ART. XXXV.-ON SOME STRIKING PRODUCTS OF EROSION IN 



COLORADO. 



By F. M. Endlich, S. N. D. 



Daring the progress of the geological and geographical survey of 

 Colorado, under the direction of Dr. F. V. Hayden, every portion of that 

 interesting State was explored. Numerous data were obtained, impor- 

 tant not only to the geologist, but furnishing ample material to the artist, 

 enjoyment to the traveller. Few States, perhaps, are so well favored by 

 nature as Colorado. Some of the grandest mountain scenery within the 

 United States is there to be found ; mineral wealth is treasured up within 

 the earth's interior. Farms and meadow land, rich in their yield, are 

 scattered throughout the State ; and, again, the travellermay visit within 

 this State regions that will forcibly remind him of the Sahara. Now 

 that its exploration is finished and its features throughout are thoroughly 

 known, we are enabled to j)resent more connected discussions upon the 

 characteristic forms there observed. No group of forms, probably, is so 

 unique as that showing numberless changes produced by the sculpturing 

 hand of nature. Erosion, its artistic agent, has furnished us, in Colo- 

 rado, with results at once striking and singularly beautiful in detail. 

 To these the following pages shall be devoted. Fully aware that no 

 pen-picture can convey an adequate idea of the subject, I may still hope 

 that an accurate description may be of some service to those seeking 

 information thereuijon. 



For many years the classical region of Monument Park has been 

 known. The singular shapes of its rocks and brilliancy of their colors 

 have given a justly earned celebrity to the place. Since that time many 

 other localities have been discovered, some of them even surpassing the 

 former in grandeur and beauty. Lying farther toward the interior of 

 the State, the regular tourist has not yet reached these spots, and the 

 revelation of their wonders has thus far been made to a favored few only. 

 In the course of years, no doubt, as communications shall be more 

 completely established, these places, too, will be visited, and will elicit 

 admiration equal to that now bestowed upon Monument Park. Until 

 that time arrives, however, descriptions must be accepted which cannot 

 possibly do justice to the subject. 



EROSION. 



Two classes of erosive agents may be distinguished, chemical and 

 physical. Of these, the former has but one function, the latter two. 



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