Geology and Meteorology west of Rocky Mountains. 353 



number of cattle, sheep, goats, swine, &ic., which he had increased to 

 four or five hundred. He lent Mr. B. oxen, plough, cows, axes, Sic, 

 and he commenced ploughing in January, in Lat. 45° 37^ — The vege- 

 tables of the preceding season were still standing in gardens untouch- 

 ed by frost. New grass had sprung up sufficiently for excellent pas- 

 ture. Fruit trees were in full blossom. 



The society of gentlemen at this place (Fort Vancouver, Lat. 45° 

 37^, Lon. 122° 37') is good, but they have natives for wives. They 

 are selected from a very friendly tribe of Indians, who are averse to 

 war and exceedingly peaceable. These wives soon learn English 

 cookery, and perform other domestic duties in good style. Mr. Ball 

 devotes part of his time to teaching the women and children. As 

 the Indians near Rocky Mountain stole his clothes, excepting what 

 he wore out, he arrived at Vancouver in Buffalo skins. The ladies 

 immediately furnished him in the best style of the place. 



The meteorological observations at the end of this article exhibit 

 the remarkable uniformity of temperature through the winter months. 



Though the latitude is nearly that of Montreal, mowing and curing 

 hay are unnecessary ; for cattle graze on fresh growing grass through 

 the winter. Cordier's theory of internal heat, particularly that part 

 of it, which supposes some portions of the earth better conductors of 

 caloric than others, would seem to derive some plausible support from 

 that temperature which seems neither to be influenced by the sun's 

 rays, nor by elevation. 



I have made these selections, instead of publishing Mr. B.'s letter, 

 because he wrote in a familiar style, without any view to its publication. 



From June 12th to October 1, while travelling West from the 

 Rocky Mountain, across the Barrens, (says Mr. B.) we had scarcely 

 any rain ; and the heat ranged from 60° to 89°. In the fertile re- 

 gions, the heat is generally much lower. 



This meteorological table presents a subject for interesting enqui- 

 ry. While the temperature was for some days from 12° to 15° below 

 freezing, the most delicate fruit trees remained in full blossom, with- 

 out being affected by frost. Is the earth absolutely warmed in a 

 degree, uncommon in other countries, by internal heat? Is it to the 

 same cause that we are to ascribe the rapid growth of vegetables, 

 where the earth receives a due quantity of rain ? Mr. Ball saw nume- 

 rous warm springs issuing from beneath basaltic rocks along Lewis riv- 

 er, &i;c. The temperature of the water was generally about 1 00° Fah. 



Troy, Sept. 6, 1833. Amos Eaton. 



Vol. XXV.— No. ^. 45 



