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POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



bearing as they did on the geology of an important part of the Amer- 

 ican continent, proved of value. The work that has since been done 

 has shown that it is in Alaska that we must seek the meeting-point of 

 the stratigraphy of the old world and the new. 



The methods and plans for the first season's work have been pre- 

 sented in some detail, as they afford an insight into the difficulties 

 encountered and the character of the work. During the following 

 winter the more important economic results were thrown into popular 

 form for immediate publication. It is no exaggeration to state that, 

 had it been possible to give to the public a year earlier the information 

 obtained during this first season, i. e., before the Klondike rush began, 

 hundreds of thousands of dollars might have been saved: first, by 

 directing the inland travel along the best routes, and, second, by fur- 

 nishing a clew to the general distribution of the placer gold. 



Thanks to the increased knowledge of the conditions of travel, and 

 of the general geography, it was possible to direct the second season's 

 work much more intelligently. It was discovered that horses could 

 be used, which gave the parties far more mobility. During this season 

 the explorations of the Yukon basin continued, and an examination of 

 the newly discovered Nome placers was made. The latter, then thought 

 to be a mere incident in what was considered more important work, 

 proved to be of first interest to the public. A brief account of this gold 

 field was published and placed in the hands of a large percentage of 

 the thousands who started for Nome in the spring of 1900. 



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>WNUW. ftEPQBT PL. I 



2B. Map of Alaska, showing unexplored areas in 1905. 



