80 
TOPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
region examined comprised the southern and south-western portions of 
Colorado, with a belt, fifteen miles in width, of Northern New Mexico and 
Eastern Utah. The reports of the geological surveyors, MM. Peale, Endlich, 
and Holmes, which are illustrated with numerous maps and sections 
give a most interesting account of the geology of that curious region, where 
the forms produced by peculiarities of rock-structure under the influence of 
denudation are amongst the most singular of geological phenomena 
Mr. Endlich especially describes and figures some wonderful groups of earth- 
pillars, which occur in some localities in great numbers, and of a size com- 
pared with which those of Botzen are insignificant ; 60-80 feet beino- the 
average height, whilst some examples rise to 400 feet. The rock of which 
these pillars are formed is a volcanic sand re-deposited by the action of 
water, and containing innumerable trachytic boulders of various sizes which 
form the protective cappings of the pillars. Another extraordinary ’pheno- 
menon is the formation of very regular arches of large size in narrow 
vertical walls of the same rock. Mr. Mudge’s notes on the Tertiary and 
Cretaceous periods of Kansas are reprinted with additions at the close of the 
Geological Report on Colorado. Passing over the second part, which (rives 
an account of the topographical labours of the Survey, the first article in the 
zoological section is a reprint, with additions, of a most valuable memoir by 
Dr. J . A. Allen, upon the history of the American Bison. Dr. Allen here 
furnishes us with an exhaustive treatise upon this interesting but ill-fated 
animal, whose disappearance from the face of the earth is certainly only a 
question of time. The story of its destruction, often from pure wantonness 
at the hand of man, and its retirement as human inhabitants make their way 
into the wilderness, is a melancholy one, and is told in great detail by Dr 
Allen, who foretells the speedy extermination of this great quadruped and 
strongly urges that attempts should be made at its domestication, which does 
not appear to be a very difficult matter. Dr. A. S. Packard furnishes an 
excellent summary of the information acquired respecting the natural history 
of the Rocky Mountain Locust ( Coloptenus spretus), the ravages of which 
in certain years are so serious. Dr. Packard believes that, by meteorological 
observations, the occurrence of “ locust years ’’may be predicted, and pre- 
parations made by the farmers to receive their enemies. He also recom- 
mends the planting of forests along lines of railroad, and certain other 
precautions which would no doubt tend greatly to diminish the mischief 
done by this pest. Dr. Packard’s report also refers to the Red-legged Locust 
{Acrydiwii' femur rubrum), another destructive species in some districts and 
to some others of more local occurrence ; and he further reports on numerous 
injurious insects of various orders which inhabit the United States This 
exceedingly interesting and valuable report is copiously illustrated with 
woodcuts and with nine plates of figures, and also with several maps show- 
ing the range of some of the more destructive species. It is accompanied 
by a list of Coleoptera collected by Dr. Packard in California and Utah in 
1875. 
Another volume, which must take its place side by side with the grand 
tones ; being a report of progress of the Exploration for the year 1875. By 
F. V. Hayden. 8vo. Washington. 1877. J 
