HANNA — MAMMALS OF ST. MATTHEW ISLANDS 
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lakes on the island, many of which have been formed by the sea-built 
dykes extending from one headland to another. The tide ebbs and 
flows in some of these, forming lagoons. There are a large number of 
fresh water streams, many of them a dozen feet across. They wind 
through the tundra swamps with undercut banks which form ideal 
spawning and feeding places for the innumerable trout found here. 
The mountains are cut into by the sea on every side of the island, 
making long stretches of towering cliffs, between which the sea has 
built up beaches of such an extent as to give the impression that the 
island is much older than the Pribilofs. These cliffs display wonderful 
geological formations. There are beautiful blues, yellows, greens and 
bright reds in layers or dykes, and in places throughout the mass run 
seams of pure white calcite from two to twelve inches thick. 
Evidences of comparatively recent earth disturbances are seen about 
two miles below Cape Glory of Russia on the south side of the island. 
The earth and cliffs are torn and tumbled in the greatest confusion. 
New slides are seen and the beach line boulders are not much rounded. 
In some places 'rocks are constantly falhng, making it dangerous to go 
beneath the cliffs. Here are nodules from two inches to two feet in 
diameter composed of a green mineral-like jade, and there are numerous 
seams in the country rock of banded agate. There is one chff half a 
mile long of undoubted sedimentary origin. Numerous fossihzed trees, 
some two feet in diameter, are embedded near the base. All seen were 
in a recumbent position and as black as anthracite coal. 
The large number of cliffs with their grand scenic display are notable 
as the nesting places of countless sea birds. Of all the places I have 
visited St. Matthew is rivalled in this respect only by that incomparable 
bird cliff on St. George Island, but the ledges on St. Matthew are more 
nearly perpendicular and thus afford less favorable nesting sites. The 
lines of driftwood indicate that the island as a whole has had a recent 
elevation, or that some enormous seas which did not reach the Pribilofs 
carried the logs high above tide-mark. Some logs are about 100 feet 
above the calm weather water line. 
Hall Island is entirely bold and rugged and has no true beach. In 
fact the top of the island can only be reached in a few gullies where 
small streams empty into the sea. The vegetation and character of 
the upland appeared similar to St. Matthew. Pinnacle Island is wedge 
shaped and has towering spires projecting high into the air. It is so 
steep and rugged that snow does not lie upon it. Probably the base 
of the cliffs might afford a landing place in calm weather but whether 
or not the walls of the island could be scaled was not ascertained. 
