The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15

The United States Geological Survey has
in course of preparation for printing re-
port by Lester F. Ward, the paleontologist
Of the institution, on the "Petrifed Forests
of Arizona" The request for this investi-
cation came at the instance of the Secre-
tary of the Smithsonian Institution, from
the Commissioner of the General Land Of
fee. The report, which is very interesting
throughout, says in part:
THE scenic aspect has never been exag
gerated by any who have attempted to de-
scribe this region. The pictures given by
early explorers fall far short OF what might
be truly said from this point of view. These
petrified forests may be properly classed
among the natural wonders of America,
and every reasonable effort should be made,
not only to preserve them from destructive
influences. but also to make their existence
and true character known TO the people"
The report continues: Some of the most
important considerations that may be
urged in favor of the Importance of this
region. compared with other petriied for
ests. rests upon its geological relations. In
the first place it is much more ancient
than the petrified forests OF the Yellow
stone National Park, of certain parts of
Wyoming, and of the Calistoga deposits in
California These latter are of Tertiary
age. while the Arizona forests belong far
back in Mesozoic time. probably 10 the Tri-
assic formation. The difference in their
antiquity is therefore, many millions Of
years. Scattered blocks of silicified wood
do indeed occur in the Trias at other
points. but this is the only region in which
they are in such abundance as to deserve
the name OF petritied forest.
There is no other petrified forest in
which the wood assumes so many varied
and interesting forms and colors, and it is
these that present the chief attraction for
the general public. The state of minerali-
cation. in which much of this wood exists,
almost places them among the gems or
precious stones. Not only are chalcedony,
opars and agates found among them, but
man, approach the condition of jaspar and
ONYX The degree of hardness attained by
them is such that they are said TO make
an excellent quality OF emery.
Perhaps the most prominent OF all the
scenic features Of the region is the we l.
known Natural Bridge, consisting of
great petrified trunk lying across a canyon
one may easily pass.
The particular region known as the
Petrifed Forest of Arizona lies in the
area between the Little Colorado and tie
Rio Puerco. fifteen miles east Of their
junction, seventeen miles east of HCi
brook and six miles south OF Adamana sta
ton. on the Santa Fe Pacific Railroad,
which measurements terminate at the
outer edge of the area on the west ard
north sides II is about eight miles square,
and falls chiefly within township Il north.
range "A east, but extends short distance
on the south into township Is north, ard
on the west into range % east.
This region consists Of the ruins OF
former plain, having an altitude above sea
level of > 700 TO .. $50 feet. This plain has
undergone extensive erosion 10 a maxi
mum depth of nearly 100 feet. and is cut
into innumeIable ridges, buttes. and small
mesas. with valleys, gorges, and gulches
between The strata consists OF alternating
beds of clays sandstone shsles, and mas
sive sandstones."
In another part of the report II SAYS:
The cIays are purple. white, and blue,
the purple predomiuating, the white and
blue forming bands of different thicknesses
between the others. giving 10 the cliffs
lively and pleasing effect The sandstones
are chiefly of a reddish brown color, and
closely resemble the brownstone of the
Portland and Newark quarries. or the
sandstone of the Seneca quarries on the
Potomac River and at Manassas, in Viz
ginia but some are light brown. grey, or
whitish in color. The mesas are formed
by the resistance OF the massive eTosive
agencies, and vary in size from mere cap