BANCROFT 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
CU rt$2 OLUJ Out] 
 
 Document No. 9. 
 
 IX THE ASSEMBLY.] [SESSION 1854. 
 
 REPORT 
 
 ON THE 
 
 GEOLOGY OF THE COAST MOUNTAINS, 
 
 AND PART OF THE 
 
 SIERRA NEVADA 
 
 EMBRACING THEIR INDUSTRIAL 
 
 RESOURCES IN AGRICULTURE AND MINING, 
 
 BY DR. JOHN B. TRASK. 
 
 [B. B. REDDING, STATE PRINTER. 
 

 
 
 F <tr 6 
 
 T 
 
BANCROFT 
 
 To His EXCELLENCE, 
 
 JOHN BIGLEB, 
 
 Governor of the State of California. 
 
 <*> 
 
 _ Pursuant to resolution of Assembly, passed Feb. ' , 1854, I have the 
 
 ^_honor herewith to submit the accompanying report on the Geology of 
 
 Xthat portion of the State, authorized by Joint Resolution of Senate and 
 
 Assembly of the fourth session, all of which, with accompanying plates, 
 
 is respectfully submitted. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 JOHN B. TKASK. 
 

 
To THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY 
 
 OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Under the Joint Eesolution, passed May 6. 1853, by the Senate and 
 Assembly of the State of California, authorizing a farther Geological ex 
 amination of some parts of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Mountains, and 
 report the results of the same to the ensuing Legislature, I have the 
 honor of submitting the following report in relation thereto, and in con 
 formity to the above requisitions. 
 
 JOHN B. TRASK. 
 

PREFACE. 
 
 The examinations authorized were entered upon soon after the passage 
 of the resolution, and continued until the 28th of November, comprising 
 a period in the field of about six months. The first five weeks were 
 occupied in examinations of the more elevated and western portions of 
 the Counties of Butte, Sierra, Yuba, Nevada and Placer, in determining, 
 as far as possible, the position of an ancient water course in this section 
 of the State, and its peculiarities the description of which will be found 
 in the body of this report. 
 
 On the 23d June, the southern portion of the tour was commenced, 
 and carried on almost uninterruptedly for four months. The route south 
 was carried through the Counties of San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa 
 Cruz, Monterey, and the north part of Luis Obispo ; on the west, and 
 returning on the east, (or through that range denominated the Monte 
 Diablo Eange) by the west part of Tulare County, Mariposa, Tuolumne, 
 Alameda, Contra Costa and San Joaquin. 
 
 The range of country bounded on the north by the Straits Carquinez, 
 and south by the Nacismiento, was divided into four sections, formed 
 by lines running nearly east and west from the great valley to the 
 coast. On the first of October, the country north of the Straits Carqui 
 nez was entered, and preliminary examinations only were made in the 
 counties of Solano, Napa and Sonoma, From the County of Napa a 
 section was carried across the basin of the Sacramento, and connected 
 with, examinations made two years previous on its eastern edge. A sim 
 ilar section was also made, passing eighteen miles south of Monte Diablo 
 and continued across the San Joaquin. 
 
 The remainder of the months of October and November was employ 
 ed in investigations of the middle mining sections of the County of Ne 
 vada and those intermediate between the former and the middle and 
 western parts of Calaveras county. This range leads through that sec 
 tion in which the principal gold mines of the middle portions of the 
 State are located, and was selected, with the view of conducting those 
 examinations which will be found in the appendix of this report, under the 
 head of Quartz Mining. As those mines have of late presented many in 
 teresting facts connected with their ultimate prospects, a set of sketches 
 
8 [APPENDIX 
 
 representing the positions of the views and investing rocks has been 
 given for illustrating their present features. 
 
 Doing the tour in the agricultural sections of the State, the modifica 
 tions of the soils in different sections has been noted, and the natural 
 productions arising as resultants, where they seemed of a general charac 
 ter, and extending over any considerable area. The " Saline lands " 
 have been observed, and the opportunities that were offered for their re 
 clamation, whed at any time demanded. The extent of cropping and re 
 sultant crops in some parts of the State, are of peculiar interest, and the 
 facts developed in this particular will prove of much value to our agri 
 cultural interests, being an exhibition of the capabilities of some our 
 soils for the production of the necessaries of life, unexcelled in the his 
 tory of the world. 
 
 The temperature of the mountainous and valley sections of both branches 
 of the coast mountains, was noted as far as the nature of attending cir 
 cumstances would permit, for the purpose of ascertaining as far as pos 
 sible the peculiar adaptation of the different sections to the culture of 
 exotic fruits and trees, and where no opportunity of personal examina 
 tion offered, a careful inquiry of persons long resident in different sec 
 tions, was made, by which many interesting facts have been obtained, 
 relating to this subject. 
 
 This report will embrace the examination of a district of countrv, in 
 cluded within 120 16' and 122 32' west longitude, and from the thirty- 
 fifth parallel to the thirty-ninth degree of north latitude, inclusive of the 
 coast mountains and mineral districts. 
 
 The coast mountains are watered by thirty-two streams, the most of 
 which are small, their names and the counties in which they are located 
 will be found below. 
 
 COUNTY. EIVER. 
 
 Sonoma, Sonoma, 
 
 Napa, Napa. 
 
 Contra Costa. Merced. 
 
 Alameda. San Antonio. 
 
 ,* San Leandro. 
 
 San Lorenzo. 
 Alameda. 
 
 Santa Clara, Coyote. 
 
 Aguagos. 
 San Felipe. 
 Gaudalupe. 
 Los ratos. 
 Camels. 
 Llagos. 
 Carnadero. 
 Pescadero. 
 La Brae. 
 
 Santa Cruz. San Lorenzo. 
 
 Lougell. 
 Syante. 
 San Augustine, 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 9 
 
 * 
 COUNTY. EIVER. 
 
 Corallitos. 
 Monterey. Pajaro. 
 
 San Benito. 
 
 Carmello. 
 
 Berjeles. 
 
 San Antonio. 
 
 Salinas. 
 
 Francisquito. 
 
 San Luis Obispo. Nacismiento. 
 
 San Francisco. San Mateo. 
 
 San Francisquito. 
 
 There are twenty-three of these streams which furnish a sufficient 
 quantity of water for milling purposes, and are marked with a dash, ( ) 
 the above list does not include many small arroyas that course through 
 these sections. 
 
REPORT, 
 
 The coast range of mountains, and its included valleys, which form 
 the principle subject of this report, extend from the 42nd paralel north 
 latitude to the southern boundary of the State. Their general features 
 present much more diversity of character than is usually to be found in 
 the eastern chain of mountains, which forms the Sierra Nevada ; from 
 the occurrence of a greater variety of rocks constituting their mass, and 
 the much greater area of covered by the sedimentary formations, the 
 principle of which are sandstones, interspersed occasionally with calca 
 reous rocks, and more rarely slates ; this latter class of rocks forming 
 but a small proportion of the sedimentary formations, of which later ex 
 tensive portions of the coast line of mountains is composed. 
 
 The eastern belt of the coast range presents a repulsive aspect to the 
 traveller as he approaches it from either hand, from its naked and bar 
 ren appearance, producing but little of forest growth in any part of it, 
 while those portions of the coast line of hills proper, are covered to a 
 great extent with forest trees, consisting principally of the redwood, pine, 
 and spruce, with groves of oak near their base, all of which are well 
 adapted to the wants of the settler and usually easy of access. 
 
 This peculiarity in the two principal ridges of this chain was general 
 for near three hundred miles of their course, the eastern ridge presenting 
 no traces of timber except here and there an isolated patch of the pine 
 on some one of its higher points ; and for miles in extent even low shrubs 
 are almost entirely absent, 
 
 Notwithstanding the barren aspect of the eastern belt of the coast ' 
 mountains, it is not to be inferred that their slopes or valleys are unpro 
 ductive, for it is found to be otherwise, being covered with a luxuriant 
 growth of native grains and grasses, with herbaceous plants, affording 
 extensive pasturage for flocks and herds. The lower foothills of the 
 range, and the immediate banks of the small streams that meander 
 through them, afford a few scattering oaks and other trees, but not suffi 
 cient in extent to furnish more than a very small local demand, to so 
 extensive a population as the valley sections at the base of these hills 
 must in a few years require. The oak groves found on the plains are 
 
12 [APPENDIX 
 
 not adapted to any other uses than that of fencing and for fuel. The 
 western or coast line of mountains must become the principal source of 
 supply, in lumber for building purposes, except that which may be ob 
 tained by importation. 
 
 The coast range consists of two principal and distinct lines of ridges 
 for a distance of nearly two hundred miles of their length ; these are 
 separated from each other by wide and long valleys that continue almost 
 uninterrupted through their whole course, and should be considered as 
 distinct ranges of one system both from their geographical position as re 
 lates to the mountains in which they are situated. The valleys have 
 recieved different names, as the Santa Clara and Salinas ; and these again 
 are subdivided and recieve local names even on the same line of plain ; 
 they can be considered strictly but one valley, the lineo f continuity be 
 ing broken by the interposition of a range of hills, not exceeding in 
 altitude three hundred feet, and even below these figures. 
 
 This division of the Salinas from the Santa Clara is caused by a low 
 spur putting in from the Gabilan range, in a direction nearly north-west. 
 Across the northern part of this spur the PajaroEiver, an inconsiderable 
 stream, holds its course, discharging its waters into the Bay of Monterey. 
 The extend and geographical position of these two valleys would seem to 
 warrant a different arrangement than that at present existing in reference 
 to the coast range ; as they form a line as distinct and clear in the sepa 
 ration of the two principal ridges, as the valleys Sacramento and San 
 Joaquin in the separation of the coast range on the west from the Sierra 
 Nevada on the east. 
 
 The division of the coast range proposed will be bounded as follows : 
 commencing at a, point due east of Monte Diablo on the valley San Joa 
 quin, the latter and the Tulare valley to form the east line to the inter 
 section of both ranges with the San Bernardino Mountains, near the thirty- 
 fifth degree north latitude, thence running west to a point that shall cut 
 the west base of this range, and lying on the north-western border of the 
 Salinas, thence north along the west border of the latter, and also the 
 west border of the valley Santa Clara to the south-east terminus of the bay 
 San Francisco, following the east coast of that bay to the point San Pablo. 
 This range inclusive to be denominated the Monte Diabolo, and all moun 
 tains to the west of these lines to be still termed the " Coast Mountains." 
 This division in the mountains now bearing the latter name, will become 
 the more necessary when it is understood that much difficulty now exists 
 in localizing phenomena and transactions that have from time to time 
 occurred, as well also as another distinctive feature which marks them, 
 viz : their relative age, the one being of comparative recent date to the 
 other. The term "Coast Eange" implies a line of mountains following 
 the coast only, but which, as it is used at the present time, includes a 
 chain whose eastern base is as far removed from the coast, as the foot 
 hills of the Sierra Nevada are from Bodega Bay on a line cutting through 
 the City of Sacramento to the ocean. This chain, it will be seen, is se 
 parated by broad and long valleys, as distinct in their characteristics^ as 
 the Sacramento and San Joaquin, while their length, including the bay 
 San Francisco, equals the latter and has nearly half its average breadth. 
 The geological and mineral characteristics of the two ranges are equally 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 13 
 
 r 
 
 as marked and distinct as their geographical position and vegetable 
 productions, while the courses which both pursue are widely variant, 
 forming an angle of thirty-six degrees in ninety-one miles. For local 
 convenience of description this division should be made, if for no other 
 reason. 
 
 A division, or rather a new arrangement, is to be introduced in rela 
 tion to the entire mountain chains that lie upon the west side of the con 
 tinent, which will give more uniformity and a much better classification 
 than that now existing. It is not proposed however to change local 
 names in the arrangement, but to name those parts of the mountains, 
 which, as yet, have received none, except " Sierras," as they are termed. 
 Through Mr. Blake, of the U. S. E. E. Survey, I am informed that it is 
 now proposed to term the entire chain of mountains, extending through 
 to the northern part of Oregon, and running south into lower California, 
 " Cordilleras or Western America," and all those portions south of the 
 thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude, [which, as yet, have received no 
 name,] are to be termed the " Peninsula range" in order to separate them 
 from the coast mountains with which they are now often confounded, 
 and again as often termed Sierra Nevada, by persons who have occasion 
 to describe them, or any part of them. 
 
 The terms "Sierra Nevada," and "Cascade Eange," will thus be re 
 tained as local names, with their boundaries the same as before. The coast 
 mountains will comprise the entire chain lying to the west of the above, 
 and which are found to have an age more recent than the tertiary rocks, 
 which rest upon them, and such local changes as may be necessary will 
 be applied, but so far only as will be required in order to elucidate any 
 peculiar characteristics they may possess. 
 
 This arrangement is one much needed, and is founded on strictly sci 
 entific principles, and this proposition of Mr. Blake will meet the uni 
 versal concurrence of the country, as it will reduce the mountain chains 
 of the western part of the continent, to a more perfect system than they 
 have heretofore possessed. 
 
 A more specific classification of these mountains has before been pro 
 posed by different persons, among them that of Lieut. Wilkes, who pro 
 posed the term of " California Eange of the Cascades;" for the Sierra 
 Nevada being but a continuation of the former, all of them heretofore 
 have been objectionable on the ground that old and established names 
 would be changed by the arrangement ; notwithstanding those names con 
 veyed erroneous impressions. No such objection can be urged against 
 the present proposition of the gentleman above named, as it affords a 
 convenience of arrangement not heretofore suggested or presented to the 
 public for their consideration. With these remarks on this part of our 
 subject, we will proceed to the examination of the chain termed the 
 Monte Diabolo Eange. 
 
 GEOLOGY OF THE MONTE DIABOLO EANGE. 
 
 This chain of mountains forms the south shore of the Straits Carquinez 
 and part of the bay of Suissun. The rocks bordering the bay and straits 
 
14 [APPENDIX 
 
 are mostly a sandstone, which belongs to a similar range occurring on 
 the opposite shore. On the western flank of this portion of these moun 
 tains, or on the east shores of the bay San Pablo, and north part of San 
 Francisco, a range of sharp Peaks are seen ; their slopes are abrupt from 
 the summit for a considerable way down toward their base, and in the 
 latter part of winter and through the spring are covered with wild oats 
 and grasses. 
 
 For several miles these mountains are made up of trapean rocks, 
 'which have forced themselves through the sedimentary rocks, and are in 
 all respects similar to the volcanic series that has protruded through the 
 older and also more recent formations in the Sierra Nevada. These rocks 
 are cut through and disturbed by a suite of igneous rocks of still more 
 recent origin, causing material change in the structure of the rocks that 
 preceded them, both sedimentary and plutonic. Among the latter we 
 find the pitchstone and obsidian, showing conclusively that they belong 
 to that class known as recent volcanic rocks. These rocks may be con 
 veniently observed in some of the lower hills about two miles east of the 
 house of Victor Castro, in the County of Alameda. The more recent 
 volcanic rocks form the first summit of the high ridge east of the bay, 
 and the frequently isolated conical peaks to which they give rise, and 
 which are known among the native inhabitants as (Picaches) stretch to 
 the north for six miles, when they are replaced by the older trap 
 rocks, and followed by the softer sandstones, which form the smooth 
 rounded summits of the hills to the Bay San Pablo and Straits of Car- 
 quinez. 
 
 The sandstones on the shores present many marks of disturbance and 
 change, by the intrusion of the late igneous rocks, and it is not unfre- 
 quent to find fine threads of quartz ramifying through them in every 
 direction; when this is the case, or when they are in contact with 
 the more recent of the igneous group, their former structure is usu 
 ally found materially changed, a conchoidal fracture in these rocks is 
 often the result of this contact either in large or small masses. 
 
 There are considerable areas of the sandstone in these mountains, that 
 present little or no traces of change, subsequent to their deposition, ex 
 cept that of uplift thus proving that they must have been deposited on 
 the trap rocks after the latter had become firm, and parted with their 
 heat : but where the sedimentary rocks are found in close proximity 
 with the later igneous rocks the change indeed in them is clear and de 
 cisive : thus demonstrating the fact that volcanic action has occurred at 
 a date long subsequent to the period in which these rocks were deposited, 
 and probably after their emergence above the surface of the sea, in which 
 they had their origin. It was found, in examining the sandstones lying 
 upon the older trapean rocks of this part of the range, that the fine 
 threads of quartz before noticed, gradually increased in dimensions as 
 they approximated the inferior strata of the sedimentary rocks, and 
 where the igneous rocks were exposed to view beneath them, in favor 
 able situations, they often exhibited true well and defined, though small 
 veins of quartz passing through them. 
 
 These general characteristics continue south untill a point nearly east 
 of the town of Oakland is obtained, and here the trapean group of 
 rocks are interrupted to a certain extent. East of this town we find the 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 15 
 
 m 
 
 primitive rocks occurring, and an outcrop of serpentine makes its ap 
 pearance, together with some of its subordinate members, among which 
 the Shales and some of the cherty rocks appear. These are flanked to 
 the east with rocks of the trapean group, forming the high ridge in that 
 direction, and are surmounted with the fbssiliferous sandstones. The ser 
 pentine rocks of this district contain considerable quantities of chromic 
 iron, but its extent is not accurately known. South of Oakland to San 
 Antonio, the country is of the same character as that immediately pre 
 ceding it. The mountains were not examined, but the creek was fol 
 lowed four or five miles, and its bed showed nothing to indicate a change 
 in the structure of the country from which it has its rise, with the 
 exception, perhaps, that the sandstone pebbles exhibited no marks of 
 fossils. 
 
 These features were general for the entire distance to the San Leandro, 
 being about eight miles : but after crossing this stream, the fossiliferous 
 rocks become more fully developed and continue to gradually increase 
 to the arroyo of the Alameda. The sedimentary rocks of this district 
 rest on the older trap formations, with frequent small threads of quartz 
 passing through them, but no material change of structure was observed 
 in these at the points of contact. The sandstone of these hills is 
 much coarser in its texture than that forming the shores of the Bay 
 San Pablo and Straits Carquinez, and its fossils exceedingly fragile and 
 imperfect. 
 
 Crossing the Alameda and entering the hills in which the Mission of 
 San Jose is situated, a distance of four miles, no change in the general 
 character of the rocks is noticeable, with the exception that the sedimen 
 tary rocks have suffered more from disintegration than at any point 
 north of the arryo Alameda, and the contour of the country being such 
 as to retain a large part of the detritus of these rocks, the result has been 
 the production of a soil, throughout the hilly and rolling districts, of 
 almost unequalled richness and fertility. 
 
 Following the west side of the Central Range we pass into the 
 county Santa Clara, a short distance south of the Mission San Jose. 
 The sedimentary rocks containing fossils continue to cap the summit of 
 the ridge for the distance of twenty -five miles south of this point, all 
 of which appear to be of the same age as those above described. South 
 of the Hot Springs (a point defining the boundary between the counties 
 Alameda and Santa Clara) the trachytes, crop out in two or three locali 
 ties, leaving but little room for doubt that the more recent of the volcanic 
 rocks underlie this entire section. At the distance of sixteen miles south 
 of the Spring, the chlorite slate flanks the west base of the ridge, and at 
 short intervals along this distance fragments of these rocks are frequently 
 met ; on the Rancho del Palo this rock again occurs at a distance of three 
 miles east of San Jose, here it crops out on the hills three hundred feet 
 above the valley, and appears to have been much disturbed and broken 
 up ; immediately west of this an alluminous slate appears dipping south 
 west and corresponding to the inclination of the chlorites. 
 
 In the hills of this district there is considerable quantities of quartz, 
 some of which has proved auriferous. 
 
 Traveling parallel with the ridge and south of the Pueblo San Jose, 
 the fossiliferous rocks become less developed, and at the distance of 
 
16 [APPENDIX 
 
 i 
 
 thirteen miles very few sandstones containing fossils were to be seen. In 
 the arroya Caoti the first specimens of scoriaceous lava were met with, 
 this induced a more critical examination of the mountains to the east of 
 the valley than would otherwise have been made. The hills were entered 
 a short distance south of Laguna Seca, and followed thence southerly 
 for eighteen miles. Small patches of fossiliferous rocks are sparingly 
 distributed over the route, the predominating rocks being igneous and 
 composed principally of trachytes and lavas ; from Laguna Seca an 
 almost continuous dike of the latter extends along the western base of 
 the ridge for a distance of near twenty miles. 
 
 As you approach the Eancho Cantine it becomes more cellular than 
 farther north at any point where it was observed. In the vicinity of 
 Grilroy's it has been used for milling purposes, to which it seems admirably 
 adapted, being unequalled in hardness to the best French Buhr. I saw 
 at Gilroy's three sets of these stones which have been in use at that place 
 for several years in flouring wheat. These stones are capable of being 
 split out to the diameter of four feet and the requisite thickness that may 
 be required for the uses of the mill. 
 
 The principal rocks forming the east ridge of the Monte Diablo range, 
 and continuing southeasterly from Gilroy's, are composed of the more 
 recent volcanic series, and are but a part of those above alluded to. At 
 the distance of eight miles from this town, the ridge attains an elevation 
 near three thousand feet, and shoots up into a series of jagged, conical 
 peaks, which maintain this character for sixteen miles south of San 
 Felipe; the pass known as "Pacheco Pass," leading from the Valley 
 Santa Clara to the San Joaquin, is situated among these latter hills and 
 near their northern terminus. 
 
 Nine miles northeast from San Filipe is the well known landmark 
 known as " Pacheco's Peak ;" it is visible for a long distance from the 
 east, west and south, but not from the north owing to the hills between 
 having a considerable altitude and their close proximity on the principle 
 line of travel ; it is formed of trachyte and scoriaceous lavas, and is evi 
 dently the remains of an extinct volcano. 
 
 The Santa Anna mountains stretch in a south-east direction from San 
 Felipe a distance of twelve miles, and from this point sink gradually into 
 an uneven ridge having an altitude varying from one thousand to fifteen 
 hundred feet, but far more rugged than its equivalent north of the 
 Alameda Creek. The section inclusive from the vicinty of Pacheco's to 
 the extreme southeast part of the Santa Anna mountains, has been one 
 of the grand centres of the more recent volcanic disturbances which has 
 imparted to the mountains their present contour ; the greatest amount of 
 local disturbance is confined within a line of distance comprising about 
 eight miles north and south, exerting a considerable elevatory force on 
 the sedimentary rocks of recent date to the west and south-west. 
 
 The disturbance among the latter rocks is manifested in a striking 
 manner on the south-east portion of the "Loma Muertas," (a range, of 
 hills extending from the south-east part of the Santa Clara Yalley across 
 its upper end, dividing this from the Yalley San Juan) which extends 
 also to the fossiliferous rocks near the Mission San Juan, they all 
 have a dip to the west, which is continuous for miles, 
 
 The Eancho Tres Pinos, eight miles south-west of Santa Anna, may 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 17 
 
 be said to be the southern terminus of the Yalley Santa Clara, though 
 south of the "Loma Muertas " it is called San Juan; at this point it nar 
 rows to a canon and continues thus forty miles to the south-east ; after 
 passing the Tres Finos it becomes rough and irregular, though attaining 
 ho great altitude for most of this distance, and from the appearance of the 
 Canada beyond, obtained from an elevation of eight hundred feet, it is 
 probably connected with the Tulare plain some forty miles south, and 
 from its appearance the elevation must be very moderate, as no hills 
 were visible along the axis of the canon to obstruct the view to a horizon 
 beyond. 
 
 The stream that courses this Canada is termed San Benito as far south 
 as the Arroya los Muertas, and eight miles south of the Rancho Tres 
 Pinos, after which it takes the name of San Juan ; it discharges its 
 waters into the Pajaro fourteen miles north of the Eancho Santa Anna; 
 the latter river forming the boundary of the counties Santa Clara, Santa 
 Cruz and Monterey. 
 
 The pass Santa Anna is situated in the Monte Diablo Range and enters 
 these mountains from the west, two leagues south of the Tres Pinos, and 
 from the Canada San Benito ; it was extremely rocky so far as examined 
 though attaining no great altitude, the mean of its course was fifteen 
 degrees north of east. This canon appears to have formeol the banks of 
 an ancient stream, and it is not improbable that the San Joaquin might 
 have flowed through this section, and discharged its waters into the bay 
 of Monterey ; I did not pass through the entire length of the canon and 
 am therefore unable to form an opinion on this point that would be sat 
 isfactory in this particular. The features observed on which this suppo 
 sition is founded, are that a series of outliers, or rather narrow terraces 
 are traceable for nine or ten miles up the Canada, such as occur on streams 
 whose beds have been drained from successive elevations from subter 
 ranean forces. These peculiar features are not uncommon in the more 
 elevated portions of the Sierra Nevada or Coast Mountains, and in the 
 middle and northern parts of the former they may be traced for long- 
 distances. 
 
 The Monte Diablo Range is connected with the line of mountains 
 which separate the Tulare and Salinas Valleys ; and constitute in fact but 
 one range, having their terminus within the thirty-fourth parallel, when 
 they are intercepted by the San Bernardino mountains, which it appears 
 from the U. S. R. R. Survey, pursue a course nearly at right angles to 
 the trend of the former ; while the low mountains forming the east 
 border of the Salinas from the Mission San Miguel on the south to the 
 Pajaro River on the north, can be considered nothing but a spur of the 
 Monte Diablo Range. 
 
 The principle partis of this spur of granitic and other primitive rocks, 
 on which the tertiaries rest; the granite is first developed in and about 
 the Cinega del Grabilan, this mountain being made up for the most part 
 of these rocks ; at the next highest peak twelve miles south of the above 
 known as, the Chupedero, the granite .passes into a coarse sienite much 
 disintegrated and loose on the surface ; the sienite continues to the Canada 
 Solza a distance of six miles, beyond which it was not examined for 
 twenty miles. It is doubtful if the granite rocks extend to any consider 
 able distance beyond this localitv, as the general aspect of the country 
 3 
 
18 [APPENDIX 
 
 changes materially after passing this point, and the magnesian rocks begin 
 to be gradually developed. 
 
 The mountains were again entered fourteen miles above the Canada 
 Solza, and followed for eleven miles, the magnesian rocks were met at 
 short intervals throughout the entire distance. Chlorite and talcose slates 
 with beds of impure serpentine occur, containing actinolite, and in the 
 ravines fragments of chromic iron ; at one locality this mineral was found 
 in considerable quantities. No chromic iron was found in place in any of 
 these rocks, but the detached masses in the ravines indicate deposits to a 
 considerable extent. 
 
 The Panoches were visible from this point and distant about seven miles, 
 bearing per compass south-east by east, and the entire range of hills inter 
 vening leads to the belief that the same class of rocks as those above 
 alluded to, compose the principal rock of this section. This opinion was 
 subsequently corroborated by the results of an exploring party from the 
 Mission San Juan, who were out in search of what had been supposed an 
 argentiferous vein, up the Canada of that San Juan, the ore brought in by 
 this company proved to be an excellent quality of the chromic mineral, 
 containing considerable quantities of the emerald nickel, which is far 
 more valuable than the mineral with which it is associated. 
 
 A line from tie Canada Solza carried east to the Arroya San Juan ter 
 minates at a point four miles north of a sandstone formation lying upon 
 the east declivity of these mountains which contains marine fossils ; those 
 that were sufficiently firm for examination were found to be of present 
 existing species of the Pacific Coast, consisting of Mytilus and Cytherea ; 
 in one part of these tertairy sandstones some fragments of Purpura were 
 found, which are identical with those on the Arroya Pescadero, county of 
 Santa Clara, and the litteral sea beaches on the Straits Carquinez. This 
 was the only deposit of sedimentary rocks found on this spur of the Monte 
 Diablo Eange, and points to a period remote, when the waters of the ocean 
 washed those shores, and furnishes corroborative testimony of the reces 
 sion of the sea from those places by uplift from volcanic agencies below 
 the surface. 
 
 On the west flank of the Gfabilan (which is the most prominent peak on 
 this spur) a bed of primitive limestone occurs, extending from the Canada 
 Yergeles on* the north nearly to the Sierra Chapadero on the south, a dis 
 tance of twelve miles ; it was observed on the lower hills of this part of 
 these mountains only, and at no elevation exceeding five hundred feet 
 above the level of the Salinas Plains. 
 
 At one locality these rocks have been cut through by two dikes of trap, 
 and also a heavy dike of quartz is found on its eastern edge, which runs 
 parallel with the course of the calcareous rocks ; the quartz has cut both 
 the granite and limestone, and thrown both to the west, it is heavily 
 charged with iron, and contains in addition the blue and green carbonate 
 of copper with a little gold. The limestone passes under the Salinas 
 Valley and has a considerable inclination in contact with the intrusive 
 veins above noted ; it contains silver and lead (Argentiferous Galena) in 
 small veins in several places. As the calcareous formation does not show 
 itself on the opposite side of the valley, opposite this locality, the pre 
 sumption is that it underlies the plain at a considerable depth, and should 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 19 
 
 B 
 
 it carry those veins throughout which is found upon its surface it is not 
 improbable that valuable deposits of ores may be found within it 
 
 SALINAS VALLEY. 
 
 This extensive plain will follow as next in order, in the description of 
 its general features, previous to the consideration of the Coast Mountains. 
 
 The valley is about ninety miles in length, and has a varying breadth 
 from eight to fourteen miles ; it is> situated between the Coast Mountains 
 and those denominated the Monte Diablo Eange, and is bounded on the 
 east by that spur of this range in which the Grabilan is situated. 
 
 The Salinas River flows through this plain from the Cadesal Pass in 
 which it has its rise, to the bay of Monterey. The stream for fifty miles 
 of its course follows the western margin of the valley, and crosses the 
 plain for the first time eight miles south-east of the Mission Solidad, 
 after which it becomes more irregular. Three observations were taken 
 at different points, by which it was estimated that the river had a fall of 
 eighteen inches in one and three-fourths of a mile for seventy miles of 
 its course. The bed of the stream is composed of a loose micaceous 
 sand, derived from the granite rocks to the east, and also from the 
 tertiary rocks on its western border, the latter, however, do not enter 
 largely into its composition. 
 
 The plain of the Salinas consists of three terraces running through 
 nearly its entire length, thus making three different positions which the 
 river ha*s occupied since the formation of the valley, and its recession 
 from the eastern to its western border w r here it at present holds its course. 
 These terraces are very regular in their general outline, and impart to 
 the mind an idea that the plain has a uniform grade for its entire breadth, 
 when the point viewed is one or two miles distant. Commencing on the 
 western side of the valley, the lower terrace is found to occupy a breadth 
 of about four miles, and is composed of a rich alluvium ; at this point 
 the second terrace rises abruptly to the height of eleven feet, its average 
 width being nearly that of the former ; this is also composed of a similar 
 soil as the first, though not in so fine a state of disintegration, or con 
 taining so large an amount of vegetable mould. Both terraces support 
 a dense growth of indigenous grasses and plants, thus furnishing an 
 abundant supply of pasturage for stock of all kinds. 
 
 The third and upper terrace rises nearly as abrupt as the second, and 
 has a varying breadth from one to six miles, it is more irregular upon 
 its surface than the two former, and attains a higher grading as it ap 
 proaches the hills to the east ; the irregularities of the surface are not 
 sufficient to produce any sensible effect in destroying that uniformity 
 which a view of four miles will give on any part of the plain, and would 
 not be noticeable except in passing over it. 
 
 South of the Alisal Ranch, and situated on this upper terrace, are a 
 series of little elevations that continue at intervals of half a mile or a 
 mile through a distance of twenty-seven miles, on the eastern side of 
 the valley. They are symmetrical in form and rise on every side to 
 heights varying from six to ten feet above the level on which they stand ; 
 their surfac^ is smooth and even, covering an area from fifty to one 
 
20 [APPENDIX 
 
 hundred yards square. They appear to be composed of the valley and 
 neither rocks or small stones were to be found on any part of them. 
 The first impression received by the traveler on coming up to them, is 
 that they were the work of art, perhaps thrown up by the aborigines to 
 secure themselves from -inundation ; but when we consider their extent 
 and number, it will be found rather inconsistent with the habits of these 
 people to erect works of this extent ; there are no traditions among the 
 Indian's of this part of the country respecting the origin of these singu 
 larly formed hills. 
 
 The causes of their production must remain a secret which future 
 time alone, and the art of man, will eventually unravel. Their irregu 
 lar dispersion and general uniformity of character indicates an origin 
 from natural causes than otherwise, though it must be confessed that the 
 agents that are active in producing them are not very apparent. 
 
 The upper terrace or " Mesa " of the Salinas, exhibits more distinctly 
 the sources from which the superficial covering of the plain has been 
 derived ; the soil is harsh and gravelly, and retains moisture but a short 
 time after the rains cease ; it much resembles the soils derived from the 
 granitic rocks of some parts of the mining counties ; but notwithstand 
 ing the sterile features of this "Mesa," it produces the wild oat in suffi 
 cient abundance to furnish extensive grazing land, and in the "Encinals" 
 the natural crop is heavy. 
 
 The slopes of the hills on the eastern side produce the same grain, 
 but here it is frequently replaced by the indigenious grasses ; these latter 
 do not become so general until after passing above the limestone range, 
 and these rocks seem to favor in an eminent degree the growth of the 
 cereal to that of the grasses in this section and south beyond the Chupe- 
 dero ; beyond this the grasses form the principle covering of the hills on 
 the east side of the plain to the southern extremity of the range. 
 
 The Salinas has an inclination of eight degrees' in twelve miles trans 
 versely to its course. The line was projected from the Chupedero and 
 carried through the Carmel Mountains to the sea, and connected with 
 another line which was carried through the Monte Diablo Eange and 
 Canada San Juan at a distance of two miles south of Los Muertas, there 
 by obtaining a sectional profile from the western edge of the San Joaquin 
 to the ocean. 
 
 The section thus formed will give the following series, and the order 
 in which they occur. First, alluvium of the San Joaquin, tertiary 
 sandstone containing no fossils, and resting on trachytes; 1200 feet 
 on east ridge, the trap rocks are found, same altitude on west ridge, 
 porous and compact lavas, on the west slope 400 feet above the level of 
 the Arroya San Juan, mountain limestone. Yalley .half a mile in 
 breadth flanked by calcareous rocks, resting on granite, 1600 feet through 
 to the Chupedero granitic and trapean rocks, 400 feet above Salinas 
 "Valley crystatine limestone, valley twelve miles in breadth, ascend one 
 high plateau of sixty -four feet of gravelly alluvium, thence over a high 
 ridge trapean rocks, which are followed by coarse granitic rocks to the 
 sea. The highest ridge is the granitic mountains toward the ocean, and 
 the highest point crossed 2900 feet. 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 21 
 
 FKOM POINT PIIS T OS TO THE NACISMIENTO EIVEK. 
 
 The Coast Mountains extending from Point Pinos, Monterey, to the 
 northern line of Luis Obispo are mostly primitive ; the character of the 
 rocks which form the principle basis of these mountains are best observ 
 ed about Point Pinos and the town of Monterey ; they -are composed of 
 a coarse-grained but apparently firm granite, having a bluish grey color 
 where the solid masses have been recently fractured. In some places 
 this granite contains imbedded translucent crystals of felspar, (Adularia) 
 in others it is close grained, and contains but little mica, its disintegra 
 tion forming a fine white sand but little discolored by iron, and from its 
 brilliancy below the surface of the ocean, produces a most pleasing effect 
 on its waters at considerable distance from the shore. The light-house 
 at Point Pinos is constructed of this rock, and from the appearance of 
 the stone when properly dressed, it is highly probable that if the ledges 
 were properly opened, a good material for building purposes may be ob 
 tained and in sufficient quantities to supply all the local demands of this 
 country. 
 
 The granite shows itself as an underlying rock for four miles into the 
 interior, from the coast, where it becomes covered with the debris of the 
 sedementary rocks resting upon it and alluvium, but there is but little 
 difficulty in tracing its course for forty-five miles easterly of Monterey ; 
 it becomes more largely developed after crossing the Carmello and enter 
 ing the mountains on its southern side. 
 
 The trend of the Coast Mountains south of Monterey for fifty miles is 
 south 50 degrees east, while the strike of the granite rocks is at an angle 
 of nearly 18 degrees to the line of trend, or in other words cutting the 
 course of the ridge at an angle of eighteen degrees. The granite rocks 
 at Point Pinos are of the same series as those occurring in the vicinity 
 of the Eancho Piojo, and south of the Estella, thirty miles distant from 
 the latter in a southerly direction ; the texture of these rocks in these 
 southern localities is more compact than in the vicinity of Monterey, and 
 in some cases are hornblendic in their character. On the east the granite 
 is flanked by an extensive group of the Serpentine formations, which 
 continue south as far as the Mission San Antonio ; they constitute the 
 principle part of a ridge running parallel with the granite, and situated 
 between the latter and the Salinas Valley. The country over which the 
 magnesian rocks predominate is easily distinguished from that in which 
 granitic or trapean group is found, by the vegetation incident to both 
 the serpentine hills being generally destitute of the larger forest trees, 
 and covered with a thick " Chamisal" and stunted varieties of the oak ; 
 this peculiarity of these hills is very striking, and cannot fail to arrest 
 the attention of the traveler, either among the Coast Mountains or Sierra 
 Nevada, in passing over them. The talcose and chlorits slates of these 
 mountains were found to be auriferous in several localities, and mining 
 to a considerable extent was conducted in some parts of these mountains 
 during the past summer. 
 
 The magnesian rocks cross the Nacismiento Eiver fourteen miles above 
 its junction with the Salinas ; on the banks of this stream they appear 
 in the form of massive Serpentine, but assume a schistose structure three 
 
22 [APPENDIX 
 
 miles beyond to the south, and at the distance of six miles the chlorite 
 slates abound. These mountains were not followed beyond this point to 
 the south, but it became evident that the trapean rocks prevailed at the 
 distance of ten or twelve miles farther on, the sharp outline of the higher 
 hills corresponding with those of a similar character observed in other 
 localities. 
 
 To the south-east and south-west the mountains were less rugged in 
 their appearance, a considerable extent of a white micaceous granite was 
 found, OR which detached masses of sandstone were met with, containing 
 marine shells, also a conglomerate apparently of the same age. The fos- 
 siliferous rocks were much disintegrated, anci their fossils very imperfect; 
 the species observed were Pectinea and Terredina, and evidently were of 
 the same age as those in the immediate vicinity of Monte Diablo ; all the 
 other shells were so imperfect that nothing reliable was to be obtained 
 from their examination, being merely fragmentary in their character. 
 
 To return again to the northern part of this range of mountains, and 
 in the vicinity of Monterey, we shall find that the fossiliferous sandstones 
 of this district do not compare in any degree with those above noticed, 
 but, to the contrary, all of the marine fossils of the northern part of the 
 range are found to differ in their character and relative age. On the 
 Carmello this interesting fact may be conveniently observed ; the fossils 
 are found in an argilaceous sandstone, about nine feet in thickness, and 
 rests alike on both serpentine and granitic, and has a dip of seven de 
 grees west. It is found at intervals through eleven miles of distance on 
 a course east southeast, and for a breadth of about four miles ; this for 
 mation, which must be regarded as the Post Pliocene of this country con 
 tains imbeded fossils of the genus cancer, with' casts of Cytherea, mactra 
 and tellina, all of living species in the adjoining Bay and Bay of Mon 
 terey. 
 
 From the delicacy of the preservation of these small animals, and the 
 character of the rock in which they are imbeded, it appears evident that 
 it must have been deposited in still water, and was probably an estero 
 into which the tide ebbed and flowed regularly, with sufficient protec 
 tion to break the violence of the surf upon the coast. After its deposi 
 tion it had been gradually elevated above the surface of the waters, and 
 subsequently tilted from its horizontal position by the intrusion of igne 
 ous rocks in its vicinity. 
 
 The cause of its disturbance and inclination is found in the intrusion 
 of a trapean dike which has cut through the granite and clay state, which 
 latter passes into a micaceous schist, and near the contact of the igneous 
 intrusion small but imperfect garnets are found imbeded. The fossilife 
 rous rocks are regularly stratified, and cleave easily in one direction ; 
 they are much twisted and contorted nearest the points at which the tra 
 pean mass broke through, but become much less curved as the distance 
 increases from that centre. A clay of fine texture and creamy color is 
 found resting on the argilaceous sandstone, and covers a large extent of 
 country stretching to the east of Monterey as far as the Toro Hills ; this 
 clay is composed almost exclusively of infusoria, apparently of marine 
 origin ; five distinct species have been observed, four of which are dis 
 coid. It is probable that they have been described either by Professor 
 Bayley, of W est Point, or Ehrenberg, as both these gentlemen have had 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 23 
 
 opportunities for the examination of the infusorial formations of this 
 State and until access may be had to their descriptions, it will be im- 
 
 gossible to determine this fact. Specimens have been secured for the 
 tate collection, and will be described at the earliest opportunity. 
 
 My route next followed a northeast direction across the Toro Hills 
 and Canada ; the first range of high hills on the north side of the Car- 
 mello, and which divide the Toro from the Carmel valley, have an alti 
 tude of about seven hundred feet ; they are composed of a coarse sand 
 stone, containing a few indistinct impressions of shells of marine species ; 
 an out-crop of trap was observed among the latter rocks, flanked by 
 granite of the same specific character as that found at Point Pinos, and 
 may be seen four miles southwest of the Toro Eanch. On the south 
 side of the valley an extensive bed of calcareous travertine occurs, and 
 also a brecia of the same character, they cover about one mile of area; 
 no limestone rocks were found in situ in. this vicinity ; the travertine 
 here observed, evidently had its origin from springs highly charged with 
 calcareous matter, and which were undoubtedly formed in the limestone 
 described on the east side of the Salinas valley, and which dip under the 
 same as described in the preceding pages. From the intrusion of the 
 more recent volcanic rocks in the immediate vicinity of those springs, it 
 is probable they were diverted into another channel, and thus ceased to 
 flow in places in which the calcareous tula is now found. Similar springs 
 now exist a short distance from Santa Cruz, around which the calcareous 
 deposits are very extensive. 
 
 Crossing the Toro Yalley or Canada, and following the course of the 
 bay of Monterey, there is little else to be seen than the tertiary rocks 
 for fifty miles, and extending easterly in elevated plateaus and hills for 
 eighteen miles from the coast ; among the Chamisal hills frequent intru 
 sions of trapean rocks are met, and in nearly every case where this occurs 
 the granite is also seen broken through by the same igneous intrusions. 
 The sandstone is generally of a buff colour, and yellow-brown, having a 
 greater or less abundance of fossils, in some instances, firm and compact, 
 and again loose and friable ; it is almost continuous in a northwest direc 
 tion, being broken through only by small streams, and is found north 
 of the mission of Santa Cruz, from whence it gradually narrows out, 
 being found immediately on the coast at the base of the mountains. 
 
 Beyond this point the principal rocks on the coast are primitive and 
 volcanic, forming sharp, high hills and low mountains with a bold coast 
 line. 
 
 SANTA CKUZ MOUNTAINS. 
 
 These mountains approach the coast a short distance northwest of the 
 Mission and town of Santa Cruz. They extend from the head of the 
 Santa Clara Yalley and Pajaro river to Mount Bruno and Presidio Point 
 west of the city of San Francisco; they are separated from the moan- 
 tain forming the coast line to the northern terminus of the State, by the 
 Golden Gate or entrance to the bay of San Francisco. The greatest 
 altitude attained in these mountains, is the Black Hill, (Loma Prieto or 
 
24 [APPENDIX 
 
 Umhumin,) the latter being the original Indian name applied to this 
 hill. 
 
