Hayden.] 4(3g [Oct. -2. 



to the scenery. Inclining awaj^from the sienite nucleus we have 

 here, 1st, the red arenaceous beds, 1000 to 1500 feet in thickness, 

 then, GOO to 800 feet of variegated marls and clays with layers 

 of sandstone, all destitute of fossils or any evidence of their 

 age. These beds incline south-west at various angles 19°, 11°, 

 6°, &c. Then the cretaceous beds are quite well represented. 

 From No. 5 I gathered Baculites ovatus and an Inocerannvs. 



Upon the Cretaceous beds, but not conforming to them, rest 

 the White River Tertiary beds, inclining at a small angle, as if 

 they had partaken of the latest upward movements of the moun- 

 tain ranges. 



The central portions of the mountains are composed of sienite 

 mostly. The outer beds are rotten sienite of a dull gray color, 

 disintegrating to such an extent that the surface is covered with 

 a thick deposit of crystals of feldspar. As we approach the 

 dividing ridge the beds of sienite become more compact and 

 durable. Now and then we find beds of hornl)lendic gneiss or 

 white quartz. All these rocks are nearly vertical. 



Intercalated among these beds of sienite we found the beds of 

 iron ore which, though not continuous like the sienite, occur 

 here in large quantities. The ore beds incline in the same direc- 

 tion with the others, with the same joints and clearage, and the 

 surface of many of the layers has the appearance of slickcn- 

 sides. Thousands of tons of this ore have been detached from 

 these beds and distributed throughout the valley of the Cherry- 

 water in a more or less worn condition. Although the amount 

 of iron ore which we were able to discover, was indefinite in 

 extent, yet we had evidence of the existence of other beds in the 

 mountains at the sources of all the branches of the Cherry-water. 



The Cherrj^-water empties into the North Platte, and has a 

 valley about one hundred miles long. It has been for many 

 years a favorite locality for wintering stock, not only for the 

 excellence of the grass and water, but also from the fact that 

 the climate is mild throughout the Winter. Cattle and horses 

 thrive Avell all Winter without hay or shelter. The soil in all 

 the valleys of the stream that flow into the North Platte is fertile, 

 and where the surface can be irrigated good crops of all kinds 

 of cereals and hardy vegetables can be raised without difficult3^ 



While my explorations this season will be confined mostly to 

 the plain country', 3'et my plans contemplate numerous side trips 

 to interesting points in the contiguous mountains. 



Within a few weeks a great excitement has been created at 



