The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-11-15
Fossil Beds in the Far West.

SILVER LAKE and Summer Lake both
lie on the confines of the great desert
by the crossing Of which SO much suf-
fering was experienced by some of the
early Oregon pioneers, the desert lying
north and east Of these lakes. Silver
Lake is encompassed by rim-rock,''
except on the northwest. On the east
there is Il gap which leads into basin
nearly circular, and which is probably
thirty miles in diameter. This basin is
surrounded by rim-rock on the south,
southwest and west, rising to the height
of several hundred feet. with OCCASION
al breaks or canyons, sloping into the
basin. On the north and northeast of
the basin the ascent is more gradual,
but ut distance, presenting an unin-
terrupted barrier. The surface of this
basin is comparatively level, being sub
ject, however, to slight inequalities in
the form of hillOcks or low ridges ris-
ing but few feet, the whole heavily
set with sage Tor artemisio), grease
wood and other small but Kindred
growths. The soil, if we may call it
soil, seems to be composed of light
sand and volcanic ash, with a percent
age Of vegetable mold into which a
horse will frequently sink to his fet-
locks. Near the center of this basin.
and about eighteen miles from Silver
Lake, in Il northeast direction, is
Christmas Lake, eight miles from
Christmas Lake, in the same direction,
and apparently on the same level, are
the Fossil Lakes. About five miles fur
~, Il
springs of tolerably good water. These
springs are about half Il mile apart.
l heard the most northerly called Dun
cans Spring, and we called the other
Mound Spring. The rocks about kSil-
yer Lake and Summer Lake, where
stratified, appear to dip to the north.
From twenty to forty miles in a north
west direction from Fossil Lakes set in
the lava mountains, or rather noun
tains of lava. 1t would seem that
these fossil remains might have re-
manned buried from four to ten feet in
the earth, and therefore unknown to
the prying eyes of the antiquarian, but
for the action of the wind. There
seems to be constant current of wind
from the southwest. All that space
where bones are found appears to be
scooped out to the death of several
feet, and carried, some of it, to a dis
lance of from five to ten miles, where
it is piled up in every conceivable form,
evidently by the action of the wind;
conclusive evidence is found of this in
the numerous little mounds still re-
naming and able to resist the action
of the wind by the aid of the roots of
some more vigorous bunch of sage or
greasewood. These mounds present a
beautiful example of stratified forma-
ton, often five or six strata, ranging
from three to eight inches in thickness,
very clearly marked. On the lower
levels of this excavation is where the
fossils are found.
We found fossil bones of the elephant,
camel, horse and elk or reindeer; the
horse being much more abundant than
either of the others, but all being SO
clearly marked as to leave no doubt as
to their identity. There were other
bones apparently of large animals, but
your correspondent was unable to name
the animal they once belonged to.
Among the fossils found the smaller
quadrupeds had representation.
Bones answering in size to the fox and
wolf were found; also others answering
to the sheep or goat in size and appear
ance.
Remains of birds were very plentiful,
some very large, others quite small.
Waders, swimmers, scratchers, and
probably climbers were recognized.
The vertebra or backbone of fish, or
some other animal with a backbone like
the fish, are found in great plenty; also
bones like nothing I ever saw before,
therefore will not undertake to de-
scribe them.
The fossil remains lie scattered over
the earth for distance of four or five
miles in the direction of northeast and
southwest, the strip being probably
mile wide. Near the southwest end OF
the deposit are two small lakes or
ponds highly impregnated with alkall'
the water having milky appearance
with disagreeable taste and smell:
l have presented to Prof. lhos. Con-
don, of the State University, to whom
1 was largely indebted for valuable
suggestions as to the manner of select
ing and packing specimens. the most of
nv find, retaining but few duplicates
myself.
To any who may contemplate visit
to this fossil deposit I would say it is
anything else but play or pleasant