dutton.] THE CHASM IN THE KAIBAB. 149 



a sensibly perfect geometrical definition. They are usually few and sim- 

 ple in their ultimate analysis, though by combination they give rise to 

 much variety. The ledges are vertical, the summits are horizontal, and 

 the taluses are segments of hyperbolas of long curvature and concave 

 upwards. These lines greatly preponderate in all cases, and though 

 others sometimes intrude they seldom blemish greatly the effects pro 

 duced by the normal ones. All this is in striking contrast with the ever- 

 varying, indefinite profiles displayed in mountains and hills or on the 

 slopes of valleys. The profiles generated by the combinations of these 

 geometric lines persist along an indefinite extent of front. Such vari- 

 ations as occur arise not from changes in the nature of the lines, but in 

 the modes of combination and proportions. These are never great in 

 any front of moderate extent, but are just sufficient ^o relieve it from a 

 certain monotony which would otherwise prevail. The same type and 

 general form is persistent. Like the key-note of a song, the mind carries 

 it in its consciousness wherever the harmony wanders. 



The horizontal lines or courses are equally strong. These are the 

 edges of the strata, and the deeply eroded scams where the superposed 

 beds touch each other. Here the uniformity as we pass from place to 

 place is conspicuous. The Carboniferous strata are quite the same in 

 every section, showing no perceptible variation in thickness through 

 great distances and only a slight dip. 



It is readily apparent, therefore, that the effect of these profiles and 

 horizontal courses so persistent in their character is highly architectural. 

 The relation is more than a mere analogy or suggestion; it is a vivid 

 resemblance. Its failure or discordance is only in the ground plan, though 

 it is not uncommon to find a resemblance, even in this respect, among 

 the Permian buttes. Among the buttes of the Grand Canon there are 

 few striking instances of definitenessin ground plan. The finest Lutte 

 of the chasm is situated near the upper end of the Kaibab division; 

 but it is not visible from Point Sublime. It is more than 5,000 feet 

 high, and has a surprising resemblance to an Oriental pagoda. We 

 named it Vishnu's Temple. 



On either side of the promontory on which we stand is a side gorge 

 sinking nearly 1,000 feet below us. The two unite in front of the point, 

 and, ever deepening, their trunk opens into the lowest abyss in the granite 

 at the river. Across either branch is a long rambling mass, one on the 

 right of us the other on the left. We named them the Cloisters. They 

 are excellent types of a whole class of buttes which stand iu close prox- 

 imity to each other upon the north side of the chasm throughout the 

 entire extent of the Kaibab division. A far better conception of their 

 forms and features can be gained by an examination of Mr. Holmes's 

 panoramic picture than by leading a whole volume of verbal descrip- 

 t ion. The whole prospect, indeed, is filled with a great throng of similar 

 objects, which, as much by their multitude as by their colossal size, con- 

 fuse the senses; but these, on account of their proximity, may be most 



