
362 THE CHASMS OF THE COLORADO. 
tain masses has been upon such a grand scale, that now they 
are only half their original size. 
The Mojave cañon, the fourth or fifth through which one 
passes in ascending the river, is described by Lieutenant 
Ives as follows: “A low, purple gateway, and a splendid 
corridor with massive red walls, formed the entrance to the 
cañon. At the head of this avenue, frowning mountains; 
piled one above the other, seemed to block the way. A 
sharp turn at the base of the apparent barrier revealed a 
cavern-like approach to the profound chasm beyond. A scene 
of such imposing grandeur, as that which now presented 
itself, I have never before witnessed. On either side majestic 
cliffs, hundreds of feet in height, rise perpendicularly from 
the water. As the river wound through the narrow W- 
closure, every turn developed some sublime effect or start 
ling novelty in the view. Brilliant tints of purple, greet, 
brown, red, and white, illuminated the stupendous surfaces 
and relieved their sombre monotony. Far above, clear aul 
distinct upon the narrow strip of sky, turrets, spires, Jeem 
- statue-like peaks and grotesque pinnacles overlooked thë 
deep abyss.” ee 
To this succeeds the Painted Cañon, whose exquisitely | 
tinted walls, though less grand, seem to have excited u y 
tistic taste of the explorers not less than the Mojave pe 
Then occurs the Black Cañon, where, for twenty-five es : 
the narrow river plunges through the sunless depths 
Black Mountains, the precipices on either side a 
pendicularly a thousand feet or more from the water. 
little band, in their frail boat, were buried in this ‘ig 
gorge for two days, and one follows them through the ©" 
culties and dangers of the pass with breathless interest. p 
a ‘ Vewbelrys 
The walls of these cañons, according to Dr. Ne of 
geologist of the expedition, are formed of great . 
granite, porphyry, trap, and other volcanic rocks; ye 
layers of highly crystalline limestone and conglom 
which are of equal heights, and correspond exactly on en" 
