which parted the
two systems of waters. We entered the Basin at that point, and have
traveled in it ever since, having its southeastern rim (the Wahsatch
Mountain) on the right, and crossing the streams which flow down into
it. The existence of the Basin is, therefore, an established fact in
my mind; its extent and contents are yet to be better ascertained. It
cannot be less than four or five hundred miles each way, and must lie
principally in the Alta California; the demarcation latitude of 42 deg.
probably cutting a segment from the north part of the rim. Of its
interior, but little is known. It is called a _desert_, and, from what
I saw of it, sterility may be its prominent characteristic; but where
there is so much water there must be some _oasis_. The great river
and the great lake reported may not be equal to the report; but where
there is so much snow, there must be streams; and where there is no
outlet, there must be lakes to hold the accumulated waters, or sands
to swallow them up. In this eastern part of the basin, containing
Sevier, Utah, and the Great Salt lakes, and the rivers and creeks
falling into them, we know there is good soil and good grass, adapted
to civilized settlements. In the western part, on Salmon-trout River,
and some other streams, the same remark may be made."

"The contents of this Great Basin are yet to be examined. That it is
peopled, we know; but miserably and sparsely. From all that I heard
and saw, I should say that humanity here appeared in its lowest
form, and in its most elementary state. Dispersed in single families;
without fire-arms; eating seeds and insects; digging roots (and hence
their name); such is the condition of the greater part. Others are a
degree higher, and live in communities upon some lake or river that
supplies fish, and from which they repulse the miserable _digger_. The
rabbit is the largest animal known in this desert; its flesh affords
a little meat; and their bag-like covering is made of its skins.
The wild sage is their only wood, and here it is of extraordinary
size--sometimes a foot in diameter, and six or eight feet high. It
serves for fuel, for building material, for shelter to the rabbits,
and for some sort of covering for the feet and legs in cold weather.
Such are the accounts of the inhabitants and productions of the Great
Basin; and which, though imperfect, must have some foundation, and
excite our desire to know the whole."

"The whole idea of