1877 AND SPRING OF 1879. 
V. HAVARD, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A. 
This list contains 375 species, 62 of which are woody, and 313 herbaceous. 
The country which it covers and characterizes may be defined as the Northwestern 
plains, including the northwestern quarter of Dakota and that portion of Montana 
lying east of the Rocky Mountains. The main streams watering it are the Upper Mis- 
souri, from Fort A. Lincoln to the Falls, the Yellowstone from its mouth to the Canon, 
the Musselshell, and Milk River up to the boundary line. 
The Northwestern plains are mostly underlaid by cretaceous or lignite tertiary beds. 
They are generally rolling, often broken into buttes and bad lands, and as their name 
implies, without mountain ranges. Their soil is sandy alluvial, more or less alkali in 
bottomsand bad lands, and gravelly on table-lands. In altitude they range from 
1,640 feet at Bismarck to about 3,000 at Benton. Their great meteorological features 
are long and severe winter and smallness of rainfall. 
This paper is complementary to the " Botanical Outlines," published in Appendix 
Q Q of the Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1878; it is a study of the same subject, 
but under quite different aspects. It contains the enumeration in extenso of all the 
plants seen in the region whose Hora was merely sketched in the "Outlines." Some 
repetition was unavoidable; the trees and shrubs, specially described in the latter 
paper, necessarily reappear in this but mostly shorn of all details already published. 
The plants of this list were observed or collected during the summer of 1877, while 
serving with the Seventh United States Cavalry, and during the spring of 1879, while 
accompanying the Eighteenth United States Infantry to Fort Assinaboine, Mont. 
They are arranged by families in the order of Gray's Manual. The state of the plant 
with regard to its flower or fruit is generally stated; if found in flower, the date of 
collection or period of blossming simply appears without remark. 
To Mr. Sereno Watson, of Cambridge, for his assistance in determining many species, 
and other courtesies, I feel under great obligations. 
With a view to exhibit clearly the range of woody, and that of a few attractive 
herbaceous species, I shall trace them along the Missouri and its principal tributa- 
ries, so as to present, as it were, the botanical physiognomy of these streams. This 
will also have the advantage to bring the subject within ihe easy understanding of 
those not specially interested in botany. 
At Fort A. Lincoln, our starting point, the valley of the Missouri is wide and cov- 
ered with forests of cottonwood; willow thickets line the shores. At intervals, on dry 
ground, are small groves of elm, box-elder, and ash. On higher grounds, along the 
bluffs, are a few oak. The bullberry, osier-dogwood, rosebush, and snowberry abound. 
The Missouri currant, prickly gooseberry, and choke-cherry are also common. The 
following vines are frequently seen: Virgin's bower, winter grape, and poison ivy; 
less common are the Virginian creeper and the hop, and rare is the climbing bitter- 
sweet. On the slopes and covering the top of the bluffs are seen brown and green 
patches of ground cedar. The red cedar begins to appear on the bluffs above the 
Little Missouri, and is common thence. 
These general features are preserved until the mouth of the Yellowstone is passed; 
then the Missouri narrows perceptibly, and the large tracts of cottonwood become 
much reduced. The oak has disappeared, the elm grows scarce, and will also soon dis- 
appear. Ash, nowhere common, decreases above the Yellowstone ; sparse groves, far- 
Missoiiri. 4 
ther between above Peck, are seen as far as Carroll. Box-elder is now more common, 
extending up ravines with clumps of ash. 
Poplar Creek is well timbered with cottonwood, willow-leaved poplar, ash, and 
box-elder. 
Above Wolf Creek is first noticed the characteristic sage brush of the Missouri and 
Yellowstone (Artemesia cana). 
Above Peck the river grows still narrower and the bluffs bolder and more pre- 
cipitous. On their distant summits are seen a few pines (Pinus ponderosa), which 
increase in number and size as we proceed farther up. First seen on the tops in the 
early morning from the steamboat deck, they gradually descend down the slope 
as we advance, and late in. the evening have reached the river bank in the vicinity 
of Fort Hawley. The red cedar has now disappeared from the bluffs, and near the 
mouth of the Musselshell is seen on the shore in the strange company of cottonwood 
and willows ; it becomes scant above Armell's Creek. 
Above Carroll timber grows scarce in the contracted valley ; long reaches of river 
without cottonwood are passed. Steamboats now take in pine and cedar for fuel. 
Above Cow Island the river runs between bare buttes worn into fantastic shapes. The 
scant fuel costs twice as much as below the Musselshell. Little clumps of cotton- 
wood and willows appear here and there,on the edge of the valley,at the mouth of a 
tributary, or again on an island. With those exceptions the Missouri is mostly desti- 
tute of arborescent vegetation, and remains so as far as the Falls and probably much 
beyond. Betw een the Coal Banks and Benton small groves of box-elder are seen scat- 
tered on the shores. 
After passing the Marais River, first appear the two poplars which, from their 
constant association, may be called companion poplars (balsam poplar and willow- 
leaved poplar), mixed with cottonwood. The latter grows scarce; only a few are 
seen above Benton, and at the Falls has completely disappeared, being superseded by 
the two former. 
There is no timber at Benton, nothing but willow brush along the banks and a few' 
half-grown cottonwood in the distance. The same destitution continues above Ben- 
ton where the banks soon narrow into a rocky canon. 
At the Falls I noticed several clumps of balsam and willow-leaved poplar, box- 
elder, red cedar; ou the declivity of the banks, choke-cherry, prickly gooseberry, and 
rosebush. No pine was seen either on the banks or the grassy plains above. 
Yellowstone. 
The flora of the Lower Yellowstone does not materially differ from that of the Mis- 
souri. The valley rising soon to a higher level, the soil being less alluvial and more 
gravelly, and the temperature distinctly higher, we find, in consequence, a greater 
variety of species. 
The arborescent vegetation, however, remains about the same. The cottonwood 
and willows continue to be the prevalent timber. Elm, scant near the month, soon 
disappears. Sparse groves of ash are found above Tongue River. 
Many showy flowers deck the valley and the slopes in the spring: Leucocrinum 
Montanum, Penstemon acuminatum and album, Gaura coccinea, Oxytropis Lamberti, and 
Campestris, Lupinus perrennis, and various astragali, &c. Above Cedar Creek blossom 
early the two elegant species of Fritlilaria (atropurpurea and pudica),two of Zigademus 
(Nuttallii and paniculatiu), and, somewhat later, the sega-plaut (Colochortus Nuttallii) 
and several species of Ainothera, principally the pinnatifida and coespitosa. All bot- 
toms are covered with white sage-brush (Artemesia cana). On the bluffs is commonly 
seen the Yucca Augustifolia. 
After reaching Custer Creek new shrubs attract attention ; the western sage-brush 
(Artemesia tridendata and occasionally the trifida), and the grease-bush (Sarcobatutt 
vermiculatus) which nourishes on bad-lands. Now also abounds the notorious gramen, 
porcupine or spear-grass (Stipa comata), whose barbed seeds in August adhere obsti- 
nately to man and horse alike. More noisome still is the ubiquitous Missouri cactus. 
The ground cedar is common but the red cedar is rarely seen east of Tongue River ; 
thence common. The choke-cherry, rosebush, bullberry, hop, and several gooseber- 
ries are found mostly everywhere. The bluff' pine is first seen on the hills of Porcupine 
Creek; thence common. The cottonwood, above Clarke's Fork becomes mixed with 
the companion poplars; it is mostly replaced by the latter at the mouth of the Big 
Rosebud, and disappears a short distance further up. Above Clarke's Fork, box-elder 
is a common tree on the valley. 
The Yellowstone is well timbered in its lower and upper portions, but the middle 
portion is occasionally bare. It is nowhere,below the canon,contracted like the Upper 
Missouri, or, like it above Carroll, destitute for many miles of arborescent vegetation. 
The Lower Yellowstone, from its mouth to Glendive Creek, and the Upper Yellow- 
stone, from Tongue River upward, seem to possess great advantages as farming dis- 
tricts, having a good soil, temperate climate, ami unbounded facilities for raising 
stock. 5 
The tributaries of the Yellowstone,east of the mountains,are mostly timbered with 
cottonwood as far as Clarke's Fork; above that stream the companion poplars super- 
sede it. Box-elder in small groves, aspen and western alder in thin clumps grow on 
Clarke's Fork a few miles above its mouth; on the Big Rosebud pine is added to 
these. 
