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Show ~ · ~ < I I • ~ I A' H , ~ < ~ .. p{ ~ . ~ IJ.l ~ ~ 217 [ 174 J also covered with this substance, which was in too great quantity on the mountains along the shore of the lake to have been deposited by 'vater, and has the appearance of having been spread over the rocks in mass."" Where we had halted, appeared to be a favorite camping place for In-dians. January 13.-We followed again a broad Indian trail along the shore of the lake to the southward. For a short space we had room enough in the bottom; but, after travelling a short distance, the water~swept the foot of precipitous mountains, the peaks of which are about 3,000 feet above the lake. The trail wound along the base of these precipices, against 'vhich the water dashed bC'low, by a way nearly impracticable for the howitzer. During a greater part of the morning the lake was nearly hid by a sno\.V storm, and the waves broke on the narrow beach in a long line of foaming surf, five or six feet high. The day was unpleasantly cold, the wind driving the snow sharp against our faces; and, having a~vanced only about 12 miles, we encamped in a bottom formed by a ravine, covered with good grass, which \Vas fresh and green. We did n0t get the howitzer into camp, but \Vere obliged to leave it on the rocks until morning. We saw several flocks of sheep, but did not succeed in killing any. Ducks were riding on the \Va ves, and several large fish were seen. The mountait'l sides were crusted with the calcareous cement previon ly mentioned. There \.Vere chenopodiaccous and other shrubs along the beach; and, at the foot of the rocks, an abundance of ephedra occidental,is, whose dark-green color makes them evergreens among the shrubby growth of the lake. Towards evening the snow began to fall heavily, and the country had a wintry appearance. The next morning the snow was rapidly melting under a warm sun. Part o~ the .morning was occupied in bringing up the gun ; and, making ?nly nme miles, we encamped on the 3hore, opposite a very remarkable rock m th.e lake, which had attracted our attention for many miles. It rose, acc~ rdmg ~o our estimate, 600 feet above the water; ~\nd, from the point we Vtewcd tt, presented a pretty exact outline of the great pyramid of Cheops. The accompanying drawing presents it as we saw it. Like other rocks alo.n~ the shore, it seemed to be incrusted with calcareous cement. This stnktng feature suggested a name for the lake ; and I called it Pyramid lake; and though it may be deemed by some a fanciful resemblance, I can undertake to say that tho future traveller will find a much more striking resemblance between this rock and the pyramids of Egypt, than there is between them and the object from which they take their name. Th~ elevation of this lake above the sea is 4,890 feet, being nearly 700 f~et lugher than the Great Salt lake, from which it lies nearly west, and dtstant about eight degrees of longitude. The position and elevation of this - f • The luhel attached to a specimen of this rock was lost ; but I append an analysis of that which, 0om nwmory, I judge to he the specimen . carbonate of limo - - - - - - - - 77.31 a~bonato of magncAia 5. 25 Oxttlc. of iron _ 1. 60 A.l~mmu 1.05 otltca . - - - 8.55 rgnmc mutter, water, and loss 6. 21 100.00 |