 The entire range is composed, principally of the primitive rocks, among 
 which the serpentine formations play an important part ; this suite was 
 traced from near the Rancho La Brae on both flanks of the mountains, 
 to the Francisquito on the east side, and Anno Nuevo on the west, and 
 belong to ths same series as those occuring at Point Lobos and the Pre 
 sidio. In several instances throughout the range, the trapean rocks have 
 broken through, as detailed of the mountains south of Monterey. 
 
 On the west flank of these mountains, and in the central and northern 
 parts of the .County of Santa Cruz, there are views of quartz cutting 
 through the serpentine and other rocks in other places ; and is particu 
 larly observable on the upper portions of the arroyas Sogell, Syant, and 
 Bio San Augustine. The general rule heretofore laid down respecting 
 the contact of these two groups of rocks in this country is found good 
 in the present case. " That when the two series are found in contact, 
 either as dikes of great length, or smaller views, one, or both is always 
 auriferous." And such has proved to be the fact in the case before us ; 
 from all appearances the quartz has been one of the most recent disturb 
 ing agents here, as well as elsewhere. 
 
 The mineral characteristics of these mountains will be noticed more in 
 detail when speaking of that subject hereafter. 
 
 The south-east spur of these mountains terminates at the Pajaro River, 
 thirty-six miles east of Santa Cruz, and fourteen from Watson ville. On 
 the southern extremity are found - extensive beds of fossils finely pre 
 served. The arroyo Peseadero and la Brae cut their way through these 
 hills, and their beds abound with boulders containing these organic re 
 mains. The fossil sandstone at this point rests on the Serpentine and 
 trapean intrusions, being changed in its texture near the" points of contact 
 with the latter rocks. . On these streams are to be found several bitumi 
 nous springs, which discharge large quantities of the fluid bitumen, at 
 times covering several acres of ground. The occurrence of these springs 
 has led to the belief that bituminous coal existed in this section, such, I 
 think, is not the fact in the present case, though it might be a tenable sup 
 position in parts of the world where coal measures exist, or where any of 
 the superior groups of the secondary rocks may be found. 
 
 The position of these springs, geologically considered, would render it 
 impossible for coal to abound, as -they make their appearance among a 
 mass of rocks having an igneous origin, where not even a lignite is likely 
 tp exist. There is but a possibility that the tertiary rocks in the vicinity 
 may overlie some members of the secondary group, from which these 
 springs have their origin, but no outcrop or other indications are to be 
 found which will warrant such a conclusion. There is every evidence 
 that the tertiaries above rest on the primitive and volcanic rocks with no 
 intermediate series between them. The origin of bituminous springs is 
 but little understood ; in the present state of our knowledge they are 
 found to arise from the newer as well as the older formations, and alone 
 are not reliable evidences of the existence of coal, except when found 
 among. the carbouiferou-s rocks. 
 
 Following the east flank of the Santa Cruz mountains, we find small 
 patches of the tertiary sandstones among the lower portions' of the hills, 
 
Doc. No. 9.J 25 
 
 
 
 from La Brae to the Llagos Creek ; after which they are not again seen 
 for several miles. Near the last named creek, the more recent volcanic 
 rocks make their appearance and continue, at short intervals, for sixteen 
 miles, when we again pass into the primitive formations, which become 
 more metaliferous and particularly in the region about New Almaden in 
 the county of Santa Clara, 
 
 North of Almaden, and near the Los Gatos Creek, a bed of recent con 
 glomerate, loose and friable in texture, is found occupying an elevation of 
 four hundred feet above the level of the valley, and having a thickness of 
 about seventy feet, it occurs on both sides of the Los Gatos, and is found, 
 at short intervals, for ten miles, crossing Camels Creek and following its 
 banks for two or three miles ; it has been considerably disturbed and large 
 masses have been thrown down. West of McCartyville the mountain 
 limestone occurs in large masses and is continuous for several miles to the 
 west, north and north-west. Extensive operations are now conducted in 
 the manufacture of lime for the market, for which purpose it is admirably 
 adapted. This group of calcareous rocks cannot be less than thirty miles 
 in length from east to west, and has a strike transverse to the line of the 
 mountain range, appearing on the coast at Santa Cruz, at this point it is 
 highly crystaline. These rocks extend north of Camel's Creek about 
 four miles ; and a calcareous rock of an amorphous character is found as 
 far north as Sanchez Eanch, in the County of San Francisco. The west 
 flank of the mountains, lying between the San Mateo and a point nearly 
 west of Mission Dolores, was not examined personally, but from the spe 
 cimens of rocks from that section, which I have seen, their geological cha 
 racters appear identical with the rocks at the Presidio, which are mostly 
 serpentine. 
 
 On Presidio point are to be found beds of a Jaspery rock having a 
 riband-like appearance, and colors from a greenish hue through red- 
 brown to red and yellow ; this rock has been considered by Mr. Dana as 
 a variety of the Prasoid rocks, and as he says "the graduation of prase 
 into jaspery rocks exhibits a close relation of both." These transitions 
 were met with in other parts of the country over which he had travelled. 
 In relation to this subject he further says "From the transitions that 
 occur, it also appears that the jasper and prase rocks are closely connected 
 with the talcose series, and that the translucent jasper and bloodstones of 
 this section are only different varieties of its condition." The jaspery 
 rocks of San Francisco are worthy of description ; the green, red and 
 yellow varieties occur in the same vicinity, they form a series of layers 
 averaging two inches in thickness, and varying from half an inch to four 
 inches ; the layers are distinct and separted by open seams, and on the 
 front of bluffs or ledges the rock has a riband-like appearance, the layers 
 coalesce and sub-divide without regularity though uniformly parallel, 
 they are often twisted, and thus change at short intervals from a vertical 
 position to a dip of twenty degrees." 
 
 The colors red and yellow are often mingled and sometimes appear as 
 parallel bands ; in some instances, the surface is red while the rock is 
 yellow beneath, this may have resulted from the burning of a tree on the 
 spot, for by heat the yellow varieties readily change to red ; a small spe 
 cimen had an agate-like structure as though formed from an aqueous 
 solution. 
 4 
 
26 [APPENDIX 
 
 An impure talcose rock occurs at Point Lobos, which extends east for 
 one and a half miles. The works of the "Mountain Lake Water Com 
 pany" have been carried through a portion of these rocks, and the masses 
 of serpentine that have been elevated to the surface from the depth of 
 one hundred and sixty feet have exhibited an interesting feature in the 
 history of these rocks. It was found, on examination, that the strong 
 odor given off from these stones was composed of free Bromine and 
 Iodine ; it is very persistent, and specimens which have been exposed 
 to the air for nearly three months have not lost their odor. 
 
 From the Presidio on the bluffs near the bay, slates and sandstones 
 are found in a much disturbed condition from intrusions of trap ; the 
 strata are much contorted and twisted, and tilted in every direction, the 
 inclination varying fron five degrees to vertically in very short distances. 
 These rocks, as yet, have presented no fossils in the immediate vicinity 
 of the city, but pass into tertiary sandstone, containing organinc remains 
 one mile west of Montgomery Street, San Francisco, where they may be 
 found forming the west point of the North Beach. 
 
 South of the city and near Rincon Point, the trachytes appear with 
 small veins of quartz running through them and the adjoining slates ; 
 the latter having suffered considerable change in structure near the point 
 -of contact with the igneous rocks. Traces of carbonate of copper are 
 observable in this vicinity. 
 
 Crossing the Bay of San Francisco from Presidio Point, the rocks on 
 the Saucelito side correspond with the primitive formations above de 
 scribed. The serpentine series continue for several miles up the bay, 
 varying in its mineral characters at short distances. At San Quentin 
 the rocks are schistose, and half a mile beyond, again passes into a mas 
 sive form, and contains actinolite in fan-like groups of crystals ; a mile 
 beyond this, the rock becomes hornblendic, and thence gradually pas 
 ses into a trap formation, containing well defined crystals of the latter 
 mineral. 
 
 On reaching the northern shores of the Bay San Pablo the hills to the 
 north appeared rugged and conical, indicating a preponderance of the 
 volcanic rocks. 
 
 The route traveled next, lay through the Counties of Solano and 
 Napa. It has been before remarked that the sand-stone on one side of 
 the Straits Carquinez was identical with that on the other, and the line 
 of dip in both will be found to correspond. These rocks are permeated 
 by minute threads of quartz, and contain considerable quantities of mag 
 netic sand ; in some cases the quartz viens acquire a thickness of one or 
 two inches, and have in several instances been found to contain gold, 
 while the sand-stone itself possessed this character in a limited degree ; 
 it is contained mechanically in these latter rocks, and in general will be 
 found as a local deposit only. Small quantities of this metal have been 
 found in the stone used for building in San Francisco, which were taken 
 from the quarries in the vicinity of Benecia. It is doubtful whether 
 these rocks would ever warrant mining explorations, except in those 
 locations where the quartz has intruded to a considerable extent. In 
 this case they would prove of sufficient value probably, for mining in 
 the rocks below the sand-stope, and would be governed by the same 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 27 
 
 natural laws that are found to prevail in other parts of the country in 
 relation to auriferous veins. 
 
 These sand-stones are found to extend into the interior in a northwest 
 direction, a distance of about eight [miles, when they are succeeded by 
 volcanic rocks of recent date for thirty miles in the same direction ; the 
 points of contact in the igneous and sedimentary rocks exhibit distinct 
 and striking marks of change in structure among the latter in many 
 places, and it is not uncommon to find trachytic injections into the 
 sand-stone along the line of coast on the bay and straits. 
 
 Where these veins are large, the sandstone in contact is often nearly 
 as hard as the trepan rockf' itself, a true conchodial fracture, having q_uite 
 sharp or roughened edges, with a semi-earthy surface, is the result of 
 this metamorphosis. Above this sandstone and resting directly upon it, 
 is a littoral sea-beach, having an elevation of about thirty feet above 
 high tides, and extending for several miles along the coast of the bay. 
 It is composed of fragmentary and entire shells, mixed with a little sand 
 and clay ; its thickness varies from one to three feet. Its position is im 
 mediately below the alluvium. 
 
 It forms a distant white line along the bay coast of San Pablo on its 
 north side for eight miles, and may be seen at the town of Benicia in 
 the vicinity of the sandstone quarries at that place. The shells of which 
 this beach is composed consist of a small species of ostrea, purpura, and 
 other small shells now inhabiting these waters. The elevation of this 
 beach points to a period comparatively recent, when subterranean forces 
 were in operation in elevating the lands adjoining the coasts and bays, 
 which part of our subject will be considered more in detail when re 
 viewing the geological changes which have occurred in the different por 
 tions of the coast-line followed. 
 
 Among the sandstones of this region is a bed of limestone having an 
 average thickness of two feet ; it is found one mile north of the town. 
 This limestone was traced in a northeast direction for two miles, and is 
 probably the same range as observed by Mr. Tyson on the east side of 
 the hills on Suisun Bay. 
 
 The foot of the ridge lying between Suisun and Napa Valleys, was 
 followed for twenty miles. At this distance from the bays it attains an 
 altitude of about twelve hundred feet. The rocks composing this ridge 
 are mostly volcanic, with sandstone on their eastern flanks dipping east 
 towards the Sacramento Valley ; a few very imperfect casts of marine 
 shells were observed, but none sufficiently perfect for preservation. 
 
 The ridge on the west border of Napa Valley presents much the same 
 characteristics as those on the east. These two ridges unite about eight 
 een miles north of Napa City, at which place they become extremely 
 rugged and elevated. 
 
 The highest and most conspicuous peak in this range is Mount Helen ; 
 its sharply defined outline and truncated summit shows most conclusive 
 ly its volcanic origin. A section cutting Napa Valley nine miles south 
 of the town was made, and carried across the Sacramento Valley to the 
 foot-hills on its eastern side, by which the grade of both valleys and the 
 altitude of the hills were obtained. 
 
 Before reviewing the geological changes that have occurred in the 
 Sierra Nevada, Monte Diablo and Coast Mountains, a view of that part 
 
 
28 APPENDIX 
 
 of the great basin separating the Coast Mountains from the Sierras will 
 be given ; and in speaking of the Sacramento Valley, that of the San 
 Joaquin will also be included, and the physical characters of both brief 
 ly explained. 
 
 STKUCTUKE OF THE VALLEYS OF SACKAMENTO AND 
 
 SAN JOAQUIN. 
 
 These valleys forma "single geographical formation,"* stretching 
 from the terminal spurs of the Cascade Mountains at the north, to the 
 junction of the Sierra Nevada with the southern terminus of the Monte 
 Diablo range with the thirty -fourth parallel of north latitude. The 
 length of the valley is about three hundred arid eighty miles in length 
 on an air line, with a breadth of fifty miles at its widest point. 
 
 The general appearance of the valley is that of an extended plain 
 composed of alluvium, and this opinion would obtain in the mind of 
 any person whose line of travel should lead him over the lower terra 
 ces of the plain, or what is denominated its bottom lands. It is only 
 by making a transverse section of this plain that we should be able to 
 arrive at any correct conclusions of its structure, and peculiarities of its 
 formation ; by pursuing this course, very distinctive and marked fea 
 tures are observable of different periods of elevation to which this por 
 tion of the country has been subjected subsequent to its emergence 
 above the level of the sea. 
 
 To arrive at a correct understanding of the formation of the " Cali 
 fornia Basin, "f we must first observe the rocks which form its borders, 
 their character, position and relative age ; and in doing this it will be 
 necessary to pass beyond either of its margins to ascertain the facts on 
 which an opinion may be founded. 
 
 On the east side of the basin and at the distance of fourteen miles from 
 its border, we find the first out-crop of the primitive rocks, (granite) on 
 hills attaining an elevation of about one thousand feet above the sea. 
 Resting upon this, we find detached masses of sand-stone, which increase 
 to a well defined formation a few miles to the west ; immediately below 
 the latter a bed of slate makes its appearance, having a dip varying from 
 thirty degrees to nearly a vertical position, but as the lower hills are ap 
 proached, the inclination of these rocks become much less. Below the 
 slate, a conglomerate having an argelaceous cement is found, firm in its 
 texture, with a dip corresponding to the other rocks with which it is 
 associated ; the pebbles composing the conglomerate are quartz, jasper, 
 granite and trap ; at times this rock is highly ferruginous. The compo 
 nents of the rock are made up from rocks* found in the mountains to the 
 east, and must have been formed subsequent to the appearance of the older 
 trapean formations of this part of the country. 
 
 Succeeding the conglomerate,^ which by way of distinction, we will 
 denominate Eocene, another bed of fissile cla}^ slate and aluminous clay 
 
 * Col. J. C. Fremont. 
 
 f Being similar to the London and Paris Basins, this name will be adopted. 
 \ This suite of rocks are often confounded with another group, of the same character which 
 appear of more recent date, and are found south of Consumnes river only. 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 
 
 29 
 
 occurs, having a thickness of about one hundred feet ; these rocks com 
 port in position with the other sedimentary rocks above them, and are 
 found resting directly on the granite, and other igneous rocks far into 
 the interior ; in the lower hills their structure is fissile, cleaving with 
 ease over considerable surfaces, while in the eastern parts of the moun 
 tains they have often acquired a crystaliiie structure from contact with 
 other and more recent volcanic rocks, and such as have broken through 
 and disturbed the primitive formation. 
 
 On the western side of the valley or basin, the series do not follow in 
 precisely the same order as occurs on the east ; the sandstone and slate 
 of the same age is found, but the conglomerate is wanting ; if it exists, 
 it is completely obscured from view, except on the west slope of the 
 coast mountains towards the sea, and its occurrence there is a reason for 
 the supposition that it does exist below the other stratified rocks on their 
 eastern slope. Above all the others, the miocene rocks are found dis 
 turbed and cut through by the recent volcanic intrusions of that period. 
 
 The following then will be the arrangement of the rocks from below 
 upward : 
 
 EAST OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER, 
 
 Primary Rocks. 
 
 Sedimentary. 
 
 I 
 
 Granite. 
 
 Slates. 
 
 Conglomerate. 
 Slates. 
 Sandstone. 
 
 WEST OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER, 
 Primary Rocks. Granite. 
 
 Slates. 
 
 Uncertain. Conglomerate. 
 
 Sedimentary. Sandstone, Eocene. 
 Sandstone Miocene. 
 Recent volcanic cuting the latter. 
 
 "With this arrangement of the stratified rocks which pass under the 
 California Basin, it is obvious, that the waters flowing at the line of 
 junction between the sandstone and the slate-rocks below them, muss 
 pass under the sides and central parts of the valley, varying in depth at 
 the distance from either of its borders increases. 
 
 It must be remembered that the dip of the sedimentary rocks on 
 which the alluvium of the valley reposes, will increase or diminish the 
 distance that may be necessary to bore for obtaining water, as the incli 
 nation of these rocks is greater or less ; and with the view to demonstrate 
 if possible, (or at least approximately) the depth that it might be neces 
 sary to sink in order to obtain a plentiful supply of water for agricul 
 ture or other purposes, an examination of both borders of the basin was 
 made of fifty miles in length, and the mean of all the dips taken. 
 
 It was found by measurement that the surface of the basin rises at 
 the average rate of six feet per mile from the river to either of its bor 
 ders. Taking the grade of the surface with the lowest average dip of 
 the rocks where they pass under it, (being equal to twelve degrees,) and 
 assuming that the sedimentary rocks decrease in inclination, as the dis 
 tance increases, which is probably the case, it will be found necessary to 
 
30 
 
 [APPENDIX 
 
 reach, the depth of 775 feet at the City of Sacramento, in order to obtain 
 a permanent supply of water. 
 
 This presumytion is based upon the fact that a constant source does 
 not exist above the conglomerate, and this point is selected more for the 
 purpose of exhibiting the greatest probable depth at which a permanent 
 supply of water wiuld be found ; the probabilities of obtaining water at 
 much less depths is strong, and amounts to almost a certainty, that water 
 would be found immediately below the sandstone, and above the first 
 slates ; in that case the depth would be diminished about two hundred 
 and fifty feet. 
 
 If a correct idea of the inclination of the sedimentary rocks is pre 
 sented in the diagram, we shall have the following depths at different 
 distances from the centre of the basin, on both sides. 
 
 ON THE WEST SIDE OF TPIE RIVER, j ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIVER. 
 
 11 miles, 700 feet. 
 
 15 " 650 " 
 
 22 " ..550 " 
 
 Sacramento City, 775 feet. 
 
 12 miles, 700 " 
 
 17 " 650 " 
 
 20 " ..625 " 
 
 At the distance of twenty miles the rolling hills are entered in which 
 springs usually abound. 
 
 The rocks on both sides of the valley are arranged in the order in 
 which they occur, as observed by the outcrop. 
 
 Sandstone, 
 
 EOCENE, 
 
 Fosil Sandstone, 
 
 Trap, 
 
 Granite, 
 
 Sandstones and upper Slates, 
 Conglomerate, EOCENE. 
 Lower clay Slates. 
 Granite. 
 
 These rocks included within the Eocene lines are classed by Mr. Dana, 
 as the early sandstone, slates, and conglomerates, to distinguish them 
 from the more recent tertiaries among the Coast Mountains. 
 
 The geological structure of this basin was noticed by Mr. Tyson in 
 1849. He examined it with a view to ascertain whether a deposit of 
 coal might not exist below the surface; and also whether its structure 
 would indicate the means of supplying water for agricultural and me 
 chanical purposes. 
 
 In regard to the first question he says : " The first query is answered 
 by the fact of finding the comparatively recent strata of a formation, not 
 older tjaan the eocene and miocene periods, resting immediately on the met- 
 amorphic or hypogene rocks of ancient origin, the remaining members 
 with all the sedimentary rocks of older date being entirely wanting, 
 and the the coal formation, which belongs to the lower of the second 
 ary series." A coal formation under the basin is therefore out of the 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 31 
 
 
 
 question, unless deeply seated, and entirely covered, edges and all, by 
 the sedimentary rocks above noticed^ 
 
 The character of the soil in many parts of this valley will render it 
 of little importance as an agricultural district, unless water in ample 
 quantities for irrigation can be obtained. (These remarks apply partic 
 ularly to the upper terrace of the valley on each side of the river.) And 
 we hope that attention may be called to this very important subject of 
 making the extensive areas of the arid districts of the basin available 
 for market and agricultural purposes." 
 
 Experience has demonstrated the almost certainty of obtaining water 
 and in sufficient quantities for agricultural and other purposes, in all val 
 leys resting upon sedimentary formations and having a basin-shaped 
 structure, and where the different beds have a degree of uniformity or 
 regularity in their position, and are of a texture that will admit the free 
 percolation of water through the superior beds and sufficiently firm to 
 prevent its escape in those below. 
 
 These conditions are all fulfilled in the basin of the Sacramento, and 
 from the united testimony of different observers, we have ample evi 
 dence that the sedimentary formations of one side are the same as those 
 upon the other, with the exception, perhaps, of the conglomerate. 
 
 The absence of the conglomerate on the west side of the basin, will 
 not affect the result of obtaining water by the means proposed. The 
 clays and clay-slate, below the sandstone, appear on both sides and are 
 sufficiently impervious and firm to prevent the escape of any water that 
 may rest upon them.*" 
 
 EEYIEW OF THE GEOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE COAST 
 MOUNTAINS AND MONTE DIABLO EANGE. 
 
 Having briefly detailed the more general characteristics of the geology 
 of the above mountains, it will become necessary to review in a mea 
 sure the geological changes that have been instrumental in producing 
 the peculiar features noticed in the preceeding pages ; in doing this the 
 same lines will be followed as in the outset. 
 
 Starting from the Straits of Carquinez, it has been stated that the 
 rocks forming the borders of those Straits and part of the adjoining 
 bays, were composed of a recent sandstone ; in following up these in a 
 southerly direction for a few miles, we find the sedimentary rocks thin- 
 ing out, and are succeeded by high hills and low mountains of volcanic 
 rocks, composed of trochytes and other intrusive rocks of recent date. 
 'These are followed by the primitive rocks, composed of the older trap, 
 in the vicinity of Oakland, consist in a great measure of serpen 
 tine. 
 
 The latter rocks form the western side of this part of the 
 
 * Since October last, there have been three Artesian borings, carried to depths within one 
 hundred feet, on the valley of Santa Clara, and in the vicinity of San Jose. The result of 
 each has been successful, and a head of water from four to nine feet has been obtained. 
 These indications of water so near the surface and in such quantities, will much enhance the 
 value ot agricultural land throughout this valley and render available much that would 
 otherwise have laid unocupied and unimproved for years. 
 
32 [APPENDIX 
 
 Diablo Range for thirty-five miles, where a district of the recent volcanic 
 rocks is again entered, which continue to the head of the Canada San 
 Benito and San Juan, for a distance of about eighty miles. 
 
 Re turning 'on the Grabilan spur of these mountains, and which form 
 the eastern boundary of the Salinas Plains, the primitive rocks are met 
 with for twenty-eight miles, flank^il on the east by the recent igneous 
 rocks of the same age as those appearing at the Santa Anna peaks, 
 twelve miles to the east ; (during one of the convulsions that agitated this 
 part of the country, about four hundred feet of the Galiban Peak, on 
 its northeast side, was fractured and thrown down into a deep ravine 
 at its base,) intrusive dikes have had the effect to change the sedi 
 mentary rocks when found in contact with the same. 
 
 In the Coast Mountains to the west, the granite and serpentine series 
 are. predominant, and on these rest the sedimentary rocks, of early and 
 recent date, unchanged generally, except in local position. 
 
 Crossing the Pajaro Valley and entering the Santa Cruz Mountains, 
 the main ridge is composed of the granite and serpentine rocks on which 
 rest the fossififerous formations as those above mentioned. The primi 
 tive series extend north into the County of San Francisco, but unlike 
 the formations in the County of Santa Cruz ; no tertiaries, containing 
 fossils, are to be found, except in the sandstone forming the point to the 
 west of the North Beach, and here the Pholas and some other shells of 
 present existing species are found. South of the city the trachytes 
 have intruded through the slates, producing considerable disturbance 
 both by uplift and change of structure in the latter ; on the north side 
 of the city, similar features are to be seen, but on a more extensive 
 scale ; among the deep excavations which have been made about Clark's 
 Point, it is found that the stratified rocks have been tilted from the hori 
 zontal position, and in some cases twisted and contorted into every con 
 ceivable position ; at one time presenting a wave-like form, and in the 
 distance of a few yards, passing from this to high angles or vertical ity. 
 
 Northwest of the Telegraph Hill the active causes of this diversity in 
 the appearance of the rocks is seen. Nearly on a line with Dupont 
 street, and fronting the bay, is a dike of the trap rock, passing up 
 through the sedimentary rocks above. A change of structure in the 
 sandstone in contact with the dike is observed. 
 
 This class of rocks (the volcanic) occur at frequent intervals along the 
 bay coast on the west side, and thence into the valley of the Santa Clara. 
 At the distance of four miles south of San Jose they form the low hills 
 that protrude into this valley from the western side, and which are con 
 tinued at intervals to the arroga Llagos, a distance of thirty miles beyond. 
 
 In none of the lower hills on this side of the valley are the volcanic 
 rocks found in contact with the sedimentary formations, until after pas 
 sing the above arroya, and then only after first breaking through fissures 
 in the primitive rocks after reaching the Pescadero. 
 
 The intrusion of these rocks among the primitive series is marked by 
 a discoloration of the rock through which the dike has passed, some 
 times of several inches in breadth on each side of the volcanic vein ; 
 this is more particularly observable where the disturbed rock is of the 
 granite class ; in that case it usually presents a brown, or reddish brown 
 color, and is decidedly more given to decomposition than at a short dis 
 
Doc. No. 9. j 33 
 
 tance from the intrusive material. The slates and sandstones when thus 
 acted upon assume either a sub-crystaline or completely metamorphosed 
 structure, and comport themselves in this particular much in the same 
 manner as similar formations on the west sloue of the Sierra Nevada. 
 
 The area covered by the metamorphic rocks in the Coast Mountains is 
 not as extensive as those of the mining sections, but the changes, when 
 they do occur, are equally as perfect and complete. The most extensive 
 change of this character noticed among these mountains was that on the 
 Alameda Creek in Sunol Valley, eight miles north-east of the Mission 
 San Jose, and again after crossing this valley on the road to Livermore's. 
 The slates on the creek were changed into a hard, compact rock, for 
 the distance of one mile, and three-fourths of a mile beyond they had 
 assumed a porphyritic character. 
 
 Following this series to the right of the road, among the hills which 
 divide Sunol's from Livermore's Valley, the greenstone-trap became 
 largely developed, with basaltic fragments among the drift of the arro- 
 yas. On the east side of Livermore's valley the fossiliferous rocks again 
 made their appearance, and continued south for eight miles, beyond 
 which to the south the mountains were not examined. 
 
 The classification of the rocks in these mountains according to their 
 relative ages will follow as next in order. 
 
 CLASSIFICATION OF THE EOCKS OF THE COAST MOUN 
 TAINS AND MONTE DIABLO KANGE. 
 
 Our most northern point in this case will be Bodega Head and a line 
 forty-three miles north of Napa City, and in this case shall avail myself 
 of that part of Mr. Tyson's report on this part of the country, and which 
 is contained in Senate Doc. No 47, 1st Sess. 31st Cong., this being the 
 most northern geological section yet made. 
 
 By reference to his section, we find that the primitive rocks occur as 
 far north in the Coast Mountains as the above locality named, and that 
 the rocks of sedimentary origin are found to rest directly on the primi 
 tive rocks for a considerable distance east from the coast line. 
 
 After reaching eight or nine miles from the coast, the recent volcanic 
 group succeeds the primitive, when the latter is again replaced in the 
 hills bordering the western edge of the basin ; from this view of the 
 case it appears that all the rocks of this section are similar in their posi 
 tions with those detailed farther south. 
 
 Commencing with the lowest in order we find : 
 
 FIRST. The granite series and serpentines ; on these rest the older 
 sedimentary rocks. 
 
 SECOND. The more recent volcanic rocks. These are more largely 
 distributed through the Monte Diablo Range. They consist of trachytes 
 and lavas, and have protruded through all other formations that preced 
 ed them. These rocks form at least three-fourths of the mountain range 
 extending from Point San Pablo to the head of the Canada San Juan, 
 5 
 
34 [APPENDIX 
 
 beyond which the primitive rocks again occur, and continue to the ex 
 treme southern point visited. 
 
 THIRD. THE TERTIARIES. These complete the formations found in 
 these mountains. For convenience of description, this class will be 
 sub-divided into the different periods to which they belong. They will 
 occur as follows : 
 
 PERIOD. 
 Eocene. 
 
 Miocene, 
 
 Pliocene. 
 Post Pliocene. 
 
 GROUP. 
 
 Middle. 
 
 Lower. 
 
 WHERE FOUND. 
 
 Calaveras County, at Murphy's, and other local 
 ities. 
 
 Bones of extinct animals, <fec. 
 
 North and south of San Francisco in the Coast 
 and Monte Diablo Mountains. 
 
 Consisting of marine shells with most of the spe 
 cies extinct. 
 
 Coast Mountains and Gabilan Spur. Also in cav 
 ern deposits in Calaveras County. 
 
 Southwest of Monterey. 
 
 Marine shells, all of existing species. 
 
 POSITION AND KELATION OF THE VOLCANIC KOCKS TO 
 
 THE TEETIAEIES. 
 
 Before entering upon a description of the relations of the recent vol 
 canic group with the primitive rocks, it is thought best to examine their 
 positions and effects, among the sedimentary formations, both ancient 
 and modern ; in order to elucidate more distinctly the difference in age, 
 of another group of the volcanic series, which have been described as 
 having been cotemporaneous with those under consideration, and of 
 which there is some question. 
 
 The examination of the Coast Mountains has shown us the fact, that 
 those forces on the west side of the basin, which have been instrumental 
 in elevating the range, have had the effect to produce a series of contin 
 uous and nearly parallel ridges, throughout the greatest portion of their 
 length ; this peculiarity will force itself upon the observation of the 
 traveler if they are crossed at almost any point transversely to their 
 course. 
 
 In many parts of this range, the ridges are narrow, and the decliv 
 ities steep, and the higher isolated peaks are conical. On the summits 
 of these ridges, there are often to be found nothing btit bare vblcanic 
 rocks which are mostly of a trachytic character ; on the sides of some 
 of the hills, which are less abrupt, are to be met beds of sandstones and 
 at times a few slates which from their nature modify and soften the 
 rugged contour of the surrounding country, by their easy disintegra 
 tion from natural causes. 
 
 The. sedimentary rocks, as far as observed in this part of the State, 
 are, without exception, of marine origin the fossils they contain being 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 35 
 
 of that character exclusively.* In some parts of the country^they form 
 beds of considerable thickness, and are rich in organic remains. In 
 some parts of the mountains, the shells are of present existing species, 
 not found upon the coast at the present time ; these consist of three or 
 four species of the Area, and one or two of the Pectinea ; these rocks 
 are commonly found resting upon the primitive series, though at times 
 on some of the more recent igneous intrusions. It is considered very 
 doubtful by our conchologists in this part of the world, whether the 
 living shells of the above species now inhabit these waters ; and yet 
 these imbeded remains are found in abundance on the summits of our 
 hills, removed many miles inland from the element they formerly in 
 habited. 
 
 The fossils of this part of the Coast Mountains, and which now ap 
 pear to be extinct, consist of three species of the gryphae, two at least, 
 of Pectinea, Astarte and Cytherea, the species of which will be noticed 
 more in detail in another part of this report. 
 
 The position of the miocene rocks in the northern part of these moun 
 tains, appears to be directly succeeding the primitive ; yet it is found 
 often that they rest upon the trachytes; in all cases that have met my 
 observation, the latter rocks when thus found in contact with the sedi 
 mentary group of this period, have broken through fissures in the prim 
 itive formations, subsequent to the elevations which occurred during 
 the miocene and middle pliocene periods, or perhaps during the deposi 
 tion of the latter. The trachytic rocks north of Napa, where they 
 leave the sedimentary group, gradually pass into vesicular lavas, and 
 in these sections considerable quantities of obsidian are to be met with ; 
 the Indians in the vicinity of Clear Lake use it for the manufacture of 
 their arrow-heads. 
 
 Again, on the shores of Suisun and San Pablo bays, and on the 
 Straits Carquinez, these igneous rocks are found injected into the seams 
 of the sandstone, contorting the strata to a considerable degree. West 
 of these bays tjie primitive rocks occur at intervals for several miles, 
 and the fossilifemus rocks are found holding the same position as those 
 further north. These alternate intrusions of the trachytic rocks con 
 tinue south among the mountains on the east side of the Bay San Fran 
 cisco, and for thirty -five miles beyond its southern extremity ; after this 
 they pass into porus lava, and compact masses, ceasing to present any 
 traces of fossiliferous deposits resting upon them for forty miles on this 
 western ridge ; after this they again (the fossiliferous) make their ap 
 pearance in small detached masses, which gradually increase to a well 
 defined formation beyond. 
 
 These rocks in many instances are found to rest upon the recent vol 
 canic series direct, and in these cases we find, as may be expected, a 
 corresponding change in their structure, often to an extent that has ob 
 literated every trace of organic remains ; while in other cases, where 
 the fossiliferous group has been protected from the more direct influence 
 of the later igneous series by the intervention of any of the primitive 
 
 ** The lacustrine deposits discovered during the past summer by Mr. "W. P. Blake, on the 
 desesrt of the Colorado are the first fresh-water formations found in this country. 
 
36 [APPENDIX 
 
 formation, the fossils remain very entire and no change in structure is 
 observable, except where the trachitic masses have broken through both. 
 
 Among the hills south of Monterey, other evidences of recent eleva 
 tion from the intrusion of recent igneous rocks are found ; and these 
 occur among that group of sedimentary formations which have been 
 denominated as the post ' Pliocene ; (see Table,) these are found on the 
 Carmello Creek, three miles above Meadow's Ranch, where the fine 
 grained sandstone, containing impressions of existing Crustacea are found 
 resting upon the granite, but tilted from their former horizontal position 
 by intrusion of recent trap rocks from beneath. This same feature is 
 noticeable north of Montere}^, and into the Santa Cruz Mountains, where 
 the marine formations of the Pliocene period are found elevated to dif 
 ferent heights above the sea, for miles interior from the present coast 
 line. With these facts before us, it will be impossible to arrive at any 
 other conclusion than that the volcanic series of which we have been 
 speaking, has been continued into a period comparatively recent, arid 
 was the active agent in producing those disturbances so manifest through- 
 throughout those portions of these mountains under our consideration. 
 
 An interesting feature in the geology of the eastern part of the 
 Monte Diablo range has been developed during the past season, by the 
 officers of the United States Land Survey, which is worthy of note, as 
 illustrating the mutations which have been going on in different parts of 
 the country, and has served also to fix the age of districts hundreds of 
 miles remote from each other ; the marine shells brought into the Sur 
 vey office by Mr. Yon Schmidtz, f.-orn the hills bordering the west side 
 of the Tulare Lake are fpund to be indentical with those obtained from 
 the Buttes on the Sacramento Valley ; among the fossils are found the 
 Area, of which there are three species, with two species of Cardium, 
 differing from any found in our waters at the present time. 
 
 The surveys of the United States Bail Road Exploring Expedition, 
 under command -of Lieutenant Stoneman and Williamson, on the desert 
 of the Colorado has been the means of eliciting much valuable informa 
 tion of that almost unknown and desert waste. The personal and atten 
 tive examinations of Mr. W. P. Blake, geologist of the exploring party 
 has opened a new field for investigation in addition to those already- 
 existing in other parts of the State. The old water line of the Gulf of 
 California has been traced with unerring certainty for a long distance 
 into the interior, and the fossil remains of marine animals and shells are 
 found promiscuously mingled with those of fresh-water origin, which 
 subsequently occupied the place where the waters of the Pacinc formerly 
 held undisputed sway. The discovery and demonstrations of those in 
 teresting changes in the elevation of the interior of this part of the 
 State above the level of the sea, with its recession from natural 
 causes, reflects much credit on the discrimination, and careful judg 
 ment of Mr. Blake, and must be regarded as a great acquisition to 
 our very limited stock of knowledge respecting the absolute condi 
 tion of that extensive portion of the interior. Among all those who 
 have preceded him in crossing this "Jornada" at different points, 
 not a word of information has been elicited from which not even a pro 
 bability of its true condition could be gleaned ; until the present time it 
 was* a blank in the geological history of this part qf our continent ; how 
 
Doc. No. 9.J 37 
 
 far beyond the line of travel to the east, of where this expedition left it, 
 it may extend, is equally as uncertain as was that portion of the ancient 
 sea-beach, and bottom, over which the United States exploring party 
 traveled the past season. The facts which have been gleaned from this 
 interesting region will appear in the forthcoming report of the expedi 
 tion, and from what little is now known of their operations, the parties 
 in charge of its several departments have manifested a determination of 
 purpose and assiduity in collating reliable testimony of this hitherto un 
 explored and unknown waste. 
 
 Our present information of this remote section of the State, exhibits 
 in a still stronger light, the mutations to which the surface of the coun 
 try has been subjected, and which are probably persistent at the present 
 time ; to what period the changes of this district are particularly refera 
 ble will not be known probably until the following year, but enough has 
 already been developed which leads to the inference that the sea has 
 receded since the commencement of the tertiary era. 
 
 VOLCANIC EOCKS PRECEDING- THE TERTIARY 
 
 On a preceding page it was observed that a suite of rocks which are 
 often confounded with the recent volcanic group, existed in the Coast 
 Mountains, these rocks and their peculiar position will be noticed at the 
 present time. 
 
 Following the west side of the Valley of Santa Clara, from the arroya 
 Francisquito in a southerly direction, a range of low hills, generally 
 barren in their appearance, is found, which protrude themselves into the 
 valley nearly at right angles to its course. The range of hills were ex 
 amined for the distance of forty miles, and in no instance, I believe, was 
 there a trace of any one of the sedimentary formations to be found upon 
 them. In this particular they differ much from the other volcanic series,, 
 either north or south of them, with the exception of those of the Santa 
 Anna range. 
 
 Their naked and rugged aspect on the west side ' of these hills with 
 their peculiar local position leaves but little room for doubt, but that 
 they are the remains of the summit of ancient craters, elevated above 
 the surface of the then existing sea, prior to the deposition of the ma 
 rine formations which occur in other parts of the mountain range. 
 
 This suite of rocks have evidently found their way to the surface 
 through the primitive rocks of this district, as it is found that they cut 
 the latter in several places in the form of dikes, while the debris of both 
 are found to enter largely into the components of the valley in which 
 they are situated. Another evidence, which lends confirmation to this 
 belief, is the fact, that had the emergence occurred at any time subse 
 quent to the tertiary era, we should have seen some traces of such a fact 
 in the elevation of those rocks of aqueous origin. The gradiency of the 
 entire northern portion of the valley Santa Clara will also be found in 
 commensurate with such an extensive series of disturbance as must have 
 occurred at the period when these hills were elevated above the surface. 
 The narrow limits within which thev are situated, would have - received 
 an inclination much greater than that which the surface now presents, 
 
38 [APPENDIX 
 
 had their intrusion corresponded with those of a similar character found 
 among the sedimentary rocks on every side of them. Our evidence that 
 these rocks hold an age anterior to the tertian es, rests in part on this 
 fact ; that if the change of position, Avhich the latter rocks have suffered 
 in adjoining districts bear any testimony of the maximum of .disturbance 
 among them, we should find some corresponding changes of similar cha 
 racter had this volcanic group been of the same age. 
 
 In all other parts of the coast mountains, wherever volcanic rocks 
 occur, in masses or dikes, cutting either sedimentary or primitive groups, 
 the evidences of uplift are conspicuous, and either a high uniform grade, 
 distinct undulations, or a terraced form of the valley sections, mark the 
 extent and character of the forces exerted over such areas ; while in the 
 case before us, we find the valley adjoining these igneous outbursts main- 
 taininglts level to the very base of these volcanic hills. Were there 
 any differences observable in the inclination of the surface of the plain, 
 taken from its northern to its extreme southern point, there would be 
 some reason to suppose that the group under consideration was more 
 recent than the tertiary era. 
 
 Passing to the west of these hills, we find the same undisturbed con 
 dition of the surface, extending to the base of the Santa Cruz, and you 
 meet with nothing that would in the least indicate any subsequent alte 
 ration in the general level until you reach their eastern base ; and here, 
 for the first time, a narrow terrace is found, its face rising rather abruptly 
 for tw elve feet, and then very gradually for eight feet more, being nearly 
 level from thence to the mountains, a distance of one-fourth of a mile. So 
 little disturbance is manifest in the half formed conglomerate, of which 
 it is formed, that it must be looked upon as having been gradually ele 
 vated by forces that have acted equally, and at the same time, on both 
 the older igneous, and recent formations of this section, and the forces 
 that thus gradually operated in producing these phenomena are unques 
 tionably persistent at the present time. 
 
 MOST RECENT VOLCANIC ROCKS OF THE COAST 
 MOUNTAINS. 
 
 Under this head, a brief description of a class of rocks differing essen 
 tially in relative position, lithological character, and general effects on 
 the surrounding country in which they are situated, from those noticed 
 in the preceding chapter, will be given. The section of the country 
 though which they may be observed, has been stated to extend through 
 about forty miles in length of the Monte Diablo Range, and make their 
 appearance in the Santa Anna Pi caches, on the south-east border of the 
 Santa Clara valley. 
 
 In examining this group it was found, that they consisted principally 
 of compact and vessicular lavas, having different degrees of firmness 
 and texture. 
 
 A conspicuous and striking feature of these rocks is found in their 
 connection with other formations, both igneous and sedimentary, and in 
 the case of the latter class they are seen to have acted directly upon 
 them, elevating the same to different altitudes above the sea level The 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 39 
 
 former rocks form the principal ridge, separating the Pass of Pachco from 
 that of Santa Anna Pass, (or Canada Las Muertas), and present a very 
 rugged and conical outline at a short distance. They were probably 
 the grand centre of those recent volcanic disturbances that were in action 
 during the elevation of this part of that mountain range. The higher 
 peaks are composed of trachytic masses, while the lower hills contain 
 immense quantities of the vesicular lavas above noted ; from the position 
 which the latter occupy to the former, it appears that during the later 
 periods, when these fires were in action, fissures had been formed in the 
 sides of the two principal craters, through which has flowed large quan 
 tities of the fluid masses : one of these dikes cannot be less than eight 
 miles in length and Ian in a northerly direction. 
 
 At the Santa Annei peaks, the principal crater has, apparently, fallen 
 in during some period of its eruption, and subsequent to this, a large 
 fissure has been fornjed, probably from the effects of an eaartnquake, 
 and, perhaps, at the time when the north side of the Grabilan was pre 
 cipitated into the de$p ravine at its base. 
 
 North of the latter mountains at the distance of eight or nine miles, 
 is the elevated peak known as " Pacheco Peak," which is a true volcanic 
 cone, and in the rayines to the north of this crater, the Indians of this 
 section of the countiy obtain absidian for the manufacture of their ar 
 row heads ; to the north-east of the mountain a large dike of lava, similar 
 to that noticed above is found, which appears to have flowed through 
 a fissure very nearly; down to the base. 
 
 South of the Sarita Anna, the tertiary sandstones of recent date ap 
 pear, resting directly on this class of volcanic rocks, and bear every 
 evidence of having suffered their principal disturbance from these 
 agencies ; the almost complete metamorphosis of the sedimentary group 
 is a proof of this ; and the evidences of comparative recent action is 
 found in the fact, tljat the organic remains found imbedded in these 
 rocks contain a large per centage of present existing species on the 
 coast. 
 
