Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-06-20

these caverns, the seals have comparative rest.
The scraggy sides of the perpendicular cliffs
afford resting places for myriads Of eafowl,
particularly the Violet-green Cormorant (Gra-
culus Niolaceus) which here builds its nest
wherever it can find hole made by some
pebble or boulder loosened from the cliff, or
where it can scratch or burrow into any loose
soil that may form the s.,namit. Harlequin
ducks, muhrs, guillemots and petrels also
abound, and during the breeding season the
air is filed with their discordant cries.
Lichens and short moss collects ON the sides
of the cliff above the direct action of the
waves, and recently noticed some patches of
bright blue flowers Of diminutive size, at in
tervals OH the face of the rock, looking like
the blue sky shelving through openings in
the clouds. Wherever the tide reaches, the
rocks are covered with barnacles and mussels,
or else entirely hidden by sea weeds which
grow in great variety and in rich profusion.
In some places along the cliffs the stones
among the conglomerate are in clay state,
which have been bored full of holes by the
borer-clam, (Parapholas,) and present singu-
lar appearance, others serve as resting places
for n great variety Of star-fsh, sea-slugs, lin
pets, and other marine crustacm-a rich field
for the naturalist, and one that has been but
casually explored.
From the topof the cliffs several fine water
falls dash down into the ocean, one of which,
midway between Neeah Bay and Tatooche
Island, is distinctly seen from Tatooche light
house, and during times of rain, is cascade
Of a very bcautiiu' appearance. Others, but
of much small .ze, are found at intervals
all around the Cape. The great humidity of
climate causing constant supply Of water
from the clouds which seem to settle and con-
dense on the high SUBMITS Of the promitory.
What wonderful study does this forma-
ton present! How many geological epochs
must have passed since the primitive rocks
were first condensed from chaos. and since
these bouldcrs were disintegrated from the pri-
meval rocks, worn and abraded by the ceose-
less action of the waves, into the pebbles and
sand; and then how long it must it have suf-
feed to turn these particles into solid mass
of conglomerate, and how long did it remain
in that shape till it was torn open and up
heaved from the bosom of the deep into its
present position. from whence by the COM
bined agency Of wind and water, it is now
slowly crumbling once more into disintegra.
tion These are questions for the geological
student to inquire into, but which he never
can satisfactorily solve. Our finite nature is
as incapable of realizing the immensity Of the
past as it is of comp:ehending the eternity of
the future.
At distance of half mile from Cape
Flattery is Tatoocho Island. composed of
rocky islets which at low tide are connected
into one. The largest of these islands has
an area on its surface of about twenty five
acres, and on its highest part stands Tatooche
lighthouse. The whole of this group occu-
py a space of about half a mile square,, They
are considerably lower than the cliffs Of the
adjoining cape. The surface is nearly level,
and covered with luxuriant grass. These
rocks, like Cape Flattery, are composed of
conglomerate and basaltic rocks, worn into
deep arches and caverns, some Of which pass
entirely through the island. Between Ta-
tooche island and the Cape is channel
through which vessels frequently pass.
have passed through it myself in schooner
twice, and in canoes at least dozen times.
There is stony rip, but no other danger, ex-
cept two rocks, covered at high tide, but
whose position is always to be seen by day
light.
Duncan, one of the early navigators; mem
tions column of rock-and also gives view
of it-which he asserts to have stood be-
tween the island and cape. Vancouver, al
luding to the subject, says he had no sight Of
it. l think the column mentioned is the
rock have described, which is little south
of the passage. There are old Indians living
here who we'll remember when white men
first came here, and they inform me that
there never. has been any such rock in the
passage since their time, nor have they any
traditions relating to it. ~
Directly opposite Tatooche Island are some
two or three small coves in the Cape, which
offord temporary landing place tor the In
dians ut times. One Of these coves entered
through an immense Gothic shaped arch,
and found inside calm clear basin Of water,
where small vessel could safely ride at
anchor secure from wind or wave. Another
passage into this cave around a great pillar
of rock affords means Of entrance to vessels
with mast. but open boats or canoes 60 through
the great arch I mentioned. During calm
weather the Indians are padding about among
these rocks in all directions, either in search
of fish or game. or drift wood to supply their
fires. The swell which usually proceeds an
ocean storm, coming mat such time, causes
strange noises to proceed from the depths Of
the rocky caverns. These sounds are emp.