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A wide bottom or prarie studded here and there, tho' sparsely, with clumps of trees extends some miles back to a range of bluffs or rather to a table land which continues with few interruptions to the rocky Mountains -- The bluffs between the bottom & the upland praries is well timbered & the underwood is as yet sufficiently low to admit the passage in any direction with ease of a horseman -- Beyond this the praries begin increasing in flatness & extend until they reach the Rocky mountains - The timber is of large size & the foliage rich, Black walnut & sycamore attaining a great size, cottonwood, maple (sugar) & the usual varieties of oak also abound. The praries are as yet covered here & there only with clumps & thickets which have grown up since the settlement of the country, the Indian custom of burning the praries having formerly destroyed all the young trees -- I was much gratified to meet my aunt who I had not seen since she left Baltimore her former residence & native city -- Her farm is at the foot of the bluffs & commands a view of the praries which extends to the river six miles distant - This is now covered