in order to drive out every living creature, and then hunt and persecute them to death.

Deer, which also abounded in this country, have nearly shared the same fate as the buffaloes; and they too would be entirely annihilated, if they were not capable of subsisting in places almost inaccessible to man. The small number that remain, frequent the moun tains: their desire for the water of the saline springs however, occasionally brings them into the plains, where they do not want for enemies; there being no settler who would not abandon the most important business, in order to pursue this species of game. What was formerly common to all in consequence of the multitude of herds daily passing backward and forward, can now only gratify a few; for they esteem the death of this fine animal a triumph, and neglect no opportunity of thus distinguishing them

selves over their associates. On killing a deer, he is immediately skinned, even while yet palpitating; nor are the bowels taken out, lest the hide should shrink. The haunches alone are valued as food: the rest is either given to the dogs, or left for beasts of prey or vermin, which every where abound.

The salt lake and springs are also frequented by all the other kinds of beasts, and even by birds: and from the most minute inquiries, I am justified in asserting that their visitations were periodical; except doves, which appear to delight in the neighbourhood of impreg nated springs, and to make them their constant abode. In such situations they are seen in immense numbers, as tame as domestic pigeons, but rendered more interesting by their solitary notes and plaintive melody.

In descending the river, and traversing immense tracts of meadow

and woodlands which are in a state of nature, I have found the atmosphere, after a hot day, so mephitic and offensive, as to give me vomitings and headaches, which undoubtedly would have terminated in a yellow or intermittent fever if I had not previously fortified my blood with bark and other preventives. I recommend the same precaution to every person visiting this part of the world, and also to avoid studiously the night air. I have been wet with a dew so strong and palpable as to feel its effects for several days, in a general chill through my body, and a pain through particular bones. Yet in consequence of the violent heat of the day, people frequently defer their journeys and most of their pleasures, till the night; but a sad experience exposes the danger of the practice, in the strong language of rheumatism, consumption, and mental debility and distress.

You will ask me perhaps what parts of the country in the neighbourhood of the rivers which I have described, are likely to secure the blessings of health. I answer at once, though in direct contradiction to various writers, that no part of the western country is healthy; and I have already detailed my motives for this assertion. For if the air is impregnated (as is undoubtedly the case) with a poisonous exhalation so offensive to the constitution of the brute creation as to compel them to migrate several hundred miles annually in search of an antidote (which I conclude to be the real cause of their visits to the salt lake and springs), what must be its operation on man: whose organization is much more feeble; and whose blood, from the manner of his subsistence, is more subject to be polluted by the climate, and the various other elements of disease!

I allow that there are situations less

dangerous than others; for hills and eminences are evidently more favourable than plains and valleys: yet the Americans universally build in valleys, and on bottoms as they call them; which latter are plains formed by subsiding waters and from putrid ingredients, and subject to occasional overflows and partial stagnation. But this too can be accounted for: the borders of rivers and navigable streams are the theatres of business; and the Americans are too indolent to live on the high grounds, and to have the trouble of descending daily for the purpose of pursuing their avocations. They every moment see the consequences of this conduct; they see their friends fall off, their wives and children languish, and their own constitutions fail: still they persist; and prefer inactivity and disease to health and comfort, when the latter are to be purchased by exertion.

Before I leave the subject of these