[58] So called from their having a dark appearance in the distance by reason of the small cedars which grow upon them.—Original note. The name Black Hills was used collectively to denote all of the ranges in the region of the Laramie Mountains, which are situate in the southwest corner of Wyoming and form a curvilinear or semi-circular range, of which the lower part has now the restricted name of Black Hills. Cf. Delano's Life on the Plains, p. 80-81, 111, for an interesting, contemporary topographical description.
[59] Not a frog, but a lizard, genus Phrynosoma.
[60] Refers to the process of cutting meat into long strips and preserving it by drying in the open air or over a fire.
[61] As to these early ferries kept by French Canadians, etc., see Coutant's Hist. of Wyoming, vol. 1, p. 365-367.
[62] Granite Mountains seem to be meant.
[63] Greasewood, a low shrub prevalent in saline localities of the West and of various genera.
[64] Greasewood Creek, an affluent of the Sweetwater River.
[65] This river rises in the Wind River Mountains and is a western affluent of the North Platte River. For the roads and fords in this region, see Delano, p. 104-105.
[66] Independence Rock is said to have received its name from the circumstance of a party ascending it on July 4th and celebrating there Independence Day. It is an isolated mass of gray granite in length about 1950 feet, and in height about 120 feet, according to Frémont's observation in 1842, at which time he marked a large cross thereon, a fact which was introduced adversely against him during his presidential campaign in 1856. Frémont speaks of the many names inscribed on the rock.—Frémont's Report. Washington, 1845, p. 72. On account of these names it has been called a "tombstone" and Father De Smet named it "the great register of the desert." Joel Palmer, in 1845, described it as follows: "Portions of it are covered with inscriptions of the names of travelers, with the dates of their arrival—some carved, some in black paint, and others in red."—Journal, in Thwaites's "Early Western Travels," vol. 30, p. 67. For other descriptions, see Delano, p. 98; Chittenden, vol. 1, p. 471-472.
[67] Sweetwater River.