220 



der, so that the result (13,570 feet) can only be looked on as an 

 approximation, which may vary several hundred feet from the 

 truth. 



The culminating points of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade range 

 are beUeved to be the highest mountain elevations Avithin the limits 

 of the United States ; but to which of these pomts the supremacy 

 is to be given is not yet absolutely known ; although, as Avill be at- 

 tempted to be shown in this communication, it is at least highly 

 probable that Mt. Shasta has the honor of standing at the head. 



These lofty peaks, all volcanoes, either extinct or active, senti- 

 nelled along a granite range and towering far above it, enumeratmg 

 them from south to north, are as follows : 



Mt. Shasta, Cahfornia. 



Pitt, 

 Diamond Peak 

 Three Sisters, 

 Mt. Jefferson, 



\ 



V Oregon, 



Hood. 



J 



Mt. St. Helens, 



RaS > Washing-ton Territory. 



Baker. J 



In regard to the height of the first of these, namely Mt. Shasta, 

 there is at present no uncertainty. A carefal and elaborate series 

 of barometrical observations by the State Geological Corps, made 

 in September, 1862, has fixed the elevation of this mountain at 

 11,440 feet. Previous to this, the height of Shasta had been vari- 

 ously estimated at from 13,905 to 18,000 feet. The number 

 13,905 Avas the result of a barometrical observation made by Mr. 

 W. S. Moses, August 20th, 1861 ; 18,000 feet was the height as 

 estimated by the Pacific Rail Road expedition, under Lieut. Wil- 

 liamson ; Fremont's estimate was 15,000 feet, Avhich is much nearer 

 the truth than Wilhamson's. It is a very curious fact, that the 

 height of Mt. Shasta, as given by the editor of Colton's Atlas and 

 author of the article on California in the New American Cyclopsedia, 

 is 14,390 feet, Avhich is a very close approximation. Where these 

 figures were obtained, I have been unable to ascertam.* It is 

 pretty certain that they AYere not the result of any actual measure- 



* Wilkes says " it is said to be 14,350 feet ; but Lieut. Emmons thinks it is not 

 so high." 



