Oregon and California in 1848 . iquely toward thesurface of the earth, will be bent downward, and socome to the eye as if from an object placed inverselyand below the former. This explains the invertedimage below the object ; but our limits will not allowus to apply the principle to a detailed explanation of allthe forms of the phenomenon which we have must, therefore, content ourselves with saying thatour knowledge respecting the subject is, that theseeffects result from a partial alteration in the density ofthe atmosphere, and the universal operations to whichthe light is subjected
Oregon and California in 1848 . iquely toward thesurface of the earth, will be bent downward, and socome to the eye as if from an object placed inverselyand below the former. This explains the invertedimage below the object ; but our limits will not allowus to apply the principle to a detailed explanation of allthe forms of the phenomenon which we have must, therefore, content ourselves with saying thatour knowledge respecting the subject is, that theseeffects result from a partial alteration in the density ofthe atmosphere, and the universal operations to whichthe light is subjected in coming to the eye. It is notnecessary that the alteration should be a decrease ofdensity, since, as the two opposite states of the atmo-sphere produce the same effects, the mirage at sea isoften occasioned by the increase of density in the lowerstratum of the atmosphere, from the quantity of waterwhich it holds in solution. Colonel J. C. Fremont ascertained that a positionoccupied by him, Sept. 5, 1842, on the right bank of. Oregon and California. 101 the Nebraska, six miles above Chimney Rock, was inlatitude 41°, 43, 36, N. This nearly ascertains thelatitude of this celebrated rock. The name indicatesits general appearance, looking as it does, like a vastchimney, or shot tower. It consists of marl and earthylimestone, which is the prevailing formation of the sur-rounding country ; and it has been worked into its pres-ent curious shape by the continued action of the windsand rains, which have, within a few years, reduced itsheight from five hundred feet to about two is situated about two miles to the left of the road, asthe emigrant proceeds westward ; and about twenty-five or thirty miles from our encampment of the even-ing of the 22d. The action of the wind and rain uponthe soft marly formation of the country presents somevery curious and interesting objects, which, seen in thedistance, are remarkable imitations of magnificentworks of art partially in ruins. O
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