American Big-Game Hunting 



the general level of the inclosed table-land. 

 Beyond the mountains the country falls away 

 on all sides, the lowlands and valleys varying 

 in altitude from 4000 to 6000 feet. The 

 entire region stands out as a bold mountain 

 mass, measuring approximately 75 miles in 

 width by 60 miles in length, which rises high 

 above the adjoining country. 



Although it is commonly so called, the 

 central portion of this mass is not, strictly 

 speaking, a plateau ; at least it is by no means 

 a level region, but an undulating country, 

 broken by abrupt escarpments and long 

 table-like ridges of gently inclined rocks. It 

 is accidented by shallow depressions and 

 valleys of varied outline, the irregularities of 

 lava flows adding much to the diversity of 

 surface forms and features. Deep canons 

 and gorges cut the plateau, and penetrate 

 nearly to the base of the accumulated lavas. 

 These nearly horizontal lavas rest against the 

 steeper slopes of the encircling mountains. 

 The foot-hills, in contrast with the plateau, 

 afford a more broken character, the inter- 

 montane valleys become deeper, the country 

 gradually growing rougher until the higher 



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