On the Musselshell cottonwood is the prevalent tree ; at the bend it becomes mixed 
with balsam and willow-leaved poplars and disappears a short distance above Colonel 
Stanley's crossing. Choke-cherry and Missouri currant are abundant. 
Musselshell. 
Judith Basin. 
In the Judith Basin the bluff-pine covers the hills. Aspen, the companion poplars, 
willows, and the western birch, grow on the banks of streams. 
On Milk River the timber consists essentially of cottonwood and willows as far as 
the boundary line. Cottonwood extends likewise into its tributaries, but only for a 
short distance, being soon replaced by the companion poplars. On many of these 
tributaries, north and south, box-elder is the prevalent tree and has given its name 
to several of them. 
On the Marais and Teton Rivers, both fairly timbered, the compapion poplars pre- 
ponderate and supply most of the lumber and fuel procurable at or above Benton. 
Milk River. 
With the hope to enable the reader to form a more intelligent conception of the 
agricultural capabilities of this region, I have, as far as imperfect statistics would 
allow me, computed its temperature and rainfall. 
The results obtained, in their general bearing, are not new, and make no claim to 
originality ; they confirm what are,I believe, already accepted principles in climatology 
and illustrate these principles in iheir application to this limited zone. In a more 
particular way they permit me to point out several local influences and variations 
which may add to our knowledge of the meteorological peculiarities of the Northern 
plains. 
TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL. 
Temperature. 
It is known that on the same parallel the mean annual temperature presents sensi- 
ble variations which are, to a certain extent, independent of altitude or other local 
causes. The 47th degree of latitude, being that of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and 
nearly the central line of the Dakota plains, was the one selected for my inquiries. I 
found that,on that parallel,the lowest temperature is on or near the Mississippi Valley, 
and the highest on the Pacific Coast; the extremes being 34°.5 on the meridian of 
Fort Ripley, Minn., and 52°.2 on that of Fort Lapwai, Idaho. 
In the following figures, whenever any stated place is not on or near the 47th de- 
gree, an approximate correction is made for difference of latitude on the basis of 1°.5 
Fahr, for each degree of latitude ; in other words, unless otherwise stated, the temper- 
ature is for the meridian of that place where it crosses the 47th degree. 
Starting from Chatham, N. B., wfith a mean of 39°, the temperature increases 
slightly as we remove from the coast, being 40°.6 at Quebec. It remains about the 
same across the lakes as far as Duluth, viz: Alpena, Mich., 40°; Fort Brady, Mich., 
39°.7; Marquette, Mich., 42°; Duluth, Minn., 41°. These figures seem to denote a 
slight rise along the western half of Lake Superior. From Duluth the mean tempera- 
ture falls rapidly, and reaches its minimum near the Mississippi Valley; thus the me- 
ridian of Fort Ripley, Minn., on the 47th degree (mean of three years) is only 34°.5. 
Farther south the minimum mean is throwu farther west, as seems to be shown by the 
corrected temperatures of Saint Paul (39°.9) and Fort Wadsworth, Dak. (36°.7); so 
that the minimum line may be drawn obliquely from Brainerd to the headwaters of 
the Minnesota River. From the minimum line,westward,a steady though irregular 
increase is noticed; this increase is 5°.l from Ripley to Bismarck, and 6°.3 from Wads- 
worth to Fort Sully, Dak. The following table of mean temperatures, corrected for 
latitude, is introduced for reference. The places enumerated are arranged in the order 
of their longitude: 
Fargo, Dak 
Wadsworth, Dak 
37.2 
36.7 
Jamestown, Dak 
37.5 
Bismarck, Dak 
39.6 
Fort Stevenson, Dak 
39.2 
Fort Buford, Dak 
39.5 
Fort Keogh, Mont 
46.5 
Fort Benton, Mont .... 
45.4 6 
Fort Shaw, Mont 
45.5 
Fort Baker, Mont 
38.2 
Fort Ellis, Mont 
38.1 
Fort Lapwai, Idaho 
52.2 
Fort Colville, Wash 
48.4 
Olympia, Wash 
Cape Disappointment, Wash 
51.3 
50.0 
The mean of Bismarck is slightly above that of the same parallel for a considerable 
distance west and east of it; on the Missouri it is only reached again above Fort Bu- 
ford, but on the Yellowstone the temperature rises at a much more rapid rate and is 
47°.2 at the mouth of Tongue River (Fort Keogh), so that it is probable that the in- 
crease from Bismarck overland to Keogh is immediate and constant. 
The difference between the temperature of the Lakes and that of the Mississippi 
Valley is shown again by comparing the actual mean of Marquette and Duluth with 
that of Saint Paul; though the latter town is nearly 2° south of the former two, its 
mean (42°.9 is only 0°.l higher than that of Marquette (42°.8) and 1°.5 higher than 
that of Duluth (41°.4), while in the latter case it should be at least 3°. 
The general rise of the thermometer as we advance west of the Mississippi is also 
well established by comparing the actual means of Saint Paul (42°.9) and Fort Sully, 
Dak. (47°), both places being very nearly on the same latitude. 
From Buford the rise is rapid and striking to Bentot and Fort Shaw; The fall no- 
ticed for Baker and Ellis is only apparent; these two posts being at an elevation of 
about 6,000 feet above sea level, a correction for altitude would raise their mean to at 
least that of Shaw whose altitude is only 3,000 feet. 
Beyond the Mountains the mean is much higher and reaches its maximum on the 
meridian of Fort Lapwai. Thence to the coast (mouth of the Columbia River) there 
seems to be a slight decline. 
The mean of the forty-seventh parallel, at least east of the Rocky Mountains, is low, 
not from the moderate temperature of the summer, which is generally hot and dry, 
but from the excessive cold of the winter which, from October to April, holds land and 
water fast in its icy bounds. The gradual rise noticed west of the minimum line, but 
specially west of the Buford meridian, is due, not so much to any increase of summer 
heat as to that of the winter, rendering the temperature, pro tanto, more equable 
and, therefore, the climate more desirable. Thus the difference between the summer 
means of Rice and Benton (uncorrected for latitude) is only 0°.25 in favor of Benton, 
while the difference between the winter means of those two posts is 2°.5 likewise in 
favor of Benton. A correct way to express the relation of the winter temperature to 
that of the whole year would be to divide the annual by the winter mean ; the higher 
the latter, of course the smaller the quotient, that is to say, the more even and tem- 
perate the climate. Thus, comparing Fort Snelling, Minn., with Fort Sully, Dak., 
two posts on the same latitude, we obtain 1°.97 for the former and 1°.74 for the lat- 
ter, the actual difference between the winter means being 5C. 
The results obtained for other posts (uncorrected for latitude) are as follows: 
Fort Ripley 
2.38 
Fort Seward 
2.27 
Fort Lincoln 
1.83 
Fort Keogh 
1.56 
Fort Benton 
1.66 
Fort Shaw 
1.35 
They show clearly in what proportion the winter grows milder as we advance west; 
they also show that the winter of Keogh is much milder than that of corresponding 
points on the Missouri. 
The foregoing statistics are confirmed by observing the different stages of the veg- 
etation along the Missouri in various places at about the same time. The milder the 
winter, of course,the earlier will appear the evidences of coming spring, in other 
words, the more advanced will be the vegetation ; this,in a country where the farmer 
must plant ami reap early to avoid the heat and drought of summer,is an important 
point. The following notes taken this spring, although very incomplete, bear out 
and illustrate meteorological observations. They tend to show, however, what I be- 
lieve is true, that the vegetation at Buford is at least as forward as at Lincoln and 
not behind it as the difference between the winter means would lead us to expect. 
April 16, Brainerd.-Ice on the ponds. 
April 16, Morehead.-New grass hardly perceptible; one solitary plant in bloom- 
Anemone patens. 
April 17, Bismarck.-White frost on the grass. 
April 18, Missouri Riner.-Elm in blossom ; not yet leafing. 
April 20, above Berthold.-Two umbelliferye opening their blossoms-Peucedamum 
macrocarpum and Cymopterus glomerat us. 
April 24, above Buford.-Perceptible advance in vegetation over that of the previ - 7 
ous few days ; willow buds bursting and bullberry bushes turning yellow ; banks now 
covered with green grass. 
April 26, Wolf Creek.-Willow, bullberry, and prickly gooseberry in full bloom. 
April 29, Peck.-Cottonwood leafing. 
May 1, Carroll.-Strawberry in bloom; cottonwood with full-grown foliage. 
May 2, above Cow Island.-Several flowers first seen on shore: Fritilaria, Dodeca- 
theon, Thermopsis, Viola, &c. 
