iness-streets adjoin the river, while the pleasant residence-quarters occupy the high ground. Among the most important buildings are the Post Office (at the corner of Dodge and 15th Sts.), the High School (fine view from the lofty tower), the County Court House, the Exposition Building, the City Hall, several Churches, and the offices of the Omaha Bee and the New York Life Insurance Co.

Omaha (the 'Gate City') owes its commercial importance to its position as one of the chief gateways to the West and has grown rapidly since its foundation in 1854. Its industries include smelting, brewing, distilling, meat-packing (excelled only by Chicago and Kansas City), machine-shops, and the making of bricks and steam-engines. The total value of their products in 1890 was $38,961,523. It is a railway centre of great importance, being practically (comp. p. 395) the E. terminus of the Union Pacific Railway and in more or less direct communication with all the chief cities of the E. and S.

The Art Collection of Mr. G. W. Lininger, cor. of 18th and Davenport Sts. (open on Thurs. & Sun., to strangers at other times also), includes paintings by Fra Angelico, Guido Reni (*2), Guercino, Del Sarto, Solimena, Giordano, Rembrandt, Zurbaran, and several modern masters.

From Omaha to Portland, see R. 86; to San Francisco, see R. 87. Fort Omaha, 4 M. to the N., is an important military post.

b. Viâ Chicago & North-Western Railway.

492 M. RAILWAY in 15-19 hrs. (fares as above).

Chicago, see p. 279. This line follows nearly the same general direction as that above described. Few of the stations are of great importance. Beyond (97 M.) Dixon (720 ft.) we follow the Rock River to (109 M.) Sterling, a small manufacturing city (5824 inhab.), with good water-power.-From (135 M.) Fulton Junction, on the E. bank of the Mississippi, lines run N. to Savanna (p. 388) and Dubuque (p. 290) and S. to Rock Island City (p. 290). We cross the river by a fine Iron Bridge, 3/4 M. long, enter Iowa, and reach (138 M.) Clinton (725 ft.; Windsor, $2-21/2; Revere Ho., $2), a prosperous city with 13,619 inhab. and extensive lumber-mills. 172 M. Wheatland. 219 M. Cedar Rapids (745 ft.; Clifton Ho., Grand, Pullman Ho., $2-21/2), a city of 18,020 inhab., on Red Cedar River, is an important railway-centre (comp. p. 388), carries on a large trade, and contains large pork-packing establishments and several manufactories. -270 M. Tama; 326 M. Ames, the junction of a line to (37 M.) Des Moines (p. 390). Beyond (340 M.) Boone (1155 ft.) we descend rapidly into the valley of the Des Moines and the scenery becomes more interesting. We cross the river near (345 M.) Moingana. Farther on we again traverse a rich prairie district. 362 M. Grand Junction. At (400 M.) Maple River Junction we bend to the left (S.). 405 M. Arcadia (1440 ft.; 870 above Lake Michigan) is said to be the highest point in the level state of Iowa. Beyond (423 M.) Denison we pass through the pretty Boyer Valley. Beyond (468 M.) Missouri Valley (1020 ft.), the junction of a line from Sioux City (p. 299), we have good views of the Missouri and its bluffs.

489 M. Council Bluffs, and thence to 492 M. Omaha, see R. 85 a.

c. Viâ Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railway.

501 M. RAILWAY in 15-20 hrs. (fares as above).

From Chicago to (181 M.) Rock Island, see R. 50c. This line runs somewhat to the S. of those described above but through much the same kind of fertile prairie-lands. From Rock Island the train crosses the Mississippi, by a fine bridge, to (182 M.) Davenport (580 ft.; Kimball Ho., Lindell, $2-3), the fourth city of Iowa, with 26,872 inhab., an important trade in grain and coal, and numerous manufactories. It is finely situated on the slopes of a bluff rising from the river and contains many handsome and substantial buildings. At (222 M.) West Liberty (665 ft.) we intersect the railway from Burlington to Minneapolis (p. 291). 237 M. Iowa City (670 ft.; Chicago Ho., $2), a city of 7016 inhab., on the Iowa River, with various manufactories, is the seat of the State University and the State Historical Library (4000 vols.).—303 M. Grinnell; 335 M. Colfax (750 ft.), with mineral springs.

