Geology and Meteorology west of Rocky Mountains. 353 
number of cattle, sheep, goats, swine, &c., which he had increased to 
four or five hundred. He lent Mr. B. oxen, plough, cows, axes, &c., 
and he commenced ploughing in January, in Lat. 45° 37’-—The vege- 
tables of the preceding season were still standing in gardens untouch- 
ed by frost. Newgrass had sprung up sufficiently for excellent ied 
pal Fruit trees were in full blossom. 
' The society of gentlemen at this place (Fort Vancouver, Lat. 45° 
37’, Lon. 122° 37’) is good, but they have natives for wives. They 
are selected from a very friendly tribe of Indians, who are averse to 
war and exceedingly peaceable. ‘These wives soon learn English 
cookery, and perform other domestic duties in good style. Mr. Ball 
devotes part of his time to teaching the women and children. As 
the Indians near Rocky Mountain stole his clothes, excepting what 
he wore out, he arrived at Vancouver in Buffalo skins. The ladies 
immediately furnished him in the best style of the place. - 
- The meteorological observations at the end of this article exhibit 
the remarkable uniformity of temperature through the winter months. 
Though the latitude is nearly that of Montreal, mowing and curing 
hay are unnecessary ; for cattle graze on fresh growing grass through 
the winter. Cordier’s theory of internal heat, particularly that part 
_ of it, which supposes some portions of the earth better conductors of 
caloric than others, would seem to derive some plausible support from 
that temperature which seems —— to be influenced by the sun’s 
rays, nor by elevation. 
I have made these selections, instead of publishing Mr. B.’s letter, 
because he wrote in a familiar style, without any view to its publication. 
- From June 12th to October 1, while travelling West from the 
Rocky Mountain, across the Barrens, (says Mr. B.) we had scarcely 
any rain; and the heat ranged from 60° to 89°. In the fertile re- 
gions, the heat is generally much lower. 
This meteorological table presents a subject for interesting enqui- 
ty. While the temperature was for some days from 12° to 15° below 
freezing, the most delicate fruit trees remained in full blossom, with- 
out being affected by frost. Is the earth absolutely warmed in a 
degree, uncommon in other countries, by internal heat? Is it to the 
same cause that we are to ascribe the rapid growth of vegetables, 
where the earth receives a due quantity of rain? Mr. Ball saw nume- 
fous warm springs issuing from beneath basaltic rocks along Lewis riv- 
er, &c. The temperature of the water was generally about 100° Fab. 
Troy, Sept. 6, 1833. Amos Eaton. 
Vout. XXV.—No. 2. 45 