May 4, Coal Banks.-Quite a number of new species in blossom : Pentstemon, Astraga- 
lus, Phlox, Oxytropis, Comandra, Banifix, Allium, &c. 
May 29, Falls of the Missouri.-Vegetation distinctly more advanced than at Coal 
Banks and Fort Assinaboine, left on previous day. Rosebush first seen in blossom; 
(Enothera cespitosa and Gaura coccinea also in flower, as well as several composite spe- 
cies. 
What has been said of the Missouri and Yellowstone will apply to the plains north 
of the former river, even to the Saskatchawan region. In the able report of G. M. 
Dawson on the geology of the forty-ninth parallel, it is shown that the indications of 
the advance of the season on the Red River (97° longitude), where it intersects the 
forty-ninth parallel,coincide with those of Cumberland House (latitude 54°, longi- 
tude 102°,20), which lies over 300 miles farther north. At Carleton House (latitude 
52°, longitude 106°. 15) the spring is a week in advance of that in the Red River Val- 
ley. At Fort Edmonton (latitude 53°.31, longitude 113°.17), in the foothills of the 
Rocky Mountains, the spring is also a few days earlier than in the Red River Valley. 
The influence of latitude on the early development of plants seems specially per- 
ceptible in this zone. Traveling up the Red River from Pembina to Fargo, in May, 
1876, 1 noticed hourly the manifest progress of the vegetation along the banks. I esti- 
mated that the advance of Fargo over Pembina was not less than two weeks, or about 
one week for each degree of latitude, the mean annual rise of temperature for the 
same distance being 3°, or 1°.5 Fahr, per degree of latitude. 
The annual means of Fargo and Benton (uncorrected) are respectively 37°.2 and 
44°.4, a difference of 7°.2. Assuming, as we may, that the vegetation between those 
two points is affected by increas'd temperature in about the same ratio as between 
Pembina and Fargo, it follows that Benton is more than a month in advance of Fargo, 
a fact made manifest not at Benton itself, which is destitute of tillable lands, but on 
the beautiful prairies which extend thence to the mountains. Over these prairies 
large herds of cattle roam in complete freedom summer and winter, and by their rapid 
increase prove the adaptability of land and climate to the successful raising of stock. 
Before closing these remarks on temperature I wish to notice an interesting appli- 
cation of a well-known meteorological law. It has been ascertained that the loss of 
heat by radiation, specially nocturnal radiation, is greater near the ground than at a 
certain elevation ; in other words, we find that within a limited altitude the tempera- 
ture of the air increases as we rise above the earth's surface. Thus, if two thermom- 
eters, placed one on the ground and the other at a height of 150 feet, be read at the 
same time, the latter would be 12° higher than the former. This increase is notice- 
able to a height of at least 200 feet. Beyond it, temperature declines with altitude. 
In accordance to this law, everybody on the plains may have observed in the early 
spring that vegetation is more advanced on the slopes and ridges than on bottom 
lands and low prairies. On high grounds the earliest Howers are found. The farm- 
ers on the eastern base of Pembina Mountain begin plowing and sowing at least ten 
days before those of the Red River Valley. I have also been much annoyed by mos- 
quitoes in May on buttes, when none were seen a few hundred feet away in the low 
valley. This law, applicable to the surface accidents of one locality, has, if any, but 
a very limited influence upon the rise of temperature westward on the same parallel. 
Rainfall. 
On large,level areas,stripped of forests, the rainfall is generally small and subjected 
to many variations which render statistics difficult of interpretation. For instance, 
at Fort Buford the fall for the year 1872-'73 was more than double that of previous 
and subsequent years; again, at Fort Benton the mean for the four years ending June, 
1874, is 11.42 inches, while that for the three years ending December, 1878, is 17.61 
inches. A mean of many years would be required to arrive at correct results. In the 
absence of sufficient data I can only aim at relative accuracy. 
The necessary amount of rain which will enable farmers to raise profitable crops, 
without irrigation or heavy dews, on fair soil, can be set down at 35 inches, the aver- 
age of Ohio and Illinois. The mean average of this region is very small, probablynot 
over 15 inches. This small amount, in spite of many fertile valleys and rich prairie 
lands, will, I fear, always condemn it to the comparative sterility of the Great Ameri- 
can Desert. 
By comparing observations as near as possible for the same period of years, it is 
pretty well established that the fall of rain lessens as we proceed westward from the 
lakes. At Duluth, Minn., it is only 32.2 inches. It does not sensibly decline in wooded 8 
districts as far as the Mississippi; thus, it is 33 inches at Brainerd and 28 inches at 
Saint Paul. 
Forest lands end at Detroit, Minn., on the Northern Pacific Railroad, and there the 
treeless plains may be said to begin. Thereafter arboreal vegetation is limited to the 
shores of streams and to mountains, and rainfall decreases correspondingly with it. 
From the Mississippi to the Red River the decline is quite perceptible: Fargo, 21.5 , 
Wadsworth, 24, and continues to the Missouri: Jamestown, 18.5; Totten, 16.7. On 
the Missouri and westward to the Rocky Mountains the meati is still lower, and ap- 
parently quite insufficient for remunerative farming, as the table exhibits: 
Fort Lincoln, Dak 
Fort Rice, Dak 
Inches. 
15 
12 
Fort Sully, Dak 
16. 4 
Fort Stevenson, Dak 
13 
Fort Buford, Dak 
12 
Fort Benton, Mont 
11.4 
Fort Keogh, Mont 
13 
Fort Shaw, Mont «. 
6.7 
Fort Baker, Mont 
9.6 
Fort Ellis, Mont 
16 
Fort Lapwai, Idaho 
14.6 
Cape Disappointment, Wash 
It seems that, in a general way, the rainfall grows smaller as we near the Rocky 
Mountains. It does not increase much, if any, in Idaho, but becomes very large on 
the Pacific coast. I have ascertained,though without direct statistics, that the pre- 
cipitation on the Yellowstone is materially larger than on the Missouri for the same 
meridian. 
A small fall equally distributed throughout the year would be of little benefit to 
the farmer; fortunately for this region, the rain falls mostly in the spring and early 
summer, from April to July, so as to concentrate its beneficial effects to the season of 
growth. From Duluth to the Missouri, May, June, and July are the rainy months; 
west of the Missouri the rainy season is a little earlier, May being the month of 
greatest precipitation; west of the Mountains it is earlier still. 
lu this region of sandy, porous soil,a few inches of rain are far more precious than 
a few degrees of heat, and we find the most remunerative crops there where the pre- 
cipitation is largest, viz, east of the Missouri. There is a striking difference in the 
flora of the two sides of the Missouri where it is crossed by the Northern Pacific Rail- 
road. On the eastern shore the cottonwood disappears; the prairie wears a new 
aspect, caused by a greater variety of nou-gramineous plants and the absence of Buf- 
falo-Grass. 
On James River the timber is mostly elm and box-elder; on the Red River, oak, 
ash, elm, aspen, anti box-elder. No cottonwood grows on either of these streams. 
East of Jamestown the soil is more substantial, and the rain, though not averaging 
20 inches, falling when most needed, seems sufficient to raise good crops. In the last 
three or four years the Northern Pacific Railroad, between Jamestown and Red River, 
has become lined on both sides with flourishing villages where excellent wheat is 
raised on extensive tracts of prairie lands. 
It is noteworthy that the rainfall has much increased of late over the whole Mis- 
souri Basin, and great encouragement thereby given to settlers. I am unable to 
explain this increased precipitation; being very general it cannot be due to the culti- 
vation of very limited areas in Dakota and Montana; 1 fear it does not depend upon 
permanent causes, and that the last few years of relative abundance will be followed 
by a period of drought and sterility. 
RANUNCULACE/E. 
Ranunculus aquatilis, L. (White Water Crowfoot).-Middle Yellowstone; common 
in swamps; July. 
R. Pensylvanicus, L. (Bristly Crowfoot).-Cedar Creek; Crow Agency; July and 
August. 
R. abortivus, L. (Small-flowered Crowfoot).-Tributaries of Middle Yellowstone. 
R. Cymbalaria, Purch. (Seaside Crowfoot).-Tributaries of Middle Yellowstone ; 
Milk River; May. 
Clematis ligustifolia, Nutt. (Western Virgins' Bower).-Missouri; Cedar Creek ; 
Mouth of Big Horn ; Big Rosebud ; July. 
