Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/357

 JOURNAL AND LETTERS OF DAVID DOUGLAS. 347 species of Ruck (rrouse, found only in mountainous grounds; and as none of this sort are found east of the mountains, I am in hopes it may prove new. A pair of Curlem, of singular habits, very unlike the rest of the tribe, which frequent dry soils, and roost in trees, with a small fitnnli rhuwant, are all that I have been able to get ready for adding to this collection. The birds are packed in a small box with three bundles of plants. Having so much to do I find it imi>os8ible to send, at this time, a copy of my journal, which I much regret. Among my plants are five splendid specimens of PenMcmon, only one, the /'. en rnii inn, of Pursh, is yet described; abundance of /'nrx/iia tri- (/< ntuta, both in flower and fruit; several species of Jtubiut nnd Lujri- nwa; and two kinds of I'runn*. all of these being different from what I sent last year from the coast. I am now in the finest place for the Large Grouse, and hope shortly to procure some. It always affords me the greatest pleasure to mention the kindness and assistance I receive from the persons in authority here. Thank God, I enjoy excellent health. There is nothing in the world could afford me greater pleasure than hearing from you and my other friends, and most sincerely do I hope that, in the course of autumn, this may come to pass. D. DOUGLAS. To Joseph Sabine, Esq., etc. I then wrote, and particularly begged the attention of my kind friends at Fort Vancouver, to the articles which I sent for conveyance in the next ship. Mr. Conolly, be- fore departing with Mr. Wark and the other gentlemen, handsomely presented me with twelve feet of tobacco, more than two pounds, to assist me in my travels during their absence. This article, being, as it were, the currency of this country, and particularly scarce, will enable me to procure guides and to obtain the cheerful performance of many little acts of service, and it is therefore almost in- valuable to me. In this neighborhood grow several beautiful kinds of Phlox and I'entstemon, also a fine species of Kriogonum (K. sphtrrocephalum) and of Malva. Having, as I before mentioned, taken almost no rest for five nights, I lay down shortly after dispatching my letters, but was scarcely composed when an Indian arrived with news that the expected ship had arrived in the river. He