GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



117 



Figure 9 forms an excellent rock study, and it is a fine illustration 

 of the style of weathering of the feldspathic granites. These massive 

 piles, like the ruins of old castles, are scattered all over the summit of 

 the Laramie range, and the difference in texture of the rock is such as 

 to give a most pleasing variety, hardly any of these piles being alike. 

 These rocks were once angular masses, probably nearly cubical blocks, 

 and they have been rounded to their present form in the process of dis- 

 integration by exfoliation. Nature seems to abhor all sharp corners or 

 angles, and with her the curve is the line of beauty. Time wears off 

 all the sharp points in thin, spherical layers year after year. Skull Rock 

 is another example of the tendency to wear into singular shapes. This 

 rock, whieh has given name to one of these striking rock masses, has been 

 peeled off, coat by coat, by the fingers of Time until it presents a very 

 close resemblance to a human cranium. If we were to descend the 

 beautiful valley of Dale Creek we should find the scenery even more 

 romantic, and the granites worn into more fantastic forms. There is one 

 portion of this valley which has long been celebrated for the beauty of 

 its scenery, and known to the country as Virginia Dale. 



The SAviftly-flowing stream winds its way through the over-hanging 

 rocks, which sometimes run up a thousand feet or more, with nearly 

 vertical sides, and among these massive granite piles are grassy, oval, 

 park-like areas, which must become at some future period favorite 

 places of resort! The character of the scenery and the style of weath- 

 ering of the rocks are well shown in 



Fig. 9. 



Granite Rocks, Sherman Station, Laramie Mountains. 



Sherman Station, situated on the summit, is well known as the highest 

 point over which the railroad passes between Omaha and Salt Lake Val- 

 ley, and appropriately bears the honored name of the Commander-in- 

 chief of the Armies of the United States. 



We might linger for a time here and admire the beautiful and unique 

 scenery which is unfolded to us on every side. We shall not meet with 



