The Association of hills or hills & swamps & ponds is curious. Wherever the ground rises slightly & forms little elevations basin like swamps & ponds are sure to occur. They do not therefore occur in the lowest parts of the prairie as a rule but rather the reverse. The hills seem to follow indefinite lines forming miniature ranges.

Also curious that the hill tops & swamps should be equally characterized by boulders, while the general prairie is as a rule nearly free from them.

Can this have been caused by the action of marine currents on the mounds, deposits of icebergs &c.? They miaht scoop out hollows in some places, leaving the boulders, & at the same time wash away the finer matter from the hill tops. Analagous collections of boulders are seen in the coulées & river vallies of more modern date.

Camp 6.30 A.M. Bar. 28.39 Ther. 52

Evg. 8 P.M.

28.44

62

Odom. at Badger Cr. 6390. [I Camp Evg- 8650.

Strong cold W.N.W. wind all day.

Sunday May 31. Left camp about 7 A.M. After following U.S. trail for several miles got into a swamp in which some teams mired. Turned Northward & struck Commission trail after about 1/2 mile. Stopped at Duck Ponds 10 m. E. of Turtle Depot for lunch. On again to Turtle Depot. Mosquitoes terribly thick & importunate, there being no wind. Found a note from Anderson saying that passed on Friday & meant to rest Sunday at Turtle Head Creek. Came on about 4 miles West of Depot to first stream & camped.

An indian camp near & we had soon some fine looking Sioux as visitors.

A half breed train of Red R carts camped near us. Going E., having come from Woody Mt where they had wintered, in 27 days or 19 days of actual travel. Carrying furs & robes the result of winter trade. Spoke to the head man who exceedingly polite, constantly using the word "pardon".

The common flowers on the prairie now are: Viola cucullata [Marsh Blue Violet] & V. pedata [Bird's-foot Violet], Raniculus oblongatus [Buttercup]. Anemone patens [Crocus Anemone] now going to seed in