24 EARLY LETTERS [CHAP. I 



Letter 6 is to be subject to infinite variation, passing from one variety 

 to another by a concretionary structure. I hardly expect you 

 to believe me, when it is a consequence of this view that 

 granite, which forms peaks of a height probably of 14,000 ft., 

 has been fluid in the Tertiary period ; that strata of that period 

 are altered by its heat, and are traversed by dykes from the 

 mass. That these strata have also probably undergone an 

 immense depression, that they are now inclined at high angles 

 and form regular or complicated anticlinal lines. To complete 

 the climax and seal your disbelief, these same sedimentary 

 strata and lavas are traversed by very numerous, true metallic 

 veins of iron, copper, arsenic, silver and gold, and these 

 can be traced to the underlying granite. A gold mine has 

 been worked close to the clump of silicified trees. If when 

 you see my specimens, sections and account, you should 

 think that there is pretty strong presumptive evidence of 

 the above facts, it appears very important ; for the structure, 

 and size of this chain will bear comparison with any in 

 the world, and that this all should have been produced in 

 so very recent a period is indeed wonderful. In my own 

 mind I am quite convinced of the reality of this. I can 

 anyhow most conscientiously say that no previously formed 

 conjecture warped my judgment. As I have described so 

 did I actually observe the facts. But I will have some mercy 

 and end this most lengthy account of my geological trip. 



On some of the large patches of perpetual snow, I found 

 the famous red snow of the Arctic countries ; I send with this 

 letter my observations and a piece of paper on which I tried 

 to dry some specimens. If the fact is new and you think 

 it worth while, either yourself examine them or send them 

 to whoever has described the specimens from the north and 

 publish a notice in any of the periodicals. I also send a 

 small bottle with two lizards, one of them is viviparous as 

 you will see by the accompanying notice. A M. Gay a 

 French naturalist has already published in one of the news- 

 papers of this country a similar statement and probably has 

 forwarded to Paris some account ; as the fact appears singular 

 would it not be worth while to hand over the specimens 

 to some good lizardologist and comparative anatomist to 

 publish an account of their internal structure ? Do what 

 y ou think fit. 



