6 
THE GRAND OASTON DISTRICT. 
reader through his imagination, and, while trying to amuse his fancy with 
pictures of travel, have sought to thrust upon him unawares certain facts 
which I regard as of importance, but which would have been overlooked 
or forgotten if treated in the ordinary fashion of formal monographs. 
Chapter VIII is a description of the scenery of the Kaibab division 
of the Grrand Canon from Point Sublime, one of the promontories which 
project far out into the heart of the chasm. It is one of many panoramas 
all of which are sublime in the highest degree. The scenery of the Kaibab 
division is very much grander than in other divisions of the chasm, and even 
the least imposing portions of the canon are in their general effects upon the 
sensibilities as impi’essive as any scenery to be found in the world. 
Chapter IX describes the larger and more striking amphitheaters along 
the Kaibab front. It also contains an account of the great unconformity 
disclosed at the head of the Grand Canon. For a distance of twelve miles 
may be seen in the depths of the chasm the contact of the Carboniferous 
with a vast mass of Silmdan and possibly some Devonian strata. The latter 
are inclined at a varying angle of dip, and at the plane of contact are 
beveled off to a smooth surface, which at the beginning of Carboniferous 
time was no doubt sensibly horizontal. 
Chapter X explains the structural features and the somewhat intricate 
drainage system of the surface of the Kaibab Plateau, and discusses their 
relations to the evolution of the chasm and of the plateau itself. The dis- 
placements occurring on either side of the plateau, are described in some 
detail. The drainage system, consisting of a minutely ramified plexus of 
ravines, is accorded a very recent origin, with the exception of one remark- 
able valley spoken of in Chapter VII. This valley is shown to be probably 
an ancient river channel, tributary to the Colorado, but dried up at a very 
early stage of the excavation of the present canon. 
Chapter XI treats in a very brief and cursory manner of the Paria 
Plateau and of the Marble Canon platform. 
Chapter XII generalizes, interprets, and draws conclusions fi’om the 
facts set forth in all of the preceding chapters, and groups them into a his- 
toiy of the evolution of the region. Prior to Carboniferous time large 
masses of Silurian strata and some Devonian beds were deposited. The 