C. ligusticifolia, var. brevifolia, T. and G.-Pompey's Pillar. August, in fruit. 
Anemone patens, L., var. Nuttailiana, Gr. (Pasque-Flower).-Common on the North- 
ern Pacific Railroad; first seen in blossom on April 15; the earlier flower on the 
prairies; sparse from Fort Lincoln to Fort Buford; May. 
(Crowfoot family.) 9 
A. Firginiana, L. (Virginian Anemone).-Shoshonee Mountains. September, past 
flowering. 
A. cylindrica, Gr. (Long-fruited Anemone).-Cedar Creek, July; Crow Agency, 
August, in fruit. 
A. multiflda, D. C. (Many-cleft Anemone).-Judith Basin; September, in seed. 
A. Pensylvanica, L. (Pensylvanian Anemone).-Missouri River, near Buford, June. 
Tholictrum purpurascens, L. (Purplish Meadow Rue).-Cedar Creek, July; Fort As- 
sinaboine, May. 
Delphinium exaltatem, Ait. (Tall Larkspur).-Foot of Shoshonee Mountains. Sep- 
tember in flower and fruit. 
D. Menziesii, D. C.-Cedar Creek. June. 
D. bicolor, Nutt. Upper Missouri and Milk River. May. 
PAPAVERACEAi 
Argemone hispida, Gr. Near Porcupine Creek in gravelly plain; August . Hand- 
«ome, showy, white petals. 
(Poppy Family.) 
CRUCIFERjE. 
(Mustard Family.) 
Sisymbrium canesceus, Nutt (Tansy Mustard).-Very common on the plains; Milk 
River. 
S. linifolium (8. junceum, Bieb).-Sandy Bluffs of Cedar Creek. July. 
Arabis Drummondii, Gr.-Meadows of Middle Yellowstone ; May. 
A. Halbaellii.-Middle Yellowstone ; Missouri Falls; May. 
Fesicaria alpina (Dwarf bladder pod.)-Common on prairies about Fort Berthold; 
May. 
F. Ludoviciana, D. C.-Upper Missouri; Missouri Falls ; May. 
Draba caroliniana, Walt.-Sunday Creek; July, seeds shedding. 
/>. nemorosa, L.-Fort Assinaboine and Milk River; May. 
Lepidium intermedium, Gr.-Very common on low prairies; Missouri; Cedar and Sun- 
day Creeks. 
Erysimum partiflorum, Nutt.-Missouri Falls. May, first blossoms. 
E. asperum, D. C. var. Arkansanum, Nutt (Western Wall-flower).-Sunday Creek, 
June; prairies of Milk River, May. 
Nasturtiumpalustre, D. C. (March Cress).-Crow Agency; August. 
Barbarea vulgaris, R. Br. (Common Winter Cress).-Middle Yellowstone. 
Stanleya pinnatifida, Nutt.-Bluff's of Cedar Creek, July. Rare. 
Thelypodium intcgri folium, Endl.-Clark's Fork. September 1, in flower. 
CAPPARIDACE2E. 
(Caper Family.) 
Clcome integrifolia, T. and G.-Common on bad lands of Sunday Creek, July, and 
bottom lands of Clarke's Fork. September, in fruit. 
Polanisia trachysperma, T. and G.-On bad lauds of Sunday Creek, July. Much 
rarer than preceding. 
VIOL AGILE. 
(Violet Family.) 
Viola Canadensis, L. (Canada Violet).-Lower Yellowstone, June; Milk River and 
Fort Assinaboine, May. 
V. Nuttallii, Pursh.-Missouri bottom, near Fort Buford ; Bluffs of Upper Missouri. 
One variety, with cordate leaves, like the veuosa of S. Watson, near Benton. May. 
HYPERIC ACE.E. 
(St. John's-wort Family.) 
Hypericum Canadense, L. (Canada St. John's wort).-Crow Agency; August. 
CARYOPHYLLACEJS. 
(Pink Family.) 
Cerastium arvense, L. (Field Chick weed).-Common on Yellowstone, Milk River, and 
Fort Assinaboine. May. 
C. alpinum, var. Behringianum.-Upper Yellowstone. 10 
ArenQria congesta, Nutt. var. sub congesta, Watson.-High prairies of Milk River; 
May. 
A. Papillaris.-Middle Yellowstone. 
Silene Menziesii, Hook.-Clark's Fork ; Milk River. 
Lychnis Drummondii, Watson.-Banks of Big Rosebud. August 30, flowers fading. 
(Mallow Family.) 
MALVACEAE. 
Malvastrum coccineum, Gr. (False Mallow).-Very common on the. plains of the Mid- 
dle Yellowstone ; opens in June its showy, pink flowers. 
LIN ACE AL 
Linum perenne, L. (Wild Flax).-Abounds on sandy, gravelly plains and ridges of 
the Yellowstone and its tributaries. Blossoms in June. 
L. rigidum, Pursh.-Also very common on sandy plains of Yellowstone. Blossoms in 
June and July. 
L. .-Rarer form than preceding, but found in some localitiesjsomewhat larger 
and more spreading. Stem more slender; leaves rigid, more strictly linear. Styles 
divided to the middle and divergent. Flowers appearing successively, only 1 to 2 
at a time, large, 1' in diameter. Petals not spotted at base, mucronate. Possibly only 
a variety of the preceding. 
(Flax Family.) 
GERANIACE/E. 
(Geranium Family.) 
Geranium incisum.-Banks of Big Rosebud; August, past flowering. 
ANACARDIACEAL 
(Sumach Family.) 
Rhus toxicodendron, L. (Poison Ivy).-Missouri, Musselshell, Sunday Creek, Fort 
Assinaboine; July. 
R. aromatiea, var. trilobata, Gr. (Fragrant Sumach).-First seen on Cedar Creek, 
thence common north and west on rocky bluffs. Fort Assinaboine. 
VITACEAL 
(Vine Family.) 
Vitis cordifolia, Michx. (Winter or Frost Grape).-Missouri Valley, common; Yel- 
lowstone, at mouth of Big Horn. 
Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Michx. (Virginian Creeper).-Missouri Valley, uncommon. 
(Staff-tree Family.) 
CEL ASTR ACEAS. 
Celastrus scandens, L. (Climbing Bitter-Sweet).-Missouri, at Fort Lincoln and near 
Fort Buford. 
ACERINEAL 
Megundo aceroides, Moench (Ash-leaved Maple-Box-Elder).-Common on the tribu- 
taries of the Missouri, Yellowstone, and Milk Rivers. The prevalent tree on Beaver 
and Box-elder Creeks and other tributaries of Milk River. 
(Maple Family.) 
POLYGALACEAL 
Polygala alba.-Custer Creek, June. Common on the lower prairies. 
(Milkwort Family.) 
LEGUMINOStE. 
Lupinus perennis, L. (Wild Lupine).-Lower Yellowstone, May. 
L. pnsillus, Pursh.-Sandy ridges of Sunday Creek, July. 
L. Argentens, Pursh.-Headwaters of Clark's Fork, at the foot of mountains; Septem- 
ber ; a large and handsome species. 
L. Ornatua, Dougl.-Gravelly bluffs of Sunday Creek, July 1; in flower and seed. 
Psoralea esculenta, Pursh. (Pomme de prairie ; Prairie Turnip).-Found sparsely on all 
sandy plateaus. Sunday Creek, June. Edible farinaceous root. 
(Pulse Family.) 11 
P. argophylla, Pursh.-Cedar Creek ; July. 
P.floribunda, Nutt.-Cedar Creek; July. 
P. lanceolata, Pursh.-Porcupine Creek, August, iu blossom and fruit. 
Petalostemon violacens, Michx. (Red Prairie Clover).-Sunday Creek, July. Common. 
P. violacens, var. mollis, Gr.-New variety. Stems and leaves clothed with soft, silky 
pubescence. Willow Creek (between Yellowstone and Musselshell Rivers), August 22. 
P. Candidas, Michx.-Clark's Fork, September 1. 
Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Nutt. (Wild Liquorice).-Abounding on bottom-lands and grav- 
elly plains. One of the most common weeds of this region. Blossoms in July. 
Astragalus Canadensis, L, (Canada Milk-Vetch).-Crow Agency, August. 
A. caryocaipus, Ker. (Ground Plum).-Common on dry, sandy plateaus. Blossoms 
early in May. Fleshy pods grown and edible in July. 
A. triphylliis, Pursh.-Common on prairies of the Middle Yellowstone and Upper 
Missouri. Pretty species blossoming in June. 
