68 ALASKA. 



as it drives out from the wash of surf, and roclis lifted and 

 pusbed up by ice-fields. 



The saud wbicb plays so important a part in tbe formation 

 of Saint Paul's Island, and wbicb is almost entirely wanting on 

 and around tbeotbers in this group, is largely composed of ^o- 

 raminifera, together with Diatomacea mixed in with tbe volcanic 

 base. It changes color like a chameleon as it passes from M'et 

 to dry, being a rich steely-black at tbe surf-margin, then dry- 

 ing out to a soft purplish brown and gray, succeeding to tints 

 most delicate, of reddish and pale gray when warmed by tbe 

 sun and drifting with the wind. The sand-dune tracts on this 

 island are really attractive in tbe summer at certain times 

 when the weather is pleasant ; the most luxuriant grass and a 

 variety of beautiful flowers exist in profusion on them. 



As these sand and bowlder bars were forming on Saint Paul's 

 Island, in making across from inlet to inlet, they inclosed small 

 collections of sea-water, thus giving rise to a number of lakes, 

 Avbicb nearly all become fresh ; in them are no reptiles or fish, 

 but a great number of minute Eotifcra sport about in all of 

 them whenever tbe water is exan)ined ; several water-plants 

 and alga3 flourish, especially so in the large lake, which is very 

 shallow. 



The total absence of a harbor in the group is much to be re- 

 gretted. The village of Saint Paul, as will be seen by reference 

 to the map, is located so as to command the best landings that 

 can be made from vessels during the jirevaleuce of any winds 

 other than southerly ; from these there is no shelter for vessels, 

 unless they run around to the north side, where they are unable 

 to hold communication or to discharge. At Saint George mat- 

 ters are still worse, for all northerly, westerly', and easterly 

 winds drive the shipping away from the village roadstead, and 

 weeks often pass at either island before a cargo is landed at its 

 destination. The approach to Saint Paul during thick weather 

 is very hazardous, for the land is mostly low, and does not loom 

 uj) like Saint George through tbe fog; there are, besides, nu- 

 merous reefs making out, which are not found around the other 

 island. Captain liaker carefully sounded out these localities 

 last summer, while waiting for us, and I have placed the result 

 of this valuable work on my chart, so that the next captain of 

 a revenue-vessel coming here will be able to feel his way in 

 with some degree of security. 



Saint George's Island is next in order of importance and 



