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Show INDEPENDENCE ROCK- DEVIL'S GATE. 65 masses of igneous rocks, granite and serpentine, protruded considerably aboye the soil. The direction of the dike was from north to south. The strata through which they protruded did not appear to be disturbed, nor were any specimens of metamorphic rocks found near them, although, had such existed, their presence would have been indicated, as being more resisting than the sandstone of which the surface rock is generally composed. Wherever any sections of the latter have been obtained, they were found to be either coarse white or gray sandstone, and clay, with coarse conglomerate. Some distance below this dike, the igneous rocks again became visible, and at this point portions of white sandstone were found overlying the lower parts of the rock, and apparently in horizontal layers. The surface of the ground in the vicinity, where water had apparently stood, was coated with a white saline substance, a portion of which was collected. The same substance has been observed within the last two days on the surface in those localities where water has evaporated. Near our encampment this evening, large masses of igneous rock protrude in every direction, but the sandstone near them does not appear to have been disturbed. Few or no flowers have been met with on this portion of the route, owing, in part, to the dryness of the atmosphere, ( due to our increasing elevation,) and in part to the occurrence of frosts during the summer months. Tuesday, July 31.- Ther. at sunrise, 40°. Leaving camp we continued up the valley of the Sweetwater, and passed the far- famed " Independence Rock," a large rounded mass of granite, which has frequently been described by travellers. It was covered with names of the passing emigrants, some of whom seemed deter* mined, judging from the size of their inscriptions, that they would go down to posterity in all their fair proportions. A short distance beyond was a range of granite hills, stretching entirely across the valley, and continuous with a range extending to the north. * Through this range the Sweetwater passes in a narrow cleft or gorge, about two hundred yards in length, called the " Devil's Gate." The space between the cliff, on either side, did not in some places exceed forty feet. The height was from three to four hundred feet, very nearly perpendicular, and, on the south side, overhanging. Through this romantic pass the river brawls and frets over broken masses of rock that obstruct its passage, affording one of the most lovely, cool, and refreshing retreats from 5 |