358 M. Des Moines (800 ft.; Savery, $2-4; Aborn Ho., $3; Kirkwood, $21/2-3; Morgan, $2-21/2), the capital of Iowa, is a city of 50,093 inhab., situated at the confluence of the Des Moines and the Raccoon, at the head of navigation of the former river. It is au important railway-centre and carries on a considerable trade and several manufactures (value of products in 1890, $5,680,000). Among the finest buildings are the new State Capitol (erected at a cost of $3,000,000), the Post Office, the City Hall, the Grand Opera House, Drake University, and the State Library (16,000 vols.). — The train continues to run towards the W. Beyond (470 M.) Neola we descend to the level of the Missouri.

498 M. Council Bluffs, and thence to 501 M. Omaha, see R. 85 a.

d. Viâ Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railway. 501 M. RAILWAY in 16-18 hrs. (fares as above).

Chicago, see p. 279. The line runs at first towards the S.W., through a rich farming district similar to those mentioned above.

38 M. Aurora (p. 290); 84 M. Mendota (750 ft.); 164 M. Galesburg (790 ft.; Union, $2-21/2), a city of 15,264 inhab., with two flourishing colleges, various industries, and a trade in agricultural produce. From (206 M.) East Burlington the train crosses the Mississippi to

207 M. Burlington (525 ft.; Duncan, Boston, $212; Union, $2), the fifth city of Iowa, with 22,565 inhab. and a considerable trade by river and railway. The city is regularly laid out, with the business quarters on the river bottom and the residence-quarters on the bluffs above. The Burlington Institute, the Free Public Library (28,000 vols.), and the County Court House are among the chief buildings. - The ine now ascends towards the W. 235 M. Mt. Pleasant (725 ft.), with

two Methodist colleges and a large Insane Asylum; 282 M. Ottumwa (630 ft.), on the Des Moines, with 14,001 inhab. and considerable trade and industry; 307 M. Albia (945 ft.), the junction of a line to (68 M.) Des Moines (p. 390); 363 M. Osceola (1125 ft.). Beyond (397 M.) Creston (1250 ft.) the line descends towards the Missouri Bottom. 448 M. Red Oak (1030 ft.), the junction of a line to (50 M.) Nebraska City; 482 M. Pacific Junction (960 ft.).

498 M. Council Bluffs and thence to

501 M. Omaha, see R. 85a.

86. From Council Bluffs and Omaha to Portland.

1825 M. UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY in 65 hrs. (fare $60; sleeper $13). Tickets by this route are also available viâ Denver (comp. R. 91a). Diningcars are attached to through-trains (meals $1). For general remarks on the Union Pacific System and its connections, see p. 395.

Council Bluffs and Omaha, see p. 388. The train at first traverses the manufacturing suburbs of Omaha. Beyond (31 M.) Elkhorn (1165 ft.) we run along the left bank of the Platte River, through a farming and prairie district. At (42 M.) Fremont (1190 ft.) we are joined by a line from Sioux City (p. 299). 94 M. Columbus (1440 ft.), the junction of lines to Sioux City (p. 299) and other points; 156 M. Grand Island (1860 ft.), a railway-centre of some importance; 199 M. Kearney (2145 ft.); 234 M. Lexington (2385 ft.). At (294 M.) North Platte (2795 ft.; 3055 inhab.) we cross the North Platte River and pass from 'central' to 'mountain' time (p.xviii). — At (375M.) Julesburg (3455 ft.), the junction of the direct line to Denver (p. 410), an alternative route for holders of through-tickets (comp. above), the line dips into Colorado but returns almost at once to Nebraska. We now quit the Platte River, which we have followed for about 350 M. Near (417 M.) Sidney (4090 ft.) the train passes from the farming district of Nebraska into the grazing district, in which immense herds of cattle are reared. Between (461 M.) Adams and (475 M.) Pine Bluffs we enter Wyoming, called the 'Equality State' because its men and women have equal voting rights. 519 M. Cheyenne (pron. Shyénn; 6050 ft.; Inter-Ocean Hotel, $21/2-5), with 11,690 inhab., is the junction of the Denver Pacific branch of the U. P. System (from Kansas City and Denver; comp. p. 410). It is one of the chief centres of the cattle industry of the N.W. Fort Russell lies 4 M. to the N. of Cheyenne. The snow-clad peaks of the Rocky Mts. now come into sight on the left, including Long's Peak (p. 406) and the distant Spanish Peaks (p. 418). To the N. (right) are the Black Hills. The train ascends rapidly, passing (538 M.) Granite Cañon (7310 ft.), and at (552 M.) Sherman (8245 ft.) reaches the culminating point of the line, where we cross the main ridge of the Rocky Mts., the great 'Continental Divide'. To the left is the Ames Monument, 65 ft. high, erected to Oakes and Oliver Ames, to

