Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-11-20
EXPLORATIONS In COLORADO AND
UTAH.
Remarkable Prehistoric Ruins-Eyi.
0enees OF the Existence OF n Civil.
ICED Race Before the COming Of 90.
lumbus

UeneSs OF the Existence Of n Civil.
,ea nace Before the Coming OF Co
The United States geological and geograph-
1cal survey of the territories, under the di-
reciion OF Professor Hayden, during the past
season, continued its work of the two pre-
ceding years in the southern and western
portions of Colorado, including belt of If
Teen miles IN width OF the northern part OF
New Mexico, and the ca stern portion of
Utah. The expedition was separated into
seven divisions, each assigned its specific
duty. Inc entire southern and southwestern
the department, were completed, SO that
only the northwest corner now remains un-
examined. This district will be finished by
single party the coming year. The total
area surveyed during the season of 1875 was
$4,000 square miles, much OF it In the drain
age OF the Colorado river. The exploration
OF the remarkable
PREHISTORIC RUINS EoF SOUTHERN COLO
RADIO,
glimpse of which was obtained in 1874 was
continued with great vigor and success
They were traced down all the canons to the
Colorado river, into New Mexico and Ari-
ent cllh Giles of the Moquis of Arizona
cave dwellings OF curious architecture were
found by hundreds in The sides of the gorges,
many OF which are many miles from water
EVIDENCES OF FORMER CIVILIZATION.
Ruins OF extensive villages were found in
the plains, Indicating the former existence
of people far more numerous and much
more advanced In the arts OF civilization
than their supposed descendants of the pres
ent time. Hundreds of sketches, photo
graphs. &c, were made. Flint weapons
earthenware, aud other remains were found
which threw clear light on their ancient
history. The materials thus secured will en-
able the survey TO present TO Congress an ex
haustlve report on this most in teres ting sub
ject. The result of the past seasons work
will be fully equal in interest and import
ance 10 those OF any previous year.
Major POweli's Report.
Mr.. j. w. Powell, in his report to the Sec
rotary of the Interior of the progress of the
second division, under his charge i'm the geo.
logical and geographical survey of the terri
tories during the neld season of 1875, states
that small party for the review of the
geology was organized and led by himself
so that the work OF the several observers
might be properly correlated, while the main
1ariy, under Prof. A. IL. Thompson, extended
The survey over an area of nearly one thou
sand square miles TO the north and east of
the district previously surveyed. Within
the district two important rivers are found
the dizzy Devil and Escalante, and many
tributaries, and other smaller streams di-
rectly tributary 10 the Colorado river. The
district embraces two important groups of
nounta1ns-tne Henry mountains on the
no III east, and the Navajo on The southeast
The whole district is in the territory OF Utah.
The same methods OF survey were used as in
ls1t For the correct delineation of th
THE
COUNTRY.
connected plane table sketch was made
over TIE whole area, and perspective profile
sketches, showing the characteristics of the
slopes, and drainage sketches of water
courses, canon and valley outlines. All
routes Travelled over were carefully mead
OF Classifying the surveyed lands In former
years mas been continued during the present
season, VIZ: irrigable, pasture, timber, min
Hsfa nrf <,F fhn N1a
area about ope-quarter of one per cent. be-
longs TO the first class, 80 per cent. To the
second nine per cent to the third, four per
cent 10 the fourth, and the remainder 10 the
fifth distribution.
Mr.. G. X. Gilbert accompanied Professor
IhOmpson's party as geologist, and M lde a
very successful study of the
STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE REGION
OF the geographic survey, and obtained such
facts as will enable him to construct APP
propfiate sections TO represent the geOlogi-
cal structure and to accurately color the
geological map. AT Mr.. POwell's requesJ
captain c: E. Dutton was directed to ac
company the division for the purpose o
studying the eruption rocks of the geolo sicaI
'Sub provence OF the SEWER" and his labors
nave resulted in the collection OF many sacts
having an important bearing on the great
problems presented i'll North American
geology.
Mr.. L. F. Ward accompanied Prof. Thomp.
sons party as botanist, and made a large
collection of plants In the western portion OF
the surveyed area. One series of one hun
dred and one negatives were made, and
another often, which will be very useful.
MANY PREHISTORIC ETcHINGs
were discovered on the canon walls, and
rock escarpment IS of the country, which were
copied TO scale. The remains OF many pre-
historic dwellings were also discovered
Prof. &. A. White, Of BOwdOin college, &C
companied the party as paleontolOgist and
very large collections were made Of the fora
and fauna OF the various gr0ipg Of foeks;
and the natural series established formerly
can now be characterized by extensive lists
0f their FOSSIL remains.
Certain bands of ShoshOne Indians were
met during the travels, whose arts are UNI
represented i'm the national museum, and
collection of their clothing, implements, Or
naments, &C., was made.
The various collections made during the
field season have safely arrived in Washing
ton.