PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 45 



was formed without reference to the solid rock beneath the drift cover- 

 ing but was determined entirely by the features of the surface. In the 

 case of Maquoketa river these features forced the stream over a buried 

 pre-Kansan hill of rock where the Backbone is now located. Some irreg- 

 ularities in the region, either on the surface of the Kansan drift plain, 

 or which seems less likely, in the rock surface after the stream had cut 

 down to it caused the river to assume a sharply winding course and these 

 windings have doubtless been accentuated with the development of the 

 valley. The lowan drift was so thin that it could not entirely conceal 

 the valleys which it occupied and hence after the retreat of the lowan 

 ice the Maquoketa may have resumed its former course across the lowan 

 plain and through the Backbone region. Of course the possibility must 

 be kept in mind that the valley may date from post-Nebraskan time, but 

 there seems to be no definite evidence in regard to this. Both above the 

 Backbone region and below it the river is flowing through a broad, shallow 

 drift-covered sag valley, which is in striking contrast with the deep rock- 

 cut canyon that so nearly surrounds the Backbone. This beautiful spot, 

 charming alike in its contrasts and in its many picturesque features, 

 stands as perpetual testimony to the effectiveness of the geologic forces 

 and the variety of the geologic activities which have been engaged in its 

 sculpturing and completion for our enjoyment and benefit. 



SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT OF THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE. 

 By L. H. Pammel, Botanist. 



In my visit to the Devil's Backbone last fall and in December it was 

 impossible for me to entirely cover the area and thus comment on all 

 of the desirble features of the area. The matter of purchasing the land 

 has' certainly been put in the hands of a most trustworthy man, Mr. Hoyt, 

 who not only knows every foot of the land but the many springs and de- 

 sirable features. He has performed his duties in an eminently and highly 

 satisfactory way. When the land is too high three appraisers, Senator 

 Newberry, of Strawberry Point, Judge Dunham, of Manchester, and Mr. 

 Abbott, of Lamont, have appraised the land. The eminent fairness of 

 these men and their good judgment puts the matter in such shape that 

 the state will be greatly benefitted by their wise judgment. 



A point not brought out in previous reports is the accessibility of the 

 park to the people of Lament, 4%' miles; Strawberry Point, 3 miles; 

 Manchester, 14 miles. The acquiring of the large spring on the spring 

 branch of the Maquoketa river and the adjacent bluffy land will prove to 

 have been a very wise plan on the part of the Conservation Board and 

 Executive Council. The water of the spring is about the same during the 

 entire year and of the same temperature winter and summer, clear, 

 sparkling water coming out at the base of a limestone outcrop. The 

 bluffs on both sides of the stream are well wooded. Some of the original 

 trees of white, red, bur and barren oak, white pine, red cedar, hard maple, 

 hackberry, basswood, ash, hickory still hardy, although much of this is 

 of second growth trees of oak, maple, basswood, red cedar, white, slip- 

 pery and corky elm and bark elm. The steep rocky bluffs in some places 



