32 EEPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY. 



PROM EOCK INDEPENDENCE TO EAWLINGS SPRINGS. 



Leaving the Sweetwater we commenced our journey southward on Au- 

 gust 27. An old wagon-road leads through a pass in the granite hills, and 

 from there along the tertiary ridges toward the Seminole Hills. Cross- 

 ing, on this road, the Sweetwater Valley, we gradually ascended until we 

 reached some isolated bluffs. From there the road falls, leading into a 

 very pretty valley. Sandy Creek flows through this, fui'nishing an ample 

 supply of water. 



Sheltered on all sides by surrounding hills and bluffs this valley occu- 

 pies a highly favored position. Several cabins have been built and a 

 portion of the land is under cultivation. The settlers there state that 

 the winters are very mild, and that the summer season is of sufficient 

 duration to ripen grain. Very fine grass is found in the lower portions 

 of the valley, and the cattle which we saw were in good condition. Ante- 

 lopes are abundant and easily shot during the latter part of summer. 

 We encamped upon the w T est bank of Sandy Creek. Wild currants, par- 

 ticularly the yellow species (Bibes aureum), grew in great abundance, 

 and were just ripe at that season. The distance from this valley to 

 Kawlings is about 50 miles, and the hay here gathered is taken to the 

 railroad for sale. 



Travelling up Sandy Creek we passed an old stamp-mill. A number 

 of years ago some excitement was created by the reported discovery of 

 rich mines in the Seminole Hills. This mill was erected, other improve- 

 ments were made, and then the mines failed to* sustain their unwar- 

 ranted reputation. To-day no work whatever is carried on there. A 

 short distance above the mill the creek forks. Our road followed the 

 southern branch. Before long the ascent began to grow steeper, and 

 we found that we were travelling in sand. Looking back upon the hills, 

 the sand was found to reach up about 400 feet along their slopes. After 

 crossing the pass we had several miles of sand-dunes before us. Trav- 

 elling constantly toward the eastward, they permit vegetation to gain a 

 hold at but very few places. In the depressions running east and west 

 a niunber of shallow lakes were found, containing large flocks of wild 

 geese and " black divers," (Fulica americana). Outside of the dunes, 

 bordering upon them, were meadows containing small ponds. A large 

 supply of hay is here obtained for the trade. This accumulation of sand 

 is the eastern terminus of the long belt first observed at Mount Essex. 

 Wherever there is a pass in the hills so situated as to afford free sweep 

 to the wind, there we find the sand piled up in the greatest masses. In its 

 general character this occurrence is analogous to that of the sand-dunes hi 

 San Luis Valley in Colorado. There the scale of horizontal distribution 

 is by far smaller, however. Within the area covered by sand, water may 

 be found south of Sandy Creek Pass, but beyond that it is very fare. 

 We continued our march along the wagon-road for the distance of about 

 25 miles before finding any water. Then we reached a small alkali pond, 

 enlivened by numerous sand-pipers (Tringa sp.). Evidently the water 

 was low, a fact that was indicated by its extreme alkalinity and the large 

 white margin surrounding it. Upon evaporation of the moisture con- 

 tained in these shallow basins a portion of the alkalies are precipitated 

 along their edges, forming a white efflorescence. During a bright day 

 the brilliant white color of these deposits, which often cover very exten- 

 sive areas, is exceedingly trying to the eyes. Wind carrying the fine 

 alkali dust through the ah- fills eyes and nostrils with it, producing a 

 disagreeable effect. Camping at the little pond we had discovered, we 

 once more had recourse to sasre-brush as material for fuel. 