whom the completion of the U. P. Railway was mainly due. Farther on we cross the Dale Creek by a bridge 650 ft. long (in a single span) and 127 ft. high. To the left may be descried Pike's Peak (p. 417), 165 M. off. To the right are the Red Buttes. -576 M. Laramie (7150 ft.; Thornberg, $21/2-3), a city of 6388 inhab., lies on the Big Laramie River, in the midst of the so-called Laramie Plains, one of the best grazing districts in the United States. It is a wool-market of considerable importance.

In summer stages ply from Laramie to *North Park, which lies about 6) M. to the S. North Park is one of the great natural parks of Colorado, which consist of large elevated plains or upland valleys surrounded by lofty mountains. They offer considerable attractions to the adventurous traveller and to the sportsman in search of large game, but are somewhat beyond the range of the ordinary tourist. North Park has an area of 2000-2500 sq. M., with a mean elevation of 8-9000 ft. It may also be reached from Denver vià Fort Collins (see p. 408). The other natural parks of Colorado are Middle Park (p. 407), Estes Park (p. 403), South Park (p. 409), and San Luis Park (p. 418).

Beyond Laramie the train continues to descend through rugged hilly scenery. To the right of (618 M.) Miser rises Laramie Peak (9000 ft.), to the left Elk Peak (11,510 ft.), the N. outpost of the Medicine Bow Mts. 625 M. Rock Creek (6700ft.; Rail. Restaurant); 659 M. Carbon (6820 ft.). Beyond (697 M.) Fort Steele we cross the North Platte, which re-appears here, 300 M. from the point we last saw it (p. 391). We now begin to ascend again. 712 M. Rawlins (6745 ft.); 739M. Creston (7050 ft.), beyond which the train descends to theplains; 808 M. Point of Rocks (6505 ft.). At (848 M.) Green River (6080 ft.) we cross the river of that name, and the scenery again improves.

878 M. Granger (6260 ft.) is the point at which the Portland line diverges to the right from the main San Francisco line described in the following route. Our line now runs towards the N.W., at first on a level and then gradually descending. Stations few and unimportant. At (970 M.) Border (6080 ft.) we enter Idaho ('Gem of the Mountains). 993 M. Montpelier (5945 ft.), near Bear Lake (left); 1024 M. Soda Springs (5780 ft.; Idanha Hotel, from $3), a favourite summer-resort, with numerous powerful springs.

1092 M. Pocatello (4465 ft.; Union Pacific Hotel, $3), a town of 2330 inhab., in the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, is the junction of lines running S. to (134 M.) Ogden and (171 M.) Salt Lake City (see p. 424), and N. to Butte and (351 M.) Helena (see p. 373). Circular tickets are issued by the U. P. Railway for tours from Pocatello to the Shoshone Falls (p. 393), the Yellowstone Park (p. 378), Butte, Helena (p. 373), etc.

