ENDLICH ON EKOSTON IN COLOKADO. 835 



the appellation of "Monuments". Related to them are statuesque and 

 mural products of erosion. Caves and arches, so far as belonging in 

 this category, follow, and isolated forms, varying in their character, 

 occurrence, and method of genesis, complete the list. 



Api)lying such subdivisions as are warranted by the occurrences 

 observed, we arrive at — 

 Monuments. 

 Normal. 

 Accidefital. 

 Statuesque Forms. 

 Mural Forms. 

 Normal. 

 Intruded. 

 Arohiteotural Forms. 

 Caves. 

 Arches. 

 Isolated Forms. 



NORMAL MONUMENTS. 

 monument park. 



During the great " Pike's Peak " excitement in 1857, this famous spot 

 was discovered. To the adventurous pioneers, forsaking all comfort and 

 risking their lives in the search after the promised gold, this region 

 appeared as one of surpassing beauty. After the wearisome and dan- 

 gerous march across the plains, those early travellers at last found them- 

 selves at the immediate base of a high range of mountains. Foothills 

 forming tbe transition from rocky, barren slopes to the plains, contained 

 many little valleys, rich in verdure and pleasant scenery. It is scarcely 

 to be wondered at, then, that the men who for months had rarely seen 

 anything but sage-brush and cactus should express their extravagant 

 admiration in such terms as the "Garden of the Gods"^. Not only was 

 a place of rest here offered them, but they met with forms to them utterly 

 unknown. Beyond the outside sharp ridges, the classical "hog-backs", 

 lay narrow, fertile valleys. Rising behind were densely timbered, partly 

 precipitous hills, and in the distance the snow-capped or bleak summit 

 of Pike's Peak towered far above them. 



In these little valleys were first found the typical "monuments'". 

 Fashioned after one general pattern, though ever varying in their detail- 

 features, they produce an indelible impression upon any one who has 

 ever seen them. Brilliant in coloring, contrasting sharply with the vege- 

 tation, and admirably setoff by the background of hills and mountains, 

 they present a view that pen or pencil is not able to describe. It re- 

 quired but a very short time for rumors of these almost fabulous forms 

 to spread far and wide, and many tourists travelled to these famous 

 regions. Within a brief period, the distinguishing feature of Colorado 