A. pectinatus, Dough-Bluffs of Sunday Creek. 
A. ttexuosus, Dough-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowsfone. 
A. multiflorus, Gr.-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
A. adsurgens, Pall.-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
A. Missouriensis, Nntt.-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
A. bisulcatus, Gr.-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
A. Purshii, Dough-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
A. Drummondii, Dough-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
A. Kentrophyta, Gr.-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
A. Caespitosus, Fr.-Prairies and bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
Oxytropis Lamberti, Pursh.-Common on bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. Showy, vari- 
able species, blossoming in June and July. 
O. canipestris, L.-Yellowstone. Bluffs of Upper Missouri, May. One of the earliest 
showy plants of the family. 
Hedysarum Mackenzii, Rich.-Cedar Creek, July 12 ; in flower and seed. 
H. Mackenzii, var. canescens, Gr.-Cedar Creek, July 12; in flower and seed. 
Vida Americana, Muhl.-Common on banks and prairies of Missouri and Milk 
River. 
Var. linearis, Banks of Upper Missouri. 
Lathyrus ornatus, Nutt.-Missouri bottom at Fort Buford. 
Thermopsis rhombifolia, Nutt.-Missouri bottom and Lower Yellowstone. Showy 
yellow flowers, opening early in May. 
Hosackia Purshiana, Benth.-Missouri, near Fort Berthold, November ; seed shed- 
ding. 
Amphicarpiaia monoica, Nntt. (Hog Pea Nut).-Banks of Missouri, near Buford, June. 
ROSACEA. 
(Rose Family.) 
Prunus Virginiana, L. (Choke-Cherry).-Common in the Missouri Valley as far as 
the falls,and on the Yellowstone west and north of Cedar Creek. Blossoms in May ; 
fruit ripe in August. 
Agrimonia Eupatoria,*L. (Common Agrimony).-Cedar Creek, June. 
Geum album, Gmelin (White Avens).-Cedar Creek, July ; Big Rosebud, August. 
G. macrophyllum, Willd.-Cedar Creek, July. 
G. triflorum, Pursh.-Shoshone Mountains, September, past flowering; Milk River, 
May. 
Potentilla fruticosa, L. (Shrubby Cinque-foil).-Shoshone Mountains and Judith 
Basjn, September. 
P. Noevigica,E.-Cedar Creek, July. 
P. Pensylvanica, L.-Yellowstone, May, July. 
P. gracilis, Dough-Cedar Creek, July. 
P. gracilis, var. rigida, Watsou.-Cedar Creek, July. 
P. paradoxa, Nutt.-Cedar Creek, July. 
P. anserina, L. (Silver Weed).-Fort Assinaboine, May. 
Fragaria Virginiana, Ehrhart (Strawberry).-Scattered in valley of Upper Missouri; 
Carroll, May. 
Cradagus tomentosa, L.,var. mollis, Gr. (Black or Pear Thorn).-Missouri Valley and 
Fort Buford, May. 
C. Douglasii, Lind.-Cedar Creek, July; Judith Basin, September; in fruit. Edi- 
ble, punctated berry. 
Amelanchier Canadensis, T. and G. (June-Berry; Pemmican-Berry).-Sparse on the 
Missouri (var. rotundifolia, Gr.). Headwaters of Cedar Creek, July ; fruit nearly ripe. 
Edible berry; sometimes an ingredient of pemmican. 
Rosa blanda, Ait. (Early Wild Rose).-Abounds on all bottoms. Very variable ; 
probably several varieties ; needs revision. 
Heuchera parviflora, Nutt. (Alum-Root).-Bluffs of Milk River, May. 12 
SAXIFRAGACEJE. 
(Saxifrage Family.) 
Ribes jtoridum, L. (Wild Black-Currant).-Cedar Creek ; Crow Agency; August, 
fruit ripening. 
R. lacustre, Poir.-Cedar Creek, June; Musselshell, August; in fruit. 
R. seto8um, Dough (Prickly Gooseberry).-The prevalent gooseberry on the Upper 
Missouri; blossoms in April, fruit ripe in June ; Milk River. 
jR. aureum, Pursh. (Missouri Currant).-Cedar Creek; Musselshell, August; fruit 
ripening. 
R. cereum, Dougl.-Shoshone Mountains, September; Little Rocky Mountains, Oc- 
tober ; in fruit; Milk River. 
R. irriguum, Dough-Foot-hills of Shoshone Mountains, September 10; berries ripe 
and very palatable. 
Parna88ia palustris, L.-Clarke's Fort Canon, September ; past flowering. 
GRASSULACEtE. 
(Orpine Family.) 
Sedum Stenopetalum, Pnrsh.-Shoshone Mountains, September. 
(Evening-Primrose Family.) 
ON AGP AGILE. 
(Enothera biennis, L. (Common Evening Primrose).-Common ; Cedar Creek, July. 
(E. albicaulis, Nutt.-Open prairie, sparse from the Muscle shell to Fort Lincoln. 
(E. pinnatifida, Nutt.-The most common as well as the most showy (E. of this region. 
Alkali bottoms, sandy ridges, bad-lauds. Radical leaves tapering into long petioles; 
stigmus much shorter than the versatile anthers; capsules inches long; seeds 2-rowed 
in each cell, to 1 line long, minutely reticulated. Blossoms in June and 
July. 
(E. cawpitosa, Nutt.-Common in gravelly buttes and bad lauds. Sunday Creek, 
July; Milk River, May. 
(E: serrulata, Nutt.-Rocky Bluffs. Head of Sunday Creek, June. 
Epilobium augustifolium, L. (Great Willow-Herb).-Head of Cedar Creek, July; 
Willow Creek (north tributary of Yellowstone), August. 
E. coloratum, Muhl.-Willow Creek, August. 
E. paniculatum, Nutt.-Willow Creek, August 22 ; in flower and seed. 
Gaura coccinea. Nutt.-Common on Cedar Creek, and other tributaries of the Middle 
Yellowstone. Blossoms in June. 
G. parviflora, Dough-Pompey's Pillar, August; month of Big Horn, August; in 
flower and seed. 
LOASACEtE 
(Loasa Family.) 
Mentzelia loevicaulis, T. and G.-Near Pompey's Pillar, August 13; near Fort Buford, 
November 1, in seed; stem and leaves rough-scabrous, viscid-sticky ; petals, 5, deep 
sulphur-yellow, 2 to 3 inches long. Bracteoles inserted in calyx-tube, pinnatifid; 
seeds in 3 rows (16 in each row), winged. 
Af. nuda, T. and G.-Bluffs at the. mouth of Sunday Creek, August 1; showy plAnt. 
(Cactus Family.) 
CACTACEyE. 
Opuntia Missouriensis, D. C. (Prickly Pear; Missouri Cactus).-Abounds on Middle 
and Lower Yellowstone. Less common on the Missouri. 
Mamillaria vivipara, Haw. (Turk's Head).-Same localities, but less common than 
preceding. 
CUCURBITACEJS 
(Gourd Family.) 
Ecbinocystis lobata, T. andG. (Wild Balsam Apple).-Missouri bottom at Fort Steven- 
son, May 10, not yet in flower. 13 
UMBELLIFERtE. 
(Parsley Family.) 
Sanicula Marylandica, L. (Maryland Sanicle).-Head of Cedar Creek, July. 
Heracleum lanatum, Michx. (Cow Parsnip).-Head of Cedar Creek, July. 
Ciciita maculata, L. (Spotted Hemlock).-Head of Cedar Creek, July. 
Thaspium trifoliatum, L. (Meadow Parsnip).-Fort Stevenson; Judith Basin, Sep- 
tember ; in seed. 
Bupleurum ranunculoides;-Missouri Valley. 
Musenium divarication, Nutt.-Missouri Valley. 
Peucedanum villosum, Nutt.-Bluffs of Upper Missouri; coal banks ; May. 
P. macrocarpuni, Nutt.-Upper Missouri Valley ; Benton, April and May; generally 
found in blossom with the next. 
Cymopterus glomeratus, D. C.-One of the earliest Howers of the Middle Yellowstone 
and Upper Missouri; April and May; common. 
CORNACE.E. 
(Dogwood Family.) 
Cornus stalonifera, Michx. (Red Osier Dogwood).-Common on bottom lands; July. 
CAPRIFOLIACEJE. 
Symphoricarpus oecidentalis, K. Brown (Snow Berry).-Abounding in most valleys. 
S'. vulgaris, Michx. (Coral Berry).-Cedar Creek, July. 
Viburnum lentaga, L. (Sweet Viburnum).-Missouri, at Fort Lincoln, June. 
(Honeysuckle Family.) 
RUBIACE.E. 
(Madder Family.) 
