MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, 197 



tain, which is situated well within the limits of the supposed granite 

 district, and is nearest and highest of the elevations that lie west from 

 the chain of lakes. Showing upon its sides, as it does, bare cliffs through 

 the forest that covers it, this mountain was chosen as a locality where 

 we might hope to find some evidence of the nature of the rock underly- 

 ing the vicinity, which, at the lower levels, had been hitherto concealed 

 by thick drift deposits. 



Dr. Jackson, while on his way to Ktaadn in 1837, saw this mountain 

 from the shore of Ambejijis Lake, and describes it in these words : 

 " From this spot I took a view of Joe Merry Mountain, which appears 



rising to a considerable elevation on the southwest It is composed 



of granite, and is a commanding point of view for examining the sur- 

 rounding counti'y, so that it is frequented by explorers for timber." * 

 But as Jackson was never nearer to it than when he ran down Pema- 

 dumcook Lake on the return from Ktaadn, it is evident that this 

 statement rests merely on report. 



A circuit of seven miles through the woods brought us to the foot of 

 the mountain on its north side, where it rises at a sharp angle from 

 the valley. For the last four miles of our way up to this point, the 

 gi'ound was thickly strewn with granite bowlders, which became larger 

 and more numerous as we approached the mountain. So far neither 

 rock in place, nor bowlders of other material than granite, had any- 

 where been seen. But, 200 feet up from the foot of the steep north- 

 ern face, we began to find mingled with the granite bowlders others 

 of considerably altered mica schist. At the height of 450 feet, and 

 again at 600 feet, above the base, we came upon exposed ledges of rock, 

 the same in kind as the newly found bowlders. So fixr the ascent 

 had been abrupt. For the next hour it was more gradual, and 

 several small levels and depressions were traversed. Later, a narrow 

 and deep ravine was crossed, having on its farther side a cliff of schist, 

 similar to that observed below, which rose at an angle of 35°, and so 

 high as to require twenty minutes' sharp climbing to gain its top. 

 Thence a gentle ascent was followed for ten minutes, when an elevation 

 was attained of 1,635 feet above the lake, as determined by means of an 

 aneroid, whose readings at various points were compared with simultane- 

 ous observations made by Mr. Blake with a Green's mountain barometer 

 stationed in camp at Gordon's Landing. At this height numerous gran- 

 ite bowlders were still scattered over the mountain top. The mountain 

 is a long ridge, running north and south. Its actual summit now lay 



* Second Report on Geology of Public Lands, p. 13. 



