462 THE WYOMING FOSSIL FIELDS EXPEDITION 



some jilaces tliey consist of liigh terraces of castellated rocks ; in 

 others the clayex' bands have been carved into normal earth slopes; 

 occasionally there are ai'eas covered with a scanty vegetation, and in 

 a few instances groves of pine and spruce. So steep, in fact, are the 

 slopes that for a distance of 20 miles there is but a single wagon 

 trail leading into the valley. 



Water is scarce, though one sees a few small streams, with their 

 spruce-clad banks. These break the monotoii}' of the desert and 

 lend a i)eculiar charm to the entire region. About the " rim " of this 

 great depression, es{)ecially on the eastern and western slopes, are 

 some of the most wonderful exam})les of Bad Land erosion found in 

 America. They are of huge dimensions, rising from a chalk}'^ slope 

 to a height of several hundred feet and extending for miles. The 

 carving is elaborate ; columns, spires, arches, and gateway's are nu- 

 merous, and their embellishment would do credit to an}' sculptor. 

 Narrow canons, with perpendicular walls 200 feet in height, are com- 

 mon occurrences, and add greatly to the attractiveness of the scenery. 

 Here and there are small forests of pine and spruce, and jutting out 

 from their dark green foliage are the white castles whose forms are 

 too varied and com[)lex to admit of descrii)tion. As the setting sun 

 gilds these broken s|)ires and crumbling walls, and the deepening 

 shadows bring out vividly their intricate designs, it needs no effort 

 of the imagination to see in them the ruins of an aboriginal city 

 which has crumi)led awa}^ and whose onl}' occupants are the moun- 

 tain Avolves and lions and their onlv guard the hooting owl by night 

 and the screaming buzzard by day. 



The journey along the Laramie Range was full of scientific interest 

 and large collections of rock and minerals were secured. Laramie 

 Peak, the oldest landmark in the Rocky Mountains, was scaled, and 

 other places of note along the western fiank of the Laramie Moun- 

 tains were visited. After being in the field 39 days the expedition 

 returned to T^aramie all well and in the best of spirits. Although 

 there were many in the party and l)ut few acclimated, there was no 

 serious sickness during the trip. No accident occurred and no delays 

 were occasioned by breakdowns or the loss of horses. 



The results of the work accomplished will appear from time to time 

 in scientific journals, as the discoveries are worked up; but the dis- 

 coveries themselves are not all that should be considered of value. 

 The field experience has deepened the interest and broadened the 

 horizon of every member of the expedition. Young and old were 



