6 
62 LANDS OF THE ARID REGION OF THE UNITED STATES. 
the two stations. It is already known that the Farmington zero is approw- 
mately 16 inches lower than the Black Rock. 
A stone ‘‘bench” or monument for permanent reference has also been 
placed on rising ground near the observation pillar, and the two will be 
connected by spirit level. The Farmington bench is of gneiss, and is 
marked with a + in the same manner as the Black Rock. The stone was 
contributed by Mr. Abbott, of Farmington, and was gratuitously shaped 
and placed by Mr. Miller. 
Mr. Miller has also voluntarily assumed charge of the record, and will 
make or superintend the observations. It will not be practicable to visit 
the pillar daily, nor even at regular intervals, but it is expected that the 
record will be as full as the one tabulated above. The following items are 
to be noted: 
— 
Time of observation, including year, month, day, and hour. 
) tomy ? 5] 
bo 
Reading of water surface in feet and inches. 
3. Direction and force of wind. 
4. Account of wind for the preceding 24 hours. 
5. Name of observer. 
These observations will not only determine the annual gain or loss of the 
lake, but willin a few years give data to construct the curve of the annual tide. 
The history of past changes not having been the subject of record, it 
became necessary to compile it from such collateral data as were attainable. 
The enquiries inaugurated by Professor Henry have been prosecuted, and 
have resulted in a tolerably definite determination of the principal changes 
since 1847, together with the indication of a superior limit to earlier oscillations. 
Ever since the settlement of Salt Lake City, in 1847, the islands of 
the lake have been used as herd grounds. Fremont and Carrington islands 
have been reached by boat, and Antelope and Stansbury islands partly by 
boat, partly by fording, and partly by land communication. A large share 
of the navigation has been performed by citizens of Farmington, and the 
shore is in that neighborhood so flat that the changes of water level have 
necessitated frequent changes of landing place. The pursuits of the 
boatmen have been so greatly affected that all of the more important 
fluctuations were impressed upon their memories, and most of the changes 