 It will be apparen 
 in the preceding cb 
 ifest, from the fact t 
 rocks have been disl 
 the former group o: 
 observable. The vc 
 and the trapean ch 
 would place each in 
 group have every i 
 trapean rocks " foui 
 could not have held 
 Eocene, as they are 
 that period. 
 The tertiary grou 
 pliocene, and post- 
 absent as far as yet 
 do not extend on th 
 Santa Cruz, and tha 
 This fact then once 
 
 ; that a difference in the age of that group found 
 pter, and the one under consideration will be man- 
 at in the present case the most recent of the aqueous 
 arbed and elevated since their formation, while in 
 igneous origin, no features of this character are 
 sicular character of the group under consideration 
 iracter of the others, is also a distinctive point that 
 a different period as regards their age ; the older 
 Dpearance of what has been termed the "primitive 
 d in some parts of the Sierra Nevada, and which 
 an age but little posterior to the older rocks of the 
 found not to have disturbed the middle group of 
 
 >s of the Coast Mountains consist of the miocene, 
 lioctene periods; the eocene rocks being entirely 
 xamined ; it is also found that the miocene rocks 
 coast line beyond a point sixteen miles north of 
 south of this point the pliocene series predominate, 
 established affords a clue by which we are able to 
 
40 [APPENDIX 
 
 determine to a certain extent the age of the volcanic series which has 
 disturbed them, and fixes that age posterior to the formation of the latest 
 of the groups. 
 
 CHANGES OF LEVEL AND KIYEK TEERACES. 
 
 The valley sections of this State present a general uniformity of char 
 acter in their superficial structure, wherever found ; their surfaces are 
 distinctly marked by a regular series of minor elevations, which give 
 them the terraced form so peculiar to those sections. The face of these 
 terraces'are of different heights, and the surface of each is found to have 
 a gent|e inclination toward the streams that flow through them. In some 
 parts of the " great valley " there are to be seen a range of hills having 
 flat summits, which on examination are proved to have been the shores 
 of an inland sea; these usually arise from the higher portions of the 
 upper terraces, and where they are found near the borders of the plain, 
 they present often trifling evidences of excessive subterranean action. 
 These "tables" when found on the immediate borders of the plains, do 
 not appear to have participated in the more violent disturbing forces 
 found in the interior ; they are usually from four to five hundred feet in 
 height, while those farther to the east attain an altitude frequently of 
 more than two thousand. 
 
 Immediately succeeding these, the first terraces of the valleys appear, 
 and from the observations of different travelers, we learn that they are 
 continuous into the Territory of Oregon, and probably beyond that 
 point ; while south of California their existence is known to the northern 
 boundary of the Province of Sinaloa in the Republic of Mexico. In 
 these we see the evidences of gradual and probably persistent elevation 
 over an extent of country nearly two thousand mibs in length, and in 
 the present state of our knowledge, must be regarded as part of one of 
 those great continental elevations that has occurred during the compara 
 tively "recent history of the world. This State is situated nearly in the 
 centre of this line, and from its position must partake to a greater or 
 less extent in all the general changes of level that nay occur on either 
 side of it; and all -observations which have been made within the last 
 ten years have only tended to confirm this fact. 
 
 Mr. Dana who has given more attention to the foimations of the valley 
 sections of the Pacific Coast, and who probably hac better opportunities 
 for observation from San. Francisco to the north, in speaking of them, 
 says : " We traced these terraces from the Cowlitzto the mouth of the 
 Sacramento, along many of the smaller streams as well as the rivers. 
 There appears to be but two ways of accounting for these terraces, either 
 lakes have existed along the rivers % which have birst their barriers, or 
 the rivers have excavated the country in conseqrance of an elevation. 
 The existence of lakes throughout a whole courtry, connected with 
 all its rivers, is highly improbable, and required for its proof the strong 
 est evidence. Rivers cut out their channels by a gradual process, as a 
 country is raised above the ocean, forming with few exception a complete 
 drainage for the land. Lakes could not exist, therefore, to the universal 
 
Doc. No. 0.} 41 
 
 9 
 
 extent implied by the facts, except, perhaps, as a sudden rise of the land 
 from the ocean. 
 
 " The formation of such lakes by an abrupt elevation in a region hav 
 ing the ranges of heights parallel with the coast, is certainly a possibility. 
 But the water to .make the alluvial accumulations, must be running- 
 water, and be in operation in its channels a long period. And how long 
 would, such lakes exist after an elevation? If the violence attending a 
 change of level did not open for them at once a passage, the accumula- : 
 tionof water during a single flood would break a passage through such 
 soft sandstone beds as occur at the mouth .-of the Sacramento." 
 
 These terraces occur on the Sacramento to the distance of one hun 
 dred and fifty miles from the sea and at this point they wer^e^as high 
 above the level of t1Ke river as at any point lower dow^i, and have 
 nearly the same elevation in all parts examined above the 'existing level 
 of the stream. 
 
 The flats are several miles in width, and until reaching Carquinez 
 Straits, no other place for a barrier could have existed. In this place a 
 permanent barrier of at least four hundred feet in height would have 
 been required, to set the water back so as to cover the upper terrace 
 one hundred and fifty miles above the mouth of the river, and in the 
 second place, the lake should have a surface slope like the present bed 
 of the river, for this is the fact with the land of the terrace of course 
 an impossibility. Wherever the bed of the stream was four hundred 
 feet above the level of the sea, there the terrace should disappear ; in 
 place of which they attain an altitude of seven hundred feet at the dis 
 tance of two hundred and twelve miles from the head of Suisun Bay.* 
 
 It is therefore impossible that one or many lakes should accomplish 
 the results we have before us ; it is the proper effect of river floods, and 
 the terraces must be received as indicating a change of level in the 
 country. 
 
 Was this change of level an abrupt one, or was it slow and gradual? 
 This seems at first, a question easily answered. We may best under 
 stand it by considering the changes that would take place during the 
 elevation of a region of alluvial flats. If a country rise abruptly, the 
 river will commence to work itself to a lower level, and proceed with 
 rapidity, ending finally the very gradual slope of ordinary rivers, hav 
 ing a descent of one or two feet per mile. At the same time, in the 
 season of floods the river would wear into the former alluvium (now its 
 banks) and widen its surface ; and this widening would go on at each 
 succeeding freshet till the river had a new lower plain on its borders. 
 
 But Avould not the effect be the same during a gradual rise. As the 
 country rose slowly, the excavation of the livers bed, and latteral widen 
 ing during freshets would go on gradually with the same results, pro 
 ducing a deeper bed and a new lower flat, both of which would change 
 as the change of level progressed, and in case the lower flat resisted 
 removal in any part, the portion left standing would form a subordinate 
 
 * I have in my possession at this time, specimens from this highest terrace, which is found 
 on Weaver Creek, Trinity County. They were taken from different depths of a shaft which 
 has been sunk through the alluvial deposit eight hundred feet ; the different strata found though 
 are composed of clay, gravel and sand, in nearly all of which, gold has been found through 
 out. 
 
 6 
 

 42 [APPENDIX 
 
 ** ** t A %^tf& t ' v < 
 
 terrace between the upper level, or that of the plain before the rise 
 $l%an. 
 
 A terrace slope may thus be formed by a gradual elevation, and also 
 without any intermission in the process, there might be intermediate ter 
 races in some parts of, the same region. A river terrace then, in an 
 alluvial district cannot be considered an evidence of abrupt elevation of 
 country in which it is found, the more especially if a uniform slope is 
 found upon its surface. 
 
 The district south of San Francisco in which extensive valleys are to 
 be found comport themselves in all general features with those found on 
 the Sacramento and thence into Oregon. On the .south part of the San 
 ta Clara Valley, beyond the ranch of Cruz Cervantes, the terraced' form 
 of the. valley is clear and distinct; in this place there were but two of 
 these flats observable that through which the-rSan Benito flowed, had 
 a rise of nine feet above the level of the creek, while the higher terrace 
 to the east rose very abruptly eighty -five feet above the former. The 
 surface level had an inclination of twelve degrees vfrom the base of the 
 Santa Anna Mountains towa/ds the west ; the river flowed upon the 
 western side of the valley entirely. 
 
 tTwo successive terraces were foimd on the Pajaro, the upper one still 
 retains the marks of tide water upon its surface. 
 
 The Salinas Valley exhibits the terraced form in a marked degree, 
 and its inclination of surface from the east toward the west corresponds 
 very closely with that just noticed as occurring on the south part of the 
 Santa Clara and San Juan. The number of terraces on this valley are 
 three, and have a varying width of three to five miles, the slope of each 
 surface is gentle and smooth' throughout the entire length of the plain. 
 It differs from the Sacramento or San Joaquin in having but one' line of 
 -inclination or dip, the others "nave a dip from each border toward; their 
 centre, thus giving them their basin-shaped structure. The slope of the 
 Salinas appears to have been acquired from the recent volcanic agency 
 that formed the Santa Anna Mountains, and those to the north as far as 
 Pacheco's Peak ; on examination it is found that the dip of all the sedi 
 mentary or stratified rocks of this part of the country correspond in 
 direction, and that the dip decreases as the distance from that centre in 
 creases. The Post Pliocene rocks of the Carmello were disturbed at 
 this time, and the entire range of sedimentary rocks of recent date, 
 throughout the Coast Mountains in this section of the country have suf 
 fered in a similar manner, and undoubtedly from the same cause. 
 
 From the peculiar features manifested in the formation composing the 
 Coast Mountains, as noted in the preceding pages, and the more recent 
 causes of disturbance whicti have acted in this part of the range, as is 
 found in the modifications of level extending through the valleys above 
 noted, and the intervening mountains between these valleys ; it will ap 
 pear very doubtful that any formation containing mineral coal will be 
 found. The forces that have acted on this part of the county and have 
 elevated the different rocks found on the mountain sides, have as yet 
 developed no member of the secondary series, in which the coal forma 
 tions are found ; but like the mountains to the north, both in the Sierra 
 Nevada and Coast Mountains, nothing above the primitive is to be seen, 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 43 
 
 except the tertiaries, in which no coal beds of extent have yet been 
 discovered. 
 
 From a careful examination of this part of the country, with this 
 object in view, I feel no hesitation in saying that coal will riot be found 
 in any part of the Coast Mountains south of the thirty-fifth parallel 
 of north latitude ; what there may be south of this point, I know nothing 
 having never visited it. 
 
 It is not unfrequeiit in passing over the country to hear of beds of min 
 eral coal ; during the past season I have visited four such localities, and, 
 as was anticipated, each of them proved to be merely small beds of lig 
 nite, and two of them hardly deserving that name. One of these deposits 
 proved to be but a bed of leaves, having a thickness of about three 
 inches|>resting upon a tertiary sandstone containing marine shells, and 
 covered with twelve feet of a sandy alluvium. This is 'one of those coal 
 beds which has figured so largely in the public prints of the State during 
 the past year, and has induced several gentlemen to pay the locality a 
 visit, and to return as deeply disappointed as their previous anticipations 
 were elevated. 
 
 The report of coal veins in the Coast Mountains must be received with 
 many grains of allowance, and at the best, none but tertiary deposits 
 will be found, and these, even should they exist, would be capable of 
 supplying but a limited demand, and that usually of an inferior quality. 
 
 SOILS OF THE VALLEY SANTA CLARA AND SHORES OF 
 THE BAY SAN FRANCISCO. 
 
 The character of mountains on the borders of valleys, afford a good 
 criterion to judge of the capabilities of the soils found at their base. It 
 is therefore not difficult to form a correct opinion of the constituents of 
 a soil, once knowing the nature of the rocks in adjoining sections, and 
 consequently their adaptation to the various purposes of agriculture. 
 
 The more rapid disintegration of some classes of rocks compared to 
 others, will form a striking feature in the productiveness of the soil with 
 which they enter as a component part, their chemical constituents, adapt 
 ing them to agricultural employment, or rendering them totally unfit for 
 these purposes, without the addition of some agent not found as an inte 
 gral of their composition. It is therefore not surprising that in passing 
 over a range of valley, or mountainous district, to find so many and 
 diversified features presenting themselves often in adjoining localities; 
 it is not unfrequent to find a perfect transition in the indigenous pro 
 ductions of the soil, occurring in the distance of a few hundred yards. 
 
 These peculiar features are best exhibited among the native grains and 
 grasses, and occur alike, on the valley bottoms or on ascending a hill 
 side. Thus, on ascending a hill, at whose base may be found a calcare 
 ous rock, resting on any one of the plutonic series, the native product 
 at the base, and within the direct range of the limestone, may be the 
 wild oat, almost as soon as these rocks are passed, and you enter the 
 granite or trapean group, the cereal ceases to grow, and is replaced by 
 the native grasses in some of their varieties, or if the rocks succeeding 
 
44 [APPENDIX 
 
 the former, should belong to the serpentine group, a useless shrub will 
 often be the resulting growth. 
 
 Equally as perfect and marked are the phases presented on the valley 
 bottoms alone; passing through, the same transitions as above, and on 
 an examination of the sources from "which the soil has been derived, it 
 will be found that the mineral constituents of both sections presenting 
 those changes', will differ in a material degree. Take the upper terrace 
 - of any one of. our large valleys, and by following this to a lower terrace, 
 the first principal change occurring will be found near the junction of 
 the former, with the latter, and this as it recedes from the' former, will 
 be found productive of a widely different and greater variety of plants 
 than the hill-side or upper terrace preceding it, and the native nroduc- 
 tions of these, not unfrequently disappear entirely. ** 
 
 Another feature equally interesting and instructive, is found iri transi 
 tions of the varieties of production on- the same line of valjey, which 
 has derived its soils from the same suite of rocks, this might easily be 
 mistaken for a change in the mineral constituents of such sbil, which is 
 not the case, but the modification of growths in this instance ae attribu 
 table to the more uniform and equal distribution and communication of 
 the material composing the soil, thus rendering its chemical constituents 
 better adapted to assimilation, and the consequent production of variety 
 as well as quality and quantity. 
 
 The soils on the Bay San Francisco differ much on its eastern and 
 western sides ; both borders of the Bay present the tertiary series, but 
 both do not present the trapean rocks to the same degree of develop 
 ment ; this, then, of course, will cause a distinctive and marked differ 
 ence in the productive capabilities of either shore. It will be found 
 that in all the soils which have been .derived, in whole, or in part, from 
 rocks more recent than the tertiary group, that a more extensive and va 
 ried adaptation to agricultural purposes will be present ; this will be 
 particularly manifest in those sections where the tertiaries, containing 
 organic remains, enter somewhat largely into the -components of "the soil 
 produced from such sources. 
 
 We often meet an extensive and even tract of country lying atothe 
 base of a range of hills of the character named above, which "are found 
 not to possess so high a degree of fertility as an adjoining section, yet 
 both have derived their soil from the same sources ; it becomes not only 
 interesting but important to ascertain the cause of such a discrepancy, 
 and an attentive examination will often point out a natural obstruction 
 of a mechanical nature wjhich has thus been the cause of the impover 
 ishment which may be present. In this case a barrier will often be 
 found among the foothills which has prevented the uniform distribution 
 of the ' disintegrated rocks above, rendering the plain within its line less 
 productive, rather than the introduction of any new agent, except, per 
 haps, that derived from the rocks forming that barrier, the amount of 
 which would be inconsiderable, compared to the mass of alluvium beyond. 
 
 In illustration of this a single case only will be mentioned. On the 
 Valley- Santa Clara a few miles east of San Jose, the mountains are cap 
 ped with fossiliferous sandstone for miles in extent, north and south. 
 On examining the slopes of these hills and the broad ravines among 
 them, a rich and deep soil wafc found to cover the whole, and the ve'ge- 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 45 
 
 tation growing upon them, bore a just relation to the character of the 
 ground on which they flourished. Passing to the westward toward the 
 valley it was found that the same character of soil continued to the first 
 hills rising from the plain, these bearing an altitude of one hundred feet 
 above its level. On reaching the summit of these hills, the rich, mellow 
 soil to the east instantly gave out, and in its place a heavy, clayey cov 
 ering was found upon the surface for a considerable distance into the 
 valley ; this transition occurred within so short a distance that I was led 
 to examine more particularly the cause producing it, and accordingly 
 followed the line of these hills until an outcrop of these rocks were 
 found. ; they consisted of aluminous and chlontic slates, having a high 
 inclination and dipping to the west ; from their position they presented 
 a perfect barrier to the passage of the richer soil of the hills passing on 
 to the valley in any other junction than north and south. As far as this , 
 line of slates extended, the valley beyond partook, in a greater or less de 
 gree, of the character that would be produced by their disintegration, 
 and ill adapted generally to purposes of agriculture unless by artificial 
 application of reclaiming agents and tillage. As soon as the slates began 
 to disappear in the foothills, the character of the soil on the plain be 
 yond assumed a different appearance, and a marked and corresponding 
 change in its vegetable productions. 
 
 A mechanical impediment simply is the cause of unproductiveness in 
 such cases, and in instances of this kind, the remedy usually abounds in 
 abundant quantities and at short distances from the points where it may 
 be required. 
 
 On the south-east shores of the Bay San Francisco, there are large 
 areas of land that at the present time are considered useless for agricul 
 tural purposes, from their low position and semi-argilaceous character ; 
 they have often been denominated " mud flats," and heretofore have 
 been considered unadapted even to grazing for sheep. These flats gen 
 erally extend (toward the bay) one or two miles from what are consid 
 ered available and good agricultural lands. Their general appearance 
 to the passer-by is such as would not be likely to impress a person very 
 strongly in their favor, as lands retaining much fertility, but from their 
 superficial appearance would be regarded as a poor representation only 
 of a salt meadow, productive of little else than the common samphire. 
 But such is not the fact and if experience and experiment have any val 
 ue or weight, they will be thrown in the balance to the favor of those 
 lands ; experiments have been made during the past season on these 
 sections, which cannot fail to convince us of the fact, that the opinions 
 heretofore entertained respecting the available character of a large por 
 tion of these districts, are entirely erroneous. A single experiment illus 
 trating their capacity for production if properly tilled, will be giverj^ 
 
 Near Uniontown, in the County of Alameda, several acres of land, 
 producing the samphire on their flats, was broken up and planted to 
 corn ; in one case it was sowed in drills ; the corn continued to flourish 
 until September which was the last time I saw it ; and at this time the 
 stalk of that in the drills had acquired an average heighth of about nine 
 feet. On the south side of the arroya Alameda another field was plant 
 ed in hills, which AY us equal, if not superior in heighth. The soil, 
 when broken up, is rich and highly productive in other grains, notwith- 
 
46 [APPENDIX 
 
 standing the meagre appearance it presents prior to tillage, and will in 
 a few yeaTs be as successfully and largely cultivated as any other of the 
 valley sections. The saline lands of the interior sections are also of the 
 same character, to a certain extent, and if properly tilled are equally 
 productive. Near ' the rancho San Felipe, Santa Clara County, a simi 
 lar circumstance was met with ; the corn grown upon these lands was 
 being harvested in September and produced* a full and well-formed ear, 
 proving not only adaptation of soil, but' climate' for the production of 
 this staple in California. The latter case, the lands were 225 feet above 
 the sea> and the field on ever}' side except the south-east was covered 
 with a thick growth of the salt grasses and other kindred plants (sam 
 phire) and when free from water the lands were covered with a saline 
 incrustation. 
 
 Under a proper course of treatment these lands will be made availa 
 ble for the purposes of the agriculturalist, and bur already large do 
 main of arable lands thus much increased. The situation of these lands 
 in the interior is such, that they may be easily reclaimed should they 
 ever fall within the jurisdiction of the State, which undoubtedly they 
 will under the law regulating "saline lands." In the counties of San 
 Francisco, Santa Clara and Alameda the wet land that may be made 
 available by drainage is about seventy square miles, exclusive of the 
 " saline lands " at the southern part of the County of Santa Clara. 
 
 Most of the valley sections of this range of country is arable land, 
 and that which' is not can easily be made so when required ; the agents 
 for bringing this about being found in the adjoining hills to the east. 
 The character of -the soil and climate adapts it to all the productions of 
 temperate climates, and where local position modified the climate of any 
 section, it is found capable of producing plants of the tropical latitudes. 
 
 The extreme south-eastern part of this valley would be adapted to 
 the growth of foreign fruits and other products, but it must be beyond 
 the influence of the cold sea- wind that passes inland across the range of 
 lower hills which divide the Salinas, Pajaro, and Santa Clara Valleys, 
 the effect of which would be to blight the fruit, though the plant or 
 tree might continue to thrive. 
 
 The low hills that flank the east side of the valley contain all the ele 
 ments required for the culture of tropical plants and fruits ; the climate 
 and soil will be found adapted, and the only agent that appears in the 
 least to be wanting is water sufficient to supply the demands of those 
 plants. From the appearance of small lagoons and rivulets at different 
 elevations it is presumable that a sufficient quantity of this agent may 
 be found a short distance below the surface. 
 
 As a ,geiieral rule the mountains lying upon ,the east border of the 
 vsdey Santa Clara are covered with a soil superior to that of the plains, 
 and of much greater depth. I have measured the depths of these soils 
 in many places, and where it is well developed have found it varying 
 from four to eleven feet for miles continuous; its extreme fertility pro 
 duces heavy crops of the native grains and grasses which annually con 
 tribute to its increase by their decomposition. 
 
 Although these lands 'are situated within the reach of the sea-breeze 
 from the Bay of San Francisco, they are protected from its cold by the 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 47 
 
 jj 
 
 slope of the hills and the modifications of its temperature acquired in 
 its passage down the bay before reaching the northern portion of the 
 valley. So much is the temperature increased that an addition of ten 
 degrees is often acquireM in its transit from San .'Francisco to .the head 
 of the valley, a 'distance little rising fifty miles. This increase of tem 
 perature in the air is accompanied with an increase in its capacity for 
 moisture, hence it is usual to find a slight aqueous haze, which results 
 from the condensation of its moisture, hanging about this entire range 
 of hills during the summer months, and is usually seen early in the 
 morning. 
 
 At this time and for a short time after sun-rise the leaves of plants in 
 these hills are covered with moisture, when no trace of this deposit is 
 observable on the plains. The foreign horticulturist seems to have 
 siezed upon the natural advantages which these mountains present for 
 the culture of the vine and other fruits, prefering these elevated situa 
 tions to the lower plain lands, the climate and soil being more congenial 
 to their growth. The altitude at which the first qualities of the grape 
 will flourish in these mountains (Monte Diablo Eange) is seventeen hun 
 dred feet above the sea, the fruit produced equals that grown in lower 
 situations ; the temperature at this elevation through the night is higher 
 than on the plains at their base and sufficiently comfortable to sleep with 
 out shelter. 
 
 But a very few years will elapse before these "barren" mountains 
 will yield a handsome income to the planter, and a large revenue to the 
 State, from the taxable property that will be found in these mountains, 
 arising from the prodution of the vine alone ; some idea of the extent 
 to which it is now being propagated may be obtained when it is stated 
 that nearly two hundred thousand sets have been put into the ground 
 during the past year, and on one ranch alone over* twelve thousand new 
 sets were placed in the grdund last season, in addition to those already 
 in bearing condition on the same farm. 
 
 The absence of timber in these mountains is one of the most serious 
 objections to the settler, if this objection can be removed there is no 
 reason to doubt but that large tracts of this fertile district would com 
 mand a population that would soon approximate that on the plains. It 
 would riot be difficult to produce a forest growth of trees upon these 
 mountains, one that would prove useful as well as ornamental, conduc 
 ing to health, comfort and luxury, as well as profit. The history of the 
 Guava furnishes us with some facts on this point that are well worthy of 
 notice ; the trci 1 is of rapid growth, spreading itself over large districts 
 in a very few years. In Mexico it attains a height of forty feet, and 
 grows at elevations of five thousand feet ; its wood is used for fuel and 
 many other purposes, and from its fruit the guava jelly is manufactured, 
 and forms an extensive article of commerce. 
 
 Fifty years ago this tree was introduced at the Sandwich and Society 
 Islands ; it has in that short period of time formed one of the principal 
 forest trees of those islands, and reaches the summit of their highest 
 hills. A tree of this kind introduced into our timberless hill$ would in 
 a short time render the barren aspect they now present, more pleasing 
 and profitable as well as useful. There can be but little doubt that this 
 tree will flourish in this country, as it is found so to do in a climate 
 
48 [APPENDIX 
 
 equally cool as' that in which it would be required here. Other varieties 
 of fruit bearing trees Qf foreign climates will flourish in these mountain; 
 among them may b^ mentioned the date, prune and fig, and in this 
 country we possess an advantage in the preparation of the two latter 
 fruits for the market, which is seldom found even in countries where they 
 flourish best, viz : a clear, dry air, or containing but a small degree of 
 moisture, a most essential requisite in forming a -good commercial article. 
 Often the entire fruit crop is ruined in the drying process in countries 
 where these fruits abound, (and where all conditions for their propaga 
 tion are not more fully developed than in this country,) from the pres 
 ence' of too great a quantity of moisture in the air, a circumstance that 
 cannot exist in this country south of the county of San Francisco. 
 
 We have the most ample proofs of the capabilities of our soils in the 
 interior, in the production of the foreign fruits. In addition to the 
 above, the olive and the almond flourish and produce plentifully, and 
 though the latter is not indigenous, the luxuriance with which it grows 
 and its plentiful production of fruit, must be received only as another 
 evidence of the fact above stated. The value of these fruits as regards 
 their quality, suifers no deterioration from having been naturalized to 
 our climate, but in the case of the latter named fruit, it is found to be 
 materially benefitted by the change, for as it loses none of its flavor it 
 becomes the more valuable from its increase of size, being nearly double 
 that of the ordinary fruit of the msarket. 
 
 Respecting the main body* of lands on the valley and shores of the 
 bay, but very little of which is not adapted to agricultural purposes, it 
 may be -said to cover an area little short of six hundred square miles, 
 nearly all of which is well adapted to the cultivation of the cereals and 
 root crops. The higher table of the valley produces excellent corn, and 
 the season though dry permits this crop to mature well. I observed 
 several corn fields on the high terrace of the valley last season, flourish 
 ing , well at altitudes of three hundred and sixty to four hundred and 
 ten feet, and in localities where it would hardly be -supposed from its 
 external appearance, that moisture sufficient to rear a blade of grass 
 could be found. The cause of this productivness in these localities, is 
 in a great measure attributable to the existence of a small quantity of 
 sulphate of lime in these apparently dry soils, derived from a limestone 
 formation in these mountains, and which extends south beyond the 
 Almaden district. The detritus of this rock is found mingled with 
 fragments 'of other rocks containing ferruginous pyrites in a decompos 
 ing state, hence'the key to its appearance in this locality, and in the case 
 before it serves the purpose of an absorbent of moisture, thus materially 
 facilitating the growth of crops in these sections. 
 
 VALLEY OF THE SALINAS. 
 
 This valley is situated south of the Pajaro River, and is separated 
 from the Santa Clara by a spur of the 'Monte Diablo Range which sink 
 into a range of low hills forming a divide between the former and the 
 Pajaro Yalley also. The leagth of the Salinas is about ninety-five miles. 
 The main course of the valley is about south-east by east ; and is coursed 
 
Doc. No. 9. 49 
 
 by one river (the Salinas) for its entire length. The stream is situated 
 on the west side of the valley for the first fifty miles of its course, after 
 which it crosses the valley a short distance above the Soledad Mission, 
 at an angle of forty degrees to the main axis of the plain. The physical 
 appearance of thislarge plain differs much from that of the Santa Clara 
 or the Pajaro ; when viewed from its centre it has a gentle slope from 
 the east toward the west ; but more minute examination exhibits a ter 
 raced form to the plain, similar to those observed on the Sacramento, 
 and are three in number, and each possessing a soil of different degrees 
 of fertility and value. The river has a fall of about two feet to the mile, 
 and has acquired its present position within a very recent period, run 
 ning as it does amongst the most recent tertiary rocks, and alluvium in 
 its more northern portions. Near its sources there are several small 
 streams putting into it, which furnish water throughout the year. The 
 bed of the stream is composed of a fine whitish quicksand, which ren 
 ders it dangerous to ford at times, and it is seldom attempted, except at 
 localities which are used for this purposo. A large portion of the valley, 
 within eight or ten miles of the coast, and on its south-east border and 
 centre, is made up of low wet lands, covered with willows and tule, 
 these terminate in lagoons and sloughs as they approach the coast, and 
 contain a sufficient depth df water to float a medium sized vessel to the 
 Bay of Monterey. The only obstacle that renders these waters innavi 
 gable for some distance into the interior of the valley, are the bars of 
 drift sand which are thrown up by the surf on the coast : a good and 
 substantial breakwater, constructed at some one of these points, would 
 render navigation safe, and materially enhance the value of the public 
 and private property of this section of country, and be the means of 
 affording not only much needed facilities of transportation in the pro 
 ductions of the interior to market, but afford inducements for the per 
 manent settlement of this immense tract of country (now almost, it might 
 be said, uninhabited and unimproved,) which this, or some other equally 
 efficient measure would be the means of consummating in a short period 
 of time. The extent of land in the interior that would be affected by a 
 measure of this kind would be very great ; it being not less than one 
 hundred and fifty miles in length, and possessing capacities for agricul 
 tural production equal to any in the State. This will appear the more 
 evident and necessary, when we find that the lower bottoms above the 
 Salinas Valley are capable of producing a wheat crop, (at thirty -two 
 bushels per acre) sufficient to meet the demands of a population num 
 bering three times that of the present within this State : say nine hun 
 dred thousand. 
 
 A district of our State presenting capacity and advantages of this 
 character, and crippled as it is for the means of transporting its pro 
 ductions to our markets, should command some attention, and such, at 
 least, as would have a tendency to induce an early and permanent set 
 tlement of such lands, if nothing more ; and this the more especially as 
 a considerable area of the over-flowed and saline lands of these plains 
 must ultimately fall Avithin the jurisdiction of the State. 
 
 ' 
 
50 [APPENDIX 
 
 SOILS OF THE SALINAS. ? ; : 
 
 The soils of this valley have been derived from the primitive forma 
 tions on both sides of the plains : that derived from the granite series 
 on the coast side is coarse and easily permeable to water ; this obtains 
 more particularly in the vicinity ofthe Grabilan mountains, and this va 
 riety of soil does not extend beyond the high "mesa" on the eastern 
 side. The trapean rocks and limestone of this range exert an important 
 influence in modifying the sterility usually attendant on soils derived 
 from the detritus of the granites, and in this case they exist in sufficient 
 quantities to render those soils productive on the upper terrace of the 
 valley. The productions of each of these terraces differs in a material 
 degree, arising principally from two immediate causes ; the first mois 
 ture, the second, the finer disintegration of the material composing the 
 soils ; to these may be added a third, which sometimes exerts a wide 
 influence on the lower bottom. The upper terrace produces the native 
 wild oat for the most part?, or a wirj- tough grass ; the oat flourishes to 
 the exclusion of the latter on a brown red soil composed of loam mixed 
 with the harsher material derived from the granite, and wherever this 
 loamy matter is found to diminish in quantity, a corresponding increase 
 in the native wire grass is found. This rule was found to hold good in 
 the entire length of the plain on its eastern border. . 
 
 Passing to the second terrace, plants of a different character are found. 
 The oat is found to a considerable extent on some parts of this, but is 
 usually succeeded by another variety of grass which seems much better 
 adapted for feed to animals, and usually grows very thick and matted ; 
 among this the common bargrass, which increases in quantity as the low 
 er terrace is approached, and which animals are extremely fond of eat 
 ing, in preference to the oat when placed side by side ; on the western 
 edge of the second terrace, the wild mustard abounds, covering thou 
 sands of acres, and growing to the height of ten to fourteen feet, form 
 ing an impenetrable jungle to man or beast for miles in extent; wherev 
 er the settler has succeeded in eradicating this article from the soil, it has 
 been found to produce abundant crops of grains or roots, and if anything 
 superior in some cases to the lands of the lower bottom, The lower 
 part of the terrace on which the mustard is usually found in greatest 
 quantities, is sufficiently moist for the propagation of any crops that 
 may be necessary to be placed upon them. Water is obtainable within 
 a few feet of the surface on any part of it. 
 
 - Passing to the lower terrace, we find the principal native productions 
 to be the burgrass and a variety of the rumex, mingled with a much 
 greater variety of others than is to be found on any other part of these 
 bottoms. On the higher positions the mustard also abounds in conside 
 rable quantities. Some parts of this terrace are arenaceous, being cov 
 ered to the depth of two feet with a loosej fine sand, usually the result 
 of a heavy freshet , and not otherwise. In this is found a third cause 
 for the varieties which these bottoms produce. An interesting exhibi 
 tion of this occurred from the freshet of last winter, on the Castro Eanch, 
 adjoining the Wacional. At this place about three hundred acres were 
 covered with this sand to the depth of two and a-half feet ; on a portion 
 
Doe. No. 9.] 51 
 
 of it a fine field of corn had been raised the previous year, also wheat 
 and barley. The land formerly produced a heavy growth of mustard, 
 but was- reclaimed- from this in part by tillage. The effect of the over 
 flow was to destroy every vestige of former vegetation, and in its place 
 a thick growth of willows had sprung up that were equally impenetra 
 ble with the mustard on the plains. At the time I visited them they 
 had attained a height of about four feet. This immense deposit of sand 
 on the arable land of this part the lower bottom is covered by the obstruc 
 tions on the beach of the coast to the free egress of the waters from 
 the interior during freshets, and until they shall be removed, some of 
 the best lands of this valley will be constantly subjected to this ruinous 
 result in all coming time. 
 
 The amount of land liable to be thus buried beneath this arenaceous 
 deposit is great, and as it comprises a large part of the most valuable 
 property in this section of country, it demands consideration. 
 
 The quantity of arable lands contained within the Salina Plains, is es 
 timated at about seven hundred and eighty square miles, this being com 
 prised in the lower terraces only ; the upper terrace cannot strictly be 
 considered as available for agriculture, but it more properly a grazing 
 country with very few exceptions. The above quantities are divided as 
 follows : the lower terrace or river bottom contains three hundred, twenty 
 miles, and the second terrace about four hundred and sixty, and enjoy ing 
 a climate in its different sections which will be found adapted to the 
 growths of the extremes of temperate zones. 
 
 PAJAEO VALLEY. . 
 
 This valley is situated on the coast, and is bounded on the north and 
 east by the southern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and on the south 
 by the low hills forming spur of the Gabilan Range, and which divide 
 it from the Salinas Plains. The valley is about eight miles in length, 
 and about four in breadth on an average, exclusive of the foot hills, or 
 low, table hills, on its west border; the Pajaro River forming the bound 
 ary of the counties Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, has its rise near 
 San Felipe, and flows in a westerly direction through the low hills at the 
 base of the mountains, thence along the northwest border of the valley 
 for about two miles, where crosses the latter within about a quarter of a 
 mile of the town of Watsonville, and reaches the sea at a point south ten 
 degrees west of the latter locality, four miles distant. 
 
 This plain is of comparatively recent formation, and formerly was a 
 well-sheltered bay of the sea ; the sandstone formation in the hills to 
 the north and east are of the same age as that now forming the coast 
 line between it and the town of, Santa Cruz, the fossils of which of pre 
 sent existing species ; the forces that were instrumental in elevating 
 this section have been gradual, as is evinced in the highly disturbed po 
 sition of the sedimentary rocks along the coast for thirty-five miles ; in 
 these localities, it is difficult, in some instances to detect any inclination 
 of the strata whatever, and it is only in the mountain sections that this 
 disturbance becomes markedly manifest ; the uplift of this entire sec 
 tion has taken place since the rocks on which the tertiaries rest assumed 
 
52 [APPENIHX 
 
 assumed the solid state, as no instance of change in the structure of any 
 of these rocks is. apparent at the points of contact. The under-lying 
 rock is primitive and of the granite class, and this continues for eight 
 een miles north of Santa Cruz. In this valley and also in the vicinity 
 of Santa Cruz the soils are made up of a mixture of the primitive and 
 sedimentary formations, thus rendering them fertile and easily tilled. In 
 the lower lands the soils are much better developed, yet the hilly lands 
 are capable of producing abundant root crops and grains. The cause 
 that render these hill-sides adapted to agriculture is the same as that 
 found on the high terrace of the Santa Clara, viz.: a quantity of sulphate 
 of lime acting as an absorbent, and retaining sufficient moisture to sup 
 port a healthy nutrition in the plant. 
 
 The entire range of hills lying between the Pajaro and south part of 
 the Santa Clara, and also a large portion of that range between the Sa 
 linas and Pajaro are well adapted to cropping, particularly for winter 
 grains, and. in some instances they are preferable to the valley lands, 
 and would, if brought under cultivation, produce better crops than the 
 plains ; they are also much/ better adapted to the culture of fruit-trees 
 than valley sections, possessing all the elements of which the valleys are 
 composed, and which render them fertile, they possess the advantage of 
 sheltering the young tree from the effects of the strong winds that pass 
 over these sections from the sea, and also its chilling effects on the young 
 blossoms and fruit. 
 
 There is no part of this State that I have visited, which possesses the 
 same natural advantages for fruit culture as are to be found in the dis 
 trict above alluded to ; while artificial irrigation is necessary in other 
 parts of the State, in order to sustain the vitality of the tree ; this is fur 
 nished regularly each night by aqueous exhalation from ;the ocean, and 
 extending some thirty miles into the interior; during the months of 
 July and August, last summer, an opportunity to observe this part was 
 offered, and I found that over this entire section a sufficient amount of 
 moisture was deposited each night to wet the leaves of plants very sen 
 sibly, and during the heavier fogs, a quantity sufficient to keep the 
 ground wet under medium sized trees until near mid-day ; a person en 
 tering this section of country in the morning would suppose from the 
 appearance of the ground that a light rain had occurred during the 
 night, and it was not unfrequent that I was obliged to dry my blankets 
 in the morning previous to saddling my horse. 
 
 The soil is equally Adapted to their propagation being of texture that 
 will permit the expansion of the roots oelow the surface without the ne 
 cessity of sinking deep into the earth, as is the case in many parts o fthe 
 country, where even the most hardy indigenous trees are found to send 
 their roots to great depths in order to obtain nourishment and support 
 for the trunk. It is surprising that with the advantages presented for 
 the cultivation of American fruit-trees in this section of the State, that 
 so little attention has been given to this subject in this vicinity; heavy 
 losses have been sustained by individuals in attempting to rear trees in 
 many parts of the country, and this has, in a great measure, prevented 
 others from embarking in this enterprize ; but in most of those cases 
 where failures have followed the attempt, it has been from a soil ill- 
 
Doc. No. 9,] 53 
 
 adapted to their propagation, or in localities where floods have had the 
 effect to destroy them. 
 
 These injurious influences are absent here, and there is every thing 
 that can be desired to invite the pomologist in this ornamental and use 
 ful enterprize. . . 
 
 Fruit culture is to form an important branch in the industrial pursuits 
 of this country ; the lands best adapted these purposes in other localities 
 than those mentioned, are to be found in the south and middle portions 
 of the County San Francisco, from the San Mateo to the Francisquito 
 and toward the foot of the mountains to the west. North of San Fran 
 cisco, the upper portions of Napa Valley and Sonoma are equally as 
 good as those of some parts of the county of Santa Cruz, affording much 
 the same general characteristics as those of the latter county. 
 
 LIVERMOKE VALLEY. 
 
 This valley is situated in the central portion of mountains lying east 
 of the bay San Francisco and valley Santa Clara ; it divides these moun 
 tains into two distinct lines of ridges, and runs rather obtusely to their 
 course. The different names that are applied to this valley convey the 
 idea that there are as many distinct valleys, but such is .not the case, as 
 no hills intervene to destroy the general level throughout its entire 
 extent. From its extreme north to its extreme southern terminus the 
 valley is about sixteen miles in length and from five to seven in breadth. 
 On the north it is bounded by Monte Diablo and its adjoining hills, 
 separating it from Pacheco Valley ; on the east by a single high ridge 
 separating it from the plains of the San Joaquin ; on the south by the 
 hills near the northern part of the Canada Corall, and on the west by 
 the high ridge separating it from the Bay San Francisco. A large por 
 tion of the northern centre of this valley is occupied by a lagoon filled 
 with tule, and the latter extend for a considerable distance from its 
 borders. 
 
 The soil of the valley is generally good on the borders, but toward the 
 centre it is either wet and heavy and withal somewhat saline, on the 
 higher parts dry and gravelly. The entire district appears much better 
 adapted to grazing lands than to agriculture, unless water for irrigation 
 is obtained through artesian borings, and from the appearance of the 
 valley there is but little question that an abundant supply is obtainable 
 from these sources. The altitude of the valley is four hundred and 
 thirty feet above the sea ; and derives the principal portion of its sup: 
 plies of water from the slopes connecting with Monte Diablo. On the 
 south and southwest sides, among the hills, considerable masses of the 
 metamorphic rocks are to be seen, and the appearance of quartz veins is 
 more frequent in this vicinity than , in any other section of these moun 
 tains that were observed. 
 
 On all the hills that surround this basin, are to be found fossiliferous 
 sond&ones, and among the alluvium, in some localities, are to be found 
 considerable quantities of fragmentary shells, among which a large Gry- 
 phea has heretofore existed in considerable quantities. Some specimens 
 of the latter fossil are to be found in the office of the U. S. Land Survey, 
 
52 [ 
 
 assumed the solid state, as no instance of change in the structure of any 
 of these rocks is. apparent at the points of contact. The under-lying 
 rock is primitive and of the granite class, and this continues for eight 
 een miles north of Santa Cruz. In this valley and also in the vicinity 
 of Santa Cruz the soils are made up of a mixture of the primitive and 
 sedimentary formations, thus rendering them fertile and easily tilled. In 
 the lower lands the soils are much better developed, yet the hilly lands 
 are capable of producing abundant root crops and grains. The cause 
 that 'render these hill-sides adapted to agriculture is the same as that 
 found on the high terrace of the Santa Clara, viz.: a quantity of sulphate 
 of lime acting as an absorbent, and retaining sufficient moisture to sup 
 port a healthy nutrition in the plant. 
 
 The entire range of hills lying between the Pajaro and south part of 
 the Santa Clara, and also a large portion of that range between the Sa 
 linas and Pajaro are well adapted to cropping, particularly for winter 
 grains, and in some instances they are preferable to the valley lands, 
 and would, if brought under cultivation, produce better crops than the 
 plains ; they are also much/ better adapted to the culture of fruit-trees 
 than valley sections, possessing all the elements of which the valleys are 
 composed, and which render them fertile, they possess the advantage of 
 sheltering the young tree from the effects of the strong winds that pass 
 over these sections from the sea, and also its chilling effects on the young 
 blossoms and fruit. 
 
 There is no part of this State that I have visited, which possesses the 
 same natural advantages for fruit culture as are to be found in the dis 
 trict above alluded to ; while artificial irrigation is necessary in other 
 parts of the State, in order to sustain the vitality of the tree ; this is fur 
 nished regularly each night by aqueous exhalation from .the ocean, and 
 extending some thirty miles into the interior ; during the months of 
 July and August, last summer, an opportunity to observe this part was 
 offered, and I found that over this entire section a sufficient amount of 
 moisture was deposited each night to wet the leaves of plants very sen 
 sibly, and during the heavier fogs, a quantity sufficient to keep the 
 ground wet under medium sized trees until near mid-day ; a person en 
 tering this section of country in the morning would suppose from the 
 appearance of the ground that a light rain had occurred during the 
 night, and it was not unfrequent that I was obliged to dry my blankets 
 in the morning previous to saddling my horse. 
 
