114 GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



the outer peaks were mere islands in this great lake, much like those in 

 Salt Lake at the present time. I have said enough here to show the 

 reader that from Cheyenne to the summit of the first range he is passing 

 over a thick shore deposit of an ancient lake, which once covered a vast 

 area, very much larger than that of any of our fresh-water lakes of the 

 present day. The cuts along the road do not show all the formations 

 in this vicinity. The traveler must stop a day and wander away from 

 the line of the road, if he would make his geological observations com- 

 plete. 



The recent beds rest directly on a stratum of white limestone of car- 

 boniferous age. This limestone is very useful to the citizens of the 

 Territory, inasmuch as it can be burned into lime of the finest quality. 

 The walls of houses plastered with it are as white as snow, and it is a 

 great favorite with masons. The supply is inexhaustible, although it 

 is not exposed anywhere along the mountains in any very great thick- 

 ness. 



These limestones are regarded as of the same age as those we saw at 

 Omaha and along the Platte, and if so, they must have been concealed 

 over this long distance, at least five hundred miles, and had it not been 

 for the upheaval of these mountains, would never have been exposed to 

 the eye of man. 



Before leaving that portion of Wyoming Territory which lies east of 

 the first range I will say a word in regard to its agricultural and pas- 

 toral resources. The soil is fertile and must be quite productive where 

 it can be irrigated. Better pasturage does not exist in the known world, 

 and sooner or later this portion of the Territory must become celebrated 

 not only for the quantity but the quality of its stock. Along under 

 the mountains and in the valleys of the little streams that flow there- 

 from, as the Lodge Pole, Chugwater, and others, very little snow falls 

 all winter, and the grass remains very nutritious until late in the spring. 

 All the roots and most of the cereals can be raised on the east side of 

 the mountains. The city of Cheyenne cannot hope for a permanency 

 until the surrounding country is settled by a thriving farming popula- 

 tion, and the time is not far distant when the valleys of Crow Creek, 

 Pole Creek, and others will be occupied with farm-houses and the bot- 

 toms covered with excellent crops. Plans have already been made by 

 the citizeusforirrigating large areas of the upland. The healthful change 

 which will at once be produced in the country will encourage others, until 

 all the available farming land will be brought under cultivation, and the 

 prosperity of the Territory will be rendered certain. However valuable 

 rivers may be to a country, and however great the impulse a railroad may 

 give to the first settlement of a region, the basis of all permanent pros-' 

 perity seems to rest upon the products of the soil. 



The science of geology continually shows how entirely dependent upon 

 causes which were in operation many ages ago are the most practical 

 results of man. Like the ripe fruits which so many pluck from the tree, 

 and enjoy without a further thought, so these important benefits are 

 accepted by mankind, and how few are thoughtful enough to inquire 

 from whence they come ! 



The stupendous erosive agencies which have in most cases scooped 

 out deep valleys just at the foot of the mountains, have left this portion 

 remaining of the inclined plain which I have described as extending from 

 Cheyenne to Granite Canon, and underlying the western shore of a great 

 lake, and thereby rendered it possible for the Pacific Eailroad to pass 

 over the range, saving to its enterprising builders millions of dollars. 



We shall endeavor to show along the line of the route that this great 



