The present vegetation, psychrometer 

 readings and snowfall proice that humidity increases 

 very materially with elemtion; even, slight ele- 

 vations such as low rolling isolated hl.Ms shew a 

 marked difference. It is a question whether the 

 aspect makes any particular difference in the a- 

 rnount of precipitation. The vegetation on the 

 ground shows, however, that there is more avail- 

 able moisture on the north and east slopes. The 

 south and southwest slopes are usually more open 

 in the timbered sections and as one approaches the 

 desert - the hills are always barren on the south 

 and west slopes. The prevailing winds are from 

 the north west ard south, the southern winds being 

 the rain bearers and not the rule during the months 

 of Julj'-, August and SeptembeE. During these three 

 months, local winds, miniature cyclones and thurder 

 sharers over small areas are the rule. 



Due to the character of the rock and un- 

 favorable condition for decay, the process of soil 

 formation has necessarily been very slow in this re- 

 gion and confined to physical rather than chemical 

 forces. The soil is, therefore, very shallow ex- 

 cept at the lower elevations and points, where it 

 has been deposited by water and winds. "Where the 



-5- 