Galium boreale, L. (Northern Bedstra w).-Cedar Creek, July. 
G. Irifiorum, Michx. (Sweet-scented Bedstraw).-Cedar Creek, July. 
COMPOSITEJE. 
(Composite Family.) 
Achillea millefolium, L. (Common Yarrow or Milfoil).-Very common in valleys and 
open prairies. Large form, l°-3° high. Blossoms in July. 
Artemesia cana (White Sage-Brush).-The most common sage-brush of this region. 
A. tridentata, Nutt. (Common Sage-Brush).-Common west of Sunday Creek. 
A. trifida, Nutt.-Found with the latter, but much rarer. 
A. frigida, Willd.-Abundant on gravelly plateaus. 
A. biennis, Willd (Biennial Wormwood).-Very common in valleys. 
A. Ludoriciana, var. latiloba, Nutt.-Judith Basin, September. 
A. Canadensis, Michx.-Musselshell River, August. 
A. dracumculoides, Pursh.- Musselshell River, August. 
Ambrosia trifida, L. (Great Ragweed).-Sunday Creek, August; common in valleys. 
A. artemisicefolia, L.-Mouth of Sunday Creek, August. 
A. psilostachya, D. C.-Sandy shores of Sunday Creek, at its mouth, August. 
Aster folcatus, Lindl.-Clark's Fork, September. 
A. laris, L.-Big Rosebud, August. 
A. multiflorus, Ait.-Common; Clark's Fork, September. 
Actinella acaulis, Nutt.-Prairies of Upper Missouri and Milk River, May. 
A. Bichardsonii, Nutt.-Middle Yellowstone. 
Anaphalis margaritacea (Antennaria margaritacea, R. Brown) (Pearly Everlasting).- 
Big Rosebud, August 20; conspicuous by its corymbed, pearly, white heads. 
Balsamorrhiza sagittata, Nutt.-Bluffs of the Musselshell River, August 16; in seed. 
.Bahia oppositifolia, T. & G.-Middle Yellowstone. 
Bigeloria graveolens, Gr.-Rocky Fork and Clark's Fork, September 1; in Hower. A 
var. on Clark's Fork with smooth stems and leaves. 
Crepir occidentalis, Nutt.-Middle Yellowstone. 
Ctrsiu. ni undulatum, Spreng.-Head of Cedar Creek, July 12. 
t'hrysopsis villosa, Nutt (Golden Aster).-Big Rosebud, August 29. 
C. villosa, var. hispida, Gr.-Big Rosebud, August. 
C'ktenactis Douglasii, H. & A.-Missouri Falls, May 30; not yet in blossom. 14 
Diaperia prolifera, Nutt.-Bad-lands of Sunday Creek, July. 
Echinaceaaugustifolia,T). C. (Purple Cone-Flower).-Common inMissouri Valley, Forts 
Stevenson and Buford. 
Erigeron glabellum, Nutt.-Prairies of Milk River, May 26. 
E. 8trigo8um, Muhl. (Daisy Fleabane).-Var. Middle Yellowstone. 
E. canescens, Hook.-Missouri Falls, May 30. 
E. pumilum, Nutt.-Prairies of Milk River, May 28. 
Grindelia squarrosa, Dunal.-Abundant in bottom-lands. Blossoms in July and 
August. 
Gutierrezia euthamioe, T. and G.-Clark's Fork, September 1. 
Gaillardia aristata, Pursh.-Sandy Bluffs of Sunday Creek, June. 
Helianthus lenticularis, Dough (Western Sunflower).-Very common in the Missouri 
and Yellowstone Valleys. Blossoms in July and August. 
H. Maximilianus.-Musselshell River, August 15; Big Rosebud, August 19. 
H. strumosus, L.-Missouri Valley. 
Hymenopappus tenuifolius, Pursh.-Yellowstone, Missouri Falls, May 30. 
Hieracium Canadense, Jpchx. (Canada Hawk-Weed).-Big Rosebud, August. 
Ira axillaris, Persh.-Mouth of Sunday Creek. 
I. Xanthiifolia, Nutt.-Common on Yellowstone. 
Kuhnia eupatorioides, L.-Big Rosebud, August. 
Liatris punctata, Hook (Punctated Blazing Star).-Very common in open prairies. 
Blossoms in July to September. 
L. scariosa, Willd.-Fort Stevenson, May. 
Lepachys columnaris, T. & G.-Cedar Creek, Sunday Creek, July, 
L. Columnaris, var. pulcherrima.-Porcupine Creek, August. 
Lygodesmia juncea, Don.-Very common in low prairies; Sunday Creek, August. 
Lactucae canadensis (Wild Lettuce), vox. sanguinea, T. & G.-Big Rosebud, August. 
Macrorrhyneus troximoides, T. & G.-Cedar Creek, July. 
Mulgedium pulchellum, Nutt. (False Lettuce).-Common in low prairies. Cedar 
Creek, July. 
Rudbeckia laciniata, L.-Big Rosebud, August. 
Salidaga rigida, L. (Golden Rod).-Common in shady spots. Big Rosebud, August. 
N. canadensis, L.-Rocky Fork, August. 
8. incana.-Rocky Fork, August. 
Senecio Canus Hook. (Groundsel).-Yellowstone. 
<S'. integerrimus, Nutt.-Prairies of Milk River, May. 
Thelesperma gracile, Gr.-Falls of the Missouri, May 30. 
Troximon glaucum, Nutt.-Big Rosebud, August; prairies of Milk River, small form, 
May 28. 
T. cuspidatum, Pursh.-Yellowstone, Upper Missouri, May. 
Xanthium strumorium, L. (Common Cocklebur).-Exceedingly common in all bot- 
toms. Porcupine Creek. July. 
LOBELIACE.E. 
(Lobelia Family.) 
Lobelia Kalmii, L.-Judith Basin, September. 
CAMPANULACEJE. 
(Campanula Family.) 
Campanula rotundifolia, L. (Harebell).-Sunday Creek, July 3; Clark's Fork, Sep- 
tember 2. Common. 
ERICACEAE. 
Arctostaphylos Vva-ursi, Spreng. (Bearberry).-Bluffs of Upper Missouri, Little 
Rocky Mountains, Judith Basin, September 24 ; berries ripe. 
(Heath Family.) 
PLANTAGINACEA1. 
Plantaga major, L. (Common Plantain).-Big Rosebud, August. 
P. Patigonica, Jacq., var. gnaphalioides, Gr.-Quite common on the low prairies of 
the Yellowstone. 
P. pusilia, Nutt.-Alkali banks of Upper Missouri. 
(Plantain Family.) 15 
PRIMULACE.E. 
(Primrose Family,) 
Lysimachia ciliata, L.-Head of Cedar Creek, July. 
L. quadrifolia, L.-Missouri Valley at Fort Stevenson. 
Dodecatheon Meadia, L. (American Cowslip).-Dauphine Rapids (Upper Missouri), 
May 2; Middle Yellow stone, May 26.• 
Androsace occidental is, Pursh.-Dauphine Rapids (Upper Missouri), May 2. 
AROBANCHACEjE. 
(Brom-rape Family.) 
Aphyllon fasciculatum, T. & G.-High prairies at head of Sunday Creek, August 1. 
Past flowering. 
Phelipeea Ludoviciana, Don.-Sandy plateaus of Sunday Creek, August. Common. 
SCROPHULARIACEJE. 
(Figwort Family.) 
Pentsteinon acuminatus, Dough-Lower Yellowstone, May. A very handsome species, 
with sky-blue (purple base) flowers and soft, green, glaucuous leaves; seen in a 
stunted form along Northern Pacific Railroad, June 8. 
P. albidus, Nutt.-Lower and Middle Yellowstone, June; banks of Upper Missouri, 
May 20. 
P. ceeruleus, Nutt.-Banks of Upper Missouri, May. 
P. Cristatus, Nutt.-Lower Yellow stone, June. 
Castilleia sessilif ora, Pursh.-Rocky Bluffs: common on Middle Yellowstone; Milk 
River, May. 
C. affinis, H. & A.-Clark's Fork Canon, in a mountain brook, September 4; flowers 
fading. • 
C. linariafolia, Benth.-Shoshone Mountains, September 10. 
Orthocarpus luteus, Nutt.-Middle Ye'lowstone. 
Mimulus luteus, L. (Yellow Monkey-Flower).-Big Rosebud, August. 
Veronica anagallis, L. (Water Speedwell).-Big Rosebud, August. 
Synthyris plantaginea, Benth.-Fort Assinaboine (Milk River), May25, past flowering. 