 The soil is equally Adapted to their propagation being of texture that 
 will permit the expansion of the roots oelow the surface without the ne 
 cessity of sinking deep into the earth, as is the case in many parts o fthe 
 country, where even the most hardy indigenous trees are found to send 
 their roots to great depths in order to obtain nourishment and support 
 for the trunk. It is surprising that with the advantages presented for 
 the cultivation of American fruit-trees in this section of the State, that 
 so little attention has been given to this subject in this vicinity; heavy 
 losses have been sustained by individuals in attempting to rear trees in 
 many parts of the country, and this has, in a great measure, prevented 
 others from embarking in this enterprize ; but in most of those cases 
 where failures have followed the attempt, it has been from a soil ill- 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 53 
 
 adapted to their propagation, or in localities where floods have had the 
 effect to destroy them. 
 
 These injurious influences are absent here, and there is every thino- 
 that can be desired to invite the pomologist in this ornamental and use 
 ful enterprize. 
 
 Fruit culture is to form an important branch in the industrial pursuits 
 of this country ; the lands best adapted these purposes in other localities 
 than those mentioned, are to be found in the south and middle portions 
 of the County San Francisco, from the San Mateo to the Francisquito 
 and toward the foot of the mountains to the west. North of San Fran 
 cisco, the upper portions of JSTapa Valley and Sonoma are equally as 
 good as those of some parts of the county of Santa Cruz, affording much 
 the same general characteristics as those of the latter county. 
 
 LIVEKMOKE VALLEY. 
 
 This valley is situated in the central portion of mountains lying east 
 of the bay San Francisco and valley Santa Clara ; it divides these moun 
 tains into two distinct lines of ridges, and runs rather obtusely to their 
 course. The different names that are applied to this valley convey the 
 idea that there are as many distinct valleys, but such is .not the case, as 
 no hills intervene to destroy the general level throughout its entire 
 extent. From its extreme north to its extreme southern terminus the 
 valley is about sixteen miles in length and from five to seven in breadth. 
 On the north it is bounded by Monte Diablo and its adjoining hills, 
 separating it from Pacheco Valley ; on the east by a single high ridge 
 separating it from the plains of the San Joaquin ; on the south by the 
 hills near the northern part of the Canada Corall, and on the west by 
 the high ridge separating it from the Bay San Francisco. A large por 
 tion of the northern centre of this valley is occupied by a lagoon filled 
 with tule, and the latter extend for a considerable distance from its 
 borders. 
 
 The soil of the valley is generally good on the borders, but toward the 
 centre it is either wet and heavy and withal somewhat saline, on the 
 higher parts drv and gravelly. 'The entire district appears much better 
 adapted to grazing lands than to agriculture, unless water for irrigation 
 is obtained through artesian borings, and from the appearance of the 
 valley there is but little question that an abundant supply is obtainable 
 from these sources. The altitude of the valley is four hundred and 
 thirty feet above the sea ; and derives the principal portion of its sup: 
 plies of water from the slopes connecting with Monte Diablo. On the 
 south and southwest sides, among the hills, considerable masses of the 
 metamorphic rocks are to be seen, and the appearance of quartz veins is 
 more frequent in this vicinity than . in any other section of these moun 
 tains that were observed. 
 
 On all the - hills that surround this basin, are to be found fossiliferous 
 sond$tones, and among the alluvium, in some localities, are to be found 
 considerable quantities of fragmentary shells, among which a large Gry- 
 phea has heretofore existed in considerable quantities. Some specimens 
 of the latter fossil are to be found in the office of the U. S. Land Survey, 
 
54 [APPENDIX 
 
 * 
 
 but none that were sufficiently perfect for cabinet specimens could be 
 obtained at the time I visited! the locality from which the above speci 
 mens were taken. These monstrous bivalves retain the animal in a pet 
 rified state most perfectly preserved, and it is evident from their distri 
 bution and appearance that they must have been elevated above the 
 surface of the waters during life ; the evidence of this exists in the fact 
 that nearly every shell contains the animal, which if they had been 
 raised above the surface after life had been destroyed the probabilities 
 are that very few animals would be found. 
 
 The route from this valley to the San Joaquin plains lays through a 
 narrow pass emerging from the southwestern side of the valley- The 
 pass retains the name of the valley into which it enters, and is about 
 sixteen miles (inclusive of that part of the valley . through which it 
 passes,) in length : at this point you enter the San Joaquin Valley at a 
 point .known as the. Elk Horn. The house at this place is two hundred 
 and twenty feet above the sea. A gentle rise of the land occurs here for 
 about half a mile, and then the valley slopes gently towards the river. 
 The road to the river follows the course of the tule bottoms for about 
 twelve miles, and then enters an Encinal of oaks, which continue to the 
 river. 
 
 One of the chief points of interest in this vicinity is the extensive 
 area covered by tule ; they commence near the junction of the river and 
 Suisun bay, and extend to a point about eighteen miles south of Castoria 
 on the west sicj.e of the river; having an average breadth of about, 
 twelve miles. From the appearance of the country in which they are 
 situated, I had formed an opinion that a large proportion of these lands 
 might be easily reclaimed, and if so, they must ultimately become valu 
 able property. With this view the altitude above the sea was taken in 
 several places, on my return to the mountains to the west, and the aver 
 age of those results gave the sum of eighty feet above tide level. 
 Should it prove that this level is maintained to any considerable distance 
 and the general character of those lands favor this presumtion, or should 
 there be a depression to the amount of twenty -five feet from their border 
 to their centre, which is rather improbable, there will still remain fifty- 
 five feet fall to reclaim them by drainage. 
 
 If properly drained, these lands could be applied to the culture of rice 
 or other vegetable productions, and judging from the character of the 
 soils immediately about them, they would prove highly prolific. And 
 here in passing I will mention one incident in relation to the capacity of 
 the soil for production, that may prove not only interesting but useful, 
 in illustration of erroneous opinions heretofore expressed relative to 
 lands on the San Joaquin Valley, and which perhaps has exerted as 
 great an influence in preventing the permanent settlement of these plains 
 as perhaps anything that has been urged against them. Toward the 
 foot-hills of the mountains to the west, is a low table of the valley ap 
 parently destitute of water, either for the support of vegetation or 
 animal life, in some parts this land^has a slight gravelly appearance, but 
 this is not general ; on one ranch situated on this plateau there ha* been 
 two full crops of barley harvested from the same piece- of ground, and 
 when I visited this place in October the third crop was then being har- 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 55 
 
 rowed in; the whole having occurred within the term of two-hundr d 
 and seventy -three days. 
 
 As soon as this fact became known, settlers were soon found to be oil 
 their way thither, and at that time there was not a farm to be found 
 vacant for a considerable distance . around. There is no reason for the 
 supposition that land on the west side of the river and toward the moun 
 tains is unsuited for cultivation, for the fact before us is a sufficient proof 
 to the contrary. 
 
 Having noticed the more general characteristics of the geology of that 
 part of the country embraced in the examinations of the past season, 
 and also their more general adaptation to the industrial departments of 
 agriculture, it now remains to speak of their resources and the uses to 
 which they may be applied. 
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE COAST MOUNTAINS'. 
 
 The minerals of these mountains are widely dispersed throughout 
 their entire extent ; they consist principally of copper, iron, lead, silver, 
 gold, rnickel, and antimony, with agates, calcedony, and many others 
 too numerous to mention here, but will be found under their proper 
 head. 
 
 The metallic minerals are widely distributed ; the ores of copper are 
 found in the form of carbonate, sulphuret, and silicate, among the Santa 
 Cruz Mountains ; in the vicinity of Rincon Point, south of San Francisco, 
 it is found sparingly disseminated among the trap and metamorphosed 
 rocks of that section. In the mountains, south of Monterey, it is also 
 found over a limited area, and again in the lower hills on the east side 
 of the Salinas Valley, near the Rancho Alisal. At this locality it occurs 
 in an extensive quartz dike that has forced its way through all the other 
 rocks both igneous and sedimentary ; the forms in which it appears are 
 the blue and green carbonate, in crystals, the sulphuret, the latter found 
 in small masses detached from the gangiie. In the same rocks is to be 
 found considerable quantities of iron p < yrites, generally disseminated and 
 containing a small quantity of gold. The above ores of copper are often 
 met with in these mountains, their occurrence over so wide a range and 
 the trapean rocks with which they are so often associated leads to the 
 belief that at a future day they may be found in sufficient quantity to be 
 profitably worked. 
 
 SILVER. In the county Monterey, this metal occurs in the form of 
 argentiferous galena (or lead and silver) this mineral is found in the 
 primitive and transition limestone abounding in this section; it is found 
 in small veins and disseminated ; the range in which it occurs, extends 
 from the Gabilan Peak to the Chapedero on the south, a distance of 
 twelve miles inclusive. The limestone in whicfi it is found, and the 
 granitic rocks adjoining have been disturbed by the intrusion of trapean 
 rocks to the east, and from the opportunity that was offered for its ex 
 amination it dips under the valley of the west at a considerable angle. 
 A cross-cut has been driven from the west side of the hill for the pur 
 pose of intersecting the line of the view, but was abandoned before 
 
reaching the limestone.* A shaft has also been sunk on the vein to the 
 depth of fifty -five feet, -and 'at the bottom the granite had been reached, 
 an opportunity was presented in the level from the bottom of the shaft 
 to make an examination on its line of strike, and from all that could be 
 seen, (as there had been much caving in of the walls) it is evident that 
 the metallic vein is confined to the calcareous rock, as no vestige of -it 
 was to be found in any part of the granite below it. 
 
 ' At one point the decomposed vein showed a power of four or five 
 inches for two feet in depth, this was followed down to the granite, and 
 at its junction all traces of the vein ceased to exist. It is not -improba 
 ble that a well defined sett may be found under the valley, but it will 
 require much exploration and expenditure of capital to determine that 
 point, as mining operations cannot be entered upon with small means 
 and ultimate prospects of success. . . 
 
 Traces of this mineral are to be met with for several miles north and 
 south of this locality, and its distribution over so wide a range of coun 
 try induces a belief that a profitable vien may yet be found in these 
 mountains. 
 
 IKON. This metal is found in almost every variety of form, from one 
 end of the Coast Mountains to the other, the prevailing mineral how 
 ever, is the. peroxide and protoxide of this metal; the latter is often 
 found in the form of hydrate, and when occuring in proximity to serpen 
 tine rocks often found to be more or less auriferous. This mineral is 
 largely developed in some parts of the auriferous district of Mariposa 
 county, and from one of the most valuable receptacles of gold among 
 the gold-bearing rocks of that section. 
 
 SULPHATE IKON. This article known in commerce under the name 
 of " Copperas," is found native in large quantities near the town of 
 Santa Cruz. Its principle had occurred a short distance west of the 
 house of Mr. Medor in a gulch running from the mountains through 
 the low hills to the coast. I followed the course of the ravine from 
 where it enters the high hill near the crossing of the road north-west of 
 the town to near the sea, the average depth of its banks varies from 
 fifteen to thirty feet, its length from the hill to the coast being about 
 two miles. 
 
 The copperas formed an efflorescence- on the sides and bottom of the 
 ravine covering entirely the earth and stones, on which a great quantity 
 had crystalized ; it was not difficult to scoop up a pound or more, at any 
 one of these places ; the banks of the ravine above the water were cov 
 ered with the effloresced salt to such a thickness that a white and green 
 color was given for several yards in length, the- ground being entirely 
 obscured. The depth of the earth tfyat was thoroughly impregnate*:! 
 with the salt, would average ten feet for the -whole length of the ravine 
 the depth to which thfs descends below the surface is unknown, but it' is 
 probably considerable ; the rocks at the bottom are a micaceous schist 
 and were broken into for two or three feet and at that depth seemed as 
 strongly charged with the ferruginous salt as at the surface. A small 
 stream of -water runs through the gulch which is permanent throughout 
 the year, and carries a sufficient quantity to answer all the purposes of 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 57 -. x 
 
 an extensive manufacture of this article for commerce. It would be 
 difficult to iind a loccality that combines the same advantages" that this 
 does for the manufacture of sulphate of iron; all that is necessary to be 
 done has been performed by nature, and to extract the salt it is only 
 necessary to erect vats upon the coast and shovel the earth, to be leached, 
 directly into them. An area of several square miles is highly charged 
 with the mineral and the day is not far distant when Santa Cruz will be 
 come as celebrated for the manufacture of this article as it has been here 
 tofore for its vegetable productions. 
 
 MAGNETIC IRON. At the distance of two mites north-west of the 
 above locality, an extensive bed of magnetic iron occurs, running down 
 to the coast, at which point it crops out arid exhibits a depth of several 
 feet. Toward the mountains I have been informed that it t again shows 
 itself above the surface in several places ; there is every reason to be 
 lieve that it underlies an extensive district, as much difficulty has been 
 experienced in obtaining correct courses by the compass ; in one instance 
 the needle was deflected to thirty-one degrees on approaching its south 
 ern edge. 
 
 GYPSUM. Sulphate of lime is reported to abound in the northern paft 
 of Santa Cruz, and in the vicinity of the Palo de los Yeska, some six 
 miles from the Mission; it was frequently spoken of by the inhabitants 
 of this place but I was unable to learn its precise locality. It is not im 
 probable that it does abound in this vicinity, as ample material for its 
 formation exists in this section of country. An extensive bed of moun 
 tain limestone occurs in close proximity to the native sulphate of iron 
 alluded to in the former paragraph. 
 
 CINNABAR Has also been reported to have occurred in this vicinity. 
 I found one small piece east of the San Lorenzo on the side of a hill, 
 but it is not impossible that it might have been carried there by human 
 means, as no other mineral of the same character was observed ; the 
 occurrence of small detached pieces of cinnabar in these places is not 
 sufficient evidence to found a, belief that it occurs in situ, or that a de 
 posit may occur there. 
 
 * The ores of this metal are found from Contra Costa on the 
 north to the utmost southern limit reached in the Coast Mountains. ? It 
 occurs in the primitive rocks, associated with chronic iron in almost every 
 case where the latter may be obtained. It appears v as a bright green 
 mineral on the fractured surface of the other ores, and is known in tech 
 nical language as " nicked green." The scarcity of this metal renders 
 the discovery of its ores in this country an object of some importance, 
 and its wide distribution leads to the belief that it exists in sufficient 
 quantities to. warrant investment for its extraction from other ores, at no 
 distant day. It is extensively used in the manufacture of German Sil 
 ver for wares and household utensils. When reduced, the metal is 
 white, much resembling silver in in its general appearance, and for 
 which it has been mistaken in this country. The principal localities 
 where it has been observed this season are at Contra Costa, in the ser- 
 
 8 
 
..,,.. 
 
 58 [APPENDIX 
 
 pentine rocks south of Tulecita and near San Antonia in the county 
 Monterey, among the large beds of chronic iron from the San Benito, 
 and the Panoches, of the Gabilan range. These localities afford the 
 largest amounts yet found in this State, and it is to be hoped that those 
 explorations which are now in progress in this part of the country may 
 result in the development of this mineral to a much greater extent than 
 yet known. 
 
 GOLD.- This metal has been found in the Coast Mountains, from the 
 County San Francisco on the north to Luis Obispo on the south. The 
 slates and serpentine formations which have been noticed in the preceding 
 pages of this report are found to be receptacles of gold here as in the 
 Sierra ^Nevada ; these rocks are extensive in the Coast Mountains, often 
 comprising an entire ridge for miles, they are usually flanked by the gran 
 ite. During the past summer, the placers in the County Santa Cruz were 
 much worked ; the gold found here was principally on the San Lorenzo 
 and its tributaries ; it was fine, and much resembled that found in the Caoti 
 Hill, near Nevada; under the glass it had all the appearance of having 
 suifered but little from attrition by water, the surface of the grains being 
 rough, as though just detached from their ' original matrix. The slates 
 and serpentine rocks occur on both sides of this creek, with small veins 
 of quartz running through them, and from what we know of auriferous 
 districts of this and other countries, the presumption that gold in situ 
 exists here, amounts nearly to a certainty. 
 
 On the upper portions of the Carmello, in the county' Montery, gold 
 is also found, in the immediate vicinity of the Eancho Tulecita. far 
 ther to the southeast, near the head waters of the creek, it is also found 
 on the tributaries of the main stream, that flow from the western ridge 
 of these mountains. On the Francisquito, a tributary of the Carmello, 
 coming from the southwest, and twelve miles from the coast it is also 
 found near the house of Barondo. Three or four Mexicans were work 
 ing with the battaya at the time I passed that ranche. The serpentine 
 rocks are largely developed on the east flanks of -the granite ridges, and 
 from their course they may be considered as forming the northern part 
 of a series which occurs at the- Mission San Antonio fifty miles south. 
 
 I was informed by Mr. Meadows, who has traversed the interior of 
 these mountains probably more than any' other man in this part of the 
 country, that the same class of rocks are -found throughout the distance 
 inclusive between the Carmello and 'the above Mission. Near San An 
 tonio there were several persons at work during the past summer, in the 
 placers in this vicinity. This was no new discovery, for the existence 
 of gold at this locality has been known since 1850. Those at work at 
 this place were mostly Mexicans, and while traveling on the Salinas I 
 frequently met companies of five or six, with their camp material and 
 tools, wending their way to this section. 
 
 Qn the Pescadero Creek, a tributary of the Pajaro Eiver, gold was 
 found -during the past summer; it was first observed a short distance 
 above the bituminous springs lying on the north bank of this stream ; the 
 serpentine rocks abound in this vicinity, and also some of its subordinate 
 members ; at this place the Magnesian Group of the Santa Cruz Moun 
 tains, which run north into San Francisco, have their southern terminus. 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 59 
 
 On the Rancho La Brae, near the Pescadero, and into the very^ edge of 
 the Valley Santa Clara the talcose series and gold is found ; on crossing 
 the Pajaro, these rocks and with, them the gold closes ; not a trace of 
 this metal, or rock that would indicate its existence was to be found in 
 any of the hills east of the Gabilan. 
 
 The district of country in the Coast Mountains in which the aurifer- 
 erous deposits are now known to occur is about eighty miles in length, 
 and thus far is confined to the counties of Santa Clara, Monterey and 
 the north part of Luis Obispo. This is a material addition to the al 
 ready known area in which this metal is found, and its location in what 
 has heretofore been considered the agricultural districts of the State, 
 will in time exert a beneficial influence in the permanent settlement of 
 those sections. 
 
 ANTIMONY. The common sulphuret of this metal fs Very abundant 
 in the Monte Diablo Eange ; at Mount Oso it is found in large masses, 
 also at various other points throughout these mountains ; it occurs in 
 considerable quantities in some parts- of the County of Santa Barbara. 
 This mineral is deserving of attention as it often contains a notable 
 quantity of silver, though as yet no specimens which have been found 
 in this country contain a large per centage of this metal. That variety 
 of the antimonial ores which is argentiferous, has a lively steel-gray 
 color, cuts easily with the knife and is brittle, while the common gray 
 antimony, which is the principal yet found, has a lead-gray color, its 
 fractured surface, easily tarnishes and scales of the mineral are slightly 
 flexible. * 
 
 BITUMEN. Bituminous springs abound through the Coast Moun 
 tains, and in some places is much used in the construction of buildings, 
 and walks in front of buildings ; for the latter purposes it is admirably 
 adapted in situations where the sun will not have too powerful an effect 
 upon it, as in such cases it is apt to become soft. In the counties of 
 Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey, several of these springs occur, 
 and further south are found more abundant. Information has been re 
 ceived of an extensive deposit of bitumen in Contra Costa, some six 
 miles from the scores of the bay, but at what point I have as yet been 
 unable to learn. This article has been used of late in the manufacture 
 of gas, for illumination, and it possesses some advantages over the com 
 mon oil or resin gas in general use ; a sufficient quantity for the illumin 
 ation of the country may be easily obtained and at low rates when re 
 quired for this purpose. 
 
 CINNABAR. This mineral is well known, and the principal mine now 
 opened in this country is at New Almaden in the County of Santa Clara 
 and situated twelve miles from San Jose. The town of Almaden is sit 
 uated four hundred and eighty feet above the sea and the mine is eight 
 hundred and sixty feet above the town, making the elevation of the 
 mine thirteen hundred forty -five above tide level. The ore_at this mine 
 is found in bunches or deposits in a clay highly charged with peroxide 
 iron. The cinnabar contains considerable arsenic generally disseminated 
 through the ore, small veins of calcareous spar are found running 
 

 62 [APPENDIX 
 
 of about four miles, with, an elevation of four thousand feet above the 
 sea for the greatest part of its length.' 
 
 From the examinations that were made upon this range, there are 
 abundant evidences that an ancient stream,, flowed through this section, 
 of the country, and in a direction parallel with its then existing moun 
 tain ridges, and the extensive mining operations conducted in/the south 
 east part of Sierra county 011 this range, has been the means of demon 
 strating this fact, which -had heretofore been strongly suspected only. 
 The outliers of its banks are very definitely marked throughout the 
 entire length of the formation under consideration, and its former bed 
 filled in many places, with a volcanic sand and ashes, which probably 
 accompanied its displacement. 
 
 Iir the county Sierra these peculiarities ar-e best observed ; in the" 
 viqinity, and foy ten miles west of Downieville, the hills are covered 
 with a volcanic brecia and tufa, which may be conveniently studied be 
 tween the Negro Tent and Galloway's Banch, also on 'all the hills and 
 ravines surrounding Yumanna on Oregoia Creek. On the creek the 
 tufaceous deposit is found to the depth of sixty feet. L 
 
 The exact point from which these immense quantities of volcanic 
 materials were ejected, is somewhat obscure ; yet there are reasons for 
 the supposition that they had their origin in the truncated cones which 
 lie a few miles to the north-east, and of which the Pilot Peak forms one 
 of the principal points or centres of this rugged and forbidding district. 
 This presumption is based on the grounds that between Uilot Peak and 
 Yumana there are ample evidences of a direct connection with these 
 larger centres of disturbance ; an extensive dike of black scoriaceous 
 and vesicular, lava is traceable throughout the entire distance between 
 Yumana and the Pilot Peak, passing through the hill north-west of 
 Downieville, and within two hundred yards of the town, it crosses the 
 river at this point and appears at Durgan's Flat on the opposite side of 
 the stream, from thence it is again met near Galloway's Ranch, and con 
 tinues from there t9 the high bluff which overhangs the town of 
 Yumana, on Oregon Creek. There are no other true volcanic cones in 
 this section that would seem commensurate with so large a scale of oper 
 ations, except those above noted, though the minor peaks undoubtedly 
 added much to the general result. 
 
 The displacement of this ancient stream and the subsequent filling of 
 its bed has opened a new and rich field for scientific research. in this 
 State, but its more direct and economical bearings are that it affords an 
 equally new and extensive field for the operations of the placer miner, 
 and that thus far has proved itself equal to that of any range yet discov 
 ered in this country. Besides being equally abundant in its produce of 
 gold as far as opened, with the best placers of the State, it possesses the 
 advantage of being the most extensive of any one system which has yet 
 been found. The peculiarities which characterize this formation and 
 which distinguishes it from all others in the State, are the following : 
 the boulders found throughout its entire extent are very uniform -in their 
 characters, and are composed of quartz exclusively, (or nearly so) this 
 has a bluish- watery color in the mass, highly trans lucent and vitreous 
 when fractured, constituting ninety-seven per cent, of all the stones found 
 in^lie deeper diggings, they are invested by a dull but deep blue earthy 
 
Doc. No. !).] 63 
 
 material highly charged with pyrites, which in most cases is s firm as 
 the rocks themselves, making it extremely laborious and difficult in 
 driving shafts or adits. The gold is contained in this matrix for a dis 
 tance of six or eight feet above the "bed-rock," and resting directly on 
 the latter, it is coarse and generally rough, and its external appearance 
 is that of a poor quality, thougLdt assays high and brings the first prices ; 
 its pale and dirty appearance is due to a small quantity of arsenical 
 pyrites which adheres to its surface and which is found in considerable 
 quantities in the matrix containing the gold. 
 
 The underlying rocks are serpentine and talcose slates ; on Oregon 
 Creek they are found to contain small veins of mundic (arsenical pyrites) 
 one or two inches in thickness, this has a clear and lively grayish- w^hite 
 color, when recently fractured, but soon tarnishes on exposure, becoming 
 a dirty lead gray, and even quite dark ; this mineral is rich in gold, it is 
 difficult to find a small piece that does not present this metal to the 
 naked eye on some part of its sufface. 
 
 The mineral was first observed in the, Johnson Shaft, half a mile north 
 of the town of Yumanna, and occurs at a depth of fifty feet below the 
 level of the creek, at the edge of which the shaft was driven, the strike 
 of these veins was north-west by west, and is found on both sides of the 
 stream on that line. There were four other shafts in this vicinity in 
 which the mundic was found under the same circumstances ; and there 
 can be scarcely a question but that it exists in true veins among the 
 serpentine rocks throughout this part of the country. These veins have 
 been found to penetrate the rocks in which they occur to the depth of 
 six feet from the surface, and should it ultimately be found that the 
 area is in any way considerable through which they, run, .they offer suf 
 ficient inducement to erect works for the reduction of this ore. 
 
 The blue color of the drift in this range has been found to pervade all 
 parts of this peculiar deposit wherever it occurs, its boulders maintain 
 their character and per centage, its extent over so large a district, its 
 dissimilarity in these respects with all other placers vet known, has sug 
 gested the propriety of adopting a name which shall at once seperate it 
 from other sections, in order to designate more particularly its course 
 and extent in the future ; by this means we shall in a short time be able 
 to acquire additional information relative to its extent that we do not 
 now possess, and as its developements at the present time are of so flat 
 tering a nature, that any information of its present undiscovered boun 
 daries, would add but another link to the great chain of our mineral 
 resources, equally as important and productive as the best now known. 
 
 I would, therefore, suggest, that tjie term " Eastern Blue Range" be 
 applied to this district ; this will separate it from tho* lower down, hav 
 ing the same color, but not possessing any one of its other peculiarities. 
 
 To define more particularly the position of this formation, both geo 
 graphically and geologically, we will follow more particularly the out 
 line of the ancient stream, and some few of the localities now situated 
 upon it. On the south fork of Feather River, opposite to Sailor Bar, 
 and east of this locality for three miles it is found in fche form of small 
 flats on the sides- of hills declining to the east ; passing to the south,it is 
 met with a short distance from Goody e'arfe Bar, again at Yumanna, on 
 Oregon Creek, still farther south at Minesota, at Chipseg's, Smith's and 
 
64 [APPENDIX 
 
 Kanaka Flats ; crossing the Middle Yuba, it is found at Orleans Flat, 
 Moore's Flat, New Flats, thence across the south Yuba, by the towns of 
 Eureka, Washington, and Poor Man's Creek, and at Mule Springs. This 
 vicinity has presented an area of nine miles in which this formation has 
 been found. Crossing Bear River, it is again met at each side of the 
 American Forks, and is particularly well developed in the vicinity of 
 Sarahsville, extending from thence to Georgetown. South of this, but 
 very little is known of its location. 
 
 Within the extremes of north and south named above, the banks of 
 an ancient stream are distinctly marked out, and can be as easily traced 
 as if the waters were still flowing in their original bed. It must have 
 existed at a date when the adjacent country maintained a much less ele 
 vation than that now existing ; this is proven from the fact that, even at 
 this time a terraced form is observable in many places, in 'each of which 
 the same peculiarities aboiind. The organic matters deposited are per 
 fect in their forms, the most delicate parts of leaves are truthfully pre 
 served to nature ; the material in which they are imbedded is that 
 usually found suspended in waters that were but slightly disturbed, and 
 when disintegrated yields an almost impalpable powder not a pebble, 
 nor even coarse sand is to be found in any part of it. In fact every fea 
 ture that would indicate a quiet state of waters is fulfilled in the section 
 under consideration. Had it been otherwise, the leaves and other ten 
 der parts of plants would have exhibited a different appearance from 
 that they now present. 
 
 The remains of plants found in these localities are extinct on this part 
 of the coast at the present date, the fruit, leaf, and structure of the sap- 
 vessels, differ from those of every other section of the country, either 
 fossil or living. I have been enabled to obtain six varieties of leaves, 
 and two varieties of fruits, which will be described as soon as opportuni 
 ty &|iall offer. The depth at which these specimens were obtained from 
 the surface was one hundred seventy feet, and near the end of an adit 
 whose length was five hundred eighty feet, the principal bed was found 
 in the Arcana Tunnel, at the town of Minesota. 
 
 The position of this formation has been stated in the preceding pages, 
 to be below the tertiary groups and diluvial drift of the other placers. 
 It will be unnecessary to roam over the entire State to illustrate or prove 
 this point, as we have an adjacent district where both may be studied 
 with ease and facility in an hour's ride between them. This locality is 
 .found at Chipseg's arid Smith's Flats, about midway between Minesota 
 and Oregon Creek. The ^different formations will be given as they occur 
 at Smith's Flat and Minesota, which will fully illustrate the existing dif 
 ferences 
 
 A_t Minesota we find the following in the descending order : First, 
 volcanic tufa ; second, diluvial drift, -containing no gold and having a 
 depth of seventy feet ; below this is found a bed of clay and imperfectly 
 formed slates beneath which a boulder formation of thirty-eight feet 
 composed almost exclusively of quartz ; succeeding this the formation 
 in question, containing tne silicified woods, and leaves and fruits, the lat 
 ter in the form of lignites, and in abundance. Following a direct line 
 from this locality to Smith's Flat and at the distance of half a mile from 
 the latter we meet an outcrop of the slates, above these slates the drift 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 65 
 
 and gold of this latter locality is found, and contains petrifactions of 
 present existing species of plants and trees, which still flourish in the 
 adjoining neighborhood ; among these the pine and oak are very prom 
 inent. The structure of these silicified woods are as perfectly delineated 
 as in the trees of similar character growing above them. The drift de 
 posit at this locality is composed of every variety of rock found in the 
 adjoining countries, being composed of trap, granite, porphyries and 
 quartz, forming no well defined order of position. 
 
 The drift deposit of Minesota being almost exclusively of quartz, such 
 as has been described as occuring at Yumanna, forms a wide contrast 
 with the above, and beneath the boulder formation the lignites, consist 
 ing of six species none of which are identical with any living species, or 
 with the deposits of the section north of this locality. It will be seen 
 from the peculiarities thus briefly enumerated in relation to the main 
 features of both deposits, the widely dissimilar character of the mine 
 rals composing both, their relative position, and the difference in the 
 organic deposits found in both, there is sufficient reason for assigning to 
 each a different age. 
 
 How correct this conclusion may be, it yet remains to be proved, if 
 additional testimony is required ; and this can only be known when this 
 particular section shall have been more fully explored. Certain it is, 
 however, that its present appearance favors this classification ; and should 
 it prove as productive in its auriferous deposits as the partial explora 
 tions upon it now indicate, the amount of gold which it capable of pro 
 ducing would be unequalled in any district heretofore or at present 
 known. There is not an instance known, where the lead in this range 
 has been found, but that large sums of gold have been the result ; this 
 might be saying more, perhaps, than prudence would dictate, but such 
 are the facts in the case, let opinion be* what .they may. 
 
 QUAKTZ MINING. 
 
 For two years past this branch of industry has engrossed much of 
 public attention, and speculation on the future success and prospects of 
 these mines has been as diversified and fluctuating as upon any subject 
 ever presented to public consideration ; this has resulted from an incor 
 rect appreciation of their intrinsic value, and want of information res 
 pecting their position, geologically considered, coupled with disappoint 
 ments resulting in too high anticipations of abundant products from these 
 sources in too short periods of time ; the hasty and inconsiderate man 
 ner in which persons entered into these speculations in the country here 
 tofore, and the natural results which must necessarily flow from such a 
 course of action, has had the effect to cast a shadow of doubt for the 
 time being, on the future prospects of these sources of wealth, while the 
 pecuniary losses that followed in the the train of these causes were con 
 strued by alarmists abroad as indexes of certain failure, and thus ren 
 dered ike doubt that existed an apparent certainty. 
 
 All this however, has had a beneficial effect in its ultimate results, by 
 checking that abnormal cause of action incident to the first outbreak of 
 all speculative movements of this kind. Had that cool discretion and 
 
 9 
 
66 [APPENDIX 
 
 judgment which has marked the subsequent career of these undertak 
 ings that firm determination to surmount all natural obstacles and test 
 the truth or falsity of the claim advanced of the value of these veins, 
 been practiced in the earlier stages of quartz mining, we should have 
 been spared the disagreeable task of chronicling adversity and pseudo- 
 failures in a legitimate and profitable branch of employment, thus sav 
 ing this one- of the grand levers of our commercial prosperity the odium 
 that has heretofore attached to it and is still persistent in the minds of 
 some abroad. 
 
 Aided by the discrepant and in many cases malicious reports from our 
 own hills, the savans of the Atlantic States and Europe reiterated the 
 howl, and the public of those distant shores were nightly harrangued in 
 the lecture-room, and popular assemblies, on the utter impossibility of 
 the auriferous veins of this country proving to be more than, a mere ephemeral 
 show, and unworthy the confidence of reflecting minds. Their gratui 
 tous expressions and unfavorable opinions, are now proved from the sub 
 sequent explorations which have been conducted on these veins, to be 
 equally unfounded as were the arguments made use of by these men to 
 convince their listening audiences of the supposed facts they so learnedly 
 put forth ; and our citizens engaged in these pursuits of industry have 
 labored on, temporarily affected only by the confusion of opinions and 
 anathemas issued from the portals of science, against this great interest 
 of the State, and have borne the testimony triumphantly to the world 
 that science unattended by personal experience will render him who uses 
 it far more notorious than popular or reliable. 
 
 Notwitstanding the disadvantages of a manufactured public opinion 
 with which this branch of industry has been obliged to contend, and the 
 serious obstacles which have thus been presented to its progress, it has 
 now become one of the permanent employments of the State, and should 
 it meet with no other impediments than those which are the resultants of 
 nature, it will obtain a position second to none, within the next two 
 years. 
 
 The permanency of their character would scarcely have been demon 
 strated in the short period of time in which it has occurred, in any other 
 country or State except this, and is in true keeping with the firmness of 
 purpose manifested in every great undertaking by the citizens of this 
 State, and is but another mark of that indomitable perseverance in over 
 coming difficulties either natural or artificial, that stand in the path of 
 their advancement, for which they have become peculiarly characterized 
 and proverbial. 
 
 The popular belief that the gold mines of this State, and the opera 
 tions conducted upon them heretofore has been suspended, with the ex 
 ception perhaps of a few isolated cases scattered through the country, 
 and that they hold but a forced existence for speculative puposes, de 
 signed ultimately to be the means of conducting swindling operations 
 on a large scale abroad, is as base as it is unfounded ; those feelings and 
 ideas find a haven in the breasts of a few only, who from their position 
 commercially have been the means of propagating this erroneous and 
 unjust opinion in relation to this subject. The embittered feelings of 
 such persons, which have had their origin in disappointed hopes arising 
 from too hasty conclusions respecting the productiveness of thoge oper- 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 6? 
 
 ations in which they were individually interested, and which in nearly 
 every case was caused by inadequacy of means and mismanagement of 
 their operations, is no criterion whereby to form an opinion that would 
 be just or reasonable, with reference to these metallic veins, and those in 
 this country who would still propagate those opinions, do so in the face 
 of every evidence to the contrary which reason or sober judgment would 
 demand or can be found in this or any other country. 
 
 With these preliminary remarks on the general impressions at home 
 and abroad, respecting their theoretic value, founded as they are on pre 
 sumption rather than evidence, we shall proceed to consider the geolog 
 ical position which the quartz veins of this State hold to the rocks with 
 which .they are found in connection, hoping thereby to elucidate more 
 clearly their present as well as prospective value. 
 
 QUAKTZ VEINS AND THEIR RELATIVE AGES IN CALI 
 FORNIA. 
 
 The quartz veins of this State are" found distributed in nearly parallel 
 lines throughout the west flank of the Sierra Nevada, and consist of 
 three distinct lines separated by intervals ranging from four to eleven 
 miles ; as these divisions are found in nature they constitute what may 
 be denominated the principal or main ranges. Between these are to be' 
 found smaller lines of these rocks at times running parallel with the 
 former, at others having strikes more or less oblique^ and even at right 
 angles in some instances with, the principal veins. 
 
 From the peculiar distribution of these rocks, as. relates to their con 
 nection and position with the formations in which they are found, it 
 would be difficult to refer them all to the same age ; this would be man 
 ifest only by observing the different sections in which they occur. They 
 will therefore be designated, in this report as the Older and Recent groups, 
 in order to better describe the peculiarities that may be found in both, 
 and with reference also to the age of the rocks which they have been the 
 apparent cause of disturbing. 
 
 OLDER GROUP. 
 
 The eastern and also a part of what may be termed the central line 
 of dikSs are included under this head. This group is found to have in 
 truded itself through the primitive formations only, or through the tra- 
 pean rocks which immediately succeed the primitive. The principal 
 rocks which appear to have suffered the greatest amount of local dis 
 turbance and .dislocation from these quartz veins, have been the granite 
 serpentine and the earlier trapean rocks, which appear to under-lie both 
 the former. The veins or dikes that occur in the primitive series are 
 usually much more massive than those of a later period, and are not 
 distributed over so wide an area, or possess so great a number of lateral 
 veins, or cross-courses incident to the more recent group of these rocks. 
 
 The mineral characteristics of the Older Group are more uniform 
 and regular so far as known, and are found to possess a firmness of 
 
68 [APPENDIX 
 
 texture, where they enter the greenstone, much greater than those of 
 recent date. It is seldom found that this suite of veins has cut through 
 or in any way disturbed the slates wljich rest on the granite, even when 
 the latter are in (the immediate neighborhood ; less rare is it to find 
 them cut through by the older group ; that in a line of travel over two 
 hundred miles in length that I have seen but two instances in the east 
 ern range of veins, and it is even questionable whether this dike be 
 longed strictly to the older group. 
 
 The effect of these veins on the rocks which they pass through, has 
 been to disorganize their structure to a considerable extent, which has 
 rendered the decomposition of both more rapid and complete, hence it 
 frequently happens that rich deposits of metal are found -in such places, 
 and usually occur near the point of contact of both series of rocks. The 
 older group is found to extend from near the summit ridge of the moun 
 tains to a distance of about forty miles toward the west, and constitute 
 nearly six-eights (6-8) of all the veins found within this line of distance, 
 and on these are located the greatest proportion of all the mines at pre 
 sent in operation. 
 
 In that portion of the country lying north of the Cosumnes River 
 and ranging thirty miles east of the Yalley Sacramento, the central line 
 of dikes belonging to the older group, are found, their western edge 
 passes through the counties of El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Bu'tte and 
 Shasta, and as far north as the Mt. Shata hills to the east of the peak. 
 It is well developed in the counties of El Dorado, Placer and Nevada, 
 and in one locality in the county of Yuba, a short distance above Scott's 
 Ferry. In these latter counties the more recent group is also found, and 
 in the county of Nevada it is seen to have disturbed the older groups in 
 some localities, and in Placer county, where both have features in com 
 mon which will be noticed more particularly when treating of the Eecent 
 group. 
 
 To localize the upper and older group- of these veins, a few localities 
 will be given for the purpose of familiarizing their geographical positions ; 
 in Nevada county it is met with, at the National vein, also at German 
 Bar, at the Ariel Mine in Sierra county, and the Jamison Creek mines 
 in Butte county ; on the American forks at the Volcano mine, El Dorado 
 county; Leake Vein, Calaveras county; Big Oak Flat, and Marble 
 Springs, Tuolumne county. 
 
 These localities are situated far into the mountains, and are situated on 
 the eastern part of this line of dikes, and upon those parts of it where 
 it is most largely developed, becoming an extended and well defined con 
 tinuous range. 
 
 Keturning to the middle or central range of dikes, at the distance of 
 thirty miles from the valley, and travelling south we find that immedi 
 ately after crossing the Consumnes, the granitic rocks that have hereto 
 fore been found associated with this range of veins further north begin 
 to disappear in a gradual manner, and the prevailing rocks are talcose, 
 to the exclusion of almost every other of the primitive series ; for a dis 
 tance of about fifty miles, the quartz is found associated with this or some 
 of its- subordinate members, the granitic rocks lying far to the east. The 
 quartz vein found among the talcose series and which appear of the same 
 age as those occurring in the grange, are equally uniform in the general 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 69 
 
 characteristics they present, so far as relates to their mineral constituents, 
 but there is one remarkable feature attending them here (as also to the 
 north in a few instances,) which is not common to the granitic associa 
 tions of these rocks, viz : the depth to which the vein is decomposed from 
 the surface down, will not exceed more than one-fourth that which will 
 be found where the inverting rock. is of the granitic series. This pecu 
 liar feature is very striking in passing from a " sett " situated in the latter 
 to one located in the former, and will be found to hold good even in the 
 same neighborhood. 
 
 One other feature is equally apparent, and at the same time important 
 in connection with this, which is, that while those veins present the con 
 trast above noted, the "setts" occuring in the serpentive series which 
 have been unaffected by the cause producing such extensive decomposi 
 tion as is found among the granite rocks, do not possess a texture so firm 
 and coherent as the veins found in the northern sections, such veins will 
 be worked with a less amount of labor and capital producing an equal 
 amount of ore. 
 
 There is nothing to distingu^s^ the veins of this section from being of 
 the same age with those at the north, and running through a similar range 
 of country, like the veing of the granitic series they do not appear to 
 have disturbed the more recent formation of the tertiaries, but are con 
 fined exclusively to the primitive rocks. Following a line west toward 
 the valleys, the occurrence of a more recent group becomes manifest, and 
 is unquestionably the equivalent of that alluded to as occurring through 
 out the northern counties. 
 
 RECENT GEOUP. , 
 
 This group of these rocks is found extending from the lowest foot-hills 
 on the east border of the valley r where the first outcrop of the slates are 
 met, to a distance of about eighteen miles to the east, and after is found 
 running into tfee western edge of the older group ; their intrusion ap 
 pears to have formed one of the principal and later disturbing agents 
 that has been in action in those periods of development of that part of 
 this country, immediately preceding, and continuing into the middle 
 Eocene and Miocene periods of the tertiary era. 
 
 Their altitude above the sea is variable, from one hundred to fifteen 
 hundred feet, and some few localities reach the height of two thousand. 
 One of the features, which this group presents, and which distinguishes 
 it from those of the older group is, that they have cut through and dis 
 turbed not only the primitive formations, but every other formation 
 found resting upon them, this occurs in almost every case in which these 
 rocks are found. A dike of this age is often found protruding through 
 the granite or some other member of the primitive series, and may be 
 traced frequently for one or two miles before any member of the sedi- 
 mentry rocks are met with ; in this case, the latter rocks will be found 
 more or less disturbed at the point of contact with the vein, and it will 
 often be found that its passage from the granite beneath into the slates 
 above is perfect, traversing the overlying rocl^ through a great part of 
 its length, and sending out cross courses in every direction. A di-s 
 
70 [APPENDIX 
 
 turbed position is not the only change observable in these cases ; struc 
 tural change is as often the result of the intrusion among the slates as the 
 appearance of the veins themselves. The above peculiarities in relation 
 to these views are observable in every part of the lower mining districts, 
 and an erroneous opinion in regard to the age of the dike' under exami 
 nation may easily occur as the part urider our observation may be situated 
 either in the primitive or sedimentary rocks. 
 
 A dike of this character occurs in the town of Centreville, Placer 
 County, and extends in a northerly direction for one and a half miles 
 through granite, when it enters the slates, passing entirely through their 
 length and again appearing in granite at their northern extremity ; an 
 other instance of a similar character is met with on Deer Creek, two 
 miles below Nevada ; here the dike passes through the trap, granite and 
 slate, and also at Newtown in the same county. Still further north, in 
 the County of Yuba, a vein cuts both the granite and slate, as in the 
 vicinity of Brown's Valley,' and again on Dry Creek ; in many other 
 localities throughout this range of country, the same features are to be 
 found, and our opinion on the comparative ages of these veins, can be 
 correctly founded only by a careful examination of the entire length of . 
 the vein. 
 
