The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-02-24
Our Qolio.
OUR HOME VOLCANOES.
LECTURE BY $, =. EMMONs BEFORE THE
GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

uEOukAPHlCAb SOCIETY.
At the regular meeting of the American
Biographical Society at Chiekering Hall
st week, Chief.Justi DAILY introduced
Mr. s. L. Emmons, who treated Of the
Focanoes of the United States. After a
lew brief remarks upon volcanoes in gen.
eral, their geographical distribution and
De theories Of their formation, the speaker
proceeded to describe the principal voca-
noes of the Ppcifc coast of the United
Bates showing their position ON physi-
bal map of California, Oregon and Wash
ington Territory. The western wall of the
great Cordilleran or Rocky Mountain sys.
tem is formed by the chain of the Sierra
Nevada, and its northern contir uation,t the
Cascade Mountains Of Oregon and Wash
ibgton Territory, which runs parallel to
ihe present coast line In former gcolo-
glcal periods the Pacific Ocean extended
np to the western base of the Sierra Ne
sada, whose geological continuation to the
northward is found in the Blue Mountains
of Eastern Oregon. North Of the parallel
bf 40 deg north there is break in the
Continuity of the Sierra Nevada chain,
which finds its typographical continuation
b series Of high volcanic peaks, capped
With perpetual snow, standing at distances
b about fifty miles apart, and which in
Northern Oregon and Washington Terri.
tory rise out of the very submits of the
Cascade Mountains These are LASER
Peak and Mount Shasta in Northern Cal
ifornia-the former, about ten thousand
feet in height, forms the northern extrem-
ity of the crest of the Sierra Nevada; the
hitter, peak OF surprising grandeur, rises
10 an elevation Of 4,440 feet above sea
leyel, and stands, as it were, isolated 1t
has two submits, the westernmost being
perfect crater, its interior a thousand
ieet deep, and its wall narrow rim of
rpck about two thousand feet below the
snain summit When the railroad reaches
its base it will no doubt be iayorite re-
sort of alpine tourists. The principal vol,
eanic peaks of Oregon are Mount Pitt,
Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood While
the others present outlines Of great beauty,
missing their snow.white crests above the
rine clad ridges of Oregon, they reach
Elevations of less than ten thousand feet,
md are surpassed in majesty and grace of
ontline by Mount Hood, which rests upon
the summit Of the Cascade range, about
tEenty five miles south of the Columbia
River. When first discovered by Van
conver as he sailed up the Columbia, it
vas estimated to be at least %, 900 feet in
height. Recent measurement by the bar
pmeter has reduced this TO IL ,225 feet.
a is an exceedingly sharp peak, its sum
hnspe. k,.a ~, 4.
part of the ruin Of an old crater, now al
most entirely destroyed. Itsascent, though
difhcult and dangerous, has been accom-
plished several times, owing to the fact
that its base is of comparatively easy ac.
cess The principal volcanic peaks Of
Washington Territory are Mount ST. He
lena, Mount Adams, Mount Baker and
Mount Rainier, The latter, which is a.
All feet in height, is the grandest of all
ne peaks described Although some fifty
niles from Puget Sound, it rises SO steeply
above the gently rising, forest-coyered
ridges that it seems but few miles dis
tant. Its broad summit is surmounted by
thfee distinct peaks, one Of which is the
more recent crater From its sides extend
ppt no less than fifteen large glaciers. Tho
spcaker gave an interesting description Of
al examination of the peak and its sur
sohndings by Mr.. Wilson and himself in
1870 in connection with the Government
exploration of the fortieth parallel. In
thcir first attempt to reach the mountain
iheir pack-mules were thrown. down steep
slopes and nearly killed After further
cifcuit Of three days through the forest
they succeeded, by the aid fsome Indians,
u reaching the top of one of the noun
aims, and cauped at its base near. the
show-line, on level with the summit of
,hc Cascade Mountains. h After having
apent fortnight in working from their
csmp, making half the circuit Of the noun
ssin and exploring the glaciers and spurs
Nbieh radiate outfrom II, they finally made
nc ascent Of the peak on October H.
the ascent was very dangerous, involving
hnd and foot climbing on loose rocks,
here a single slip would send them to
Instruction, and proceeding up steep ice
Epssage or chimney, between rock aud
H'ncial 'serac, where each iootstep had
81 be cut in the solid ice Speaking ol
IBIS part Ofthe eliuib, MI Emmons said
he chimney became constantly sleeper
that at last | could scarcely lean my
nedy back far enough,t0 chip the ice il
tfont Of me, for fear Of toppling over back
Aprds. Moreover, in its windings coulC
ever see far above me, and when / haC