30 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
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where the permanent frost extended to a depth of two hundred feet, 
and this may probably be taken as the average depth of frost in the 
country. 
In general character, the Klondike may be considered as being a 
small and nearly isolated mountainous region lying to the east of the 
great valley of the Yukon river, to the south of the smaller valley of the 
Klondike river, and to the west of the still greater valley which runs to 
the south-west of the Rocky Mountains. On its southern side it is more 
or less closely connected with irregular mountainous ridges to the south 
of it, but the valley of the Indian river separates it more or less com- 
pletely from them, except in the extreme south-eastern portion. 
The lowest point in all this region is the bed of the Yukon river, 
where the Klondike river joins it at the City of Dawson, with an 
approximate elevation of 1,200 feet above the sea. 
The highest point is situated about the middle of the area, twenty- 
nine miles south-east of Dawson, and is known as the “Dome.” This 
is a hill or mountain with an approximate elevation of 4,250 feet above 
the sea, or 3,050 feet above the Yukon river at Dawson. 
From the Dome the country declines gently in all directions to- 
wards the valleys above enumerated, the drainage being carried off 
by short streams which radiate west, north, east and south, and flow 
into these larger streams. 
The smaller streams are fairly mature in character. Many of them 
beginning in cirque-like depressions in the vicinity of the Dome, continue 
outwards with gradually decreasing grades without falls or other 
sudden interruptions, until they reach their mouths, while the smaller 
tributaries which join them on both sides flow quietly into them with- 
out any sudden changes of grade or without any waterfalls tumbling 
down from hanging valleys. 
The area is completely isolated from any other drainage. No 
streams cross the district from any mountains or high lands outside 
of it, and there is no evidence that any streams have ever so crossed the 
district. 
As, therefore, no glaciers have ever reached the country from any 
of the country to the north, or from the surrounding or adjoining moun- 
tains, and as no streams have crossed it, the problems of denudation 
and transportation which it presents are entirely confined within its 
own boundaries. 
All the loose material which is found on its hills and ridges is de- 
rived from the immediate vicinity, and all the sand, gravel, or other 
detritus which is found in its valleys, was derived from the sides or 
bottoms of those valleys themselves, and none of it was brought from 
a distance. 
