DAVIS: THE GKAND CANYON OF THE COLORADO. 187 



them without difficulty ; but when actually upon them, the smoothness 

 vanishes; the dimensions of every item of form are magnified far beyond 

 expectation ; everything is rough and rugged, and walking is tiresome 

 work. A third day can be given to various problems regarding stratified 

 structures which are here open to observation in a larger way than almost 

 anywhere else in the world. The mere sight-seer may be content with a 

 brief trip down and back, but the geologist who can go as far as the 

 canyon ought to spend several entire days in its depths. We were 

 unfortunately so hurried as to have only an afternoon, a night, and a 

 morning for the canyon. 



If the canyon is visited from the north, the trip may be made on 

 horseback or with wagon from Belknap station, Rio Grande Western rail- 

 road, southward to Kanab, and thence either southeast to the Kaibab 

 or southwest to the TJinkaret plateau and the Toroweap valley. The 

 former trip repeats the views seen from the Coconino rim, but it is 

 without the advantage of good trails by which the descent may be made 

 to the river. The latter takes the observer to a great field of volcanic 

 phenomena as well as to the brink of the canyon at a most interesting 

 point. After recent rains, water-pockets can be depended on for camp- 

 ing near Vulcan's throne ; but if the season has been dry, water must 

 be brought from Oak spring on the TJinkaret. Although this is trouble- 

 some, it is entirely feasible. Two nights and a day are the shortest 

 time that should be wisely allowed to this wonderful spot : it was a real 

 hardship that our party had only a day for the ride from Oak spring to 

 Vulcan's throne and back. 



Former Climates of the Grand Canyon District. 



Diverse Opinions of Early Observers. — The several opinions ex- 

 pressed by Newberry, Powell, and Dutton as to the former climates of 

 the region under discussion seem to me difficult to maintain, so many 

 are the doubtful elements iu problems of this class. Newberry inferred 

 a former greater rainfall (p. 47), apparently because of the immense 

 amount of denudation that has been accomplished ; but until more is 

 known as to the time occupied in the great denudation, it is impossible 

 to make inferences as to its rate, and hence as to the strength of the 

 eroding and transporting agencies, and the rainfall that excites them. 

 Powell inferred a long-maintained arid climate, because " in a region of 

 country where there is a greater amount of rainfall, the tendency is to 

 produce hills and mountains, rather than plateaus and ridges, with 