VERBENACEJE. 
(Vervain Family.) 
Verbena bracteosa, Miclix.- Middle Yellowstone. 
V. hastata, L. (Blue Vervain).-Big Rosebud, August. 
LABIAT.E. 
(Mint Family.) 
Mentha Canadensis. L. (Wild Mint).-Very common in low, damp places 
Lycopus sinnostus, Benth. (Water Horehound).-Big Rosebud; Crow Agency; Au- 
gust. 
Hedeoma Drumniondii, Benth.-Middle Yellow stone. 
Stachys palustris, L. (Sw amp Hedge-Nettle).-Var. Cordata, Gr.-Big Rosebud, Au- 
gust. 
Afonarda fistulosa, L. (Horse-Mint; Wild Bergamot).-Willow Creek; Rig Rosebud; 
August. 
BORRAGINACE.E. 
(Borage Family.) 
Mertensia lanceolata, D. C.-Lower Yellowstone, May. 
Echinospermum deflexum, Lelnu.-Cedar Creek, July. 
E. Redoicskii, Var. Cupulatum, Gr.-Middle Yellowstone. 
Chanwerhodus erecta, Bunge.-Yellowstone. 
Exitrichium glomeratum, D. C.-Ridges of Lower Yellowston 
J?, crassisepalum, Torr.-Lower Yellowstone. 
Lithospermum angustifolium, Miclix.-Missouri and Yellow stone ; common. 16 
L. Canescens, Lehm. (Hoary Puccoon).-Banks of Upper Missouri; common; May. 
L. pilosum, Nutt.-Yellowstone. 
Heliotropium Curassavieum, L.-Lower Yellowstone, May 25. 
H YDROPH YLL ACE 2E. 
(Waterleaf Family.) 
Phacelia Menziesii, Torr.-Yellowstone; Missouri Falls, May 30. 
Ellisia ambigua, Nutt.-Common in low, sandy prairies; Sandy Creek, June 
E. Nyetelea, L.-Yellowstone. 
POLEMONIACEJE. 
(Polemonium Family.) 
Collomia linearis, Nutt.-Bad-lauds of Sunday Creek. 
Phlox subulata, L. (Ground or Moss Pink).-Very common in the high prairies and 
bluffs of the Missouri; also found on Yellowstone and Musselshell. Blossoms early in 
May, when it covers the prairies with its delicate white flowers. This form has white, 
entire petals. , 
CONVOLVULACEjE. 
Evolculus argenteus, Pursh.-Yellowstone. 
Calystegia sepium, R. Br. (Hedge Bindweed).-Yellowstone, July; Porcupine Creek. 
(Convolvulus Family.) 
(Nightshade Family.) 
SOLANACE.E. 
Physalis Pennsylvanica, L.-Yellowstone (mouth of Sunday Creek), August. 
Solanum rostratum, Dunal.-Sandy slopes of Sunday Creek, July. 
GENTIANACEJE. 
(Gentian Family.) 
Gentiana affinis, Smith.-Musselshell; Shoshone Mountains; Judith Basin; August 
and September. 
G. barbellata, Eng.-Slopes of Shoshone Mountains, September. 
G. Amarella, L.-Judith Basin, September. 
Frasera speciosa, Dough (American Columbo).-Shoshone Mountains and Judith 
Basin ; September, in seed. 
APOCYNACE. 
(Dogbane Family.) 
Aposeynum cannabinum, L." (Indian Hemp).-Missouri Bottom. 
A. androsa; mifolium, L. (Spreading Dogbane).-Sunday Creek, August. 
ASCLEPIADACEJE. 
(Milkweed Family.) 
Asclepia8 incarnata, L. (Swamp Milkweed).-Musselshell, August. 
A. Cornuti, Dec. (Common Milkweed).-Very common; Sunday Creek, Big Horn, 
and westward. 
Acerates decumbent, Dec.-Musselshell, August 10, in fruit. 
A. viridiflora, Ell.-Musselshell, August 10, in fruit. 
OLEACE.E. 
(Olive Family.) 
Fraxinus Americana, L. (White Ash).-High grounds of Missouri bottoms and ravines. 
From Lincoln to Carroll in small groves. On Yellowstone above Tongue River. Mid- 
dle-sized tree not very suitable for timber but supplying excellent fuel to steamboats. 17 
NYCTAGINACEJE. 
(Four-o'clock Family.) 
Oxybaphus albidus, Sweet.-Sunday Creek, July. 
(Gposefoot Family.; 
Chenpodium album, L. (Lambs Quarters).-Very common on sandy, alkali bottoms. 
Eurotia lanata, Mog. (White Sage).-Common on sandy bluffs and bad-lands. Sun- 
day Creek, July. 
Suada Torreyana, Gr.-Bad-lands of Sunday Creek, July. 
Afonelepis chenopodivides, Mog.-Sunday Creek. 
Atriplex patula, L.-Sunday Creek. 
Obione confertifolia, Torr.-Common on sandy, alkali ridges ; Sunday Creek, July. 
O. cancscens, Mog.-Sandy bluffs. Sunday Creek, July. 
O. argentea, Mog.-Sandy bluffs; Sunday Creek, July. 
Corispermum hyssopifolium, L. (Bug-Seed).-Characteristic of bad-lands above and 
below Fort Peck ; October, in seed. 
Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Torr. (Grease-Bush).-Common on alkali buttes of Middle 
Yellowstone; June 25, beginning to blossom. 
POLYGONACEAL 
Polygonum aviculare, L. (Knot-Grass; Goose-Grass).-Sunday Creek, July. 
P. aviculare, Var. erectum. Roth.-Middle Yellowstone, August. 
P. tenne, Michx.-Middle Yellowstone. 
P. dumetorum, L. (Climbing False Buckwheat).-Big Rosebud, August. 
P. amphibium, L. (Water Persicaria).-Sunday Creek, July. 
Bumex salicifolius, Weinman (White Dock).-Sunday Creek, July. 
B. venosus, Purch.-Sunday Creek, June; Upper Missouri, May. 
Eriogonum annnum, Nutt.-Mouth of Sunday Creek, August. 
E. multiceps, Ker.-Bluffs of divide between Yellowstone and Missouri July 
E. cernuum, Nutt.-Pompey's Pillar, August. 
E. flavum, Nutt.-Bluffs of Middle Yellowstone. 
E. umbellatum, Torr.-Shoshone Mountains, September. 
(Buckwheat Family.) 
EL.EAGNACEyE. 
Sheperdia argentea, Nutt. (Buffalo-Berry).-Common on Missouri, Yellowstone, and 
Musselshell. Blossoms in May ; fruit ripe in August, but most palatable in October 
and November. 
*S. canadensis, Nutt. (Canadian Sheperdia).-Judith Basin, September 24 ; no fruit 
seen. 
Olceaguus argentea, Purish. (Silver Berry).-Head of Cherry Creek, July; Judith 
Basin, September, in fruit. 
(Oleaster Family.) 
(Sandalwood Family.) 
SANTULACEA3. 
Comandra umbellata, Nutt.-Fort Buford, May. Common on bluffs and prairies of 
Upper Missouri. 
EUPHORBIACEJE. 
(Spurge Family.) 
Euphorbia marginata, Pursli.-Mouth of Sunday Creek and Yellowstone, Aug. 
E. dictyosperma, Fisher aud M.-Yellowstone, August, in fruit. 
E. montana, Engelm.-Bluffs of Middle Yellowstone, June. 
E. glyptosperma, Engelm.-Bluffs of Middle Yellowstone, June. 
URTICACEJE. 
(Nettle Family.) 
JJrtica, gracilis, Art.-Cedar Creek. July. 
Humulus lupulus, L. (Common Hop).-Missouri and Yellowstone, Cedar Creek, July. 18 
Ulmus Americana, L. (American or White Elm). High grounds of Missouri Valley. 
Next to Cottonwood the most common tree below Buford; scarce above Buford; not 
seen above Peck. Small tree, rarely more than 12 to 18 inches in diameter. Worth- 
less as fuel. Blossoms in April. 
CUPULIFERJE. 
(Oak Family.) 
Quercus macrocarpa, Michx. (Bur-Oak ; Mossy Cup ; White Oak).-Missouri Valley 
from Fort Stevenson down. 
BETULACE/E. 
(Birch Family.) 
Betula ocddentalis, Hook. (Western Birch).-Clark's Fork, Judith Basin ; September, 
Fort Assinnaboine. 