 On the same range of hills, this group is continued south as far as 
 the Tuolumne River, and includes the district on which some of the 
 principal companies of the southern counties are located. It frequently 
 happens that the veins of' this group are composed, of a perfect net-work 
 of small threads and veins, varying in power from one inch to one foot. 
 This peculiarity is admirably exemplified at Angel's Camp in Calaveras 
 County, at this locality and for miles around these small "hilos" con 
 stitute a large part, of tiie rich veins of this section, while at the distance 
 of four miles to the south, it again appears as a . mammoth dike, popu 
 larly known as the "Great Carson Hill Vein," which extends southerly 
 to the Stanislaus River. 
 
 From this point a line of large dikes interrupted at inte^rvals continue 
 in a southeast direction for sixty miles, passing through Campo Seco, 
 Coulteryille, Bear Valley, and thence to Mi Ophir; throughout this 
 entire distance they are found to cut through all other volcanic rocks, 
 with perhaps one or two exceptions ; the lasaltic rocks in some parts of 
 the southern counties bear evidence of displacement by these intrusions, 
 and I know of but two cases in which the latter intrusions have thrown 
 these veins, and in these cases it is not yet fully determined whether 
 this be the fact. It is on the west flanks of the hills in. which the dikes 
 of the recent group of quartz appears, that the features which mark 
 their age are more particularly noticeable ; here the slates (and in the 
 foothills, the sandstone) present all the varied changes of position and 
 structure, noticed by different writers on the physical features incident 
 to the mountain districts of California at one time dipping east at an 
 other west, and again half inverted, in the multifarious disturbances to 
 which they have been subjected. 
 
 The greatest amount of displacement in the sedimentary rocks is 
 always found in the closest proximity to the veins in their immediate 
 vicinity, and although a e*tical position only may be given in many 
 instances, yet this is found to become less as you recede from the vein 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 71 
 
 on either hand transversely to its line of strike ; it is not unfrecyient that 
 the high angle of dip in the first instance will assnme a nearly horizon 
 tal position in the distance of a mile from the point of uplift, but the 
 next ridge will present a re-enactment of the first case if the rocks com 
 posing it are of the same character. 
 
 The vertical position of the slates is one of those peculiar features 
 which attracts the attention of almost every person passing to or from 
 the interior, from their appearance resembling an old church-yard they 
 have been termed the grave-stone slates, and this distinctive feature is 
 found to pervail to the lower range of foot-hills toward the valley, as 
 well as in the more elevated parts of the mountains ; this vertically 
 among the lower hills has been urged as an objection to the point that 
 the intrusion of the quartz of either group, was not the immediate cause 
 of that uplift, but that the present inclination has been given by causes 
 of a a similar character which have acted subsequent to the intrusion of 
 the quartzose veins. 
 
 This proposition seems invalid for this reason : if any such agency as 
 that proposed had been the immediate cause of producing the effects 
 which are observable among the slates of this section and sufficiently 
 powerful to have forced them into the position they now occupy ; it 
 seems but reasonable to suppose that some portions of the intrusive 
 materials should make their appearance among them ; but this is 
 not the case, nor is it necessary to introduce such a complication in order 
 to explain the physical features which are apparent in these rocks, as we 
 find an agent distributed largely among them, which is fully adequate 
 to induce all the changes of position or structure noticeable. 
 
 That we do not find massive outcrops of these dikes among the slates 
 at the edge of the valley, is equally invalid as an objection against their 
 agency in producing the disturbances which are cleanly attributable to 
 their intrusion a few miles farther to the east, for an examination will 
 convince the unprejudiced mind that the causes which have been instru 
 mental in tilting the slates from their former position in the interior has 
 extended to the eastern edge of valleys and produced the ruptures we 
 there witness. 
 
 In favorable situations for observing the intrusive character of the 
 recent group, as in the canons through which flow many of our streams 
 it is there found that the porphiries which lie superior to the primitive 
 rocks, and have had their origin from contact with igneous rocks in an 
 incanderescent state, as well also as the trapean rocks adjoining, are 
 broken through the sedimentary rocks above them which are still un 
 changed. 
 
 Another fact of interest, and having an important bearing on this 
 part of our subject is found on the west borders of the great valleys and 
 in the Coast Mountains. From all the testimony in our possession at 
 the present time relative to the sedimentary rocks which dip under . the 
 valleys of the Sacramento and San.Joaquin, we are induced to believe 
 that those which occur on the east border are of an age cotemporaneous 
 with those on the west, and in addition thereto a group is found which 
 evidently belong to a still later period. We have in *these mountains 
 then, a corroborative evidence that the disturbances produced by the 
 
72 [APPENDIX 
 
 intrusion of igneous rocks with which the quartz is found in connection 
 has occurred during a comparatively recent period. 
 
 As these rocks have forced -their way to the surface through all the 
 species that lie above them, they can be considered in no other light 
 than having an age posterior to most of the tertiary rocks within the 
 State, or the northern and middle parts of it; and Cotemporaneous. at 
 least with the lower portion of the' miocene period. Under these cir 
 cumstances it is not to be wondered at that gold may be found in San 
 Francisco or Contra Costa, as the geological formations which have de 
 veloped it east of the great rivers, are found also in the mountains to 
 the west, though not to the same extent. 
 
 The disturbance >f the recent sedimentary rocks of the Coast Moun 
 tains, and the character of some of the intruded masses that has pro 
 duced the tilting and dislocations, their identity with the stratified rocks 
 on the eastern border of the great valleys, leads us to the conclusion 
 that the causes of uplift which have been found among the latter, --were 
 continued partially to the coast in the same period. With respect to the 
 agents that played, an important part in these turbulent periods, there 
 can be but little trouble in their discrimination, and ample testimony is 
 found to identify them with the recent group of igneous rocks under 
 consideration, and if these conclusions are correct, the character for per 
 manency of these viens is beyond all cavil or doubt. 
 
 Future investigation may disprove this position, but until it. is made 
 evident that the veins of the recent group have been disturbed by other 
 and more recent vulcanic agents on either side of the g^reat rivers, we 
 can regard them in no- other view than being among the last of an ex 
 tensive series of disturbances which have operated principally through 
 a large portion of the west flank of the Sierra Nevada at a comparatively 
 recent period in the geological history of this part of the continent. 
 
 The metalliferous character of this .group is in no way inferior to that 
 of the older ranges of these rocks; the proof of this rests in the fact, 
 that some of the best placers yet found in this country are included 
 within its boundaries among the alluvium and drift deposits of the ter 
 tiary epoch. The gold generally found in these placers is of that char 
 acter known among the miners as "rough or recent gold," having 
 suffered but little from attrition by water; but it is not unfrequent to 
 find the recent metal associated with that which has been much worn by 
 attrition, and the two qualities thus appearing in the same placer range, 
 can be regarded only as having different orri<rms and ages. It would 
 scarcely appear reasonable to suppose that two pieces of metal driven 
 from the same source and subjected to the same action, should present 
 smooth and rounded surface in the one, while its fellow beside it shall 
 retain all its angularities as though just detached from its original 
 matrix. 
 
 With reference to the older group of these veins there are features 
 manifest which are both interesting and important, when we consider the 
 immediate position of the recent group, to those of the older where both 
 are found in contact. -It has been remarked in the preceding pages 
 that the veins of* the older series have disturbed the greenstone below 
 and the granite above only ; a casual examination of the district in 
 which these veins occur, would convey to the observer an idea that a 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 75 
 
 discrepency in the statements must exist, from the fact that veins which 
 pierce the granite are found to cut the stites also in the same section. 
 As in the case of the Centreville veins, these will be found to belong to 
 the more recent intrusions of these rocks, and wherever those features 
 occur the recent group will be found playing the part of a disturbing 
 agent on the primitive veins themselves and their investing rocks ; so 
 far as our experience goes in judging of the effects produced by these 
 recent intrusions, their influence is not an injurious 'one, for the recent 
 dike has thus far proved equally metalliferous with the primitive setts. 
 
 CHARACTER AND POSITIONS OF THE OLDER VEINS BE 
 LOW THE SURFACE. 
 
 Under this head will be concluded all that we have to say upon the 
 subject of gold mining in this State at the present time, and as the largest 
 proportion of the mines of the State are situated on the older group of 
 the quartz, the remarks that follow will be confined principally to that 
 serries. 
 
 In the northern part of the State,* the granite rocks in which these 
 veins are situated upon the surface, have been found to be underlied 
 with another class of igneous rocks, which, from their nature and pre 
 sumed age, it was feared might have so disturbed the " setts" as to 
 render the successful prosecution of mining a doubtful project, and in 
 jurious speculation from this fact, have been indulged in to an extent 
 that at one time threatened to destroy the well merited confidence which 
 the discovery of these veins had induced from the outset ; and for this 
 reason no little degree of interest has been manifested both at home and 
 abroad in relation to their future prospects. 
 
 Had those speculations which have been founded on presumptive evi 
 dence only, been confined to the sphere to which it legitimately belonged, 
 and divested of the over-anxious fears expressed and manifested from 
 abroad, the parties most directly interested would have suffered less in 
 convenience by loss of confidence and credit, which the voluntary con 
 servators of our good in distant lands have been the means of inducing, 
 and the public mind would have been unbiassed but for the opinions of men 
 who should have had more discretion than to have hazarded their repu 
 tation on such premature evidences as they must have been possessed of 
 at that time. 
 
 it is scarcely a supposable case, that men thousands of miles distant 
 should be found adequate to judge correctly of the value of metaliferous 
 districts, having never seen the sections alluded to, or even before the 
 veins were known by the parties engaged in opening them. Elaborate 
 discussions based upon presumptive analogy, may subserve the purpose of 
 pleasing popular assemblies, but they will be found untenable and useless 
 often, when applied to practiacal and systematic operations. 
 
 Mining exploration within the past eighteen months, has added much 
 to our information relative to the position of metallic veins of the State, 
 and the rocks with which they are associated. The granite series has 
 
 * North of th Conumne Rirr. 
 
 10 
 
74 [APPENDIX 
 
 been closely investigated, and in several of the mines the workings have 
 been carried entirely through this rock, and contrary to the anticipations 
 of the incredulous, the setts have not been thrown at -the point of contact 
 with the inferior rocks. Thus far the depth of the granite series has 
 not been found to exceed a depth of but little more than one hundred 
 feet, and in almost every case where shafts have been driven, either on 
 the vein or beside it, the rock has been found in a highly decomposed 
 state, thus presenting but little difficulty in passing through it. There 
 are, in some localities, many small veins running out at different angles 
 from the principal " setts," into the surrounding granite, and when thus 
 appearing in the inverting rocks, marks of dislocation are observable. 
 These interesting features define most clearly the energy and extent of 
 the supporting and injecting forces from below, at the date of the intru 
 sion of the veins, and the angles which the small cross-courses make 
 with the main "setts" from which they emanate, shows most conclusively 
 that the fracture o the superincumbent rocks must have been extensive. 
 Another and a striking feature is also to be observed in this particular, 
 which is, that the small threads found in the granite have a greater power 
 whe*n they enter the greenstone below ; thus indicating that the intru 
 sive dikes spent themselves principally in the superior granite above. 
 
 The 'entire mass of the granitic rocks in the vicinity of the quartz, is 
 of a loose and incoherent texture, from the surface to the lowest point 
 yet reached, and when brought from the greatest depths 'the same gene 
 ral characteristics are found to prevail throughout. It presents a crumb 
 ling, reddish and purple hue, at times faintly spotted with white, its fels- 
 pathic constituent thus imparting a porphyritic appearance to considera 
 ble quantities. When damp it is somewhat clayey, in the dry state, after 
 exposure to the air, it is easilly crushed in the hand, giving the greasy 
 feeling of some of the talcose minerals. These peculiar features may be 
 best examined in and about the towns of Nevada and Grass Valley ; 
 for here they extend over several miles, and the extent to which mining 
 operations have been carried in these sections, renders an examination 
 of all the different phases that are presented in this class of veins, both 
 easy and convenient. 
 
 Immediately below the granite, the greenstone is found underlying 
 this entire section of country, in every instance in which the granite has 
 been perforated, this rock has been found beneath, and when first met 
 with in descending is much broken up, and the fissures filled with foreign 
 infiltrations from above. The trap rock has a blueish-gray and greenish 
 color, often highly charged with pyrites ; the veins on entering this rock 
 change their color from the deep reddish-brown, which they maintain in 
 the granite above, and the cavities filled with the peroxide of iron which 
 has resulted from the decomposition of the pyrites it originally contained, 
 to a clear, white or semi-translucent mineral, holding considerable quan 
 tities of cubic and rhombic crystals of pyrites, which are more or less 
 auriferous. In some of the trapean rocks arsenical pyrites is met with, 
 but this latter is much more common in the southern districts, and on 
 the forks of the American Eiver. 
 
 In every mine throughout the northern districts, in which the green 
 stone has been reached, the veins have penetrated this rock, and in no one 
 instance thus far is it found that the vein has either been pinched or faulted, 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 75 
 
 but the reverse is true, that every sett has increased in power the deeper they 
 descend. Of six companies now in successful operation in Grass Valley, 
 all of them are obtaining their ores from the greenstone, in larger quan- 
 tiry and better quality than was found to be the average in the granite 
 above : on Deer Creek it is the same, and but two mines in this district 
 still continue in the granite, viz : the Illinois and Gold Tunnel mines, 
 the lower gallery of the latter is within nine feet of the greenstone, with 
 an increasing power in the " sett" at the point of working. In the coun 
 ties of Butte and Shasta, the same fact prevails, and in each of those 
 mines, which have entered the trap there has been no diminution in the 
 power of the vein or qualities of the ore. 
 
 The depth to which some of these veins are found to enter the green 
 stone has been fifty -five feet, at the present time, and at this depth into 
 this rock they bear all the reasonable evidence of continuing to an un 
 limited depth, and being of more recent date than their investing series. 
 The greenstone in close proximity to the dikes is found much shattered 
 and disturbed, exhibiting evidences of displacement subsequent to frac 
 ture, the inclination of the disturbed masses corresponding to the dip of 
 the vein, the line of fracture form angles of fifty to, seventy degrees to the 
 dip of the " sett," and as high as forty in some cases with the horizon ; this 
 gives a stratified appearance to these rocks ; this peculiar feature is ob- 
 serable at the Osborn Hill Mine, and is indicated by the heavy lines in 
 the sketch of its transverse section. At this mine may also be observed 
 the other peculiarities before noticed, the highly decomposed and broken, 
 character of the upper part of the greenstone of seventeen feet below ; 
 at the Lafayette and Helvetia Mine, similar features are to be observed 
 of the semi-stratified appearance of the greenstone, caused by the intru 
 sion of the quartz dike through it ; the entire length of the adit level 
 of this mine is driven entirely through this rock a distance of about 
 eleven hundred feet. 
 
 On Deer Creek, 'five miles north of Green Yalley, we find a material 
 change in the relative position of the metallic veins to the investing rocks, 
 at the Gold Tunnel, as before remarked, the "sett" is exclusively in 
 granite, while at the Wyoming Mine, one and a half miles below, the 
 4 'sett" is situated in the greenstone inferiorly and the slate above, while 
 in the adjacent mine above the Wyoming, slate and granite in the middle 
 and greenstone below is the order of arrangement. At this mine may 
 be observed one of those interesting features noticed in the concluding 
 paragraphs of the Recent Group, and when we compare the accompany 
 ing sketches of the Osborn Hill and Wyoming, a sufficient illustration 
 of the relative ages of the group will appear. The present working 
 "sett" of the latter mine is protruded through the primitive rocks, and 
 also through the slate above them, and from its dip it must pass through 
 older veins at a depth probably not exceeding four hundred feet below 
 their present level. The slate which lies superior in this mine is evidently 
 of the same age as that occurring among the foot-hills toward the valley, 
 and as the sketch of this mine illustrates, the vein passes entirely through 
 them ; the dip of this vein is forty-three degrees east, while those of the 
 adjacent mine above varies from thirty -two to thirty-e ; ght degrees. It 
 is not surprising that a recent "sett" in passing thro ugh the cross-course 
 of an older vein, or through a part of a primitive vein, should "produce 
 
76 [APPENDIX 
 
 valuable deposits of metal which has taken place in this mine in several 
 instances, and it serves for an illustration of the principle advanced in 
 the preceeding pages, that the recent veins were equally metalliferous 
 with those of the primitive series, wherever and whenever found in this 
 State. 
 
 From the facts thus far presented to your consideration respecting the 
 known position of these rocks in the .northern part of the State, some 
 evidence at least exists, that those veins thus far opened^are now proved 
 to have cut through that suite of igneous rocks which heretofore have 
 been supposed would destroy their continuity to any considerable depth 
 below the surface. Already has the establishment of this point exerted 
 an influence which is beginning to be strongly felt, and is restoring that 
 confidence in gold mining which it long since lost. More capital has 
 been invested within the preceding four months in this branch of em 
 ployment, than*in the entire time which has elapsed since the general 
 suspension of these operations. From the developments which have 
 been made relating to the permanency of their character within the past 
 year, individuals are fast becoming satisfied that the metallic veins of 
 this State merit that confidence which is fast returning. If other testi 
 mony is required than that already cited of the almost certainty of their 
 continuation to unlimited depths, it will become necessary to search out 
 some other formations than those acknowledged to be the foundation on 
 which rest the superstructure of this teraqueous sphere, for it is evi 
 dent if facts have any weight, that they have disturbed the lowest of all 
 known rocks. 
 
 It may be argued that the shallow depth, fifty feet into the greenstone, 
 is not positive, but that these veins may be faulted by more recent vol 
 canic intrusions below this point. This is possibly true, but at the same 
 time, is there any good reason for such a supposition when no evidence 
 of such disturbances are observable above the surface in their vicinity, 
 and when those intrusive rocks are not to be found to depths of two or 
 three thousand feet below the summits of those ridges on which these 
 mines are located in many instances. There are many deep gorges 
 among our mountains which exhibit the character of the rocks compos 
 ing them to the depths above named, and on examination of their struc 
 ture will convince an unbiassed observer of their primitive character. 
 Among these gorges it is not unfrequent to find the quartz veins ex 
 tending from their bottom to various hights, ranging as high as six 
 hundred feet in every instance in which these veins are met among the 
 rocks in situ. They possess their greatest power at their lowest point In 
 one instance I well remember having traced a dike of this rock from 
 the river to the highth of thirteen hundred feet, a drawing of which is 
 still in my possession; the u sitt" thinned out to small threads at this 
 hight, with a diminishing power from the base of the hill to, the sum 
 mit; this vein passes through greenstone and porphyry, granite and 
 slate, successively, until it finally spent itself among the latter. If 
 intrusive dikes are found to increase in power as their distance below 
 the surface increases, we may reasonably conclude that they may con 
 tinue to a depth below, equal to that which may be found above, in a 
 case like the last one cited, provided the rocks beneath the lowest point 
 at which it is observable continue of the same, character. 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 77 
 
 Abundant examples of this character are to be met with throughout 
 our mountains, and with such evidence before us, the character of these 
 metallic veins for permanency must be placed beyond suspicion or 
 doubt, and our testimony on this point extends much beyond any that 
 has, as yet, been adduced. In the County of Calaveras, an extensive 
 dike, two miles in length, has been laid open in such a manner that a 
 vertical depth of eight hundred feet -of the vein is now, exposed to view. 
 
 The dike cuts through two ridges, which separate two streams of water, 
 and the companies located on these streams have sunk their shafts to the 
 depth of over one hundred feet, directly under the beds of the creeks, 
 and have driven their gallery s each way untill within a few feet of each 
 other : the vein in one shaft has a power of thirty-seven feet, but in no 
 point 011 the "sett" is it less than five, in each of the five mines located on 
 this vein, the power of the "sett" has uniformly increased the deeper 
 they have descended. In this case we have a thorough examination of 
 one, at least, of our metallic veins, which will compare with some of the 
 operations in other countries, and we may deduce some safe conclusions 
 respecting their probable stability, if depth below the surface becomes 
 an essential requisite to establiso that point. 
 
 The rocks through which these veins pass are principally of the 
 talcose series, with greenstone, hornblende schists, and syenite, in the 
 immediate vicinity ; the dikes have cut through all of them in succession 
 without having suffered any deflection from that parallelism which must 
 have ensued, if any of the rocks with which they are found in contact, 
 had an age posterior to the dikes themselves. This district is particu 
 larly noticed in connection with this part of our subject, for the purpose 
 of exhibiting the stronger probability of permanency in the quartz veins 
 of ihis country, for the reason that if disturbance in their position is 
 likely to ensue in any part of this State, it would be likely to occur in 
 these sections, as the effects of recent volcanic action is more prominent 
 throughout the southern portions of the mining districts than any other 
 part of the west flank of the Sierra Nevada. 
 
 From what testimony we have in our possession relative to these veins, 
 it seems but reasonable to conclude that their integrity is perfect, or as 
 nearly so as can be reasonably expected considering the short period 
 which has been employed in developing their true character, and that 
 the confidence which they formerly possessed was well grounded ; all 
 subsequent examinations have only tended to confirm this belief in the 
 minds of those who have carefully and diligently studied this subject. 
 The present condition of our gold mines, their flourishing state and 
 prospective value, based on facts as now developed, most clearly indicate 
 their importance, as an industrial pursuit and one destined ere long to 
 form one of the leading interests in the economy of the State ; and as 
 such it would seem that all prudent measures to develop farther their 
 extent and value, and place them upon that footing before the world 
 which that value and importance demands should be used, either through 
 the State or General (rovernment, and through them promote such 
 measures as will prove an inducement to more extensive and permanent 
 operations than has yet been done. 
 
 In concluding this part of the report, and in connection with the mag 
 nitude and importance of perhaps a somewhat exciting principle in 
 
78 [APPENDIX 
 
 relation to it, I would beg leave to call your attention to a point on 
 which there has heretofore existed much diversity of opinion, which not 
 unfrequently has engendered angry discussion and beligerent feeling in 
 a large proportion of our mining population. The experience of the 
 last three years has elucidated the fact most clearly that the two mining 
 interests of this State cannot be governed by the same rule of law in all 
 cases, and prove alike advantageous to both ; it is therefore suggested 
 whether some method more congenial to this interest may not be adop 
 ted, that will favor the occupancy and improvement of the metallic veins 
 of this State, giving at the same time widest scope and protection to all 
 at present engaged, and those who may wish hereafter to enter upon 
 those pursuits. 
 
 PKESENT GOYEENMENT OF METALLIC VEIN'S. 
 
 Before entering upon this part of our subject I will state, that through 
 out every part of the mining counties, which it has been my fortune to 
 visit, in my examinations of previous years, and up to the present time, 
 the subject of needful protection to capital investment and labor in this 
 branch of mining, has been fully and unequivocally expressed by those 
 engaged and interested in it, and by a large portion of those engaged in 
 placer mining, having no direct connection with the former. And it is at 
 the solicitation of nearly every individual engaged in the pursuit of mining 
 on veins, that the subject is presented to your consideration at the pre 
 sent time. A wish has long since been expressed, and urged through 
 all the various channels of communication, that the present tenure by 
 which this species of property is holden and conveyd may be changed 
 in such manner as may render available capital investments, which must 
 be largely employed in order to develop those sources of wealth and 
 insure their occupancy. 
 
 It is perhaps a questionable point whether the State government is 
 vested witb the power to cede and convey title in fee to lands containing 
 the precious metals, even were that title absolutely required from the 
 nature of existing circumstances ; but whether her jurisdiction in the 
 case be sovereign or not, she legitimately possesses a conservative jurisdic 
 tion over such lands, and through that power, as a member of the great 
 confederacy, may exert an influence to obtain such modifications of ex 
 isting laws" of the general government, as would conflict with the com 
 mon interests of her citizens, or of those rules and regulations tempora 
 rily instituted by the State, which by their present - action, have a ten 
 dency to cripple and reduce her otherwise available means of revenue. 
 
 Under this form of the question it becomes a matter of some importance 
 to consider, whether the entire interests of the State would not be materially 
 and beneficially affected, by placing such lands as are under its conservative 
 influence in a position that would be likely to yield a revenue from their oc 
 cupancy, and which at the same time would yield an adequate security for 
 the investment of capital to be employed iu their developement. A system 
 of law that would induce a more extensive occupancy than that now exist 
 ing must insure, as a resultant, a corresponding increase of revenue, thereby 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 79 
 
 reducing taxation on the great mass, render less burdensome the support of 
 the State government. 
 
 A course of action that would accomplish this end, and at the same time 
 prevent that result which it has been the careful study of the representatives 
 of the people to guard against, and whose every effort has been directed to 
 preserve to the people the most liberal policy in the acquirement of wealth 
 from the varied and prolific sources presented in no other country than this, 
 must be unobjectionable either to the miner or merchant. 
 
 A strong objection has been urged against the sale of mineral lands, and 
 justly too, as in this case the title must pass into the hands of private parties, 
 which in most countries has proved objectionable in many particulars, and a 
 course of this kind could never meet the approbation of a large majority of 
 our population, in the present state of our information. In aft other countries 
 as in our own, the title to mineral lands is vested in the crown, or general 
 government, (with the exception of Great Britain,) and the title or permis 
 sion to use or occupy can emanate only from that source, where ifc properly 
 belongs. In all countries where mines of the precious metals have been 
 found, different policies for their government have been pursued, but as yet 
 that policy which has been the most liberal, and at the same time protective of 
 private rights, is found to have exerted the widest and most beneficial influ 
 ence in their developement and occupancy ; under such a system it is im 
 possible for it to do otherwise than prosper, and the experience of nearly 
 three centuries have gone to substantiate that fact. 
 
 There can be no possible objection to the general principles on which our 
 present system is founded, it is the same that made Spain and Mexico what 
 they were. and are, and one that with these countries has stood the tests of 
 time, the best proof of its utility and univeral applications. Throughout all 
 the political changes that have convulsed and shattered the civil codes of 
 these governments, no change or alteration of a restrictive tendency has 
 been made in the Ordinances des Mineria. For tte last fifty years no 
 change that in the least has affected its vital features, except to render them 
 more liberal and congenial ; its dictates with them are as sacred as their 
 holy creed, and to molest or change its principles would-be regarded as 
 equally sacreligeous. 
 
 Under that system individual rights in mines are scrupulously respected, 
 and strict nori compliance with its requisitions are followed by a reversion of 
 party rights to the crown, from which only can a similar title be obtained by 
 others wishing to occupy and improve. 
 
 The history of mining proper throughout the world, has taught us that 
 it is impossible to pursue that business to advantage without heavy outlays 
 of capital ; this applies equally to mining for silver or gold ; the great amount 
 of labor and expense attendent in opening a mine is the cause of this, that 
 branch alone often being the work of years, before the reduction of any of 
 its metals take place whereby any return of profits can be realized. We 
 are not wanting in illustrations of this kind, they are as wide-spread as the 
 mining operations of the world ; and if more definite examples of this fact 
 is required than the general history of this branch of industry, we need but 
 to refer to the superficial operations of our own State heretofore, to show 
 that limited means cannot succeed in gold mining, though the veins produc- 
 
80 [APPENDIX 
 
 ing the metal may be (as they frequently are in this country,) exceedingly 
 productive. 
 
 Our citizens embarked in this delusive speculation in a most inconsiderate 
 manner. The results that followed from their earlier operations are too well 
 known : the capital at their command, being small, was expended even be 
 fore their veins were opened, and this great lever of success in these ope 
 rations being thus early suspended, prevented the prosecution of the enter 
 prise to a successful termination, which would have ended in profit in place 
 of loss. 
 
 The fault, " if fault there be," lay at the door of misguided apprehensions, 
 induced by flattering reports of results which had flowed from hasty examin 
 ations, but not in the veins themselves ; as these were dumb, and unable 
 to speak for themselves, until men of larger means developed their capa 
 bilities, the cause of failure was attributed to a want of metal in the lodes ; 
 hence the distrust which has up to the present time attached itself to this 
 branch of mining, and has resulted in serious loss to the country at large, as 
 well as to the private citizen. 
 
 A few have grappled through against all obstacles, who were fortunate 
 enough to command the necessary means, and now have their mines opened 
 and in successful operation. But it has been at the expense of heavy out 
 lays of capital, and nearly two years of industrious application and hard labor ; 
 the results which they have produced has been the means of fixing on a per 
 manent basis, the character of these mines, which it will be difficult to affect 
 injuriously hereafter ; and their integrity as lucrative employments, and 
 safety for capital investments in themselves, is questioned by none who are 
 conversant with their present condition. 
 
 Notwithstanding their acknowledged intrinsic value, there is an incubus 
 resting upon them, which prevents, and must still prevent, their more exten 
 sive ocoupancy, and until removed in some manner, will stand as an insuper 
 able obstacle to their future progress. This rests in the doubtful and un 
 certain tenure, by which these mines are held, being subject, as they are, to 
 the government of the majority of the people in the district in which they 
 are located, and whose interests directly considered, are both unconnected 
 and foreign, though following a profession similar in some respects to that 
 under consideration. 
 
 The position of the Placer miner, and those engaged on veins, is different 
 in many respects. In the case of the former, there is but a comparatively 
 small amount of capital requisite to pursue his business advantageously and 
 successfully : in the other, experience has fully demonstrated that he cannot 
 pursue his business successfully without large expenditures. In the case of 
 the former, the extraction of gold is conducted by the simple process of 
 washing ; in the other, it can be extracted from the gaugue often only by 
 complex metallurgical processes, and subjected even then to much uncer 
 tainty, and, at times, loss requiring what the Placer does not, the employ 
 ment of men who have made it the study of their lives, and the use of 
 means mechanical and scientific, which do not come within the requisition 
 of the former, to conduct his operations to a successful issue. 
 
 The operations of the placer miner are generally limited as to time, sel 
 dom exceeding a year in the same locality, on his removal his interests in 
 his former residence ceases ; in the case of the miner engaged on veina, he 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 81 
 
 finds that his operations mnst be continued through a series of years- in order 
 to secure a fair remuneration for his labors, and if he removes to other parts 
 of the State, his interests in the locality he left does not cease, as his capi 
 tal investments still remain and continue a permanent source of revenue to 
 the State and county in which they are located. The implements of the 
 placer miner are few, and easily obtained or disposed of if he wishes to re 
 move but, it is widely different with the other. He is obliged to obtain ex 
 pensive machinery to obtain profitable results from his labors, and heavy 
 sacrifice is often the attendant, if it is his misfortune to fail in his operations 
 from any causes either natural or artificial. 
 
 The effect of placer mining in all parts of the world has been, to produce 
 a wandering and unstable community, no Jbetter example is to be found than 
 in our own State ; it is a true illustration of what has occurred in other 
 countries whose features simulate our own ; and to remedy this has been the 
 aim of our State government almost from its earliest foundation ; how far its 
 efforts have been attended with success its present history will clearly elu 
 cidate. The attempt to induce a permanent settlement in the mountains can 
 be said to have partially succeeded only, and this has occurred in those in 
 stances where the parties thus locating have been enabled to avail themselves 
 of interests that would partake of a degree of permanency for a series of 
 years ; their titles to improvements on the lands such persons occupy, being 
 retained only by the law of sufference, subject to the decrees of the majority 
 residing in their vicinity if found to be auriferous. 
 
 On the broad platform of "equal right and equal privilege," which has 
 been the governing principle of this State in its most extended sense from 
 its earliest occupancy, the dim outline of a desire to establish permanency 
 in the settlement of the mountain districts has been manifested, and at the 
 present time it has become a distinguishing feature in a large portion of the 
 mining population, in mining employments it is equally apparent as in agri 
 culture ; among the most stringent advocates of a "masterly inactivity" in 
 regard to the government of the mines, two years ago, are now to be found 
 men equally earnest in their advocacy of vesting rights that shall partake of 
 the character of permanency, and protective where his operations require 
 investments, to secure competency and reward for his labours. Experience 
 has taught us that necessity, if we would foster those emploj^ments which it 
 has been our pride to boast, and where no subversion of those fundamental 
 principles on which our laws are founded can take place. 
 
 In every county of the State where quartz mining has been conducted 
 this will be found a striking feature in each and all of their operations, and 
 has been particularly manifested in some of the northern counties, where more 
 stringency in the enforcement of mining laws of former years existed, than 
 probably any other part of the State ; the effects of this course of action was 
 equally manifest abroad, in the Atlantic States and Europe, when the con 
 struction of the present mining code was published in those countries. In 
 one of our northern counties a system has been founded on this code which 
 under certain conditions, (consisting of a given amount of improvements 
 only) conveys a title in fee to all intents and purposes ; and another by 
 which parties have the right of holding all that they may be able to purchase. 
 This course of action among miners themselves must be viewed as a plain 
 and clearly defined wish, on their part, to extend over the country a system 
 11 
 
82 [APPENDIX 
 
 of government that shall prove alike conducive to the enhancement of these 
 interests and the public welfare, and offer by these means inducements for 
 the investments of capital from abroad ; its effects would prove beneficial 
 inasmuch as every dollar of capital thus invested would become so much 
 available means of revenue and serve to retain a much greater amount of 
 the gold extracted from our hills, within the State. 
 
 From the nature of gold-mining proper, it results as a consequence al 
 most, that those who engage in it, must become permanent settlers, as their 
 operations if successful become the work of years instead of a few months, 
 and their investments, when made, are done with that view. Under these 
 circumstances does it not become a matter of correct policy to separate the 
 interests of the placer miner and those engaged on veins, in such a manner 
 that those engaged in each branch may enjoy that liberty which the placer 
 miner now possesses, and which is enjoyed by the other only by the suffer 
 ance of the former in the largest majority of cases ; giving to each the right 
 to enact those laws, which they in their good judgment will find most condu 
 cive to their seperate interests, and which from their nature and attendant 
 circumstances are very dissimilar and foreign. 
 
 The jealousies and feeling arising from the suspicion entertained by each 
 other, which has heretofore and at the present time exists to a considerable 
 extent, in these two branches of industry would, by the above course be done 
 away, and a much greater degree of stability in mining proper would be the 
 result, (which under the present arrangement of affairs can hardly exist) in 
 which its prosperity to a great extent is involved : its influence would not 
 only be made manifest here, but it would give a confidence abroad in these 
 operations which they do not now possess, and to which we must look for 
 those means by which we shall be able to conduct gold-mining successfully 
 and with profit. 
 
 The entire separation of these interests would be regarded abroad as tho 
 opening of a new era in the mining history of this State, fraught with bene 
 ficial results, and involving a vital interest in her future economy, advanta 
 geous 'alike to the revenues of the State and to the people ; it would remove 
 that serious obstacle at present in the path of its progress, viz : "the inse 
 curity that now exists for invested capital, from the motative policy hereto 
 fore pursued," and restore that confidence which such a policy has in a great 
 measure been the means of destroying. 
 
 The mines of this State are of a character and value, which if placed in 
 a proper position, will invite investment from abroad, to an amount little less 
 than twenty millions of dollars within the next eight years ; this presump 
 tion is founded on the fact that more than one sixth of that amount is at the 
 present time in active operation in this country, and its largest proportion 
 has been derived from American sources, during a portion of that period 
 when public confidence had been shaken in regard to their value. Nego 
 tiations are now pending which involve nearly one million more of capital 
 investment in this branch of mining, nearly one half of which is in the cities 
 of Boston and New York. 
 
 Considering the disadvantages that now surround them, as shown from 
 the facts relating thereto, they can but be regarded as the prolific sources 
 of wealth in this country ; and every inducement consistent with the liberal 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 83 
 
 policy adopted in the government of the placers, is equally applicable and 
 should be extended to them. 
 
 . 
 
 The following pages will contain a brief notice of some of the principal 
 mines of the State with a list of those in successful operation and their lo 
 cations. Also a table of Barometric Altitudes ; and Catalogue of Minerals 
 obtained during the tour, to be placed in the State Cabinet. 
 
 LA FAYETTE AND HELVETIA MINE. 
 
 This company is located at Grass Valley, Nevada County, and the sketch 
 of the workings of their mine is taken from the La Fayette Hill vein only 
 about two miles south-west of the town. The length of the vein at the 
 above hill is eleven hundred feet ; it has a curvilinear course, varying from 
 north-east -to south-west ; its mean, however, when marked on a right line 
 is north, ten degrees east. The dip of the vein is forty-one degrees east, 
 having a power of three feet at the depth of thirty-four feet ; at this point 
 the ore was of a poorer quality than at any other point. The depth of the 
 present working is about 55 feet, and here the vien increases in power and 
 value, being equal to three feet eight inches, and yielding in a large amount 
 of ore, forty dollars per ton. The vien, when discovered, was covered with 
 yellow r brown alluvium for five feet, and passed through this and decom 
 posed granite of a purple color fifteen feet, when it entered a mass of de 
 composed and fragmentary greenstone of five feet depth, thence into com 
 pact rock of the same character and continued to the depth of fifty-five 
 feet. 
 
 Adit level is 1100 feet in length, exclusive of tram road for conveying 
 ore and attle from the mine ; it extends through the whole length of their 
 claim. At their present depth all the ore is obtained by blasting, which 
 adds much fo the expense of the mine. The cost of obtaining ore from this 
 mine is from seven to eight dollars per ton at present rates of labor. The 
 company have about 900 feet of vein in Gold Hill, which requires no blast- 
 inging and is obtained at the mill for five dollars per ton. 
 
 The La Fayette Hill vein was much decomposed for the depth of thirty 
 feet, and contained a large quantity of peroxide iron and free gold ; after 
 passing into the compact greenstone the vein becomes quite firm, and highly 
 charged with pyrites investing gold ; the crystals were white and well-ter- 
 inmated, generally perfect in form. In some parts of the mine, galena is 
 met with and gold imbeded in it ; an examination of this latter mineral has 
 not been made for silver, but from its appearance it is quite probable that 
 it contains this metal. The matrix of the ore is a bluish white and trans 
 lucent, in pieces of one inch in thickness ; the blue tint of the vein in the 
 vicinity of the shafts is due in a great measure to finely divided particles of 
 lead. 
 
 The capital of this company is about three hundred thousand dollars, and 
 their receipts in four months has been as high as $98,000, but their aver 
 age is tiear $10,000 per month ; the mine has yielded with great uniformity 
 since the commencement of operations, and- bids fair for future success. 
 
 This mine has two Batteries and when in full operation is capable of re 
 ducing forty tons of ore per day, but one battery is run at a time as the 
 
84 [APPENDIX 
 
 amalgamating apparatus is not of sufficient capacity at present to dispose of 
 that amount of ore judiciously, the amalgamating instruments consist of 
 Cram's Cylinder and Berdan's Amalgamator, in the latter about fifteen per 
 cent of the gross amount is saved after it has passed through the other in 
 struments ; this arises from the fact that Berdan's instrument possesses a 
 levigating power from revolving balls in the instrument which gives a new 
 surface to the material passing under them. 
 
 GOLD HILL MINE. 
 
 This mine is located in the town of Grass Valley on the first hill to the 
 west of the village. The mine was first opened in- 1851 and worked to a 
 considerable extent and profit, subsequently it passed to the hands of the 
 Agua Frio Company under the superintendence of their agent Mr. Atwood 
 in whose possession it now remains ; after an examination of the mine the 
 old method of working was given up, and a new system of operations en 
 tered upon in order to tap the vein at the lowest possible point and at the 
 same time afford easy transit to the reduction works and drainage to the 
 mine. With this view an adit was commenced about fifteen feet above the 
 level of the creek which flows in front of the town, and carried west through 
 the base of the hill for a distance of seven-hundred feet, cutting through 
 allavium and decomposed granite most of the way, at the west end of the 
 adit which cuts the vein nearly at right angles, the shaft marked A in the 
 longitudinal section was intersected at a depth of ninety feet below the sur 
 face ; from near the ninety feet shaft a level has been driven to the north 
 on the strike of the vein about seventy feet marked, I), also two other levels 
 east of it, E, F, which intersect the north crosscut D of the ground plan ; 
 a winze has been sunk below the water level sixteen feet marked H, of the 
 longitudinal section ; this disposition in the working of the mine affords 
 many advantages in the extraction of the ore and attle and easy communica 
 tion with all parts of the mine and surface, and the intersection of the shaft 
 A produces ample ventilation. 'The vein intersects the greenstone at the 
 bottom of the air shaft, and as in the case of the Lafayette has cut com 
 pletely through it ; increasing in power as it enters this rock, about one 
 thousand tons of ore was in the yard at the time I visited the mine ready to 
 pass through the reduction works. From the end of the long adit a tram 
 road four-hundred feet in length passes to the mill on which by mule power, 
 the ore is conveyed from the farthest part of the mine. The ground plan 
 exhibits the crosscuts and levels and their connection with the mill. 
 
 The strike of the vein is north and south diping east at an an angle of 24 
 degrees, with a vein whose power at ninety feet was nearly three feet ; the 
 transverse section is shown the air shaft entering the greenstone and inter 
 secting the vein, with the increase in power of the vein from the surface to 
 the lowest point worked. The ores in the greenstone differ in no particular 
 from those of the Lafayette, with the exception that none of the plumbic 
 sulphuret was observed at this mine though the vein has much the* same 
 blue tint. The reduction works of this company were not completed in No 
 vember and no opportunity was afforded to witness their process at that time ; 
 it was expected that their machinery would be capable of reducing over one 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 85 
 
 hundred tons of ore per day, which from its appearance would not be a large 
 estimate, it is probably the most powerful machinery in this country and will 
 compare with any in Europe. ' 
 
 The operations of this mine are looked for with considerable interest at 
 home and abroad, as their capacities for reduction are much more exten 
 sive than any hitherto put up in this country. 
 
 OSBORN HILL MINE. 
 
 i 
 
 This mine is located two miles east of Grass Valley, it has been opened 
 on the course of the vein four-hundred and fifty feet and from sixty-five to 
 seventy feet in depth. Vein strikes north and south dipping east at an 
 angle of forty degrees ; the transverse section shows a depth of sixty-five 
 feet ; the shaft was carried through twelve feet of alluvium, seven of clay 
 slate, seventeen of a much broken and decomposed greenstone, and fifteen 
 feet of compact rock of the same character ; total depth including winze I 
 is nearly seventy feet. The vein at this mine has dislocated all the rocks 
 above it and possesses that half stratified appearance as in the Lafayette, 
 arising from fracture by the intrusive vein. The power of the vein is about 
 three feet at the depth of sixty-five feet. In the longitudinal section, the 
 levels which have been driven are given to scale and their different lengths 
 are found by reference to the sketch. This mine has been one of the most 
 flourishing and profitable of the State and has been conducted with much 
 prudence and economy. 
 
 WYOMING MINE. 
 
 This mine is situated on the north bank of Deer Creek, about two miles 
 below the town of Nevada ; its altitude above the Creek is two hundred 
 and forty feet, and the higher parts of the outcrop on the line of the vein 
 will reach nearly or quite three hundred feet above the same point. An 
 adit was driven about two hundred feet through clay slate, which intersected 
 the vein at this point, at an angle of about twenty-seven degrees. From 
 this, two levels have been driven on the vein, of one hundred and twenty 
 and fifty feet each, and a winze of twenty-five. The vein dips east with an 
 angle of forty five degrees, having a strike north and south, with a power 
 of three feet. Fifty feet below the upper adit, another was commenced 
 and carried to a hundred and twenty-five feet, intending to intersect the 
 vein at one hundred feet below the surface of the shaft F ; at seventy-six feet 
 the greenstone was met, and the adit carried fifty feet into it. At the junction 
 of the slates and trap, the former are much changed, evidently from the 
 effects of heat, while at the junction of the slates and vein, above this, they 
 have again suffered from the intrusion of the latter. 
 
