I 86 STRATIGRAPHICAL GEOLOGY. 



and appearance, is such that a passage to the top is marked out by no ravines and emi- 

 nences, but the path leads directly over the ruins, and the guide himself is directed by 

 masses of white quartz, or collections of stones raised at proper distances. Near the 

 top are small black tourmalines, and above a small spring of water. 



The case is clear. The mountain of granite was raised from the deep, bearing up 

 on its Atlantean shoulders this huge covering of mica slate that extends a quarter of a 

 mile below the summit, and by disruptive agencies has been fissured in every direction, 

 and reduced to ruins. The granite, instead of upturning the mica slate, and protrud- 

 ing at the centre of elevation, itself forming the peak, has broken it at some distance 

 from the centre, and we ought to find the long line of disruption of the mica slate, if 

 the rocks remain and are uncovered, very far down the mountain ; if not, in the low 

 grounds of the valleys. 



Dr. Jackson s vicivs, p. 'j'j, Final Report Geology of New Hampshire. 



Dr. Jackson ascended the mountain by the Crawford bridle-path, the 

 same now travelled direct from the Crawford house. I quote only the 

 geological statements : 



On Mt. Franklin all traces of vegetation, excepting jjlants of an alpine character, 

 disappear. The rocks consist entirely of granite and gneiss, with occasional veins of 

 quartz. The geological features of Mt. Washington possess but little interest, the 

 rocks in place consisting of a coarse variety of mica slate, passing into gneiss, which 

 contains a few crystals of black tourmaline and quartz. The cone of the mountain and 

 its summit are covered with myriads of angular and flat blocks and slabs of mica slate, 

 piled in confusion, one upon the other. They are identical in nature with the rocks in 

 place, and bear no marks of transportation or abrasion by the action of water. On the 

 declivity of the cone occurs a vein of milky and rose-colored quartz, but it is not suffi- 

 ciently high colored to form elegant specimens. The geologist will be fully rewarded 

 for his toil in ascending this mountain, by the magnificent and comprehensive view 

 which may be obtained of the surrounding country. He will remark that the moun- 

 tains are not grouped at random, but form regular ranges, running in definite directions 

 coinciding with the axis of elevation. To the south-eastward three ranges of moun- 

 tains are seen, and appear to run N. N. E., while to the south-west the mountains run 

 in a nearly north and south direction. The valleys are observed to be regularly con- 

 tinuous between the mountains. The whole country, so far as the eye can reach, is 

 thickly clad with the primeval forest trees. [1840.] 



After mentioning the observations of Messrs. Channing and Hale upon 

 Mt. Jefferson, noticed above (p. 115), Dr. Jackson remarks: 



The results of this exploration were important ; since the observations made in the 

 bed of Israel's river prove the nucleus of the White Mountain range to be granite rock, 