Alnus incana, var. glanca, Ait. (Speckled Alder).-Big Rosebud, August. 
SALICACE.E. 
(Willow Family.) 
Salix cordata, Mnh . (Heart-leaved Willow).-The prevalent species on the Missouri. 
Common on Yellowstone, Musselshell, Big Rosebud, and People's Creek. 
S. longifolia, Muhl. (Long-leaved Willow).-Common on Upper Missouri and Yellow- 
stone. 
S'. discolor, Muhl. (Glaucous Willow).-Big Rosebud, People's Creek. 
S. nigra, March. (Black Willow).-Yellowstone, Big Rosebud, Cedar Creek. 
Populus monolifera, Ait. (Cottonwood).-Forms the bulk of the timber on all bot- 
toms from the Lower Missouri to the foot of the Rocky Mountains. It extends on 
the Missouri to Fort Benton ; on the Yellowstone, nearly to the Canon ; on Milk River, 
beyond the boundary line. Beautiful tree often attaining a diameter of 6 feet. Sup- 
plies steamboats with most of their fuel. 
P. angulata, Ait. (Angled Cottonwood).-Found with the latter but much rarer. 
P. tremuloides, Michx. (American Aspen).-Headwaters of Big Rosebud and Clark's 
Fork. 
P. angustifolia, James (Willow-leaved Poplar).-Common on the Upper Yellowstone 
and tributaries, where it replaces the monolifera. First appears on the Missouri above 
Marais River. Common on Teton and Marais rivers. Found at the Falls of the Mis- 
souri. Not seen on Milk River, but no doubt growing on its northern affluents. 
P. balsamifera, L. (Balsam Poplar).-Always found with the latter but rarer. A few 
specimens at Fort Assinaboine. 
CONIFERA 
Pinus ponderosa, Dougl. (Yellow Pine ; Bluff Pine).-The prevalent pine of this re- 
gion ; a small, stunted form. From the 107° longitude to the Rocky Mountains. 
P. flexilis, James (Flexible Pine).-Shoshone Mountains. 
Abies Douglasii, Lind.-Shoshone Mountains; bluffs of Upper Missouri. A lofty, 
handsome tree. 
Juniperus communis, L. (Common Juniper).-Var. Alpina, L.-Shoshone Mountains; 
Judith Basin. 
J. Virginiana, L. (Red Cedar).-Common on Missouri above the Little Missouri and 
on Yellowstone westward of Tongue River. High bluffs below the altitude o£Ahe pine. 
J. Sabina, var. procumbens, Pursh. (Savin;Ground or Creeping Cedar).-Very com- 
mon on rocky bluffs of Missouri and Yellowstone ; not seen on the mountains. 
(Pine Family.) 
TYPHACEJE. 
(Cat-tail Family.) 
Typha latifolia, L. (Common Cat-tail).-Lower Missouri 
ALISMACEjE. 
(Water Plantain Family.) 
Alisma plantago, L. var. Americanum.-Swamps near the Big Muddy ; Upper Mis- 
souri. 19 
ORCHIDACE2E. 
(Orchis Family.) 
Habenaria hyperborea, Gr.-Head cf Clark's Fork, September. 
IRIDACE2E. 
Sisyrinchium Bermudiana, L. var. mucronatum, Gr. (Blue-eyedGrass).-Cedar Creek; 
July in fruit. 
(Iris Family.) 
SMILACE2E. 
Smilax herbacea, L. (Carrion-Flower)-Missouri Valley, below Buford 
(Smilax Family.) 
LILIACEJE. 
(Lily Family.) 
Leucocrinum montanum, Nutt. (Prairie Lily).-Lower Yellowstone, June 1; a very 
pretty ornamental species. 
Smilacena stellata, Desf.-Musselshell; Milk River, May. 
Calochortus nuttallii, T. & G. (Sego).-Common on the Middle Yellowstone, June. 
Fritillaria atropurpurea, Nutt.-Middle Yellowstone and Judith Basiu, on broken 
prairie; a very elegant species; blossoms in May and June; seed ripe in July. 
F. pudica, Spreng.-Common on prairies of Judith Basin. In blossom at Dauphine 
Rapids (Missouri) May 2; in seed at Fort Assinaboine (Milk River) May 20. 
Zigadenus nuttallii, Gr.-Common on dry prairies of Yellowstone and Judith Basin. 
Z. paniculatus, Watson.-High prairies of Milk River; Middle Yellowstone, May 
and June. 
Allium reticulatum, Fraser. (Reticulated Garlic).-Very common on Upper Missouri 
and Yellowstone; May, July. 
A. cernuum, Roth. (Wild Onion).-Bad lands of Upper Missouri. 
Yucca angustifolia, Pursh. (Adam's Needle).-Bluffs of Missouri above Fort Buford. 
Common on Yellowstone; June, July; fruit ripening in August. 
COMMELYNACEJE. 
(Spiderwort Family.) 
Tradescantia Virginica, L. (Common Spiderwort).-Sandy plains near Sandy Creek, 
June. 
CYPERACE.E. 
(Sedge Family.) 
Scirpus sylvaticus, L.-Missouri Valley. 
Carex filifolia, Nutt.-The prevalent sedge on prairies of Milk River, around Fort 
Assinaboine. 
GR AMINE JE. 
(Grass Family.) 
Andropogon furcatus, Muhl. (Beard Grass).-Missouri Valley; common. 
A. 8copariu8, Michx.-Open prairies of Missouri and Yellowstone; common. 
Aristida purpurea, Nutt.-Buttes near Porcupine Creek, August. 
Boutelona Oligostachya, Torr. (Buffalo-Grass).-The prevalent grass of the open 
prairie west of the Missouri; July. 
B. curtipendula, Var. aristosa, Gr.-Mouth of Sunday Creek, Upper Missouri, July. 
Bromus ciliatus, L.-Bid Rosebud, August. 
Beckmannia cruca'formis, Host.-Big Muddy, Missouri Valley. 
Buchloe seslerioides.-Sunday Creek, Yellowstone. 
Brizopyrum spicatum, Hook.-Sunday Creek, Yellowstone. 
Calamagrostis longifolia, Hook.-Yellowstone and Missouri. 
C. sylvatica, D. C.-Mouth of Sunday Creek, Yellowstone Valley. 
C. 8tricta, Trim-Yellowstone Valley. 20 
Elymus Canadensis, Beauv.-Very common on the Yellowstone, Missouri Valley. 
E. sitanion, Shult.-Common on Sunday Creek and other tributaries of Middle Yel- 
lowstone. 
E. condensatus, Presl.-Yellowstone. 
Eragrostis pocesides, Beauv., var. megastachya, Gr.-Yellowstone. 
Eleocharis acicularis, Br.-Yellowstone. 
Eriocoma cuspidata, Nutt.-Very common on the plateaus of the Yellowstone region. 
Hordeum pratense, Huds.-Common on bottoms and slopes. 
H. jubatum, L. (Squirrel-tail Grass).-Common on bottoms and slopes. 
Lepturus paniculatus, Nutt.-Yellowstone. 
Muhlenbergia glomerata, Trin.-Big Rosebud, August 30. 
3f. Mexicana, Trin.-Big Rosebud, August 30. 
Munroa squarrosa, Torr.-Yellowstone. < 
Poa. tenuifolia, Nutt.-Prairies of Upper Missouri and Milk River. 
Phalaris arundinacea, L. (Reed-Canary Grass).-Missouri and Yellowstone Valleys. 
Phragmites communis, Trin. (Common Reed).-Common in swamps of Missouri Val- 
ley. 
Stipa comata, Trin. (Porcupine Grass).-Very common on the plateaus of the Yel- 
lowstone region, west of Custer Creek. Blossoms in June. From July to October a 
very troublesome grass, the seeds adhering by their barbed-pointed base to every- 
thing they touch. 
S. spartea, Trin.-Prairies of the Missouri. 
5. viridula, Trin.-Sparse on Yellowstone and Missouri prairies. 
Spartina cynos uroides, Willd.-Missouri bottom. 
8. gracilis, Trin.-Sunday Creek, July. 
Sporobolus airoides,Torr.-Low prairies of Yellowstone. 
& ramulosus, Kth.-Low prairies of Yellowstone. 
Triticum repens, L. (Quick-Grass).-Abundant all over this region. Sunday Creek, 
July. In places gives a bluish tinge to the prairie. 
T. cegilopoides,Tnrez.-Missouri Valley. 
T. violarceum, Horn.-Yellowstone and Missouri. 
Vilfa cuspidata, Torr.-Yellowstone and Missouri.