 On the south side of the hill the vein crops cut through the trap two 
 hundred feet below the summit,with an increased power, leaving no room for 
 doubt of the permanency of its character. In this mine one of the recent 
 veins has cut through from the Bunker Hill Mine, east of this, which 
 produced a valuable nest of ore ; the dip of the principal Wyoming 
 
86 [APPENDIX 
 
 Vein, if it holds ics present inclination, must cut the older lodes at the 
 depth of four or five hundred feet, and its situation is such that ample drain 
 age and ventilation can be obtained. 
 
 GOLD TUNNEL MINE. 
 
 The mine bearing this namfe is located half a mile west of the town of 
 Nevada, on Deer Creek, and has been worked successfully since its discov 
 ery in 1850 or '51. It was originally a placer claim and was found while 
 working the banks of the creek for placer gold. Soon after its discovery 
 an engine was erected upon the ground and the vein opened ; it was com 
 menced by driving an adit level on the vein, which was subsequently aban 
 doned and a new level commenced at the point at which the present reduc 
 tion works are situated. 
 
 The length of the present level is three hundred arid seventy-five feet, 
 and has an inclination of ten degrees from the horizontal line ; three winzes 
 have been drove on the lower side of the adit [L. F. II.] which are respec 
 tively thirty, twenty and twelve feet, with a level of twenty-five feet be 
 tween the winzes F. and H. On the opposite side two cements of fifty feet 
 each, and a gallery connecting both, of one hundred and twenty-five feet, 
 w r ith a corresponding one connecting the winzes on the lower side. All the 
 ore included within the dash lines has been stopped out. 'flfa^ vein is situ 
 ated in granite, and thus far has been loose and incoherent ; tfcis is attribut 
 able to the large amount of pyrites contained in the vein, as is sh< wn at any 
 point ^here the quartz retains any solidity ; the gold is in a free state in the 
 gossan, of which there are large quantities throughout the mine ; the operators 
 on this vein have been eminently successful, and their mine bids fair to con 
 tinue valuable. The strike of their vein, north ten degrees east, dipping 
 east ten degrees south, at an angle of thirty-eight degrees. 
 
 ILLINOIS MINE. 
 
 The Illinois Mine is situated directly opposite the Gold Tunnel on the 
 south bank of Deer Creek, and is a continuation of the same vein , it has 
 all the characteristics of the former throughout. The length of their upper 
 gallery is four hundred and fifty feet and that of the lower, two hundred and 
 fifty ; two cross-cuts have been driven which connect the galleries at C. D. 
 each fifty feet in length. 
 
 JONES AND DAVIS MINE, HERBERTVILLE, CALAVERAS 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 The mine of this company is located on the east side of a small tributary 
 running into Amidor Creek, the latter passes through the town of Amidor 
 one mile north of this mine ; the top of the whim-shaft, C, is one hundred 
 and forty-five feet above the level of the creek, and ninety feet below the 
 outcrop of the ve^a on which the shaft, C, has been sunk ; at shaft 4 the 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 87 
 
 
 
 vein is three hundred and fifty feet above the Amidor, and increases in alti* 
 tude for half a mile, until it arrives at the height of four hundred feet above 
 the town. The company have sunk two shafts of ninety feet on the vein, 
 and drove two galleries, the upper one A being two hundred and eighty 
 feet, the lower, B, one hundred and fifty feet, and are driving in the course 
 of the dotted lines to run a third gallery at the depth of fifty feet below the 
 point B. Figures 1, 2, 3, are stopes from which they are now obtaining their 
 ore, being conveyed along the lower level to the whim-shaft and thence ele 
 vated to the surface ; from thence it is conveyed on a tram road 600 feet to 
 the reduction works at its terminus. 
 
 The design for future operations is to cut an adit a short distance north 
 of the mill, and intersect the vein at a point which will give a depth of three 
 hundred feet from its highest point to a level with the end of their present 
 tram road, and then stope down from this point, which will not only furnish 
 an abundance of ore, if the vein retains its present power, but materially 
 lessen the expense of its extraction. This will be accomplished in a dis 
 tance of three hundred yards, and probably less. This mine is very sys 
 tematically arranged for the comfort of the miner, and obtaining all the ores 
 easily, and reflects much credit on its projectors ; the sketch of the mine, 
 drawn to scale on the spot, will fully elucidate itself; its convenience of 
 arrangement, considering its local position, will be found equal to all its 
 necessary requirements. 
 
 The vein is invested in chlorite and talcose rocks, throughout its whole 
 extent, being nearly three miles in length. On the eastern side of the vein 
 a graphic slate occurs, having a thickness of one or two feet ; outside of 
 this a bed of chlorite, from five to ten feet, much discolored by graphite, 
 at times perfectly black and staining the hand easily. On the west side, a 
 greenish chlorite occurs, next the vein, highly pyritiferous and often con 
 taining considerable gold ; the power of the vein at ninety feet depth is six 
 feet, and has steadily increased from the surface down ; its strike is north 
 west by west, with a corresponding dip east and south, of fifty-five degrees. 
 The color of the vein is bluish-white, with black seams of graphite, giving 
 a ribband-like appearance in the mass ; it is highly pyritiferous, and when 
 properly roasted, crumbles easily ; some parts of the vein contain an arsen 
 ical pyrites, which has an injurious effect in the reducing process, by pre 
 venting perfect amalgamation ; this is caused by roasting the ores in con 
 tact with charcoal which should not be practised in these varieties of ores. 
 
 SPRING HILL MINE. 
 
 This mine is located on Amadore Creek, at the east end of the town and 
 one mile north of the preceding mine. The company commenced operations 
 on this sett in 1851, and have continued uninterrupted since that time ; it is 
 located on the same vein as the former, and crops out to the height of 530 
 feet on the highest point of the hill between Jones, Davis & Co. 
 
 Two inclined shafts have been sunk on the vein to about 75 feet below 
 the bed of the creek, at which point the sett has a power of six feet ; in its 
 general character it differs in no wise from the mine one mile south, except 
 in the disposition of investing rocks. At Spring Hill the graphic slates 
 
88 [APPENDIX 
 
 which form the gangue are found on the west side of the vein, in place of 
 the east as at Davis' mine. This was evidently caused by an unequal dis 
 placement at the period of intrusion of the dike, resulting from the trans 
 verse fracture forming the cross course on which Johnson's mine is situated ; 
 the resistance being less in that direction at the time of fracture in the 
 incumbent rocks. This cross-fracture had the effect also to throw the in 
 trusive mass from a right line at the time it broke through, for the entire 
 length of the dike, giving it at first view the appearancne rather of two 
 sets in place of one which they in reality are. There are many similar 
 features attending the veins of this country, which has created no little con 
 fusion in regard to their true position ; and of themselves though they may 
 appear insignificant, yet with the miner they involve questions of high impor 
 tance, and exert an influence either prejudicial or favorable upon his opera 
 tions, as their position may be clearly or distinctly known. 
 
 The study of our system of metallic veins and its correct development, 
 involves some of the most important interests of the State ; a correct 
 knowledge of their position is much desired, but as the limits of this report 
 will not admit that examination which they require, further allusion to the 
 subject will be omitted. 
 
 All the vein between shafts and to the point E, has been stopped out with 
 the exception of a small body of vein to support the walls of the mine and 
 attle F F. The mine from its proximity to the creek has considerable water 
 but is kept free by one of Farnham's double-action pumps placed at the 
 shaft B, while the shaft A is used for bringing the ore to the surface. 
 
 AMADORE COMPANY MINE. 
 
 This is situated on the opposite side of the Creek from the Spring Hill 
 mine, and on the same sett. Their operations have been conducted below 
 the bed of the creek, to the depth of nearly one hundred feet. Shaft D is 
 the whim shaft, 97 feet, and is to the depth of 100 feet, at the bottom of 
 which a 37 foot horse has been struck, all the ore from the lower level A C 
 has been stoped out, the points I supporting the ottle. Reference to the 
 sketch will present its position at the date of visiting it. 
 
 The strike of the vein in both the latter, is north by west, diping east 65 
 degrees. 
 
 RANCHOREE MINE. 
 
 Is located one mile north of the preceding, and on the ridge dividing the 
 Amadore and Ranchoree Creeks ; their reduction works are about half a 
 mile west of the town of Ranchoree. 
 
 The upper portion of their vein is situated 420 feet above the creek ; on 
 the vein are three shafts of about 70 feet, and two levels of 110 and 75 feet 
 respectively ; they are now driving on the level I, to obtain drainage and 
 easy transit for their ores to the mill ; the plan of operations will be seen on 
 the sketch marked by the dash lines. The vein at thia lower level gives a 
 good ore, and has the same investing rocks as at the upper levels. The 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 89 
 
 vein strikes north 25 degrees west, dipping east, with a power of four feet. 
 The investing rocks are talcose slates. 
 
 KEYSTONE MINE. 
 
 This mine is situated on the arroya leading into the Amadore; one mile 
 below Jones & Davis' mine ; it appears to be a parallel vein, half a mile 
 west of the line uniting the latter and the Spring Hill mine ; the ores par 
 take of all the general characters of the other two mines, and it is situated 
 25 feet above the level of the creek. The sett of Jones, Davis & Co. and 
 the Spring Hill are in the high hill east of the workings figured in the sketch 
 for the Keystone Mine. 
 
 This vein strikes north 10 degrees west, diping 40 degrees east, with a 
 power of five feet ; the investing rocks are the graphic slate and chlorites, as 
 found in all the others in this neighborhood. 
 
 EUREKA MINE, SUTTER, CALAVERAS COUNTY. 
 
 This mine is located a short distance south of the town of S utter. The 
 company have one shaft, A, which is used for the whim by which the 
 ore is at present taken from the mine : a'cross cut, seen at D, in the ground 
 plan, was carried east 14U feet, intersecting the level, D, and main shaft, 
 from this the gallery, B, was carried south 135 feet, and subsequently the 
 lower level, C, was driven each way a distance of 230 feet. 
 
 The mine is in active operation, and they are now driving an adit on 
 the east side of the hill, which will intersect their vein at an angle of 65 
 degrees to its line of strike, this will be 400 feet in length, and will afford 
 easy arid rapid communication with the reduction works. At the end of 
 the adit a tram-road is constructed 2800 feet, which connects with the 
 mill ; the gallery, B, 2, will be connected with the adit in the dotted line, 
 F, of the ground plan. 
 
 The vein of this company is in chlorite, and has a strike north and 
 south, dipping east 55 degrees, with a power of five feet ; the vein has 
 a riband like appearance in masses, from small seams of graphic slate 
 running through it. The vein contains some arsenical ores, which are 
 highly auriferous. 
 
 
90 
 
 [APPENDIX 
 
 LIST OF GOLD MINES 
 
 At present in operation in California, with location, power employed, &c. 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 TOWNS, ETC. 
 
 NAME OF MINE. 
 
 LOCALITY. 
 
 POWER. 
 
 Nevada. 
 
 Nevada and vicinity. 
 
 Gold Tunnel. 
 
 Deer Creek. 
 
 Steam. 
 
 
 
 K 
 
 Golden Gate. 
 
 Little Deer Creek. 
 
 
 u 
 
 K 
 
 Nevada. 
 
 Deer Creek. 
 
 Water,! 
 
 it 
 
 II CC 
 
 Wyoming. 
 
 " 
 
 u 
 
 (C 
 
 II II 
 
 Wisconsin. 
 
 East of town. 
 
 i' 
 
 <C 
 
 II 1C 
 
 Illinois. 
 
 Deer Creek. 
 
 " 
 
 II 
 
 It II 
 
 El Dorado. 
 
 
 1C 
 
 <t 
 
 Grass Valley. 
 
 Gold Hill. 
 
 West of town. 
 
 Steam. 
 
 II 
 
 
 
 Crossett and Collins. 
 
 Osborn Hill. 
 
 " 
 
 M 
 
 it 
 
 Empire. 
 
 Ophir Hill. 
 
 " 
 
 II 
 
 1C 
 
 French. 
 
 Union Hill. 
 
 " 
 
 Butte. 
 
 Jamison Creek. 
 
 Lafayette & Helvetia 
 Washington. 
 
 Lafayette Hill. 
 Jamison. 
 
 u 
 
 M 
 
 c. 
 
 Eureka. 
 
 cc 
 
 Water. 
 
 Sierra. 
 
 Downieville. 
 
 Ariel. 
 
 South Fork. 
 
 cc 
 
 Yuba. 
 
 Brown's Valley. 
 
 Huntley's. 
 
 
 Steam. 
 
 Shasta. 
 
 
 Kelby's. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mt. "Washington. 
 
 Mt. "Washington. 
 
 
 
 Siskiyou. 
 
 Scott's Valley. 
 
 Stents. 
 
 Scott River. ' 
 
 Steam. 
 
 a 
 
 " 
 
 Shackelford's. 
 
 Scott Valley. 
 
 
 " 
 
 it 
 
 Moft'at's. 
 
 " 
 
 Water. 
 
 u 
 
 
 Martin's. 
 
 Humbug Creek. 
 
 
 
 Klamath. 
 
 Sealey's Flat. 
 
 McDermott's. 
 
 
 
 El Dorado. 
 
 Union Town. 
 
 Union. 
 
 Marthenas Creek. 
 
 Steam. 
 
 ci 
 
 Quartzville. 
 
 Thomas's. 
 
 Consumnes River. 
 
 Water. 
 
 Calaveras. 
 
 Ranchoree. 
 
 Ranchoree. 
 
 Creek. 
 
 " 
 
 ic 
 
 Amidor. 
 
 Amidor. 
 
 Town and Creek. 
 
 Steam. 
 
 K 
 
 Spring HilL 
 
 cc 
 
 C. CI 
 
 " 
 
 u 
 
 Amidor. 
 
 Keystone. 
 
 Tributary Creek. 
 
 " 
 
 u 
 
 Herbertville. 
 
 Jones & Davis's. 
 
 1C 
 
 
 
 II 
 
 1C 
 
 Lea <fe Johnson. 
 
 
 
 
 M 
 
 Mokelumne Ridge. 
 
 Woodhouse. 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 Phosnix. 
 
 cc 
 
 " 
 
 
 
 1C 
 
 " 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sutter. 
 
 Eureka. 
 
 Sutter Creek. 
 
 Water. 
 
 II 
 
 cc 
 
 Amidor, No. 2. 
 
 " 
 
 Steam. 
 
 K 
 
 Jackson. 
 
 Oneida. 
 
 
 " 
 
 Tuolumne. 
 
 Maxwell Creek. 
 
 Harris's. 
 
 Creek. 
 
 " 
 
 M 
 
 Coulterville. 
 
 Maxwell Creek Co. 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 II 
 
 Merced River. 
 
 Marble Springs. 
 
 North Fork. 
 
 cc 
 
 Mariposa. 
 
 Mt Ophir. 
 Quartzburg. 
 
 Noveax Monde. 
 Washington & Georg. 
 
 Mt. Ophir. 
 Quartzburg. 
 
 cc 
 
 From this it will be seen that there are thirty-nine mines in successful 
 operation in this State at the present date, twenty-eight of which I have 
 personally visited this season, and my excuse for not visiting the balance, 
 was the lateness of the season and distances, with the time necessarily 
 required to compile this report, being now delayed much beyond the 
 time when it should have appeared. 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 
 
 91 
 
 ALTITUDES 
 
 Taken by Aneroid Barometer No. 10,811, with the Counties and Localities 
 in which they were taken. 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 LOCALITY. 
 
 POSITION. 
 
 ALTITUDE 
 ABOVE THE 
 SEA. 
 
 Santa Clara, 
 
 San Jose, 
 
 Mansion House, 
 
 150 feet 
 
 
 
 Almaden, 
 
 Hotel, 
 
 48o ' 
 
 4 
 
 Mine, 
 
 
 1345 - 
 
 < 
 
 Houck's Ranch, 
 
 Santa Clara Valley, 
 
 190 ' 
 
 t 
 
 Gilroy's, 
 
 < < 
 
 155 v 
 
 < <( 
 
 Mission Peak, 
 
 ' 
 
 2025 
 
 Monterey, 
 
 Mission San Juan, 
 
 
 210 
 
 
 
 Ranch Tres Pinos, 
 
 Canada San Benito, 
 
 220 
 
 
 
 Pass Santa Anna, 
 
 Top of hill, 
 
 615 
 
 ti 
 
 Canada San Juan, 
 
 Four miles south of the above, 
 
 300 " 
 
 " 
 
 Canada Las Muertos, 
 
 Entrance, 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 Sierra Gibilan, 
 
 Summit, 
 
 2780 
 
 <( 
 
 Chupedero, 
 
 u 
 
 2368 
 
 " 
 
 Chelone, 
 
 " 
 
 2010 
 
 14 
 
 Sole dad Mission, 
 
 
 312 
 
 U 
 
 
 
 Hill on road from San Juan to ) 
 
 
 
 
 "Watson ville, \ 
 
 340 
 
 San Luis Obispo. 
 
 High Ridge, 
 
 South Nacismiento, 
 
 2460 ' 
 
 Alameda, 
 
 Mission San Jose", 
 
 Portico, 
 
 285 v 
 
 
 Sunols Hill, 
 
 Entrance to valley, 
 
 505 
 
 
 " Valley, 
 
 
 285 ' 
 
 
 Seven Mile House, 
 
 Sunol Valley, 
 
 240 
 
 
 Livermore's Ranch, 
 
 Livermore Valley, 
 
 420 V 
 
 
 
 Hill in Pass nine miles from Ranch, 
 
 865 v 
 
 
 
 Canada half mile north of hill, 
 
 584 
 
 
 Stone House, 
 
 Bottom of hill, one mile, 
 
 680 ' 
 
 San Joaquin, 
 
 Elk Horn, 
 
 Mouth of Livermore Pass, 
 
 220 
 
 < 
 
 Suddenfield's Ranch, 
 
 San Joaquin Valley, 
 
 80 V 
 
 Nevada, 
 
 Nevada City, 
 
 Adams' Office, 
 
 1810 ' 
 
 " 
 
 *Grass Valley, 
 
 a u 
 
 1950 
 
 Placer, 
 
 Auburn, 
 
 
 1080 . . 
 
 " 
 
 
 Half-way House to Sacramento, 
 
 370 .. 
 
 El Dorado, 
 
 Aurum City, 
 
 
 1200 . . 
 
 " 
 
 Mud Springs, 
 
 
 1430 . . 
 
 Sacramento, 
 
 North Fork House, 
 
 
 170 .. 
 
 u 
 
 Sacramento City, 
 
 Levee, 
 
 89 
 
 Yuba, 
 
 Maiysville, 
 
 
 76 
 
 <( 
 
 Johnson's Ranch, 
 
 Bear River, 
 
 1120 
 
 * A difference of fifty feet by observations of Mr. Atwood with mercurial Barometer, taken three quarters of 
 a mile south ; difference probably in elevation of both places. 
 
 Altitudes were taken in the Counties of Butte, Sierra and upper part 
 of Yuba with another instrument, but as it was found not to correspond 
 with the points of departure on my return, the observations were pre 
 sumed to be incorrect and therefore are not given in this table. Some of 
 the localities in this table have been levelled and their height accurately 
 known, and as the barometric measurements have been found to corres 
 pond, they are probably close approximations. 
 
92 [APPENDIX 
 
 COLLECTION FOR THE STATE CABINET. 
 
 The Minerals found in the attached list will represent the rocks of 
 those sections examined and spoken of in the report. 
 
 1. Sandstone conglomerate with serpentine, Water Works, San Fran 
 cisco. 
 
 2. Chromic iron, containing Nickel, Panoches, Gabilan Mountains. 
 
 3. Chromic iron, containing Nickel, San Benito, Canada of. 
 
 4. Chromic iron, containing Nickel, Alameda County. 
 
 5. Serpentine, containing free Iodine, Water Works, San Francisco. 
 
 6. Serpentine seams of Asbestus, Water Works, San Francisco. 
 
 7. Sulphuret Copper in Quartz, Alisal, Monterey. 
 
 8. Blue and green Carbonate Copper, Alisal, Monterey. 
 
 9. Carbonate and Sulphuret Copper, Alisal, Monterey. 
 
 10. Carbonate and Sulphuret Copper, Santa Barbara. 
 
 11. Jaspery rocks, Presidio, San Francisco. 
 
 12. Gangue of the veins, Alisal Mine. 
 
 13. Gossan, containing Gold, Gabilan Mountains. 
 
 15. Gold in Quartz with peroxide iron, Washington Mine, Shasta Co. 
 
 16. Do. do, do. do- do. do. do. do. do. 
 
 17. Do. do. do. CD. do. do. do. do. do. 
 
 18. Gossan, containing Gold, Gold Tunnel Mine, Nevada. 
 
 19. Gold in Quartz, Gold Tunnel Mine, Nevada. 
 
 20. Gold in Pyrites, Gold Tunnel Mine, Nevada. 
 
 21. Gold in Quartz with Galena, Lafayette and Helvetia Mine, Nevada. 
 
 22. Gold in Pyrites, Lafayette and Helvetia Mine, Nevada. 
 
 23. Gold in Arsenical Pyrites. Lafayette and Helvetia Mine, Nevada. 
 
 24. Gold in Gangue of Vein, Lafayette and Helvetia Mine, Nevada. 
 
 25. Auriferous Pyrites, Gold Hill Lode, Helvetia mine. 
 
 26. Gold and Peroxide Iron, Lafayette and Helvetia mine. 
 
 27. Serpentine from the Lode, Lafayette Hill. 
 
 28. Pyritiferous and Variegated, Lafayette Hill. 
 
 29. Gold in Quartz, Empire Co., Ophir Hill. 
 
 30. Gold in Pyrites, Empire Co., Ophir Hill. 
 
 31. Ores of the Greenstone, Empire Co., Ophir Hill. 
 
 32. Ores Pyritiferous, Empire Co., Ophir Hill. 
 
 34. Discoloration of Quartz by Gold, Empire Co., Ophir Hill. 
 
 35. Gold in Quartz, Gold Hill mine. 
 
 36. Auriferous Pyrites in Quartz, Gold Hill mine. 
 
 37. Auriferous Cellular Quartz, Gold Hill mine. 
 
 38. Surface Ores and Peroxide Iron, Gold Hill mine. 
 
 39. Auriferous Quartz in Crystals, Osborn Hill mine. 
 
 40. Ore from the Granite, Osborn Hill mine. 
 
 41. Ore from decomposed Greenstone, Osborn Hill mine. 
 
 42. Ore from the Greenstone Gangue, Osborn Hill mine. 
 
 43. Gossan containing Gold, Wyoming mine. 
 
 44. Auriferous Quartz, Wyoming mine. 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 93 
 
 45. Pyrites containing Gold, Ben Franklin mine- 
 
 46. Ore from the Greenstone, Ben Franklin mine. 
 
 47. Conglomerate and Gold, Little York. 
 
 48. Trachyte, Grass Valley. 
 
 49. Auriferous Pyrites in Quartz, Mt. George mine. 
 
 50. Auriferous Pyrites and Sulphur, Mt. George mine. 
 
 51. Auriferous Pyrites, Mt. George mine. 
 
 52. Steatite (Soapstone) Jennr Lind Hill (Rockg Tunnel). 
 
 53. Serpentine, Jenny Lind Hill. (Rocky Tunnel.) 
 
 54. Asbestus, Jenny Lind Hill, (Rocky Tunnel). 
 
 55. Cellular Quartz and Gold, Lea & Johnson mine, Calaveras Co. 
 
 56. Ore from the Greenstone, i^ea & Johnson mine, Calaveras Co. 
 
 57. Surface ore of cross course, Lea & Johnson mine, Calaveras Co. 
 
 58. Cellular Quartz surface ore, Ranchoree mine, Calaveras Co. 
 
 59. Auriferous Pyrites, Ranchoree mine, Calaveras Co. 
 
 60. Quartz Talc and Gold, Ranchoree mine, Calaveras Co. 
 
 61. Auriferous Quartz, Jones & Davis' Mine, Calaveras County. 
 
 62. Pyritiferous Quartz, Jones &, Davis' Mine,. Calaveras County. 
 
 63. Gangue investing Lode Auriferous, Jones & Davis' Mine, Cala 
 
 veras County. 
 
 64. Surface Ores, Jones & Davis' Mine, Calaverous County. 
 
 65. Gold in Quartz, Eureka Mine, Calaveras County. 
 
 66. Arsenical Pyrites and Gold, Eureka Mine, Calaveras County. 
 
 67. East side of Lode, do do do do 
 
 68. Middle of Lode, do do do do 
 
 69. Average Ores, do do do do 
 
 70. Graphic Slate, Jones & Davis Mine. 
 
 71. Veinstone with Graphic Slate, Spring Hill Mine, Calaveras Co. 
 
 72. Do Roasted, do do do 
 
 73. Auriferous Pyrites, do do do 
 
 74. Gold in Quartz, do do do 
 
 76. Cellular Quartz, Keystone Mine, Amidor. 
 
 77. Auriferous Pyrites, do do do 
 
 78. do do and Gold, Ariel Mine, Sierra County. 
 
 79. Pyrites in Talc, do do do 
 
 80. Proxide Iron, do do do 
 
 81. Calcarious Travertin, South Fork, Yuba. 
 
 82. Galena and Gold in Quartz, Tuolumne Water Co. 
 
 83. do do do do do 
 
 84. Peroxide Iron and Gold do do 
 
 85. Auriferous Talc, do do 
 
 86. Talcose Slate and Gold, Calaveras River. 
 
 87. Gossan and Gold, New York Mine, Stanislaus River. 
 
 88. Carbonate Line, Almaden Mine, Santa Clara. 
 
 89. Serpentine, do do do 
 
 90. Carbonate Lime in Cinnabar, Almaderi Mine, Santa Clara. 
 
 91. Cinnabar, do do do do 
 
 92. do do do do do 
 
 93. Sulphuret Copper, Santa Barbara. 
 
 94. Carbonate Copper, Carson Hill. 
 
 95. Carbonate Copper, Grass Valley. 
 
 
94 [APPENDIX 
 
 96. Sulphuret Antimony, Mt. Oso, Coast Mountains. 
 
 97. Carbonate Copper in boulders, Oregon creek. Sierra Co." 
 
 98. Gold in do do do do do 
 
 99. Lignite and Sulphuret Iron do do do do 
 
 100. Hornblende, Monte Diablo. 
 
 101. do Canada San Benito. 
 
 102. Silicified Wood, Oregon creek, Sierra Co. 
 
 103. Fossil Leaves, Minesota do do 
 
 104. do do and Wood, Minesota, Sierra Co. 
 
 105. Shells of raised sea-beach, containing Ostrea, Purpura, Mytilus, 
 
 Benicia. 
 
 106. Lignites, Grass Valley. 
 
 107. Silicified Oak, Grass Valley. 
 
 108. Quartz and Gold, No. 1 level, Pine Tree Sett. 
 
 109. do do No. 2 do do do do 
 
 110. do do No. 1 Cross cut do do 
 
 111. do do No. 2 do do do do 
 
 112. do do from the limestone, Dyer Sett. 
 
 113. Copper Lode, near Ridly's Ferry. 
 
 114. do do Hoyt's Lode. 
 
 115. Copper and Gold, Spring Sett. 
 
 116. Gossan and Gold, Josephine Sett. 
 
 117. Copper and Gold in Quartz, do do 
 
 118. Cellular Quartz and Gold, do do 
 
 119. do do do do do 
 
 120. do do do do do 
 
 121. do do Pyrites with Gold, do do 
 
 122. Graphite and Gold in Quartz, do do 
 
 123. Blue Carbonate Copper and Quartz, Pine Tree Sett. 
 
 124. Galena Iron and Gold in Quartz, Mt. Ophir Sett. 
 
 125. Hydrated Protoxide Iron and Gold, do do 
 
 126. Walls of Lode Auriferous, Mt. Ophir Sett. 
 
 127. Veinstone Pyritiferous do do 
 
 128. Galena and Copper, do do 
 
 129. Pyrites in Greenstone. 
 
 130. Medium Ores of Mt. Ophir. 
 
 131. Carbonate Copper, Luis Obispo. 
 
 132. Agates, do 
 
 133. Magnetic Iron, Santa Barbara. 
 
 134. Do do in Serpentine, San Francisco. 
 
 136. Do do do do 
 
 137. Peroxide Iron, Santa Cruz Mountains. 
 
 138. Bituminous Shales, with Telina, Coast Monterey. 
 
 139. Do Impressions of telina and Venus, with borings of the 
 Pholas, Coast Monterey. 
 
 139. Bituminous Sandstone with Pholas and Teredo, Serpulae Coast 
 
 Monterey. 
 
 140. Yellow Sandstone with impressions of Venus, Southeast Monterey. 
 
 141. Do do and Telina, do & 
 
 142. Do do do do do 
 
 143. Do do do Carmello Creek. 
 
Doc. No. 9.] 95 
 
 
 
 144. Yellow Sandstone and Telina, Cormello Creek. 
 
 145. Do do do do do 
 
 146. Do do do do do 
 
 147. Maotra and Cardium Sandstone, Monterey. 
 
 148. Argentiferous Galena, Alisal. 
 
 149. do do do 
 
 150. Carbonate Copper and Gold in Quartz, Alisal. 
 
 151. Mica Schist and Sulphate Iron, Santa Cruz. 
 
 152. Granite, do 
 
 153. Serpentine and Bitumen, La Brae, Santa Clara Co. 
 
 154. Mica Schist with Garnets, Carmello. 
 
 155. Carhonate Lime, Santa Cruz. 
 
 156. Carbonate Lime in Crystals, Santa Cruz. 
 
 157. Marine Fossils, consisting of Pyrula, Telina, Dentalia, Cytherea, 
 
 Butte Co. 
 
 158. Matica, Ostrea, Mactra, Butte Co. 
 
 159. Marine Fossils, consisting of Buccinum, Natica, Cytherea, Santa 
 
 Cruz Mountains. 
 
 160. Yenus, Venericardia, Santa Cruz Mountains. 
 
 161. Marine Fossils, Astarte, San Benito. 
 
 162. do do Venericardia, do do 
 
 163. do do Mytilus Cytherea, do do 
 
 177. Infusorial Clays, containing thirty-eight species, Monterey. 
 
 174. Granite, Punta Keys, Marin Co. 
 
 175. Limestone and Antimony, do do do do 
 
 176. Galena Gold and Quartz, Marble Spring Mine, Tuolumne Co. 
 Through the kindess of Mr. W. P. Blake, Geologist of the U. S. R. R. 
 
 Survey, the following specimens have been procured, and which repre 
 sent some portions of the geology of the routes traveled over by that 
 expedition during the past season : 
 
 164. Fossil Wood perforated by Teredo, Colorado Deseret. 
 
 165. Silicified Wood, do do. 
 
 166. Andalusite, drift of Chouchillas River. 
 1.67. Carbonate of Lime, Tejon Pass. 
 
 168. Selenite, Posa Creek. 
 
 169. Amorphous Quartz, Four Creeks. 
 
 170. Coral, Colorado Desert. 
 
 171. Basalt, San Joaquin. 
 
 172. Marine Fossils ; these contain two species of Fusus Bucinum, 
 
 Telina, Pecten and Turbo, San Diego Mission. 
 176. Shark's Teeth, Posa Creek. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 JOHN B. TRASK. 
 
Document No. 14. 
 
 IN ASSEMBLY.] [SESSION 1855. 
 
 REPORT 
 
 ON THE 
 
 GEOLOGY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 COAST MOUNTAINS; 
 
 EMBRACING THEIR 
 
 Agricultural Jicsourrcs anft illincral |)robiiction0, 
 
 ALSO, PORTIONS OF THE 
 
 MIDDLE AND NORTHERN MINING DISTRICTS. 
 BY DE, JOHN B. TRASK. 
 
 [B. B. REDDING, STATE PRINTER. 
 

To His Excellency, JOHN BIGLER, 
 
 Governor of the State of California : 
 
 DEAR SIR: 
 
 Pursuant to an Act passed in May last by the Senate and Assembly of 
 this State, authorizing a farther examination of the unexplored portions of the 
 State, I have the honor to submit the following Report and accompanying dia 
 grams. 
 
 tours, &c. 
 
 JOHN B. TRASK. 
 

 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ) 
 
 SACRAMENTO, MARCH 8th, 1855. ) 
 
 To the Senate and Assembly of the State of California : 
 
 I have the honor herewith to transmit to the Senate, a Report made by 
 the State Geologist, Dr. John B. Trask, in compliance with an Act passed May 
 15th, 1854, entitled "An Act to authorize and enable Dr. John B. Trask to 
 complete his geological examination of parts of the State of California. 
 
 The copy herewith transmitted, being the only one furnished me, it becomes 
 my duty, respectfully, to request the Senate to inform the Assembly that the 
 same has been received and is in possession of the Senate. 
 
 JOHN BIGLER. 
 
PEEFACE. 
 
 The tour of 1854 was commenced on the 13th day of June, and the 
 first month was spent in the counties of Yuba, the lower portion of Ne 
 vada, Placer and Sacramento, for the purpose of completing the exami 
 nation of those sections which were left unfinished the previous season. 
 
 In the month of July, the southern portion of the tour was entered 
 upon, and carried through portions of the counties of Monterey, Luis 
 Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles, to the northern borders of the 
 counties of San Bernardino and San Diego. This occupied the time up 
 to the 12th October, a period of three months. My operations were then 
 transferred to the agricultural districts west of the Sacramento River, 
 through the counties of Yolo, Sutter, Butte, Shasta, Trinity, and the 
 eastern part of Klamath. The time occupied in these sections was two 
 months. At this time 1 returned to the mining counties for the purpose 
 of collecting such statistics as the short period of time allowed. 
 
 The whole time occupied in the mines proper, was three weeks ; the 
 first part Of the season being spent in the agricultural districts ot those 
 counties, almost exclusively. 
 
 The tour occupied a period of six months and twenty-two days of 
 active labor in the field. 
 
EEPOET. 
 
 This report will embrace the investigation of the Coast Mountains, commen 
 cing near the point of termination of the tour conducted during the summer of 
 1853, and ending at the northern boundaries of the Counties of San Bernadino 
 and San Diego during the summer and early part of the autumn of 1854. The 
 tour of 1853 in the Coast Mountains terminated a few miles south of the 
 river Nacismieiito, in the County of Monterey. 
 
 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE COAST MOUNTAINS. 
 
 In the report on the " Geology of parts of the Coast Mountains," presented 
 and published by the fifth session of the Legislature, it will be remembered that 
 this chain of mountains laid down as forming the coast line of this State, ex 
 tended from the 42nd parallel to the southern boundary of the same. This pre 
 sumption was founded on the erroneous positions of the southern terminus of 
 this chain, as laid down on the older, and also the more recent maps of the 
 State, conjoined with the misapprehension of many individuals who reside on 
 different points of the coast line, and who have blended the base of another and 
 a distinct mountain chain with those belonging to the coast chain proper; these, 
 it will be seen, have no other connection with the latter, other than to traverse 
 its line of trend at nearly right angles to its course. 
 
 From the Nacismiento River the coast line of mountains continue on a line, 
 which is nearly direct with the trend of that portion of the chain which extends 
 from Point Pinos to the river above named, and which forms one of the south 
 ern boundaries of the County of Monterey ; the line being south nearly fifty 
 degrees east to their northern termini or junction with the San Bernadino chain. 
 The latter mountains have their western termination in the vicinity of Points 
 Aguilla and Conception; beyond this to the south, the mountains which front 
 the ocean are derived from this chain or its spurs, which are often projected 
 nearly to the water-line of the sea. 
 
 After crossing the Nacismieiito River, the coast chain becomes exceedingly 
 rugged and irregular, losing in a great measure that parallelism of ridges which 
 they have heretofore maintained in the more northern districts, from this cause 
 often they become almost absolutely impassable, at other points than those used 
 for public high ways; -in many canons south and east of their junction, water is 
 2 
 
10 
 
 scarcely to be found, and which, as a consequence, renders their study a difficult 
 and laborious task. 
 
 Between the middle and eastern ridges of this part of the chain and at a 
 distance of about thirty miles south of the intersection of the Monte Diablo 
 range there are some valley districts occupied as ranches for grazing purposes, 
 but'the major part of the entire district present but few inducements that invite 
 it to a permanent and extensive population. 
 
 The general characteristics of the mountains west of the central portion of 
 the chain, are repulsive in their character, and ill adapted to any other than 
 those purposes to which this part of the chain is applied, viz: that of affording 
 pasturage for wild cattle and the rearing of sheep. 
 
 On the eastern side of the central ridges, the intervening country lying be 
 tween them partakes much more of the character which is found to prevail in 
 many of the more northern parts of the line ; somewhat extended valley sec 
 tions, occurring at long intervals, and again breaking up into rough and jagged 
 peaks, with here and there small plats, with detached portions of wild herds 
 that roam these hills almost unknown and unowned. 
 
 The ascent to the eastern ridges is abrupt, and the eastern declivities are 
 much of the same character, until the plains of the Tulare lying at their base 
 is approached, when the foot-hills present the same general characteristics as 
 those on the western slope of the Monte Diablo range towards the southern 
 part of the Salinas. There is not that gradual graduation from mountain to 
 plain, which is incident to the descent from the Sierra Nevada. This will be 
 found a prevailing character throughout this portion, and also many other parts 
 of the coast mountains. 
 
 The western slope of the mountains towards the sea, from Point Lobos in the 
 County of Monterey, through the entire length of the County of Luis Obispo, 
 is extremely rugged and precipitous, forming a heavy and bold shore line as far 
 south as Point Sal, when the coast begins to assume a much smoother and 
 agreeable aspect. This, however, is but the outline appearance of the plats 
 as they descend from the base of the hills in a gradual slope; for on reaching 
 the water-line, the faces of these plateaus form perpendicular escarpments of 
 nearly one hundred feet in height. 
 
 From the facts at present in our possession relative to those parts of these 
 mountains lying south of the city of San Francisco, we are now able to form an 
 opinion that will approximate correctness as regards their geographical position 
 and relations, and it would seem but proper that they should hold that place 
 upon our maps which they respectively hold in nature. 
 
 With this view before us, the following proposition will be submitted for the 
 classifying the mountain ranges of this part of the State: 
 
 For all that portion of the coast mountains south of the city of San Fran 
 cisco, and following the line of the coast to the southern part of the County of 
 San Luis Obispo, the same to be denominated Coast Mountains and ceasing at 
 their junction with the San Bernardino Mountains which enter upon the coast 
 line near this point. The local name of Santa Cruz Range to be retained and 
 to comprise the entire group of mountains which extend from the Pajaro 
 River on the south, and terminating at the Presidio Point near San Francisco. 
 
 That range of mountains commencing on the south shores of the Bay San 
 Pablo, Straits Carquines and Bay of Suison, and forming the west boundaries of 
 the Yalleys of San Joaqmn and Tulare the eastern boundary of the Salinas 
 and Santa Clara Valleys, with the east coast of the Bay of San Francisco, to 
 be denominated the Monte Diablo Range. (This latter range having its south 
 ern terminus due west of the central portion of the large body of water known 
 as the Great Tulare Lake.) 
 
 portion of the Monte Diablo Range, extending from the head of the 
 
11 
 
 Cafiada San'Benito in the County of Monterey, to the Pajaros River on the 
 aorth, and forming the middle eastern boundary of the Salinas Valley, and 
 western boundary of the Valley of San Juan, to be denominated the Gabilan 
 Spur. 
 
 The above arrangement differs but little from that proposed in my report of 
 last year, (Doc, 9, Assembly, pages 12, 13, 18, 19, 21, 23,) and becomes neces 
 sary in order to form anything approaching a comprehensive idea of this almost 
 unknown portion of the State. The principal and almost only difference in this 
 arrangement, is in fixing a point at which the Coast Mountains appear to have 
 their termination, a point hitherto unsettled, and one that has caused more con 
 fusion, perhaps, in relation to the geography of the State than any subject hith 
 erto engaging the attention of travelers and citizens. The true position of 
 these mountains and their relations with other chains must, at no distant day, 
 command a much greater amount of attention from the people of this State, and 
 the Atlantic States also, than has as yet been bestowed upon them, for it will 
 be found that, in selecting a route for the national railroad, the crossing of this, 
 or an adjacent chain will be necessary, and the principle involved in the great 
 question upon this point will simply be, the best means to be adopted that will 
 avoid the transit of two chains in place of one. 
 
 A correct understanding of the situation of these ridges, will explain many of 
 the phenomena constantly occurring in these inland districts, and it affords us 
 the only means of investigating those causes of sterility that are found to ac 
 company and prove a constant attendant of extensive areas enclosed within, as 
 extending to the east of the high ridges composing the chain. 
 
 Their study then, becomes a matter not of scientific interest alone, but en 
 gages our attention in a practical, and enonomic point of view ; it is fraught 
 with pecuniary public interest, and unless fully understood must result in pecu 
 niary loss to all parties directly interested. 
 
 The altitude of these mountains is such that they have the effect to absorb 
 much of the aqueous matter carried from the ocean through the various gaps 
 that occur in the coast-line proper, and when the higher hills fail to accomplish 
 this, the increase of temperature, consequent from the relative position which 
 the mountains hold to the plain lands that may be situated among the immedi 
 ate ridges, or beyond them to the east, is such that it has the effect to dissipate 
 whatever aqueous matter that might have remained. 
 
 This state of the meteorological condition of the atmosphere is admirably 
 illustrated on the northern end of the Salinas and the southern end of the val 
 ley Santa Clara. These two districts have the appearance of being subject to a 
 constant drought, so far as external and surface features are concerned ; but a 
 closer examination of all the attendant circumstances that are to be met with 
 in this section of country will convince the observer that an erroneous opinion 
 upon this subject may easily be formed, when mere external character alone is 
 observed during the daytime. 
 
 During the after part of the day in the summer season, there is usually a 
 dense fog setting in through the opening made by the Bay of Monterey, which 
 sweeps across the Gabilan Spur over on to the south part of the Santa Clara 
 and the valley of San Juan ; and although this fog is often sufficiently dense to 
 obscure the view for any considerable distance, while it rests upon the northern 
 portion of the Salinas Plains, and west of the Gabilan, still it is not apparent 
 often in the atmosphere four miles east of that ridge. The atmosphere is perfect 
 ly transparent, nor would the traveler suppose for one moment that any mate 
 rial change in the condition of the air had taken place, or that it was in any way 
 different from that through which he may have been traveling during the entire 
 day. 
 
12 
 
 It is only at evening that the change is perceptible, for as the temperature de 
 creases after nightfall, a heavy mist from the condensation of the moisture held 
 in solution by high temperature takes place, which is often equivalent to a light 
 rain. 
 
 On the middle portions of the Salinas, much the same features are observed, 
 and it is no uncommon circumstance to be in a cloud of mist at one point, and 
 at another on the same plain not three miles the atmosphere as clear as nature 
 can produce it ; it is instructive as well as interesting to stand in a commanding 
 position and witness the solution of the cloud of vapour as it passes a given and 
 well defined line. 
 
 The same features are prevalent on the valley sections lying east of the Mount 
 Diablo Range, and the effects of condensed moisture are very apparent even in 
 the western foothills of these districts. In this fact lies one of the secrets of 
 the productive capacities of the soils of many of these interior sections, and were 
 it not for this peculiarity of our atmosphere a large area of our inland country 
 would remain a perfect Sahara, suited neither for man or beast. 
 
