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6 worn an inch or two deep by the continual passing of myriads of the insects They are less than [[1?]] inch long but make up for size by their immense numbers- The day was unusually hot the thermometer rising to 99[[degree symbol]] at 5 P.M. which was the hottest period of the day- July 22nd- Weather continues extremely warm- the highest degree being today 89[[degree symbol]] Walked with a gun about 8 miles but saw very few animals, the great heat having driven them to the coolest shades- Obtained two snakes similar to that of yesterday except that they were of a black ground color instead of brown Also the minute bird preserved in alcohol with the (Regulus calendula, young) Capt McClellan today started ahead with a corps of axemen and an escort to clear the way for the train. July 23rd- Walked with my gun for some miles around the camp but obtained no specimens - Notice the common sparrow hawk very abundant about the prairie Heat still excessive thermometer up to 86[[degree symbol]] A box of medical stores was lost today with the mule carrying it, probably stolen for the sake of the Brandy- [[end page]] [[start page]] 7 July 24th Started at 6 A.M. with Messrs Giddings & Lewes to overtake Capt McC. For about 6 miles the path led through open woods with a moderate growth of underwood Then came a prairie of about 6 miles circumference where the Capt. had camped the first night and left a note for us- Crossing this we entered a forest of more immense growth than any I have yet seen many trees of Abies Douglassii & others being 10 to 12 ft in diameter. The latter begins to be less common than hitherto A. Canadensis replacing it - Saw also Thuja gigantea 30 to 40 ft high & a species of Vaccinium with red acid berries resembling cherries in taste & a very ornamental shrub. After traversing this wood for about 8 miles we reached a small stream with a narrow meadow along its banks where the Capt had encamped last night. A part of his men with the provisions were preparing to follow him he having gone on some hours before. After resting an hour we proceeded at 1 P.M. on his trail the course being northward for four miles through a "Brulee" or burnt forest, where the charred trunkss towered 2 or 300 ft high like monuments of the catastrophe -
