21 G ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



part greater than formerly. Should it fall to its former level, 

 it is plain that the possibilities of irrigation would be dimin- 

 ished. 



It further appears by the studies of this geologist that the 

 system of upward and downward movements by which the 

 mountain ranges of the valleys of Utah and Nevada were 

 produced have continued down to the present time. Evi- 

 dences of recent movements have been discovered on the 

 lines of ancient faults. The old shore -lines of Great Salt 

 Lake, indicated by bench-marks upon the surrounding moun- 

 tains, are no longer level, but have been elevated or depress- 

 ed with the displacement of the mountain masses. Differences 

 of nearly one hundred feet are found in the immediate vicin- 

 ity of the lake, where the ancient shore-lines lie a thousand 

 feet above their present level ; but the barometer indicates 

 that the discrepancy is greater at more remote points. 



The geological party under Captain Dutton explored the 

 plateaux drained by the Sevier River and its tributaries in 

 Southern Utah, making a special study of the distribution of 

 the eruptive rocks, and the methods and results of atmos- 

 pheric degradation. Particular attention w r as also given by 

 all parties to the extent of the forests, and the fact elicited 

 that the area where standing timber is actuallv found is 

 very much smaller than the areas where the conditions are 

 such that timber should be growing spontaneously that 

 is, the timber area is but a small fraction of the timber re- 

 gion. Since the destruction of forests by fire greatly ex- 

 ceeds their removal for economic purposes, the best method 

 of preventing these fires is an important problem. 



In addition to these various labors, the survey has been 

 collecting with great care and pains most valuable ethno- 

 graphic material, particular attention being paid to vital 

 statistics, the discovery of linguistic affinities, the progress 

 made by the Indians towards civilization, and the causes 

 and remedies for the inevitable conflict that arises from the 

 spread of civilization over a region previously inhabited by 

 savages. It is believed that the publications of the survey 

 in this direction will have a peculiar value. 



Passing now to the geographical survey west of the one 

 hundredth meridian, carried on by the corps of engineers un- 

 der the immediate charge of Lieutenant Wheeler, we find that 