 On some parts of the valley sections there have been observations conducted 
 through a short period of the last year, for the purpose of eliciting some infor 
 mation relative to the hygrometric condition of the atmosphere many miles from 
 the sea. These observations if continued for one or two years hence, will furnish 
 us valuable and interesting information relative to the amount of atmospheric 
 moisture of the interior of the State, from which we shall be able to deduce some 
 conclusions of the productive capabilities of many parts of the valleys that are 
 now neglected, under the prevailing idea that water sufficient for the propaga 
 tion of grains does not exist in these sections ; from what information upon this 
 subject, is in a tangible form, I am led to the conclusion that the atmosphere of 
 the central portions of the Plains of San Joaquin and Sacramento, is nearly or 
 quite saturated during seven months of the year. The prevalence of southerly 
 winds on these plains is always marked by an increase in the height of the dew- 
 point, and they are found by tables, kept during the year 1854, to constitute 
 nearly sixty-nine per cent, of the winds of the summer season. 
 
 Beyond the junction of the coast mountains, the San Bernardino Chain makes 
 its inception, and forms the coast-line for a considerable distance to the south. 
 It is at this point where one of the great errors relating to the physical geogra 
 phy of this part of the State has been committed, viz : that of blending the 
 western terminus of this chain with the coast-line of mountains proper. From 
 Point Aguilla the coast begins to assume a much more easterly direction, than 
 at any other point north of this locality (except perhaps in the immediate vicin 
 ity of Cape Mendocino,) and on passing Point Conception it pursues nearly a due 
 east trend until arriving at Point Dessolata to the south of the Mission San 
 Juan Capistrano, when it again assumes its easterly course after rounding that 
 point. 
 
 At a short distance north of Point Aguilla the base of the San Bernardino chain 
 fronts the coast, at times miles distant, at others approaching the water-line ; 
 after passing the south-eastern point of the Santa Barbara channel the chain is 
 seen stretching away in the distance nearly due east towards the waters of the 
 Colorado, and across the Jornada del Muerto dividing this desert into two un 
 equal parts. 
 
 On approaching San Pedro in the county of Los Angeles we find that the 
 nearest part of this chain is not less than forty miles distant from the coast, and 
 to the northeast of this place the distance is much greater. At the distance of 
 seventy miles in the same direction may be seen the high peaks of San Bernar 
 dino, and beyond it again, that of San Jacinto ; farther to the west are moun 
 tains near the Cahon Pass, while to the left of this line of view and at nearly 
 the same distance are the rugged peaks of the Sierra San Jose and San Gabriel. 
 
13 
 
 Farther to the north and at the distance of fifty miles are the mountains of 
 San Fernando, the whole of which are but the more prominent peaks of this 
 transverse chain. On the northern base of these mountains flows the River 
 Mohave, through the central and northern parts of the great desert. 
 
 Within the district above named, and on the south base of these mountains 
 lies the great plain of Los Angeles, which from the northern to its extreme 
 southern lines cannot be less than one hundred and eighty miles in length, with 
 an average breadth of forty miles, comprising within its limits an area of arable 
 lands equal to three-fourths of the valley of the Sacramento, or about one half 
 that of the Sacramento and San Joaquin combined. 
 
 The local positions of the mountains bordering the western and southern por 
 tion of the State must it will be seen, modify to a great extent the productive 
 capabilities of the adjoining districts, and no better illustration of this fact is 
 necessary than an examination of the flat lands lying contiguous to their base ; 
 in the case before us the lands at the southern base of the San Bernardino 
 chain, though coarse and harsh in texture, are at the same time highly fertile, 
 while that found upon the northern base, though derived from the same sources, 
 is wholly incapable of vegetable production, or at least to but a very limited 
 degree. From this then it will be seen, that the climatal conditions necessary 
 for a healthful and abundant vegetation are influenced more by position and al 
 titude rather than from any defects in the soil itself. 
 
 Hence it is, that we find the Santa Clara and Salinas valleys are more uni 
 formly productive, than the portions of the San Joaquin lying immediately to 
 the east of the former, while at the same time the latter is more productive than 
 the section to the south known as Desert, but which under favorable circumstan 
 ces has proved inferior to none of the best lands in any part of this State ; this 
 if a plain contradiction to the general idea prevailing, and promulgated from 
 high sources, that this portion of the State is valueless, and if individuals see 
 proper to publish conclusions made up from hasty examinations, and unfavor 
 able predilections, they must not expect others to follow in their trail, and per 
 vert truth to save individual responsibility. 
 
 The only requisition necessary to make this desert a productive field, suited to 
 the growth of our southern staples, is the introduction of water in sufficient 
 quantities for irrigation. This done, no district of this State will present greater 
 capacities. 
 
 The position and course of the San Bernardino chain, with its extent and al 
 titude forms a striking feature in the geography of the State, and the cliraatal 
 features incident to the effects produced by position and altitude, are equally dis 
 tinctive ; the products arising from these peculiarities, are equally marked in all 
 their forms, while its zoology partakes of the general mutation which supervenes 
 to as great an extent as is manifest in the peculiarities of the climate ; not less 
 characterized are the native inhabitants, their pursuits and interests; there seems 
 but little to unite them with other parts of the State, as each and every natur 
 al product, methods of living, and political feelings, are as distinct as the almost 
 impassable mountain barrier that separates them from the northern portions of 
 the State. 
 
 GEOLOGY OF THE COAST MOUNTAINS. 
 
 The geology of that portion of the Coast Mountains south of the River Na- 
 cismiento, differs, but little from that observed a short distance south of that line. 
 
 The talcose rocks and their derivations extend south of the river for the dis- 
 ntnce of about thirty miles, forming a narrow belt, and flanked on the south- 
 
14 
 
 west by the trap rocks, and on the northeast, by coarse granites and sienites, at 
 times composed almost exclusively of massive hornblende, and at others consid 
 erable quantities of the latter is found imbedded among the other primitive rocks. 
 The primitive group of this section of the country, exhibits itself in a belt of 
 about one and a half miles in breadth, and is most evidently contemporaneous 
 with the rocks forming the Santa Cruz mountains, and that part of the coast 
 line, extending from Point Pinos south to the northern line of the county of 
 San Luis Obispo. 
 
 Among the magnesian rocks of this district there were seen many small spec 
 imens of the chromic iron, but none in such massive quantities as that 'noticed 
 in the Gabilan Spur, in the vicinity of the Sierra Panoches, near the southern 
 junction of this spur, with the Monte Diablo range. The talcose varieties of 
 the rocks of these mountains, as well also as the sienites, and granites, have been 
 intruded and dislocated by the quartz, but no veins of any considerable magni 
 tude were met with, and there was but little indication of any auriferous de 
 posits within them. 
 
 On the head of a small creek which is probably a tributary of one of the 
 southern branches of the Nacismiento, a heavy bed of chlorite slate makes its 
 appearance, having a strike east and west and dipping to the south with a high 
 angle. This bed is cut through by a dike of trap rock having a dark grey col 
 or, and immediately adjoining the latter is a small vein of quartz some nine in 
 ches diameter, holding the same course and having a westerly dip. This vein 
 contains galena, arifcl sulphuret of molybdenum, holding the same relations of 
 mineral disposition, that are found to exist in the vicinity of the Pittsburg Mine 
 in the county of Nevada. 
 
 I was unable to discover any valuable metallic associations in any of the rocks 
 belonging to this group, and am forced as a consequence to say, that in this in 
 stance, the metallic associations hitherto found to be unexceptionable in all other 
 parts of the State, viz : of gold in quartzose and talcose rocks, when found ad 
 joining each other, does not hold good in this instance, it is one of the very few 
 exceptions apparently to that general rule. 
 
 On the west flank of the eastern ridges, and at the distance of about twenty- 
 five miles from the rancho Santa Maria, there are beds of a crystalline or pri 
 mary limestone, similar in all its general characteristics with that found in the 
 vicinity of Santa Cruz ; a large proportion of this calcareous rock, possesses a 
 high crystalline character, and is unsuited for other purposes than the manufac 
 ture of lime. On a small valley to the west of this bed and at the distance of 
 about half a mile west, a heavy deposit of calcareous travertin is found, but like 
 the toro beds in the county of Monterey, the springs that rise to the deposit, 
 seem no longer to exist ; this bed covered an area of nearly one-fourth of a 
 mile, and having a depth of nearly seven feet. 
 
 The geological position of these limestones is among the primitive rocks like 
 its equivalents among the more northern parts of the same mountain chain, and 
 is the same in age as that group extending through three hundred miles of the 
 Sierra Nevada. 
 
 From the valley above alluded to, this rock extends south in detached groups 
 or beds for a distance of about thirty miles, and will be iouud on the west flank 
 of this line of ridges to a point nearly due east of the head waters of the Rio 
 Santa Clara in the county of Santa Barbara. A similar group of these rocks 
 is also met with near Lake Elizabeth, near the main waggon road from Santa 
 Barbara to the Canada de los Ubas and the Tejon Reserve. 
 
 In the canon of the rancho San Francisco the limestone is frequently met 
 with on the sides of the hills to the left of the road, but at this locality it can 
 not be considered in situ. 
 
 The rocks have been carefully examined for organic remains, but in no instance 
 
15 
 
 * 
 
 have I as yet been able to detect the slighest vestige of organic life, and from 
 those who have succeeded me in the examination of these rocks, I learn that 
 they have met with no better success. 
 
 It is not uncommon to find impressions of marine plants at least, in rocks of 
 this character, but even these are absent in the group under consideration. 
 
 A distinguishing feature in these limestones, is the small proportion in mass 
 which they bear to the other primitive rocks with which they are associated and 
 invested, and when found in contact, (as was the case in two instances) with the 
 more recent igneous intrusions, their structure was found materially changed. 
 They were more often found imbedded in the granitic rocks than in any other po 
 sition ; but little of the entire line of beds possessed a fine crystalline texture, 
 and this even was usually much discolored by iron. 
 
 The limestone rocks of these mountains are well represented on the west flank 
 of the Sierra Nevada, their equivalents may be found in various mining locali 
 ties, as at the Marble Springs, Sonora, Ringgold, Murderer's Bar, Carson River 
 Falls, also as far north as the county of Pluruas, it passes through all the inter 
 mediate counties lying between Mariposa on the south and Plumas on the north. 
 In some of the above localities it has been found to answer the purpose of a 
 good building material, this however is merely local, but its principal use in this 
 State is the manufacture of lime. 
 
 The granitic series probably underlies the entire central and a large portion 
 of the eastern line of ridges, although it does not make its appearance upon the 
 surface to that extent which this supposition would seem to imply. I am satis 
 fied of this fact however, from the examination of the debris found in and about 
 the small streams, which are found traversing some of the deep canons of these 
 mountains ; in all the sedimentary beds, of sand and drift thus found, the gran 
 itic constituents of the same formed by far the greater proportion, and it may be 
 said constituted their entire mass. How far this formation may extend west 
 ward, or towards the coast, and north of the San Bernardino is yet quite un 
 certain, as I am not aware of any outcrop of the granite north of this chain 
 and south of San Simeon. 
 
 TERTIARY ROCKS OF THE COAST MOUNTAINS. 
 
 The tertiary rocks of this part of the coast mountains, are interesting in a 
 scientific point of view, in directing our attention to those periods of the earlier 
 history of this portion of the western continent, when it was submerged be 
 neath the waters of the ocean. The prevalence of the tertiary rocks in these 
 mountains fully corroborates all that has heretofore been said respecting almost 
 the entire range of country stretching from the base of the eastern Sierras to 
 the present eastern confines of the sea. On the summits and sides of the hills, 
 we find the fossiliferous rocks of this part of the country, maintaining the same 
 relative positions which they occupy in other and distant parts of the State; the 
 equivalents of the Monte Diablo groups are found as well marked as at any 
 part of that particular range, while at the same time we find in this connection 
 other beds of widely different forms, and belonging to different periods of the 
 same era, and which are found again hundreds of miles distant in other direc 
 tions. 
 
 Sufficient is now known respecting the distribution of the vertebrate and in 
 vertebrate animals inhabiting the country during these remote ages, that we are 
 able to frame, at least, an approximate opinion of the relative periods at which 
 the different classes of animals existed, whose remains have been found within 
 the limits of this State. 
 
16 
 
 With those relics of the vertebrate animals now in our possession, from the 
 counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and what has 
 been brought to light in the Counties of Tuolumne, Placer and Siskiyou, it 
 appears evident that not less than eight species of these gigantic animals for 
 merly existed upon these shores. The relative situation of these remains in dif 
 ferent parts of the State precludes the idea that they could have existed during 
 the same identical period, therefore, it will probably be necessary to construct a 
 different arrangement than that at present acknowledged, for the date at which 
 allied genera and species in other parts of the world existed, compared to those 
 of California. 
 
 We are warranted in this assumption from the appearance and character of 
 the marine fossils adjacent to the district from which many of these bones have 
 been exhumed, and as in the case of those remains from the northern districts 
 of the State, their association with relics of the works of art would certainly 
 appear to bring them down to a much later period than that usually assigned; 
 but of this subject we shall treat again at a future day, when farther, but per 
 haps not more decisive evidence is in our possession. 
 
 In the mountainous districts of the Counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa 
 Barbara, the predominating fossiliferous rocks are miocenes holding an age con 
 temporaneous with the Monte Diablo groups. Among the higher hills of these 
 Counties, the Miocene rocks are in many instances largely developed; this will 
 be found to be the case in an eminent degree in the La Questa San Marcas, a pass 
 in the mountains, and on one of the trails from the town of Santa Barbara 
 into the Valley of San Inez. 
 
 The cafion of this hill cuts through heavy beds of sandstone, which is loaded 
 with fossils of marine origin, among which Pectinea, Cardia and Ostrea are in 
 greatest abundance, while it is prolific in univalves and spiral shells, with other 
 additional bivalves. Immediately east of the Mission of Santa Barbara among 
 the lower hills, there is an extensive bed of Ostrea, the cementing medium be 
 ing made up of lime with an admixture of a small quantity of sand. 
 
 In passing through the Yalley of San Inez and entering the coast mountains 
 in the County of Luis Obispo, the same fossiliferous rocks occur for forty miles, 
 and in a large valley lying in the centre of these mountains a portion of the rib 
 of a large whale was found by Col. Norris, of the U. S Land Survey, at an al 
 titude of nearly twenty-five hundred feet above the level of the sea, and about 
 thirty-six miles into the interior. It is not uncommon to find the remains of 
 these large cetaceans among the mountains forming the coast, and some frag 
 ments of similar bones have also been brought from the borders of the Tulare 
 Yalley. From careful examinations of those bones which have been brought 
 into situations where they have been made the subject of careful investigation, 
 it is believed 'that the larger proportion of all that have yet been found, are re 
 ferable to present existing genera and species, though from fragments alone, it 
 would be difficult to individualize at the present time. 
 
 The fossiliferous sandstones of the mountains possess many of the lithological 
 characteristics which are found among the rocks of the same age in the more 
 northern parts of the State, ' nd belonging to the same chain, and when differ 
 ing from this rule, the cause will be found entirely local, and of limited extent. 
 Any diversity in species that may be found imbedded in these rocks, will be 
 more attributable to local climatal influences rather than to any difference in rela 
 tive age which the rocks of the southern mountains may hold to those of the 
 northern districts. 
 
 In the County of San Luis Obispo, at the distance of about fifteen miles from 
 the coast, and from thence into the interior, both east and south, are to be found 
 beds containing an uncommonly large Grypha3 at times weighing twenty 
 
17 
 
 
 
 pounds; it is far superior in size to those found in the vicinity of Livermore's 
 ranch, in the county of Alameda, and like them, they at times have been found 
 to contain the impress of the animal that formerly inhabited the shell ; it is not 
 improbable that the age at which both species existed was contemporaneous, the 
 difference in species, size and form, being attributable solely to local climatal 
 effects. Such is the fact at the present time with the Mollusca inhabiting our 
 coast, within the parallels of latitude inclusive, and we have no reason that such 
 was not the case in relation to the fossiliferous groups. 
 
 The large bivalves form an interesting feature in the paleontology of our 
 State, and undoubtedly are of different species from many already known in 
 other parts of the world; but their peculiarities must be deferred until a fu 
 ture period. 
 
 The area over which the tertiary rocks are distributed, leaves but little 
 room for doubt of the former submergence of the entire district; and the dif 
 ferent periods of this era points us to so many successive elevations, which were 
 probably gradual in their character If it should be questioned that this was 
 not the fact, during the earlier age of these deposits, we would simply refer the 
 observer to the terraced outlines of the fossiliferous groups from the present 
 shore of the ocean to the summit of the first and western ridges of the chain. 
 These elevatory effects have undoubtedly been continued through the subsequent 
 periods of this epoch, and will be considered more in detail when the coast line 
 of the southern part of the State is under consideration. 
 
 PRIMITIVE ROCKS OF THE COAST MOUNTAINS. 
 
 The primitive rocks of the Coast Mountains consist of the granitic series, in 
 which are included the the Sienites, Micaschist, Granite, Gneiss, Porphyries, and 
 the older Greenstone, including also the serpentine rocks. On these rest the 
 greater part of the older sedimentary rocks, and some few of the Pliocene period. 
 Their general distribution has been noticed in the preceding pages qfithis report, 
 and it remains now only to mention more particularly the points at which they 
 may best be observed, with any peculiarities that may attend them. 
 
 The granite forms the summit of a high ridge to the east of the San Inez 
 Valley; from about half the southern centre of the valley, and on the flanks of 
 the mountain, the serpentine rocks creep out and extend in a southwest direc 
 tion for about two miles, crossing the ridge at this point and forming its summit 
 for about half a mile. The entire line of this summit is bare and jagged, and 
 the white appearance of the granite at a distance gives it the aspect of a large 
 bed of quartz ; a closer approach, however, developes its true character. I 
 have seen but one other bed of the granite rocks of this State which presents 
 the same peculiar features, and those are situated about half way between the 
 town of Jackson and that of Volcano in the County of Amidor. In the middle 
 portions of the comb of this ridge is a large bed of Micaschist, containing 
 imperfect specimens of garnets which closely resembles those found on the Car- 
 mello Creek, in the County of Monterey. 
 
 On the sides of these ridges and fronting the southwest, the sedimentary 
 rocks are found in detached masses, with imbedded fossils which are usually very 
 imperfect, and therefore, of little value; their distinguishing features fixing their 
 alliance to the Monte Diablo group. They maintain a high angle of inclina 
 tion in most instances, and have suffered much disturbance from the subsequent 
 intrusion of later igneous rocks through and among the primitive series on which 
 they rest; many evidences of the intrusions are manifest thronghout this entire 
 range, but as a general fact, they appear much more local in their character 
 
18 
 
 than in many parts of the more northern equivalents of this part of the chain, 
 or more particularly such as may be found in the Santa Cruz and Monte Diablo 
 ranges. 
 
 The Serpentine rocks of the country included in the southern branches of the 
 Nacistniento River support in several localities heavy beds of the Miocene sand 
 stones, the fossils of which agree in all particulars with those'noted as occurring 
 in the same group of rocks throughout this part of the State. On the northern 
 extremity of the talcose series, a vein of quartz has cut through the inferior 
 rocks, and also through the sedimentary group, resting upon them; among the 
 sandstones it has sent out several lateral veins, and the points of contact exhibit 
 very marked changes in structure, equally distinguishable with any of those 
 cases noticed in former reports, where the contact of lavas were observed on an 
 extensive scale. 
 
 Nor are the changes of structure confined to the intrusion of the latter veins 
 alone, for in following out the igneous intrusions, it was found that considerable 
 dikes of the trapean rocks were manifest, the effects of which were apparent 
 both'by change of position and structure, the latter to an eminent degree. An 
 other illustration of the effects of those late trapean intrusions is most clearly 
 marked in the case of the Los Angeles sandstone about one mile north of the 
 town, where the latter beds containing impressions of marine plants and other 
 fossils have been most completely metamorphosed, so much so was this the case 
 that the rocks would fracture transversely to the lines of stratification with as 
 much ease as in any other direction. The fracture was usually conchoidal with 
 sharp, well defined edges, and the fragments had a distinct sonorous sound. 
 
 Leaving San Inez and passing in a southeast direction to the San Fernando 
 Mountains, we find a continuation of the primitive groups which are apparently 
 connected with and continuous into the coast mountains to the north; they are 
 met with in the Cafiada Los Ubas, and are continuous from thence into the 
 coa^t mountains to the west, and the southern terminus of the Sierra Nevada. 
 
 The rocks in the vicinity of the Tejon are granitic, consisting of Sienite, Horn 
 blende Graitfje, a goodly amount of the more felspathic rocks, containing im 
 bedded crystals of hornblende and schorl, with Mica and hornblende schists. 
 They evidently belong to one and the same group, having an age contemporane 
 ous with that series found some two hundred miles farther to the north. 
 South of the terminus of the Sierra Nevada, and on the western edge at 
 the desert, are to be found small masses of scoria with small fragments of 
 Obsidian, the latter riot abundant. 
 
 The above general characteristics are sufficient to fix the relative ages of 
 these distant groups, of allied rocks, and when we remember that nearly 
 throughout the entire range of the mountains they traverse, that another and 
 widely distinct formation is found reposing upon them, the features of which 
 either at its extremes or centre are congenerous in character, or but slightly va 
 riant. The great uniformity thus manifested in the primitive rocks below, and 
 the sedimentary group above leads us most irresistibly to the conclusion that 
 cotemporaneous origin in each is most distinctly marked. 
 
 It must not be inferred from the above that more recent disturbances in these 
 districts have not taken place, for this fact has been before noticed in former 
 reports while speaking of other parts of this range, and the same is also observ 
 able in the district under consideration. The principal differences in fossilifer- 
 ons character among the superior sedimentary deposits of this particular pe 
 riod will be found attributable more to climatal influences, rather than to any 
 apparent differences in relative age; for latitude exerts a much less influence on 
 species than temperature. 
 
 The differences in species found at the extremes of this group of sedimentary 
 
19 
 
 rocks, are not more marked than are the present living Mollusca now inhabiting 
 the waters of the coast at corresponding points to the west of any portion of 
 the range. At Point Conception we may find some few of the species that are 
 abundant on other parts of the coast north of this locality, but as a general 
 rule it will be found that the large majority of all the species thus met with will 
 differ very widely from those, even one hundred miles farther to the west, and 
 even at less distances. The same rule will apply to the fossil organic remains 
 of this section of the State, and with much more strictness, as we find the evi- 
 idences of an inland sea, whose natural boundaries were such that a higher tem 
 perature must have existed than ever that which is so characteristic on the 
 south flank of the San Bernardino Mountains at the present time. 
 
 The topography of the country investing its shores was mountainous, and the 
 hills of sufficient altitude to protect it from the harsh winds of the north; an aug 
 mentation of temperature was the natural result producing different organ 
 isms from those at the base of their western declivities; it is thus that we find 
 in the fossil forms of those districts the species that now exist only in the lower 
 latitudes, and which are marked by the Murex, Typhis, Area and Cucullea. 
 On these premises are we able to reconcile some of the apparent discrepancies 
 which have arisen, and place the deposits in their proper geological position as 
 regards the periods at which any portion of this group had their origin, and it 
 explains one of those causes of diversity in species among beds evidently co- 
 temporaneous. 
 
 We have very conclusive evidence before us in this State, that the climatal 
 conditions prevailing during the period in which the Miocene beds were forming 
 was much greater than that prevailing at present, and confined to particular 
 districts, though extending over considerable areas; this arose evidently 
 from the causes above noted. That the shores of the Miocene sea were primi 
 tive is proved from the fact that these rocks are imposed directly on the latter, 
 thus demonstrating that its relative age with that of the northern and eastern 
 chain is widely different and far more recent. 
 
 Since the period of their deposition other and important changes have taken 
 place, and upon the coast line we find the superior beds of . the Tertiary 
 epoch elevated in regular succession above the element in which they originated. 
 How far into the southern interior of the State these groups may extend is yet 
 in an uncertain state, the reports to the present session of Congress from ex 
 plorations of these districts will probably determine this point. 
 
 VOLCANIC ROCKS OF THE COAST MOUNTAINS. 
 
 We come now to the consideration of another and different group of rocks, 
 found in connection with the primitive rocks of this district. Their appearance 
 among the latter demands some consideration, as it is to this group that we 
 must look for many of the mutations observable in this part of the State, as 
 causes producing them were undoubtedly instrumental in producing those mani 
 fest changes so frequently observed among the sedimentary rocks of these moun 
 tains. The volcanic rocks of this part of the coast mountains consist for the 
 most part of intrusions of a scoriaceous and vesicular lava, at other times it be 
 comes much more compact in form, and again exhibiting itself in the form of a 
 light volcanic froth, its colors are various, passing through all the different shades 
 from a yellowish white to a dark iron-brown and black with a semi-metallic lus 
 tre. From what opportunities occurred for their investigation I think there can 
 be but little doubt that their intrusion took place, for the most part, duriug the 
 miocene period, as they appear to have disturbed this group much more seiisi- 
 
20 
 
 bly than any other in these particular sections. We are warranted in this con 
 clusion to a considerable extent, by an examination of the equivalents of the 
 southern rocks, found nearly three hundred and fifty miles north, as in the case 
 of the tertiaries situated among the Buttes in the county of Sutter. Here the 
 recent volcanic series is found intruded through the sandstones of these moun 
 tains which bear the same fossils as those noted in the preceding section, while 
 at the distance of twenty miles to the north-east the fossiliferous rocks of later 
 date are found entirely undisturbed by any of those particular intrusions. 
 
 The scoriaceous lavas of this date are well represented by a dike of similar 
 character passing through the upper portion of El Dorado county, and which 
 is found very often in detached masses on the hills betweeu Georgetown and the 
 
 Middle Fork of the American River. Specimen No . In the vicinity of 
 
 the Tejon Pass and on the desert to the south it forms isolated hills known as 
 " Lost Hills," but in passing into the mountains this characteristic becomes im 
 mediately lost ; we here find that they enter and cut through nearly all of the 
 primitive rocks, as well as the sedimentary, and where large dikes are formed, 
 changes of structure are easily observable, the original structure being entirely 
 destroyed. 
 
 It was not uncommon to find jasperoid rocks in the vicinity of these dikes, 
 where they had intruded through either sandstone or slates. In these cases 
 every trace of former organic existence was dissipated, and were recovered on 
 ly by traveling often considerable distances. 
 
 Among other disturbing agents and diifering in general appearance from the 
 lavas, are to be found frequent intrusions of a recent trapean rock (green stone) 
 which is common in many parts of these mountains, but more abundant in the 
 transverse chain to the south ; these rocks are found to penetrate the latter to their 
 southern base, and approach nearly to the coast line in some places ; they can 
 not be considered of cotemporaneous origin with the former by any means, as 
 we find them disturbing a distinct and more recent group of sedimentary, as well 
 as the older rocks. There is every reason to believe that they were intruded as late 
 as the miocene period, as they are in contact with rocks as late as those found on 
 the Carmello. and near Monterey, a part of which Mr. W. P. Blake considers 
 as quarternary, and they certainly are not earlier than the Post Pliocene. 
 
 It is probable that these rocks have been principally instrumental in disturb 
 ing nearly all the late tertiaries, as we find the greatest amount of dislocation 
 among these rocks, when found in contact with this intrusive suite. 
 
 GEOLOGY OF THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS. 
 
 The trend of this mountain chain has been stated as being nearly due east and 
 west ; this will be found to hold good for the greater part of its entire length ; 
 and it now becomes necessary to trace as distinctly as possible the peculiarities 
 of the geological structure of its mountains, in order to draw legitimate deduc 
 tions respecting the character of adjacent arable districts lying at their base. 
 The inception of this chain on the west was stated to occur a few miles north 
 of Point Conception, and to follow the above trend nearly or perhaps quite to 
 the Colorado River. 
 
 The geographical position of this chain must exert a powerful influence in 
 modifying the productive capabilities of the adjoining lands as well as also the 
 production of diversified species in the neighboring seas, which we find to be the 
 case, the latter having been fully demonstrated within the past year. 
 ^ These mountains are made up for the most part of the primitive rocks, and con 
 sist chiefly of the granitic series ; they form by far the most of all the higher 
 ridges and more elevated peaks belonging to the chain. 
 
21 
 
 m 
 
 The primitive series is flanked on the south by coarse-grained sandstones in 
 the county of Santa Barbara, a large proportion of which is fossilliferous, the 
 species not corresponding with those found in the adjoining mountain chains, ex 
 cept perhaps to a very limited degree. A high ridge of this chain lies to the 
 north and east of the town of Santa Barbara, and sends a heavy spur down to 
 the water-line of the coast a few miles from the town ; this spur approaches so 
 closely to the beach that the traveler is compelled to take its sands for his road 
 a distance of twelve or fifteen miles, at the end of which he rounds the base of 
 the spur, after which he finds a more agreeable road until he arrives in Los An 
 geles. West of Santa Barbara the ridge is more distant from the coast line, 
 but carries the same lithological characteristics to the pass of the Gaviota, and 
 thence on to the Punta Sal, a short distance beyond which the base of the ridge 
 again approaches the water-line, and forms a rugged, bold shore. The Pass del 
 Gaviota is a deep, rocky canon composed for the most part of large boulders of 
 coarse sandstone, portions of which contain imbedded fossils of marine origin, 
 (the pass furnishes a rough avenue to enter the Santa Inez valley from the coast 
 and is sometimes used to avoid the ascent and descent of the La questa San 
 Inez in traveling to or from San Luis Obispo.) These rocks continue to the 
 hills, forming the south-west border of the valley, and are found also upon its 
 northern and eastern limits. On the right of the road leading to San Luis Ob 
 ispo and about four miles from the valley of Santa Inez a large bed of Ostrea are 
 found, and immediately to the west among the lower hills, beds of sandstone con 
 taining but very few fossils. On ascending the high hill at this place we find 
 the equivalent of the fossil Ostrea perched high upon the summit of this ridge ; 
 the difference between the respective levels of the two beds being near nine hun 
 dred feet, and the distance but little short of one mile and a half. 
 
 This is but one of many instances that might be mentioned, of similar occur 
 rences among the fossiliferous groups of this State, in which we find parts ap 
 parently of the same bed occupying widely different levels and both in situ, and 
 it will be necessary for us to account for these apparent discrepancies on some 
 other hypothesis, more consistent with the existing facts, than that of mere up 
 lifting from volcanic action alone, although this agency has undoubtedly per 
 formed an important part, in many instances, in elevating parts of these beds in 
 certain localities. It is very evident that the differences in elevation among the 
 tertiaries of the same period, and as we have just seen, parts of the same bed, 
 must be referred to other causes than the one generally assigned in this country, 
 and when we come to consider the species found in different beds, their present 
 habitat will afford us a basis on which to found a theory, at least, that will in 
 some measure account -for the discrepancies observed. 
 
 The geology of the San Bernardino chain, so far as it has been examined, af 
 fords us some instructive examples relative to the disposition and distribution of 
 the fossils found upon its flanks. On both sides of this chain we find the mioceLe 
 deposits, evidently of the same period, occupying different levels, and the same 
 beds presenting different lines of dip ; in one case a great degree of horizontal- 
 ity prevailing while in another the beds will be highly inclined. 
 
 The fossiliferous beds rest mostly upon the primitive rocks. When an exception 
 to this rule occurs it is found to be entirely local, and extending over inconsider 
 able areas, this may be considered true of the western portion of these moun 
 tains, but how far to the east it may extend I am unable at present to determine. 
 The more horizontal beds of these rocks were usually found nearest to the sum 
 mit of the ridges, those upon the flanks and near the base possessing the highest 
 degree of inclination, and the latter occurring on the southern base to a much 
 greater extent than upon the north. This is easily accounted for in examining 
 the country near the coast-line in this vicinity. At the distance of about forty 
 
22 
 
 miles from Santa Barbara on the road thence to Los Angeles, these mountains 
 have suffered to a small extent comparatively speaking, in those disturbances 
 which have been alluded to as occurring in the coast mountains ; this is manifes 
 ted a few miles east of the rancho Poseto in the county of Los Angeles. At 
 the distance of fifteen miles further in the same direction, and to the northward 
 of the Conejo ranch eight miles, a scoriaceous lava bursts through the base of 
 the mountains, and is tound in the'second range of hills north of the latter lo 
 cality ; this continues at intervals until you enter the locality of the lower moun 
 tains north of the Pesos River, and was found to continue eastwardly as far as 
 the Semma and Papa, beyond which point it was not observable. 
 
 This lava has burst through the primitive rocks and apparently overflowed 
 some few of the sandstones, but the principal effect on the .sedimentary rocks 
 has been that of tilting them from their former position. This volcanic action 
 has continued, apparently almost uninterrupted from the eocene or miocene peri 
 ods down to the present time, though evidently not to so great a degree at pres 
 ent as formerly. This is evidenced by the continued action of a number of small 
 volcanic vents at different distances from the coast, and extending from the 
 county of Luis Obispo to the northern portions of Los Angeles, the most north 
 ern of these vents occurs on the south side of San Simeon Bay at a distance of 
 a little more than three miles from the ocean. As you advance south from -this 
 point the next in importance is found in the hills fronting the coast, on the rancho 
 of Guadalupe in the northern part of the county of Santa Barbara ; another 
 le s active is found on the ranch of Dr. Robbins about five miles from the town 
 of Santa Barbara. Again at the Rincon twelve miles from the town another 
 of these vents is found. These localities emit light, heat and smoke at different 
 intervals during the year, and some of them are dangerous to approach ; they 
 are undoubtedly closely connected with the phenomena of earthquakes that of 
 ten affect this district of country, and which apparently have a tendency to ex 
 pend their principal force in an easterly and southerly dircection. The records 
 of earthquakes that have reached us from this section of country furnish us evi 
 dence in support of this supposition. 
 
 By referring to the number of shocks which have occurred since 26th of No 
 vember, 1851, up to July 14th, 1854, in this part of the State, we shall find that 
 they amounted in the aggregate to 31, and of this number 23 have not been felt 
 north of Luis Obispo, their principal force being exerted south into the ocean 
 for a distance of fifty or sixty miles from the land, (as in the case of the marine 
 volcano 25 miles southeast of the Island of San Clemente, observed by Capt. 
 Cropper and officers of the steamer Cortes on the 1st of March, 1853, arid now 
 known upon American and English charts as " Cortes Hocks,") and east be 
 yond the Colorado River ; (as in the disturbances which occurred on the desert, 
 at Camp Yuma, and south and west of the Colorado River, on the 26th of No 
 vember, 1851, the latter "Mud Geyser" being still active as recent accounts 
 from this section of country declare.) The latter shocks were felt in various 
 portions of Los Angeles county, and were particularly severe at the Mission San 
 Gabriel. 
 
 The effects of these subterranean agents over so large an extent of the south 
 ern part of the State furnish us with the means of judging of what the effect 
 must be. on all the superincumbent strata, over which they exercise an immediate 
 influence. The natural effect must be either to raise or depress the country in 
 rather a uniform manner than otherwise, (as great intensity of action is not man 
 ifest,) and we have no better means of forming an opinion than by an examina 
 tion of the sedimentary groups along the coast-line. A careful examination of 
 these rocks will lead us to conclusions that are not only interesting in a scientific 
 view, but also of a practical and economic character, as their true positions must 
 
23 
 
 exert a beneficial or injurious effect upon operations that will be presented in the 
 improvement of the soil in this part of the country. 
 
 The dip of these rocks is peculiar in some respects, following as they do a di 
 rection different from that which might have been anticipated, from any features 
 which the relative positions of the mountains and plains present on their exter 
 iors. We should expect to find a linear dip from the mountains to the sea, 
 where the inclination of the surface is so regular from the former to the latter ; 
 but in place of this we find that the dip of the stratified rocks is the reverse of 
 this, inclining to the east, while those of the mountain ranges directly opposite 
 are found inclining to the west. Were these peculiarities limited to a small 
 area they might be accounted far from local causes acting in such immediate dis 
 tricts, but as we find them extending along the coast-line for a distance of nearly 
 250 miles, we cannot but regard them as the results of extensive local action, 
 elevating the coast-line. 
 
 There is but one other method of accounting for the position of the rocks, 
 (extending as they do from the southern shores of San Simeon to the northern 
 lines of the counties of San Diego and San Bernardino,) which is, that the Is 
 lands forming the west coast of the Santa Barbara channel were originally uni 
 ted and formed part of the main land, holding those relations to the plains at 
 the east, that the coast mountains do to the valleys of the Sacramento, Salinas 
 and Santa Clara. There may be some reason for a supposition of this kind, as 
 many of these islands contain quiet elevated lands, and the island of Catalina 
 is in reality an almost unbroken mountain ridge, (with the exception of what is 
 called the Isthmus,) for 30 miles in length, as elevated as many parts of the 
 coast mountains. 
 
 Should this position be assumed, we must suppose that an area of plain lands 
 equaling three-fourths of the length of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys 
 by about 200 miles in breadth, (for these islands extend through four degrees of 
 longitude and nearly six and one half degrees of latitude) must have been sub 
 merged during one or a succession of those turbulent periods that have formerly 
 been in existence on the western portion of this continent, or that a rupture hav 
 ing occurred, the inroads of the seas have gradually denuded these lands, and 
 thus effaced them. 
 
 It would be unnecessary to travel thus far into the abyss of time, to reconcile 
 a feature that may present itself, like that under consideration, where we have 
 an agent at hand, in active operation, and adequate to produce all the features 
 whhh these rocks manifest ; more simple and satisfactory will it be to account 
 for their present dip by the agents above alluded to, than to seek for causes be 
 yond our comprehension and our powers of satisfactory demonstration. 
 
 In an economical view these rocks will claim our attention. It has been obser 
 ved that the rocks on the coast-line for the most part have an easterly dip while 
 those of the mountains to the east dip in an opposite direction. The effect of 
 this is to produce a basin-shaped structure, under the surface of the plains and 
 as this section of the State is strictly agricultural and but little improved, it be 
 comes an inquiry of no little importance to ascertain the probabilities that exist 
 for obtaining water through artesian borings. 
 
 The structure of the rocks which form the basis of the plains of Los Angeles 
 are such that we may reasonably suppose that subterranean waters are flowing 
 among the slates and compact sandstones beneath the surface. The character 
 of these rocks should first be understood and also their positions relative to each 
 other. 
 
24 
 
 STRATIFIED ROCKS OF THE SAN BERNARDINO CHAIN, AND 
 PLAINS OF LOS ANGELES. 
 
 The stratified rocks of tins chain consist of clay, clay-slate, sandstones, con 
 glomerate and bituminous shales ; these comprise 'those rocks only which have 
 been observed by outcrop along the coast-line and on the flanks of the hills to 
 the east. Commencing at Point Aguilla we find the coast-line presenting high 
 bluffs of a light brown sandstone, interlaminated with thin seams of clay and 
 slates, possessing the same color as the arenaceous rocks in which they are imbed 
 ded. As you recede from the sea, the land is found to become depressed to a 
 considerable degree until within a short distance of the base of the mountains, 
 when is is again observed to be more rapidly ascending. This fact will hold 
 good with regard to all the level lands fronting the coast from the above point 
 south and east of San Pedro in the county of Los Angeles.. 
 In traveling over this part of the coast another general and striking feature will 
 arrest the attention, and if the pedestrian has traveled in any of the great valleys 
 of this State, he will be struck with the remarkable coincidence which is manifest 
 along the entire range of that terraced structure found so general throughout the 
 whole extent of those valley sections. The superficial soil of the coast terraces 
 is composed of rich mould of a grayish brown color, this is mixed with a fine 
 sand, and a small quantity of mica witft a little clay. The sub-soil is composed of a 
 brown loam mingled with a blue clay and and white sand, the blue clay alone 
 forming a thick bed beneath the whole, and resting upon the rocky structure 
 forming the basis of these plains ; this may be considered the general structure 
 of those lands laying at the base of this chain, but will probably be found local 
 ly modified in portions lying adjacent to the hilly regions. 
 
 The first suite of indurated rocks beneath this consists of a bed of loose sand 
 stone seven feet in thickness. Below this again is found a bed of light yellow and 
 brown infusorial clays interlaminated with thin seams of sandstone ; four feet 
 below this again are found sandstones of a brown color with thin seams of slate 
 containing much calcareous matter thirteen feet in thickness. A heavy bed of 
 bituminous shale succeeds the latter of about eighty feet in thickness, from which 
 issues in many places large quantities of fluid bitumen, and below this again is 
 found a bed of dark sandy clay above which I have frequently seen waters issue 
 in small quantities and under all the strata above named. The aggregate of 
 their thickness inclusive of the alluvial coverings amounts to 124 feet, and the 
 above description applies more particularly to the country stretching from the 
 coast-line towards the east or the interior. The following tabular arrangement 
 giving the line of dip will serve a better purpose of illustration of the position 
 of these strata : 
 
25 
 
 Alluvium 20 feet. 
 
 Sandstone infusorial clays, 4 feet. 
 
 Sandstone and calcareous slate, 13 feet. 
 
 Bituminous shales, 60 to 80 feet. 
 
 
 Dark sand and clay. 
 Sea. 
 
 At the bottom of the cliffs and near the sea level the drainage from the strata 
 above is observable, and where water is not seen to issue there are unmistake- 
 able evidences of its presence in the growth of plants requiring much moisture 
 for their propagation even within a few feet of the sea. 
 
 From the above section it will be seen that the bituminous slates, from a heavy 
 underlying bed to all the strata above, and though apparently firm and compact 
 in texture they admit the percolation of water, probably between the lines of 
 stratification. The freedom with which water issues from beneath these rocks 
 is best observed about one and a half miles east of the town of San Pedro, on the 
 beach ; here the waters come up through the sands of the beach in the same 
 manner as is observed in small bubbling springs situated in soft wet lands. 
 From the appearance of these plains it is evident that the dip of the coast stra 
 ta assumes nearly a level position and reversed inclination at the distance of 
 seven or eight miles east of San Pedro and towards Los Angeles, and that the 
 edges of the reversed dips, are covered by the superincumbent drifts from the 
 primitive mountains west and north of the city and plains. 
 
 Among the sandstones, clay and slates of this district, are to be found large 
 quantities of marine mollusca in the fossil state, they are usually found in alter 
 nating beds, at times upon the summits of the cliffs among the fine alluvium and 
 soil, as in the high table ridge west of the town of Santa Barbara, or resting in 
 soft and indurated calcareous sandstone in the same vicinity. Again they are found 
 in the firm sub-soil or upon the left shores of the estero from one to three miles 
 northeast of San Pedro, in beds ranging from a few inches to several feet in 
 thickness. The bituminous slates with a few exceptions contain no fossils of ma 
 rine origin; there are occasionally impressions of fucoids to be met with, on the 
 surfaces of the lamina composing the group, and although other organic forms 
 are almost entirely absent this fact is sufficient to prove that they have had their 
 origin beneath the waters of the ocean. 
 
