10 EEPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY. 



narrow basaltic ridge. A small alkaline spring and good grass were 

 found there. Although the march had been a short one, it was fraught 

 with fatigue, ha\dng led in great part through deep sand. In among the 

 rocks we found a beautiful spring of clear, cold water. That this resort 

 was well known to the game of that region we had ample opportunity to 

 observe. The slope of the ridge was covered with a scattering growth of 

 quaking asp, and from several small groves we "jumped" black-tail deer 

 ( Gariacus macrotis). As will be seen from the geological report following, 

 this region was one of considerable interest (Stations 25 and 26). Here 

 the basaltic lava has found its way through Tertiary strata and, flowing 

 over a considerable area, has indicated its points of ejection by crater- 

 hke cones. Protecting in part the softer sedimentary strata, the basalts 

 have at some places been luidermined, and falling down, have given 

 rise to the formation of vertical rock faces. 



Our course during the next day lay through narrow canons and across 

 steep. Tertiary bluffs. The character of the rocks there and the small 

 amount of precipitated moisture, rendered it highly improbable that we 

 should find water. In the course of our ride we struck the old road which 

 has been designated as Evans's route, and followed it. Eventually this led 

 us to a smaU creek, which still contained stagnant pools of water. Fear- 

 ing to risk any farther chances we made camp. As we approached 

 toward the south the character of the country became more and more 

 that of a desert. Green vegetation disappeared altogether, crowded out 

 by sage-brush and cactus. 



Next momiug we started early and made a number of stations, while 

 the pack-train continued along the old wagon-road. After crossing 

 . several ridges we saw before us an apparently boundless plain, perfectly 

 . level and absolutely unbroken. ISo chance appeared for the finding of 

 . either water or grass, and we determined to march toward the railroad 

 . as rapidly as possible. Accordingly our course was changed. We soon 

 .reached a perfectly flat basin, one which had probably formerly contained 

 a lake. At its northern end the color of the bare soil was a dazzling 

 white, reflecting the hot rays of the sun. Gradually this changed into 

 pink, and eventually into a bright red. Hour after hour we rode over 

 the bare, compact ground, no change in scenery or character of the soil 

 taking place. To the southward was a prominent butte. Eagle Eock, 

 , and about 6 miles beyond that stretched a long row of regular bluffs. 

 Ascending the butte in question at five o'clock in the evening, we saw 

 before us the narrow line of the Union Pacific track. About 4 to 5 

 miles distant was the building of Eed Desert Station. As an illustra- 

 tion of the remarkable purity of the atmosphere it may here be men- 

 tioned that at this considerable distance we were able to count the num- 

 ber of windows in the building without the aid of field-glasses. A ride 

 through sage-brush and some grass, made more agreeable by the prospect 

 of no " dry camp," brought us to the station. Thanks to the courtesy 

 of the agent, we were enabled to use the water there obtained by means 

 of an artesian well. After having marched for more than 40 miles in a 

 burning sun, over dry and dusty country, the mules fairly fought for the 

 water that was dealt out to them in tubs. The entire region north of 

 this portion of the railroad is very dry, water only being found at rare 

 seasons in small pools or temporary runs. Absence of game, and even 

 of the smaller, burrowing animals, proves the extraordinary sterility of 

 the region. Eed Desert, the name which has here been applied, is well 

 chosen, for few spots so thoroughly reahze the conception of a desert as 

 .this. AU the information we could obtain regarding this locality con- 



