Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 04.djvu/450

LEFT GRAYSON 386 GREAT BRITAIN GRAYSON, GARY TRAVERS, an American naval officer, born in Culpeper CO., Va., in 1878. He studied at William and Mary College and at the University of the South. In 1904 he graduated from the United States Naval Medical School. He served as surgeon in the Navy and acted as personal physician to President Wilson. He was appointed medical director with the rank of rear admiral, in 1916. During the World War he was a member of many important organizations, including the Council of National Defense. He accompanied President Wilson to Paris at the meet- ings at the Peace Conference. GRAY'S PEAK, a peak in the Colorado range, in Colorado, and one of the high- est in the Rocky Mountains. Its height is 14,341 feet. GREASE, in mineralogy, a term used in relation to luster; fat quartz has a greasy luster. In farriery, a swelling and inflammation of the legs of a horse, at- tended with the secretion of oily matter and cracks in the skin. GREAT AMERICAN DESERT, a term formerly used to designate the arid parts of the West. It is now used only in historical reference. A large part of the region which formerly bore this designation has been reclaimed through the construction of railroads, the development of its abundant min- eral resources, the foundation of per- manent agricultural communities, and the irrigation of vast stretches of waste land. The topography, scenery, and geolog- ical structures are extremely varied. The climate, though excessively hot in many parts, is, generally speaking, healthful and enjoyable, as the exces- sive heat is much tempered by the dry atmosphere. The boundaries of the Great American Desert, of course, can be indicated only in a general way. They are the Rockies, and the mountain ranges continuing from the Rockies in New Mexico and Texas on the east, and the Sierra Nevadas and Cascade ranges on the west. Roughly speaking, the country included between these, some 700 miles across at its greatest width, and extending from British Columbia in the north to the Mexican border in the south, forms the Great American Desert, although a region of similar aspect is to be found south of the Mexican fron- tier. However, only a part of the re- gion thus indicated actually consists of avid country, and the total area is es- timated at about 550,000 square miles within the United States, and a some- what smaller area in Mexico. The desert parts He at various altitudes, ranging from below the level of the sea to the extreme elevations of 13,000 feet, but averaging between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. The most extensive stretches of waste lands are included within the Great Basin, possessing an area of 210,000 square miles and containing the larger part of the State of Nevada aiid parts of California, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. Perhaps the best known part of the Great American Desert is the so- called Colorado Plateau, with its famous Colorado caiiyon. Other well known deserts are Death Valley in eastern Cali- fornia, the Salton Desert in southern California, the Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada, etc. The water resources of the region are very limited, considering its vast extent. Such re- sources, however, as are available, have been extensively developed for irrigation, especially in recent years, yegetation is comparatively limited. Various kinds of grasses known as bunch grass, as a result of their habit of growing in tufts, are to be found in most of the deserts. Numerous members of the cactus family are abundant, especially the prickly pear. In the south the giant cactus abounds, frequently reaching a height of 30 to 40 feet. Sagebrush, yucca, and mesquite are other characteristic desert forms. GREAT HARRINGTON, a town of Massachusetts, in Berkshire CO. It is on the New York, New Haven and Hart- ford railroad, and on the Housatonic river. The town includes the villages of Housatonic and Van Deusen. It is situated in the Berkshires and is notable for its picturesque scenery. It is a popular summer resort. It has pu^lk- libraries, several schools, and _ oth»vr public buildings. Its industries include the manufacture of cotton, electrical ap- paratus, paper, etc. Pop. (1910) 5,926; (1920) 6,315. GREAT BEAR LAKE, a large sheet of water in the basin of the Mackenzie rivei', northwest Canada. It derives its name from the fact that it lies partly within the Arctic Circle, beneath the Great Bear constellation. It is about 250 miles east of the Rockies, covers an area of about 12,000 square miles, and has very irregnilar shores. Its surface is frozen during six months of the year, but in summer it is peculiarly clear and abounds with many varieties of fish. GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, UNITED KINGDOM OF, a kingdom of western Europe, consisting of the is- lands of Great Britain, including Eng- land, Scotland, and Wales, Ireland, the Isif of Man, Shetland and Hebrides,