156 LANDS OF THE ARID REGION OF THE UNITED STATES. 
more worn, less in number, and smaller in size, and this is the case generally 
with unaltered sedimentary rocks. But in valleys running among voleanic 
ranges, the much greater hardness and durability of the materials preserve 
them from disintegration, and the stones are more numerous, larger, and 
less worn by attrition, composing indeed a very large proportion of the 
bulk of the alluvial cones. A large portion of the valley of the Sevier lies 
in the midst of a voleanic region, and its sides are everywhere flanked with 
these alluvial cones, which are very stony and gravelly. The lower portion 
of the Sevier is in a country made of sedimentary beds, and though the 
alluvial cones are equally common, they consist of finer material, and are 
less burdened with stones. 
The Panguitch Valley is between volcanic plateaus, and most of its 
area consists of alluvial cone land, which is no doubt fertile wherever the 
stones and rubble are not sufficient to prevent plowing and planting, but 
this difficulty must render it at least very undesirable. There is, however, 
a large area of land of another description in Panguitch Valley, composed 
of the finest silt brought down by the gentler current of the river itself, 
and deposited within its own basin. This is good bottom land, and the 
amount of it I estimate at not less than 7,000 acres. It has already been 
remarked that Panguitch Valley stands at an altitude above 6,000 feet, 
and is not free from danger of summer frosts. These have been known to 
destroy or seriously injure the grain, though in a majority of years crops 
will no doubt be safely harvested. Whether the danger is such as to 
make agriculture unremunerative in the long run experience can alone 
demonstrate. 
Following the South Fork of the Sevier downward through the 
Panguitch canons, the next important agricultural area is Circle Valley. 
This is a broad, nearly circular area, situated in the midst of scenery of the 
most magnificent description. Upon the east and west sides rise those 
gigantic cliffs which are the peculiar feature of the scenery of this elevated 
region, looking down upon the valley below from altitudes of 4,000 to 
5,000 feet. This valley also has upon its sides long sloping areas of 
stony alluvial cones, full of blocks of trachyte and basalt washed down 
from the cliffs above. It has also a large area of arable land. There is 
