ng in depressed localities;
also flags, water-rushes, tall green grass, etc.

The fresh tracks and trails of animals converging toward a common
centre, and the flight of birds and water-fowl toward the same points,
will also lead to water. In a section frequented by deer or mustangs,
it may be certain that water is not far distant, as these animals drink
daily, and they will not remain long in a locality after the water has
dried up. Deer generally go to water during the middle of the day, but
birds toward evening.

A supply of drinking water may be obtained during a shower from the
drippings of a tent, or by suspending a cloth or blanket by the four
corners and hanging a small weight to the centre, so as to allow all
the rain to run toward one point, from whence it drops into a vessel
beneath. India-rubber, gutta-percha, or painted canvas cloths answer a
very good purpose for catching water during a rain, but they should be
previously well washed, to prevent them from imparting a bad taste.

When there are heavy dews water may be collected by spreading out a
blanket with a stick attached to one end, tying a rope to it, dragging
it over the grass, and wringing out the water as it accumulates. In
some parts of Australia this method is practiced.

In traversing the country upon the head waters of Red River during the
summer of 1852, we suffered most severely from thirst, having nothing
but the acrid and bitter waters from the river, which, issuing from a
gypsum formation, was highly charged with salts, and, when taken into
the stomach, did not quench thirst in the slightest degree, but, on the
contrary, produced a most painful and burning sensation, accompanied
with diarrhoea. During the four days that we were compelled to drink
this water the thermometer rose to 104 deg. in the shade, and the only
relief we found was from bathing in the river.

The use of water is a matter of habit, very much within our control, as
by practice we may discipline ourselves so as to require but a small
amount. Some persons, for example, who place no restraint upon their
appetites, will, if they can get it, drink water twenty times a day,
while others will not perhaps drink more than once or twice during the
same time. I have found a very effectual preventive to thirst by
drinking a large quantity of water before breakfast, and, on feeling
thirsty on the march, chewing a small green twig or leaf.

Water taken from stagnant pools, charg