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Show CROSSING OF THB SOUTH FOEK OF THE PLATTB. 89 dicular section of the rocks was seen in place* The bluff was intersected by ravines, many of which also exposed vertical sections. The strata were nearly horizontal, with perhaps a slight slip to the if est, and very foesiliferous, some of them being composed of en-erinital remains. The hills were about one hundred and fifty feet in ieight, and consisted of the following strata:- On the surface, a yellow shale, containing enorinites and grit; layers of loose detritus and quartsose conglomerate; brown shale and sand, the former containing wood and bones; white sandstone, the exposed surface marked by ripple? ; calcareous sandstone; sandy limestone, composed principally of remains of stems of encrinites, none of the central portions of which were found, ( this layer was some feet thick, and was traced fully a mile;) whitish sandstone; botryoidal limestone. The fossils found were the remains 6f enerihites, which were abundantly diffused through the different strata, with the exception of the detritus. Some bones occurred, but in a very imperfect state: a large flat bone was found imbedded in sandy shale, and endeavours were made to get it out, which did not succeed. The part exposed presented a segment of a circle from twelve to sixteen inches in diameter. About half a mile below this point was a peak formed by large masses of encrinital limestone ; and at a point still lower down, the same formation was found, the whole being crowned by a white marl, containing encrinites and grit. At this point were discovered the remains of the bones of some large animal, only imperfect specimens of which could be procured, for want of the means of extracting them. One fragment was seen, fully seven inches in circumference; and a tooth, exposed for a length of five inches, was broken in the attempt to get it out. The condyle of the jaw and what was supposed to be the foot of some reptile were secured. . Monday, July 2.- Thefr. ateunrise, 68°; Bar. 26,68. After travelling up the river for fourteen miles, it was determined to make the crossing of the South Fork by fording. In preparation for this movement, one of the wagons, as an experimental pioneer, was partially unloaded, by removing all articles liable to injury from water, and then driven into the stream; but it stuck fast, and the ordinary team of six mules being found insufficient to haul it through the water,* four more were quickly attached, and the crossing was made with perfect safety, and without wetting any thing. In the same manner were all the remaining wagons crossed, one by. one, by doubling the teams, and employing the force of nearly |
