The Nome nugget., 1904-03-09
CONTINUED from last issue. }

linson Point, for the Chandelier river
by a compass traverse from the Koo-
CARO-, and for the rest by explorations
in parts and by data obtained from ma
tives. Particular care was taken in
comparing the data received from diff
ferent natives. The determination of
rocks and ores was by the blowpipe
and by chemical analysis. also OBJ
tanned many fossils, but was forced to
leave them behind.
Topography theological Features.
The watershed which divides the
Yukon and Arctic drainage systems is
a continuous range of mountains ex-
tending from Cape Llsbourne to Mac
kenzie river and ranging slightly north
of east. From the l46th meridian east
ward, nearly along the 18th parallel
extends sub-range designated on
the maps as the Franklin mountains
belonging to the main system and
forming series Of large mountain
basins between it and the main range.
The elevation Of the main range at
Carter Pass is 4, 200 feet, and of some
of the higher peaks 5000 to 500 feet
above sea level. From the coast to the
Franklin mountains, a distance varying
from 10 to "a miles, and west of the
Koogaro. 60 to l40 miles, extends a
plateau, generally slightly rolling and
rising from banks Of II to 25 feet along
the ocean to an elevation OF $50 to 400
feet at the base of the ranges.
Rocks-.kinds and Arrangements.
The beach formation is as follows:
~ In the bays and protected portions
it is made up of till, the result of the
glacial action of the tundra. ~ On
the prominent points it consists of
large boulders, large, rough masses of
rocks and heavy sands, all foreign to
tho vicinity and consisting largely of
GRANTEES and diorites. AT Sunset Pass,
which is low cut through the Frank
lin mountains, and leading from the
head of Ooselk creek to the head
waters Of Barter river, the rocks are
alternate bands or layers OF sandstones,
conglomerates and limestones, the lat
ter containing some fossils, mostly
crnods, and but little changed by
metamorphic actions.
To the south and southeast of Sunset
Pass, and lying between the franklin
mountains and the main range, is
large basin which appears to be of
lacustrine formation, the whole now
being drained by the Barter river,
which flows in deep, narrow channel
through the sub-range to the ocean.
The floor of this basin is formed by the
Barter states. They are generally
soft, in color dark brown to black, and
lie in series of folds with general
strike of nearly east and west. Right
through they are much changed by
metamorphism, and contain no fossils
visible to the naked eye. In places
they are silicious. and in few locali-
ties they are filled with a network OF
small veins Of quartz, generally much
stained with oxide Of iron. Near the
center occur several large bands OF
auartzite, also considerably stained by
the decomposition of iron-bearing min
erals.
To the eastward OF this basin. and
occupying similar position in rela-
ton to the two ranges, is another, or
what appears to be series of these
basins, drained by the Hoola-Hoola,
Backhouse and Turner rivers. all of
which flow through the sub-range into
the Arctic. The same rocks extend to
the westward as far as lower Cache
creek, showing. however, much less
metamorphism. On the higher noun
tains they are covered with limestones
and recent states. lying generally near
ly horizontal. These layers are rich
in fossils. Those in the limestones are
generally crinoids, while the states
contain numerous worm burrows and
many species OF shells, none of which
were determined.
1t may be stated that the higher
mountains over the whole region ex-
I plored, along a line running east and
west in about latitude 6S, are generally
covered by the above described FOSSIL
ferrous rocks. Therefore only de-
scription Of the rocks cut by the creeks
and rivers will follow. On lower Cache
creek and the Koogaro from the coast
to q point some II miles above our
winter quarters of 1923 the streams
have not cut down through the above
formation. From this point to the
junction OF the east and south forks the
Koogaro cuts through alternate bands
Of hard states, conglomerates and sand
stones. but little changed. At North