On the line to Helena, 118 M. from Pocatello, is Beaver Cañon (6025 ft.), the starting-point of the stage-line to (90 M.) Firehole Basin in the Yellowstone Park, mentioned at pp. 380, 382, 383. The route traverses the Camas Meadows (with a view of the Tetons, p. 382, to the right) and Antelope Valley, fords the Shot Gun River, reaches the Snake River (halt for the night), skirts that river and Lake Henry (6440 ft.), climbs through the Tyghee or Tahgee Pass (7060 ft.), and descends along the Madison (p. 382).

Beyond Pocatello the train traverses the Great Snake River Lava

Fields, overgrown with sage-brush and greasewood; the snow-clad Rocky Mts. bound the distant horizon on the right. We cross the river at (118 M.) American Falls Station (4340 ft.) by a bridge, 600 ft. long, affording a good view of the *Falls. To the N. rise the Three Buttes of Lost River and (farther to the W.) the Saw-Tooth Mts. In front, to the left, appear the snow peaks of the Washoe Range. 1200 M. Shoshoné (3970 ft.), the starting-point for the stage to the (25 M.) Shoshoné Falls (31/2 hrs.).

The road to the falls runs to the S. across a sage-brush plain, passes some lava ridges, and suddenly reaches the deep ravine of the Snake River, 1200 ft. below it. We cross the river by a substantial ferry and soon reach the small Shoshoné Falls Hotel. The Great Shoshoné Falls, with a breadth of 950 ft., fall from a height of 210 ft. and deservedly rank with the waterfalls of the Yosemite or the Yellowstone. above the main cataract is the Bridal Veil Fall (80 ft.), and 3 M. higher are the Twin Falls (180 ft.). The bold volcanic formations of the deep cañon in which the falls occur are full of interest. About 5 M. below the falls, a little to the N. of the river, are the picturesque Blue Lakes, where boating and fishing may be enjoyed.

Just

A branch-line runs to the N. from Shoshoné to (57 M.) Hailey (5340 ft.) and (70 M.) Ketchum (5820 ft.). The Hailey Hot Springs (Hotel), 11/2 M. from the station (temp. 150°), are efficacious in rheumatism, dyspepsia, and other ailments. Near Ketchum are the Guyer Hot Springs (Hotel).

Near (1235 M.) Ticeska the railway again reaches the Snake River, the left bank of which we now skirt more or less closely. 1252 M. Glenn's Ferry (2565 ft.). Level plains give place to small rolling hills and bluffs, but the scenery continues to be uninteresting. 1337 M. Nampa (2490 ft.) is the junction of a branch-line to (19 M.) Boisé City (2885 ft.; Capitol Hotel, $21/2; Overland Hotel, $2), the capital of Idaho, a busy little mining city, with 2311 inhabitants. 1346 M. Caldwell (2370 ft.). Between Parma and Huntington we cross the Snake River thrice, the last crossing bringing us into Oregon (p. 291). 1396 M. Weiser (2120 ft.) is the gateway of the district known as the 'Seven Devils', named, apparently, from the hills seen to the right. Farther on the Snake River flows through a picturesque cañon (*View to right from the bridge). At (1419 M.) Huntington (2110 ft.; Union Pacific Hotel, $2), we change from 'Mountain' to 'Pacific' time (1 hr. slower; see p. xviii). We now leave the Snake River and ascend the picturesque *Burnt River Valley, crossing the stream repeatedly and threading rockcuttings and tunnels. Near Durkee we leave the Burnt River. Beyond (1457 M.) Baker City (3440 ft.) we ascend across the Blue Mts, and then descend rapidly, passing several snow-sheds, into the fertile and beautiful Grande Ronde Valley, watered by the river of that name. 1506 M. Union (2720 ft.); 1519 M. La Grande (2785 ft.); 1531 M. Kamela (2910 ft.); 1551 M. Laka (2918 ft.); 1591 M. Pendleton (1070 ft.), the junction of a branch-line to (251 M.) Spokane (p. 375); 1618 M. Echo (640 ft.). 1637 M. Umatilla Junction (300 ft.) is the point where passengers for Portland direct over the Northern Pacific Railway reach the main line of the Union Pacific System (comp. p. 376; Wallula is 27 M. from Umatilla). Near