REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 41 



which in i^Uices pass through deep and almost inaccessible gorges. Over 

 the entire region surveyed the data were collected for determining the 

 amount and distribution of lands which can be redeemed from sterility 

 by irrigation, and also that of grass and timber lands. The coal-forma- 

 tions, which had been discovered in previous surveys in adjoining re- 

 gions, were traced through the areas of the present survey, and many 

 new beds discovered. It was found that the coal of Southern and Cen- 

 tral Utah is distributed through a series of geological formations em- 

 bracing most of the Tertiary and Cretaceous ages. The supply of coal 

 of this region is, therefore, abundant, and much of it is said to be of 

 good quality and widely distributed. The position of many of the more 

 important mineral-lodes was determined, especially such as have been 

 worked to a sufficient extent to enable the owners to acquire permanent 

 titles from the Government, and these will be represented on the general 

 map. 



The geological structure of tue region is exceedingly complex. A series 

 of formations, embracing Tertiarj^ Mesozoic, Paleozoic, and Metamorphic 

 rocks, are plicated on a grand scale, and displaced by faults of immense 

 extent. During geological ages, and continued down to later periods, 

 this region must have been the scene of great volcanic activity. Exten- 

 sive fields of eruptive matter and large numbers of volcanic cones are 

 exhibited. In many places there exist great escarpments, forming canon- 

 walls and lines of cliffs, exhibiting with great perfection the superposi- 

 tion and structure of rocks, from which interesting geological deduc- 

 tions can be made. 



The great system of monoclinal folds and faults discovered in former 

 years, crossing the grand caiion of the Colorado, was found to be extended 

 into the region of this year's survey. The lithological geology was 

 studied so far as the opportunities permitted, and large collections of 

 rocks made, especially of the volcanic formations widely distributed in 

 geological succession. From the sedimentary rocks fossils were obtained 

 abundantly sufficient to indicate the ancient flora and fauna of the 

 region. The Territory is traversed by profound gorges, which conduct off 

 the small amount of rainfall not evaporated. Although the amount of 

 water carried by the streams is small, the great elevation of the country 

 above the sea giv^es it the velocity of a torrent, and being mingled with 

 stones, its erosive action exhibits effects unequalled, perhaps, in any 

 other part of the globe. On the mountains and plateaus of this region, 

 wherever an altitude of 9,000 feet, or more, is reached, evidences of 

 ancient glacial action are found. 



Interesting ethnological results were obtained. Two important tribes 

 of Indians were again visited, the tJ-in-tats and Senv-a-rits, irsually 

 known as the Uinta Utes and She-be-riches, and much additional 

 knowledge of the words and grammatical construction of their language 

 was secured, as also a series of facts relating to the naming of tribes 

 and confederacies, with fresh information as to their political orgauiza- 



