320 MINIifG INDUSTEY. 



SECTION II. 



GEOLOGY OF THE TOYABE EANGE. 



BY S. F. EMMONS. 



Geneeal Featuees. — The name Toyabe, which signifies in the Indian 

 language "mountains," has been appropriately apphed to this great range, 

 whose sharp, serrated ridge rises several thousand feet above the neigh- 

 boring ranges which rib the surface of the great Nevada plateau. The view 

 from its summits extends over more than four degrees of longitude, and is 

 limited only by the White Pine and East Humboldt Mountains on the east 

 and the Sierra Nevadas on the west, whose forms and outlines can be traced 

 with the utmost distinctness in the dry, thin air of these elevated regions. 

 Snow rests upon its higher points until late in the summer, and, with the 

 verdure which accompanies it, forms a most pleasing contrast to the somber 

 hues that prevail over the mountains of this arid region. Rising nearly 

 6,000 feet above the broad valleys which border it on either side, its height 

 is rendered still more imposing by its limited lateral extent, its average width 

 from foot to foot being scarcely eight miles in a horizontal line; contrasted 

 with the steep slopes of its sides, the valleys, although very considerably 

 inclined toward their center, seem almost level ground. 



The present geological sketch and accompanying map, the result of four 

 weeks' explorations, cover an extent of nearly 60 miles in the direction of the 

 range, including thus its most characteristic portion as an independent and 

 isolated ridge, embracing as well those parts in which any important mining 

 developments have been made. Beyond the limits of the map it spreads out 

 laterally, developing a system of cross-ridges, which, connecting it with the 

 neighboring ranges, form respectively the northern limit of Smoky Valley, 

 which borders it on the east, and the southern water-shed of Reese River 

 Valley, which drains its western slopes. 



This portion of the range has a trend of about north 23° east, and, in 

 general outline, forms a high single ridge, characterized by a short, steep 

 declivity on the east, and a longer and more gentle slope to the west; but a 



