VALENTINE] A TRIP TO THE SAND DUXES 5:{ 



for without it the dunes move rapidly. The sand dune is cross- 

 ing the river at one place (Fig. 4) and at another has dammed it 

 forcing an underground outlet to the lake. If the plant life 

 upon the sand area just described were to be removed, it would 

 cause great destruction, to the town and railroad near by. 



Sand dunes influence the interests of man though little for 

 his good. They may furnish material for making mortar with 

 which to construct buildings, and grading railroads. The laying- 

 out of towns and railroads are greatly influenced by the sand 

 dune region. In this case we found the town and railroad situ- 

 ated about half a mile from the immediate dunes. The side 

 walks running for a short distance out of the town in the direc- 

 tion of the lake, are but half of their original width owing to the 

 wide distribution of sand. Other dunes in the course of migra- 

 tion have buried railroads, forests, and towns in which the loss 

 of property was considerable. 



There are a few less important but interesting facts in con- 

 nection with the sand region. We found the sand in one place 

 deposited in layers, and learned that when such sand became 

 cemented it became sandstone. The constant wind blown sand 

 upon the trees tend to strip them of their bark and if dead, to 

 polish them smooth. Stones also, are polished and sharp edges 

 worn upon them in this manner. Another interesting feature of 

 the sand dune and its vegetation is that it serves all of one's 

 needs for a fire to prepare a good meal. The dead wood served 

 to build the fire quickly and the slim twigs which were polished 

 by weathering made excellent forks for roasting sausages and 

 marshmallows. The position of the dunes in ranges made the 

 finding of a sheltered spot from the cold lake breeze very easy, 

 and the lack of luxuriant undergrowth prevents conflagration. The 

 trip was a very interesting one and after learning all that was to 

 l)e gained by exploring the dunes wx enjoyed a social hour, about 

 the camp fire. 



The Editor will pay $1.00 for each copy of Vol. 1, 

 No. 1 sent him. 



