B. TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS AND METEOROLOGY. 85 



the region, Avhicli exists to an enormous extent in the form 

 of iron of the best quality, can be utilized by transportation 

 to points where the smelting can be done by means of coal, 

 thus avoiding the drain of the timber required for charcoal 

 purposes. The country abounds with game, which would 

 be preserved by the conversion of the region into a park, 

 furnishing a source of pleasure and recreation to summer 

 tourists. 



The precedent of the general government in establishing 

 the Yosemite Valley as a national reservation, in charge of 

 the State of California, and in establishing the Yellow Stone 

 Park, for the benefit of the whole nation, is urged as an ar- 

 gument in this case. Although the results of the complete 

 deforestinsj of the Adirondack resrion, which would ultimate- 

 ly ensue if unprotected, are presented in a very startling 

 manner, there is no flaw to be found in the reasoning ; and as 

 one consequence, there is no little reason to anticipate that 

 the reduction of the Hudson to a stream unfit for purj^oses 

 of steady water communication would follow, while -the 

 streams flowino: from the Adirondack resfion would become 

 insignificant, involving serious consequences to the manufac- 

 tories now located upon them. 



In addition to this, as already remarked, Avould be associ- 

 ated floods of terrific violence, which would carry destruction 

 and devastation before them. Beyond the mere cost of ac- 

 quiring this property, the expense of keeping it up would be 

 trifling. Wardens to prevent the destruction of the timber, 

 and the improvement or construction of roads at a few 

 points, would be all that would be required. It is suggested, 

 too, that the lease for stated periods of certain fixvorite local- 

 ities to parties desirous of foi-ming villas or hunting lodges 

 would form an important source of income, which would 

 probably more than pay the current expenses of maintaining 

 the park. 



THE LIMIT OF PERPETUAL SNOW. 



The altitude above the sea-level of the limit of perpetual 

 snow has been the subject of some observations and deductions 

 recently presented by Grad to the Paris Academy. He shows* 

 that not only the diminution of temperature in the higher 

 strata, but also several other conditions, must conspire to fix 



