632 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XIX. No. 485. 



as the hydrolysis of cane sugar by acids, an 

 action which has been studied so carefully and 

 been found to be proportional to the number 

 of hydrogen ions, it is not proved that the 

 hydrolysis is due to the hydrogen ion inde- 

 pendently of the anion, and it seems most im- 

 probable to the writers that such is the case. 

 The monatomie ions differ from atoms only 

 in the possession of an electric charge. Hence 

 ion action can only differ from atomic action 

 in consequence of this charge. The writers 

 have been unable to find any evidence in 

 physiology or pharmacology that an ion ever 

 effects a functional change in consequence of 

 this charge. Such a demonstration would be 

 heartily welcomed. The expression ion action 

 in the sense in which it is so often used in 

 physiological literature seems unwarranted. 

 It must be added that the brilliant results 

 which have been attained in the field of salt 

 action are in no way affected by whatever 

 explanation they may ultimately receive. 



A. S. LOEVENHART, 



J. H. Kastle. 



DEATH GULCH. 



It is certain that nowhere within a like area 

 can be found so many natural features of 

 greatest interest as those to be seen in the 

 Yellowstone National Park. 



Not the least of these is Death Gulch, dis- 

 covered in 1888 by Walter Harvey Weed, of 

 the United States Geological Survey. 



Mr. Weed's description of his discovery ap- 

 pears in Science, February 15, 1889, and con- 

 tains information concerning geological fea- 

 tures, comparisons with the Death Valley of 

 Java and other matters of general interest. 



At this time bodies of five bears, one ellc, 

 many small mammals in various stages of 

 decomposition, and numerous insects were 

 found. None of the animals showing signs 

 of violence, Mr. Weed concluded death was 

 caused by poisonous gas. 



In 1897 Dr. T. A. Jaggar, Jr.,* visited the 

 gulch, finding the carcasses of seven grizzlies 

 and one cinnamon bear. 



Tests made at various places along the 

 bottom of the gulch failed to show sufficient 



* The Popular Science Montlih/, February, 1889. 



gas to extinguish the flames of burning 

 matches. 



A year or two later Capt. H. M. Chittenden 

 visited the gulch and found no animal re- 

 mains nor any evidence of noxious gases.* 



This experience caused him to express con- 

 siderable doubt as to the authenticity of pre- 

 vious accounts. 



As both Weed and Jaggar have indicated, 

 the gulch is of such a nature, it is almost cer- 

 tain to be cleaned out periodically by freshets 

 resulting from melting snow or heavy rains. 



Quoting from the journal of the corporal 

 in charge of the Soda Butte Station, the fol- 

 lowing extract needs no comment. 



Map S, 1898.— Lt. Lindsley and Corpl. Herb 

 left station for Cache (Creek). Followed trail 

 to Death Gulch. Crossed Cache Creek at Death 

 Gulch and patrolled two gulches to find the one 

 in which supposed skeletons were to be found. 

 Eun into a bear track and in following it, came 

 to Death Gulch. Corporal Herb went into it to 

 the bottom and counted seven bear, brown silver- 

 tip and one grizzly. Part of gulch covered with 

 snow. Signs of bear abundantly on both sides. 

 The smell Is that prevalent throughout the sul- 

 phur regions of the park. On being in the 

 bottom of the gulch the sensation experienced 

 was that of dizziness leaving a headache behind. 



May 28, 1S9S. — Pvts. Root, McDonald and Ed- 

 wards, mounted to Death Gulch. Counted car- 

 casses of seven bear and one fox. Saw fresh 

 signs of large bear on east side of gulch. 



August 10, 1902. — Pvt. Wilson from station to 

 Death Gulch, found carcass of bear having re- 

 cently died, probably within twenty-four hours. 



It has been my good fortune to visit Death 

 Gulch, three different times. The first in 

 1900 when returning from Hoodoo Basin, our 

 party camped near the mouth of Cache Creek 

 and visited the gulch. We counted the car- 

 casses of four large bears, and saw the re- 

 mains of many other animals, represented 

 mainly by bones with occasional tufts of hair. 

 At this time the smell of sulphureted hydro- 

 gen was noticeable, and I determined then 

 to learn, when possible, the composition of 

 the gas of the gulch. 



With this end in view, I went to the park 

 in June of the past year, with apparatus for 

 the analysis of gases. 



* ' The Yellowstone National Park," fourth edi- 

 tion, p. 335. 