 The great extent of territory which these shales cover is rather a novel as 
 well as an interesting feature in the geology of this State. They manifest them 
 selves first in quantities which entitle them to consideration as a distinct forma 
 tion, in the upper parts of the counties of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, extend 
 ing into the county of Monterey ; the district is small however when compared 
 with that which we find further south, and appears continuous for a long distance. 
 The southern group is found to commence in the county of Luis Obispo arid tra 
 verses the whole of the west portion of that county and extends through the 
 entire length of the counties of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, evidently un^ 
 derlying the greater part of their territory from the mountains to the sea. To 
 4 
 
26 
 
 what extent these slates may pass beneath the surface of the ocean is of course 
 unknown, but there are good reasons for the supposition that the distance is con 
 siderable, from the fact, that during storms when a heavy swell is occasioned 
 there are large quantities of these rocks brought up and distributed upon the 
 shore, in fragmentary masses. Attached to these fragments often are mollusca 
 and marine plants belonging to deep water and differing widely from the shoaler 
 littoral deposits which are also found in great numbers. Another evidence that 
 this formation extends for some distance beyond the coast-line seaward is the 
 fact of the emission of liquid bitumen and its appearance on the surface of the 
 ocean miles distant from the main land. It might be argued that the currents 
 of the ocean would have the effect to transport this material to considerable 
 distances from this shore, and this is undoubtedly true to a great extent ; but in 
 forming this conclusion we should remember that the greatest amount of force 
 is manifested during the setting of the flood tides, and that all floating materials 
 are soon landed on our shores from great distances at sea. I have been inform 
 ed by persons engaged upon the coast that this bitumen so often seen upon the 
 waters south of Point Conception has often been noticed west of Catalina, and 
 that they have sailed through large quantities of it beyond the Island, while the 
 waters in the channel have been for days free from its presence. Such facts 
 would lead us to infer that these shales extend probably as far to the west, 
 forming the bed of the ocean, as they are known to extend to the east under 
 the surface of the extensive plains of Los Angeles, the distance in the one case 
 being about equal to that in the other. 
 
 The remaining sedimentary rocks of these mountains consist of sandstones and 
 slates, the former composing by far the greater bulk thereof. The sandstones 
 contain the larger proportion of the fossils found in these districts, and lie in all 
 cases superior in position, to the bituminous slates. In the vicinity of Santa 
 Barbara they form a large portion of the covering on the flanks of the moun 
 tains extending to j;he summit of the southern ridge, their aspect is repulsive 
 and barren, vegetation being almost entirely absent, except in the deep, precipi 
 tous ravines between the hills ; the foot-hills below are made up of large bould 
 ers having evident marks of abrasion by water, and coarse gravely drift derived 
 from the same sources. On these lower hills the oak and indigenous growths 
 flourish, although the soils are harsh and coarse, as they naturally must be from 
 the sources from which they have been derived. This is but another evidence of 
 those powerful fertilizing agents that are so lavishly distributed through our 
 soils compelling the otherwise sterile hills to produce abundance for flock and 
 herd. 
 
 One of the causes of this fertility is found in an examination of the fossilifer- 
 ous rocks, it is evident from their appearance that the animals lived and died on 
 the spots where their remains are now buried, they do not present the appear 
 ance of a littoral deposit, there is not that variety in species which we should 
 look for under those circumstances, or those broken, rolled and fragmentary 
 remnants usually found in the latter. Whenever a bed of fossils is met with 
 in this section of the country among the indurated sandstones, either the shells 
 of the bivalves are entire or casts of their interior exist ; when the latter occurs 
 is is not unfrequent to find upon the mould of the shell a true imprint of the an 
 imal that inhabited it. I have seen the palial impression of a Venus with its 
 sinus and muscular cicatrices nearly as perfect as though a cast had been taken 
 from a recent animal. 
 
 The rocks found in these mountains and at their base contain marine animals, 
 inhabitants of both deep and shallow water ; with those also that live upon the 
 verge of highest waters ; this fact would indicate that gradual elevation has been 
 exerted over a considerable area in this part of the State, as forces are still in 
 
activity that are commensurate with the production of the features manifested, but 
 it should be remembered that the area thus affected is not applicable to the en 
 tire suite of fossiliferous rocks incident to these and the ranges of the coast 
 mountains. 
 
 We come now to consider another group of sedimentary rocks, skirting the 
 base and foot-hills of these mountains and confined to the county of Los Angeles 
 and northern part of San Bernardino. These were traced from the mountains 
 lying between Arroya Peros and Rio Santa Clara on the west to a point east of 
 Los Angeles as far as the Arnaci and San Jose ranches lying to the east and 
 south of the Monte. 
 
 To convey a clear idea of the position of these rocks, we will commence to 
 the north of the city of Los Angeles, and at the base of the higher hills, or 
 where the sandstones and slates are found in direct contact with the primitive 
 and other igneous rocks. 
 
 As before observed the principal rocks of this chain are granitic. The first 
 rocks of sedimentary origin met with and in contact with the granite is a bed 
 of arenaceous slates. These so far as I was able to form an opinion appeared 
 to be about thirty-five feet in thickness and dipping south fiity-five degrees. 
 Beyond this, coarse sandstones were met with having the same dip interlamina- 
 ted with their beds of fine brownish clays. These rocks apparently have been 
 but little changed by subsequent volcanic intrusions and contained many fossils, 
 all of which were marine consisting mostly of the cardium and allied species. 
 Advancing south we now approach the first foot-hills of the valley and such as 
 are found within one mile of the town ; here a change of character specifically 
 different from any of the aqueous rocks to the east, is to be observed. This lat 
 ter suite constitutes the only material change of consequence, among the tertia- 
 ries of the San Bernardino chain. 
 
 By way of distinction these rocks will be denominated the infusorial group, to 
 separate them from the earlier and later rocks of this era, and as there will be 
 occasion to speak of them as occupying the position of distinct groups, belong 
 ing to one or more of the periods. These rocks are made up of beds of sand 
 stone 100 feet, having a buffy yellow color and which pass almost imperceptibly 
 into a sandy clay-slate, and thence into a fine, whitish, soft and light chalk-like 
 deposit 16 teet, perfectly stratified and often receiving the name of chalk day ; 
 this is again covered by a light fossil slate 28 feet, containing fragments of small 
 and as yet undetermined species of animals ; the dip of these rocks is very uni 
 form, maintaining nearly a vertical position or but slightly departing from it. 
 On these rests the drift 30 feet, which in hills fronting the plains forms an imper 
 fect coarse conglomerate, made up of the sienites, granites, trap, indurated and 
 metamorphic sandstones. All this suite have been disturbed by recent intru 
 sions of trap rocks and as in the case of the buffy sandstone half a mile north 
 of the city, the transition near the points of contact is such that the rock will 
 fracture transversely to the lines of stratification as readily as in any other di 
 rection, the fracture is always conchoidal, breaking with sharp well-defined edges, 
 and the stones when broken having a sharp sound much resembling the dolorites. 
 The high inclinations of these beds are due undoubtedly to the later intrusions of 
 the igneous rocks, and they must have received their dip anterior to the deposit 
 of the coarse drift, as the latter appears to rest unconformably upon their up 
 turned edges. This is the fact with respect to this entire group generally, 
 whether found in the county under consideration, or in any other part of the 
 State, in which it has been observed. 
 
 The artesian boring in the city of Los Angeles has developed to a certain ex 
 tent the character of the plain beneath the surface to a depth of 400 feet ; the 
 position of the strata through which they have descended is as follows (as near 
 
28 
 
 as could be learned) : a heavy blue clay for 30 feet, followed by a bed of coarse 
 gravel, (drift) 18 feet ; clay, sand and gravel blue, 16 feet. These contain small 
 marine shells followed by a thick deposit of tough, blue clay, 150 feet, (contain 
 ing fossils,) the character of the earth below this point has not as yet been as 
 certained, nor have they yet struck the superior strata of the sedimentary rocks 
 a few yards to the north of the well. 
 
 EXTENT OF THE INFUSORIAL GROUP. 
 
 This group of rocks was found as far east as the foot-hills of Sierra San Jose, 
 and continue along the southern base of this part of the chain to the south of 
 the hills on the banks of the Arroyo Peros ; they were also observed among the 
 hills near the Conejo and La Poseto ranches. On the east bank of the Santa 
 Clara River a small deposit was found at an elevation higher by nearly forty 
 feet, than at any point east of this place ; after crossing the Santa Clara River 
 it is not again seen until near the Mission San Buenaventura ; here it again as 
 sumes its usual position as regard altitude and continues thus to the Mission of 
 Santa Barbara. After leaving this locality it is met with as a thick bed cap 
 ping a low ridge in the vicinity of the ranch Coral, and also between the latter 
 place and Paso del Gaviote. In crossing Point Conception the coast assumes a 
 more northerly trend, and the infusorial deposits follow the same line and make 
 their appearance at La Espada in the county of San Luis Obispo, continuing 
 along the line of the same direction nearly to the Bay of San Simeon. Beyond 
 this point I possess no information of its existence or position, until reaching the 
 Bay of Carmel, when it is found nearly continuous to the heavy deposits three 
 miles from the city of Monterey. 
 
 In the County of Santa Cruz these rocks are again met with to the right of 
 the road crossing the Sousal, and also on the north bank of the Pajaro River 
 near the junction of the Pescadero. They are invested by sandstones and slates 
 in nearly every instance in which they are found, and their uniformity in altitude 
 is one remarkable feature attending the entire group. An observance of each 
 and all of their main characteristics may be noticed by one locality, viz : near 
 the town of Monterey, and what is observable here in this particular, will be 
 found a true index to all the rest of the group above alluded to, in any portion 
 of the State. It will be seen from what has been said respecting these rocks 
 that they are general in distribution within the limits of certain districts, hold 
 ing as they do an average height above the sea of about 330 feet, varying at no 
 place so far as known, over 22 feet from this line; the linear extent of the group 
 exceeds 461 miles. Their constancy with respect to the tertiary, miocene, (or per 
 haps later periods) would induce me to apply a name to this group that shall at 
 . once identify it as a marked feature of that portion of the tertiary era to which 
 it may ultimately prove to belong. Its uniformity of character in every partic 
 ular, connected with its extent and associations, fix it as a guiding mark that 
 will serve to separate the group to which it belongs from those that preceded or 
 followed it; I therefore propose the simple term of the Infusorial period, be 
 longing to the tertiaries of California. 
 
 As before observed, the regularity of position and altitude of these deposits 
 leads us irresistibly to conclusions respecting the elevation or depression of this 
 portion of the Pacific coast. The evidences which they furnish are to the effect 
 that since the emergence, there has been but little of those violent disturbances 
 
29 
 
 which agitated the country prior to that time, and that the recession of the sea 
 from those points has been gradual; an idea which is borne out most fully by 
 corroborating evidences in other and more distant parts of the State. 
 
 PLAINS OF LOS ANGELES. 
 
 In the preceding pages we have given a brief summary of the general char 
 acteristics relating to the geology of a portion of the coast and San Bernardino 
 mountains. We shall now proceed to examine the probable positions which the 
 sedimentary rocks of the latter chain occupy beneath the surface of these plains. 
 From what has been said of the positions of the rocks among the foot-hills 
 skirting the northern edge of the valleys, it will be seen that it is with the lat 
 ter or infusorial group that we have to work in forming conclusions respecting 
 the structure of these plains below the surface. The great extent of these 
 plains requires more than a passing notice, and their value can only be appre 
 ciated by a careful examination of all their characteristics both below as well 
 as on the surface. We cannot judge of the value of a district of country by a 
 superficial glance at its exterior features, and nothing but a searching and dis 
 criminating view of its hidden resources can give us an adequate idea of either 
 its present worth or its prospective facilities. This remark will apply with great 
 force equally to the Plains of Los Angeles, the Valley of the Sacramento and 
 the lands bordering it, as well as to the broad district embraced in the valleys 
 of the San Joaquin and Salinas Rivers, especially when we come to consider 
 their agricultural fitness, or their application to any pastural purposes. It is 
 needless here to dilate upon the importance of a knowledge of the geological 
 structure and mineral affinities which often influence the virtues of soils render 
 ing them more or less adapted to certain purposes of an agricultural character. 
 Great error might doubtless arise in many instances were we to attempt a judg 
 ment of some of the districts alluded to, without such knowledge; for instance, 
 a stranger passing along portions of the Plains of Los Angeles in our long dry 
 summer season would find the beds of streams dry, the herbage and vegetable 
 growths seared, the earth parched and cracked open as it lies baked in the burn 
 ing heat of the sun, the timber sparce and of a gnarled and almost useless des 
 cription; upon these external appearances he would conclude with great error 
 that he had found a region unfit for the habitation of man, when in truth, 
 such is the sub-structure of these plains that their soils are unsurpassed in fertil 
 ity by any others in the United States, as the returning seasons of rain would 
 prove to the same traveler, when he should find himself almost buried in the 
 luxuriant growth of the grasses, wild grain and herbs of these districts. And 
 it ought to be observed that vast portions of these lands may be irrigated, so that 
 even in the summer they can be brought within the profitable control of the 
 husbandman. 
 
 These portions of the country which are not found to yield the precious metal, 
 or any other useful mineral products to any great extent, can be interesting in 
 an economical point of view only with reference to their means of agricultural 
 occupation. It will be with the purpose of precluding erroneous conclusions 
 from being drawn out of any remarks we may make in this connection, that we 
 propose at this time to consider the geological structure of these sections in the 
 bearing it may have upon the prospective interests alluded to, interests which 
 we think are destined sooner or later to test all the capabilities of these valleys 
 for agricultural and horticultural production. 
 
 The first question in importance to be settled on this subject is the one of 
 
30 
 
 irrigation; what are the means to be used in order to bring within the reach of 
 the farmer a supply of water sufficient for the thirst of the land and for the 
 necessary wants of stock during the long dry seasons of our climate ? Two 
 methods have been proposed to which we will address ourselves at this time. 
 The one is that of tanks which may be found amply sufficient for present purpo 
 ses in supplying the lands now occupied with water enough for the farmer and 
 horticulturist. The other method is by canalling, for the purpose of drawing 
 water from the rivers out upon the plains in sufficient quantities to supply their 
 entire surface with the essential element of cultivation of the soil. 
 
 The tanking system has been used for many years in India and the oriental 
 nations, and has proved successful beyond the expectations of its originators. 
 The positions of the hills forming the northern boundary of the plains of Los 
 Angeles are admirably situated for the accumulation of water by this means, 
 and the expense of constructing the dams necessary for its retention would be 
 comparatively small, when considered in connection with the advantages to arise 
 from their erection. There are many natural reservoirs skirting the line of these 
 plains, which, if obstructed by small dams, would furnish water sufficient for all 
 ordinary purposes of cultivation. Immediately to the north of the city there is 
 an opportunity afforded for accumulating a body of water nearly one mile in 
 length, with a breadth of one fourth of a mile, and a depth of from 20 to 30 
 feet, by the construction of a single dam across the entrance of the ravine. 
 This lagoon would be filled and kept supplied for at least six months of the year 
 from the rains which annually fall, and from which several remitting springs in 
 this vicinity are now supplied. This is given as an instance, but only one of 
 many of a similar character which may be found to prove that from the con 
 structions of these hills, nature seems to have designed a plan which would force 
 itself upon the mind of man for meeting the exigencies of our long dry seasons, 
 and in this way inviting him to the enjoyment and possession of her rich fields. 
 It is a practicable and feasible plan which would at once strike the eye of a hy- 
 draulist, and which has no place in the theories of visionary speculation. 
 
 The other method alluded to, and which we esteem one which promises to b 
 advantageous, if applied in this region, is the construction of a canal of about 
 three miles in length, which will divert a portion of the water of the Los An 
 geles River from its natural channel, and connecting it with the semi-natural 
 reservoir spoken of, so as to keep it constantly supplied with an abundance of 
 water. An objection might at first view be interposed by the public of this lo 
 cality to this latter project, on the ground that it would interfere with the sup 
 ply of water for irrigation which is already used in considerable quantities for 
 the lands already in cultivation, yet a little reflection will make it convincing 
 that the lands now irrigated by the use of this stream would not necessarily 
 suffer from any scarcity of water, as its present wastage is sufficient to supply 
 irrigation to at least double the quantity of ground to that which now occupies 
 the area of irrigated cultivation in that vicinity. This plan would present an 
 other advantage in the fact that the water thus diverted would be retained at a 
 much higher level than that occupied by the point at which it is at present 
 taken from the stream for its distribution along the lower bottom lands border 
 ing the river. This would expand the area of distribution, while the drainage 
 passing through the higher terraces to the north and west, would again find its 
 level on the sanjons now used for conducting it through the lower bottoms. This 
 river discharges a greater quantity of water than that flowing in Bear River 
 during the dry season, which is entirely lost in the loose sands a few miles west 
 of the City. Here sinks beyond the control of the farmer a sufficient supply of 
 water to irrigate successfully a large surface of the richest soil, if it were saved 
 by the plan already proposed, which might redeem these lands from their parch- 
 
31 
 
 ed and arid condition, which in the summer months now prevents the growth 
 even of their indigenous herbage and grass, and entirely unfits them for agricul 
 ture. We have sought in vain for any valid objection to this proposed use of 
 the water of the stream alluded to for agricultural purposes op the plains be 
 yond the City, as it would be impossible for the waters to escape to any great 
 extent either by evaporation or sinking; which, as it is at present, is the means 
 of robbing the lower bottoms themselves of a sufficiency of water for needful 
 purposes, and leaving the higher terraces entirely parched. The sub-soil of these 
 higher lands, as already observed, is composed of a very tenacious blue clay 
 from 30 to 40 feet in thickness, and as impervious to the percolation of water 
 as a solid mass of granite. The water on reaching the clay will immediately 
 pass into the bottoms through the same avenues which now convey it, and it will 
 have performed its double office of irrigating both the higher and lower portions 
 of the impending surface. A proper and judicious distribution of this stream 
 will, I am convinced, supply abundantly more than three times the area 
 now under cultivation in the immediate vicinity of this City, while the attendant 
 expense would be comparatively inconsiderable. 
 
 ARTESIAN BORING. 
 
 We come now to another means of obtaining water in addition to those men 
 tioned, and as the subject is one of vital importance to the growth and settle 
 ment of large portions of our State, so far as regards its heavier agricultural 
 productions, I shall endeavor to elucidate as far as possible, the principles in 
 volved in the question, and also the probabilities of success in undertaking the en 
 terprise. This of necessity brings us to a detailed examination of the structure of 
 the plain from one extremity to the other, and which will be followed in as concise 
 a manner as possible. 
 
 The City of Los Angeles is situated twenty miles from San Pedro to the 
 north, and has an altitude of 253 feet above tide level, giving an ascending 
 grade of a little more than twelve feet per mile. The level surface of this 
 plain alone will afford no correct idea of its substrata, either in their positions 
 or direction and degree of inclinations, but may serve in some measure as a 
 guide to direct us in making an appropriate estimate of the probable depths to 
 which they descend, and consequently, the probable depth that will be required 
 to sink these wells in order to tap a perennial stream or fountain ; the ultimate 
 depth of boring the artesian wells will depend in part on the thickness and dip 
 of the sedimentary rocks beneath, should it become necessary to pass through 
 them. The stratified rocks composed of sandstones, slates of different kinds, 
 and clays, will first of all demand our consideration, as the position they main 
 tain below the surface, will necessarily affect any process which may be adopted 
 for obtaining water, and this remark will hold good whether the source of sup 
 ply shall rest either above them, among them, or below them all upon the prim 
 itive rocks upon which they stand. 
 
 . In the preceding pages, when speaking of San Pedro, it was observed, that 
 the rocks which form that point, and also Point Fermen were stratified sedi 
 mentary rocks, composed of sandstones, slates, and infusorial deposits between 
 two beds of sandstone, and the whole of these, are on the top of bituminous 
 shales, the bed of which rests conformably upon a bed of very dark arenaceous 
 clay, above which or rather between which and the bituminous shale just men 
 tioned, fresh water is constantly flowing and issuing out. At a much higher 
 
32 
 
 level and at a distance of twenty miles to the north we find the same group ex 
 isting, and each bed holding its precise relative position, which it is found occu 
 pying at the coast, with this exception, that the bituminous shales is no where 
 seen to crop out in any of the hills lying at the base of the mountains. The ab 
 sence of this out-crop, however, is no evidence that the bituminous shales does 
 not exist there, but on the contrary we have strong proof of their continuation 
 and underlying position here as on the coast, from the fact that the principal 
 springs of bitumen are found among the lower hills in the immediate vicinity of 
 the outcrops of their associated rocks as found near the sea. As the organic 
 forms in each bed of the rocks are precisely identical, we have good reason to 
 believe that the rocks on the coast line are continuously from that line to the 
 mountains inclusive, and as a consequence form the basis of all the superficial 
 deposits of the intervening plains. The thickness of these deposits, as deter 
 mined by their outcrop amounts to nearly 200 feet, and it is hardly to be sup 
 posed that they much exceed that depth. 
 
 The dip of these beds on the south base of the mountains being much higher 
 than those at San Pedro, it is probable that they would not be reached by 
 boring so soon as in any other part of the valley. The dip of the stratified 
 rocks near the edge of the plains, and at the point selected for sinking an arte 
 sian well, ranges from 48 to 53 degrees, and it will be probably impossible to 
 reach them below the surface at that point at any distance less than 375 feet, 
 presuming that their dip is the same, or nearly so at the distance of 1000 feet 
 from the outcrop. It is more than probable that the inclination of the strata 
 decreases as the distance from hills increases, and that at some point a little 
 more than midway between the City and San Pedro these rocks have a horizon 
 tal position. This must certainly be the case or we shall be forced to the sup 
 position that the equivalent group on the coast to the south lie unconformably, 
 and that the two overlap each other. This would be contrary to all reasoning 
 upon similar cases, as there are no evidences that there has been any volcanic 
 disturbances which could have produced a false position of such a character. 
 
 The opposite inclination of the two extremes of the group favor the above 
 presumption, and if this be true, then the superficial deposits upon the beds 
 must be much thinner than at that point where the rocks assume a horizontal 
 line. From the inclination of the surface of the plain from both margins, to 
 wards its centre, we should be induced to suppose that near the points of hori 
 zontal position of the basis of the plains, not only would be found a corres 
 ponding depression upon the surface, but also other attendant circumstances 
 which might have lead us to infer that if water was percolating even among the 
 superficial strata of clays and other earthy semi-indurated masses, resting upon 
 the rocks above referred to. Such should be the case if water exists among any of 
 these strata, and this is the fact, thus furnishing the best evidence which we can ob 
 tain on this and similar points. We find the water leaking out of the lamina 
 of the deep clayey sub-soil in quantities sufficient to form small lagunas and per 
 ennial springs for several miles, and at a point not less than 200 feet below the 
 level of the City of Los Angeles and twelve miles to the south from the town. 
 It is to be greatly doubted that anything approaching a constant supply will 
 be found in any of the superficial material resting upon the rocks, notwith 
 standing wells of this character may be sufficient for the supply of local de 
 mands, and although they may rise above the surface at first, still it will ultimately , 
 be found that mechanical means will have to be employed in obtaining water in 
 sufficient quantities for the supply of agricultural purposes. 
 
 It will most probably be necessary to pierce the stratified rocks before a su 
 ficient amount of water will be obtained for the ample irrigation of farming lands, 
 and to accomplish this will require heavy expenses to be laid out, for labor at 
 
33 
 
 its present prices in this country; yet I think there is but little risk as to ob 
 taining an abundant supply, if these rocks are perforated. There is one condi 
 tion, however, that should be mentioned, which is that in the event of striking 
 a bed ot loose sand or gravel beneath the heavy clay bed, there is almost a 
 certainty of obtaining an abundant supply of water, without descending below 
 that point. I have seen but one or two instances which would lead us to sup 
 pose that such a presence is to be found beneath the clay, and above the rocks, 
 and they were not of sufficient extent to found an opinion upon, and it may be 
 reasonably doubted that such a bed of sand and gravel would be met with ; 
 the evidences, I think, are against it. 
 
 The thickness of the superficial deposits and stratified rocks, beneath the sur 
 face, so far as my opportunities of examination extended, are as follows: (The 
 thickness of the rocks is from my own measurement, and the thickness of their 
 superficial covering is from the results of the boring of an Artesian well near 
 the town of Los Angeles.) Commencing with the alluvium and descending: 
 
 Alluvium, - 6 feet. 
 
 Blue clay, - - - 30 
 
 Bed of drift gravel, - 22 
 
 Arenaceous clay, - 16 
 
 Tenaceous blue clay, - 160 
 
 Coarse sandstone, - 35 
 
 Infusorial sandstone - 100 
 
 Clay, - - 16 
 
 Fossil Clay slate, - - 30 
 
 Total, - 415 feet. ".- 
 
 This is the smallest depth at which water will probably be found, except in 
 the contingency above named, and it is more than probable that a greater 
 depth will be necessary, but of this we have no direct evidence. A careful ex 
 amination of each stratum belonging to the entire group of rocks, so far as the 
 same are uncovered on both sides of the plains, did not enable me to discover 
 any point through which water would probably percolate and issue, except at 
 the points named, to wit: immediately below the bituminous shales, and we can 
 not reasonably expect to find it short of that point in boring on any part of these 
 plains. I speak thus positively, for the purpose of preventing, if possible, any 
 useless expenditure of money, in undertakings of this character, wnen they have 
 not for their object the penetrating of the whole, or a part, at least, of the rocks 
 which underlie the basin; as from the evidences before us, there are no grounds 
 for the supposition that a permanent supply would be obtained short of that 
 depth. * 
 
 It may be expected that some additional reason should be given, besides what 
 lias already been advanced, why water might be expected to flow unremittingly 
 from the depths designated. In order to meet such expectation, I will state 
 that an examination of the accompanying diagram exhibits the fact that the 
 Los Angeles River flows for miles at an altitude much greater than that occu 
 pied by any of the sedimentary rocks which have passed under our considera 
 tion, and that for several miles its course is along the line of strike and parallel 
 with the dip of the series belonging to this group, and crosses those lines only 
 when it approximates the edges of the plains, and where the drift and alluvium 
 covers the whole. 
 
 Again, the sources of the river furnish a much greater supply than is found 
 to reach the valley sections, the proportion arriving at the latter point compri- 
 5 
 
34 
 
 sing about one-third of the quantity supplied at the source?. We cannot ad- 
 count for so great a loss in volume on any other ground than that of absorption, 
 and we are not left to presumption in this case, but have the best of evidence 
 that such is the fact, for in observing the stream as it issues from the primitive 
 rocks, even but a few miles from the City we find that its volume is much heavier 
 than at any point below, after reaching the sedimentary rocks. This is found 
 to be the case with several of the streams in the northern part of the State, and 
 is particularly observable in the Yuba, West Feather and Cosumnes Rivers, 
 during medium stages of water. From Foster's Bar to the junction of the Mid 
 dle Yuba, there is a greater volume of water than at any point below the junc 
 tion, while in the vicinity of Marysville the volume is nearly fifty per cent less 
 than it is thirty-five miles above, notwithstanding that the main river receives 
 all of its principal tributaries from the Middle Yuba down to its continence 
 with Feather River. The same condition of things is observable on the Co- 
 sumnes below Cook's Bar and the Sink, and on the West Feather River from 
 just above Rich Gulch, and the same features are also distinctly marked on the 
 Main Feather as far down as the White Rock. The cause of this irregularity 
 in the volumes of our principal mountain streams seems to us -quite apparent. 
 These streams which we have named, as well as others, rapidly approach the 
 stratified rocks as they descend towards the valleys. These rocks are nearly all 
 open and of a loose texture; the streams, like the Los Angeles River, often 
 flowing for miles along the line of strike belonging to the groups, and crossing tho 
 same only when they approach the alluvial deposits, either among the lower 
 hills or at the edge of the plains. These facts being established, we then have 
 another reason for the presumption that water will be obtained by the means 
 suggested, and the evidence is strong in support of the presumption. The dis 
 appearance of heavy springs among the stratified rocks near the surface, indi 
 cates that the waters which pass beneath them are probably discharged into the 
 sea, as these rocks carry a southerly dip far enough for this purpose. One other 
 fact is worthy of notice, and furnishes stronger evidence of the feasibility and 
 probably successful termination of operations by boring than perhaps any which 
 has yet been adduced. It is this: on the high hill to the west of San Pedro, 
 about four miles distant from the shore, and at the altitude of nearly one thou 
 sand feet, the out-crop of the sandstones belonging to A. in the diagram are ob 
 served, being interlaminated with their seams of slate. The dip of these rocks. 
 on the hill is nearly vertical, the inclination being to the north, corresponding in 
 direction with those on the shore. From among these rocks and at this height 
 there is a perpetual spring gushing out, which furnishes water for a large num 
 ber of cattle* which graze upon this mountain, while no particle of water is to 
 be found during the dry season for a long distance around; there are no sources 
 from which this water can be derived in any part of this hill, and none such cor 
 responding in altitude within thirty-five miles of the spring mentioned. Upon 
 the flanks of the mountains on the other side of the valley at about the last 
 mentioned distance, the identical rocks from wh'urh these? waters emerge, are 
 found at sufficient altitude to furnish such a spring; the same rocks are also 
 found twelve to sixteen miles north and east of Los Angeles, where the river 
 flows parallel with their course, and upon them for nearly three miles. At tho 
 distance of four or five miles further west along the coast, at a locality known as 
 the " Caw," there is also, 1 am informed, a constant stream flowing out -among 
 the stratified rocks, which was formerly resorted to ais a watering- place by ves 
 sels, and by the seal and otter hunters. 
 
 These facts are sufficient to induce -the belief that Artesian borings will suc 
 ceed on these plains provided they are carried to sufficient doplh. and also that 
 failure is as certain if due discrimination he not used in conducting these opera- 
 
35 
 
 tions When we consider the amount of expense which will be required in or 
 der to attain this- object, and the hazard of failure to individual enterprise, vc 
 think it would not be unwise for a County like Los Angeles herself to set an 
 example as a County, by securing- the idea in the minds of the people, and ex 
 hibiting to them the proof that the work can be made successful by proper man 
 agement, especially when we know how deeply the failure or success of such 
 means for obtaining- water will affect the future growth and welfare of the plain 
 country. After a successful operation of this kind by the County, individual 
 enterprise would readily embark in similar works wherever they could be 'made 
 valuable. 
 
 The accompanying diagram will elucidate more clearly the position of the 
 rocks included within the range of country under consideration. The section is 
 projected on a direct line from San Pedro to the City of Los Angeles, and is in 
 tended to give a suppositions position to the rocks beneath the surface, as deduced 
 from an examination of their out-crops for several miles along the borders oi 
 the plains on both sides. 
 
 The capital letters, A. B. 0. I), are levels at which the Los Angeles River 
 flows, at different points north of the City. 
 
 A. being 14 miles, 
 
 B. " 11 " 
 
 C. " 5 " 
 I). " 2 " 
 
 E Station staff at San Pedro. 
 F. Old Fort near the City. 
 (1. The City. 
 
 ...H. A spring on the hill back of San Pedro. 
 I. San Pedro. 
 J. Banningville. 
 K. Outliers of gravel drift on the hills back of the City. 
 
 The numerical figures represent the rocks and their coverings and outcrops. 
 
 Xos. 1. 1. 1. Infusorial sandstone i>22 feet above tide. 
 
 " 2. "2. Infusorial clay. 
 " o. S. Clay slate. 
 
 " 4. Calcareous Shales. 
 
 " f>. Bituminous Shales. 
 
 " <i. Bed of gravel drift between beds of clay. 
 
 " 7. Blue clay above. 
 
 8. Blue clay and sand belcw gravel. 
 
 " 0. Heavy bed of blue clay containing marine fossils. 
 
 " 10.10. Probable position of stratified rocks beneath the surface. 
 
 In the diagram at the point marked L, we find a constant but small supply 
 of water; this supply issues from between the beds 7. and 8, and follows the 
 course of the deposit of sandy gravel drift marked 6. in which water is usually 
 found. On the summit of the lower hills marked K. X. is found this drift in 
 sites, forming outlines of a larger bed which formerly existed, and which has 
 been removed by denudation, and deposited farther down upon the plains as in 
 the case before us. 
 
 At no very distant day the Los Angeles River has flowed to the north of the 
 City, and was undoubtedly the principal agent, concerned in the removal of th'e 
 drift beds. Very unmistakable evidences are observable of changes of this char- 
 
36 
 
 acter having taken place several successive times iu years past, and recent]}'. 
 It has changed its course a distance of three or four miles! It is now pro 
 ducing the same effects upon the high terrace to the southeast of the City, as 
 it has already done farther to the northwest. 
 
 SOILS AND PRODUCTIONS OF LOS ANGELES 
 
 The soil and productive capacities of these plains will now be considered; for 
 in these alone consist the present and prospective value of these lands. Refer 
 ring back to the rocks composing the mountain chain, which forms the northern 
 borders of these valleys, we can readily infer what would be the constituents and 
 general features presented in the coverings of the plains. The diagram exhib 
 its two distant terraces, the lower one occupying a little more than one-third of 
 the transverse extent of the plain, the upper terrace holding a much greater 
 inclination from the borders towards the centre, and the whole having an aver 
 age grade of about 13 feet per mile from datum to the level of the City. On 
 examining the hills either at San Pedro or between the City and the mountains, 
 we shall find most distinct outlines of other terraces rising above the levels of 
 these plains, to the number of two or three, beyond which this characteristic is 
 not clearly defined. 
 
 These terraces play an important part in modifying the characters of the soils 
 upon the plains adjacent, and as a consequence affect the productive capacities 
 of the lands as far as their direct influence extends. A peculiar and striking 
 feature found in the soils of these plains is, that even to the base of the moun 
 tains or their foot-hills the components of the earth are found as finely commin 
 uted as at any point near the centre, or upon the lower alluvial bottom in the 
 vicinity of the settlement known as Banningville. 
 
 Along the northern base of the low mountains of San Pedro the same fea 
 tures occur, and as far toward either extremity of the plains as an opportunity 
 offered for an examination, this peculiarity presented itself. From the great 
 preponderance of the primitive rocks (and those mostly granite,) in the moun 
 tains, and from which the soils of these plains have been derived, we should 
 a priori have been led to suppose that a coarse, harsh and almost worthless 
 range of country lying at their base would have been found, but quite the reverse 
 of this is true, and a soil both soft and mellow covering these plains is found in its 
 stead. It is very doubtful if a soil more fertile, and capable of greater produc 
 tion, is to be found anywhere along our Pacific coast south of the Isthmus of 
 Darien, independent of the influences of climate. The depth to which this soil 
 extends below the surface ranges from 18 inches to six feet the average depth 
 is about 3 feet; the color is usually of a dark grayish brown when dry, and on 
 close examination it is found to contain a great quantity of decomposed vegeta 
 ble matter, consisting of the dead roots and stalks of its indigenous productions. 
 In many places it would remind a person of some of the rich moulds formed in 
 small quantities in the ravines of hills producing luxuriant vegetation. On the 
 lower bottoms this soil is mixed with a fine micaceous sand which renders those 
 districts highly fertile. It is upon these lands that the major part of the exten- 
 five grape crops of this County are produced; and a mere inspection of the ground 
 alone, when free from moisture and unconnected with the crops it is capable of 
 producing would be very apt to be considered unproductive and worthless. On 
 these lower bottoms and beneath the soil there is found a bed of stiff blue clay ; 
 (T. Diagram) when the waters are turned off from this earth, and the sun is 
 permitted to dry the surface, a white efflorescence is often observable over con- 
 
37 
 
 siderable areas. This efflorescence consists of the salts of potasli aud soda, the 
 nitrate of potash forming an important article in the crystalization. In other 
 parts of these bottoms the principal salts thus found upon the surface are com 
 posed mostly of the carbonates of potash and soda, and much smaller propor 
 tions of nitre. It is a singular fact that on many of those lands covered by 
 these salts in such quantities as to give the earth a white appearance, plants 
 and vegetables requiring much nitrogen for their healthy propagation are found 
 to flourish far better than upon many other apparently more favorable portions 
 of these valleys. 
 
 The active fertilizing agents contained in the lands of these plains have been 
 derived from two sources; first the alkaline salts from the decomposition of the 
 primitive rocks, (the granite furnishing the soda and potash, from the segrega 
 tion and subsequent destruction of the felspar contained in them:) secondly, the 
 lime and nitrous constituents have been derived from the marine fossiliferous 
 rocks resting upon the former; with the destruction of mammalia which were abun 
 dant in the earlier periods of the Miocene tertiary. The greatest proportion of 
 the latter salts, however, were probably derived from the marine Mollusca 
 which undoubtedly lived and died in the materials in which we now find remain 
 ing imbedded, and as these remains constitute large beds of rocks at the pres 
 ent time, we should find them fully adequate to produce the fertilizing salts 
 above mentioned. 
 
 The great amount of vegetable matter intimately commingled with these salts, 
 and earths upon the surface of these plains, it will be seen would render this 
 district of country capable of an abundant production, and whether applied 
 to agriculture or horticulture, or to its present grazing uses, it will still be found 
 capable of supplying even in its unimproved natural condition a sufficient suste 
 nance for ten times its present numbers of flocks and herds. A very small amount 
 of artificial aid in the improvement of these plains would add greatly to the rich 
 ness and expansion of the pasture grounds, and would prevent the present ne 
 cessity for the wide roaming now so prevalent among the stock which is placed 
 to graze in this broad unfenced surface of country. One example of the rare 
 capacity of these soils is exhibited, both in the higher and lower plains of this 
 and the adjoining counties, in the luxuriance of the growth of the native produc 
 tions. Among the indigenous growths, is a plant known as the " Burr Clover,'' 
 which spreads over the valleys and up the sides of the hills; this plant produces 
 it great quantity of seeds in its small " burrs," which, as the stalk dies, is dis 
 tributed upon the ground, at times covering it to the depth of a half inch. (Allu 
 sion was made to this plant in my report of last year when speaking of the produc 
 tions of the Salinas Valley.) The cattle aud horses find in this seed a nutritious 
 food upon which they subsist during the dry season, and of which they seem to be 
 remarkably fond, whilst their tine condition after living upon this alone, attests the 
 cereal richness of its qualities. The traveler unacquainted with the ground over 
 which he is passing would be both puzzled aud surprised at the fine appearance 
 which the herds present ; especially when he is informed that the apparent desert 
 upon which he sees them is all they have upon which to feed; for in passing over a 
 district of country on which not a blade of grass or any other edible plant is visi 
 ble for miles, and the surface of the ground has more the appearance of a burned 
 prairie than any other, being of a dark ashy gray color, no stranger to the 
 nature of our soils and seasons would for a moment suppose the land could be 
 ever applied to any valuable use or cultivation. The color of the surface is that 
 of the seed mentioned, which, as before stated, covers the ground in great .quail- 
 ties. This fact alone would be a sufficient evidence of the fertility of these 
 plains did no other exist to which we might refer, and it is to be much doubted 
 if any other part of the world possesses a degree of fertility to that extent that 
 
38 
 
 the seeds of its indigenous productions alone .scattered broadcast upon the plains 
 are capable of supplying- with nutriment ever 100,000 head of neat cattle and 
 20,000 head of horses, with sufficient to keep them in the best marketable con 
 dition for months without resort to other subsistence. The stock of these plains 
 at the present time, is not over twenty-live per centum of that which they prob 
 ably maintained some six or ten years since, and for which there was always an 
 abundant supply. Those only who arc familiar with this part of the State can 
 fully appreciate its productive capacities, and they can be realized only by vis 
 iting and subjecting its natural resources to the strictest scrutiny; this done, and 
 J have no fears but the above remarks will be fully endorsed by all who make 
 the investigation. 
 
 The culture of grain upon these plains warrants the most sanguine anticipa 
 tions, and so far as the experiment has been made, the yield has been largely 
 above the average crops of the more northern districts, and should success at 
 tend the experiment of the introduction of water for irrigation, full thirty per 
 (cut of these plains may be applied to the rearing of cereal crops, and leave a 
 large margin still for pasturage. 
 
 The advantages of water near or on the surface in this section of country is 
 manifested in the experimental crops of last year on the " Monte. " a few miles 
 east of the City. The corn crop of this locality, comprising about 1800 acres, was 
 immense in its yield as in the size of its stalks ; a large proportion of it was planted 
 late in the season, but notwithstanding this, the car was full-formed and well tilled 
 in the month of October, and the crop still in the silk. It was no uncommon cir 
 cumstance to find six full ears on one stalk, and the number of four was much more 
 frequent than any figure below it. I think that it may be safely estimated that the 
 Monte lauds will yield an average crop of sixty bushels to the acre. 
 
 These facts are noticed more particularly as corroborative of what has been ad 
 vanced respecting the fertility of this line of plains, and with evidences such as 
 have been adduced on so grand a scale as a mere experiment, there seems but little 
 room left to doubt the high qualities for production which these lands will exhibit, 
 should they be tilled with judicious management. 
 
 We conic now to the consideration of the exotic productions of this part of the 
 State. The position of the mountain chains which separate this part of the Stats 
 from the districts north of it, their trend and altitude are productive of far different 
 elimatal conditions from those noticable in any other portion of the- country. After 
 passing Point Conception upon the coast, or crossing the last ridge of the San Ber 
 nardino chain, in traveling from the north, the traveler is ushered into a widely dif 
 ferent climate from any with which he has before become acquainted. The atmos 
 phere is entirely divested of that harsh coldness which is found on the seaboard and 
 to some distance in the interior, and at the same time is unaccompanied with that 
 scorching heat incident to the plains and valleys situated among or lying to the east 
 of the ridges comprising the coast mountains or their spurs and ranges. From 
 these circumstances it will be seen that a different class of products would naturally 
 be found, and that exotics of a more southern nativity would flourish while their 
 destruction woYild be almost certain .beyond this chain. First among the exotic 
 growths of Los Angeles, is the sweet orange ; this tree is found to flourish well 
 without any artificial protection from the atmosphere, and attains the height of forty 
 feet, and in some cases even more than this ; its fruit is fully equal to any imported 
 article which has yet arrived in this country. The tree produces bountifully, and is 
 in fruit throughout the whole year. The fruit is generally large and plump, with 
 the pulp well tilled, there is not the slightest evidence of anvthing uncongenial con 
 nected with its appearance, it may be said truly to have become habituated to our 
 climate, or to have found in it the kindred qualities of its own tropical native home. 
 I have seen the young tree of two years from the seed producing full, well matured 
 fruit. During the palmy days of the old Missions, they were in the habit of culti- 
 
rating somewhat extensive groves of these trees, but since their decline, the trees 
 and their culture have been neglected, and the groves in many instances cut down. 
 It is a pleasing fact to know that the attention of American citizens resident in this 
 portion of the State are turning their attention to the propagation of this delicious 
 fruit, and it will be but a very few years before our markets will be supplied from 
 domestic sources entirely. In the Cities of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles and 
 the adjacent Missions I have seen the orange tree forty years old, and in some few 
 instances much older. 
 
 The citron is also another fruit belonging to the same natural family, and was 
 formerly cultivated to a considerable extent, and flourishes well at the present time. 
 I have seen this fruit in the gardens of private residences growing to the size of six 
 inches in length by three inches in diameter, its weight could not have been less 
 than two pounds. 
 
 The date tree, 'fig, pine, apricot, guava, pomegranate and kindred fruits find 
 a congenial climate, and a soil adapted to their successful cultivation, and are to be 
 met with at several points in this section of the country. No attempt, so far as I 
 have been able to learn, has as yet been made to produce the pine-apple, although 
 the climate and all other concomitant conditions of locality essential to its culture 
 abound. Some experiments have been in the culture of tobacco, which have proved 
 highly successful and satisfactory the Cuban variety is found to nourish as well here 
 as upon its native soil ; the great consumption of this article in California will ren 
 der its cultivation an object of some considerable importance, and as so little care 
 and labor is necessary in rearing it here, it is more than probable that but a few 
 years will elapse before it will find a place in our commercial tables, as an article of 
 home production, and perhaps of export. 
 
 The climatal conditions of these plains, and the adaptability of their soils are 
 such that we may reasonably expect, ere a few years shall pass, that cotton, coffee, 
 tea, sugar and rice, the four latter articles particularly, will find a place in our cata 
 logues of home productions, and the only impediment that now stands in the way of 
 their immediate production, is the high price of labor which is consequent upon the 
 sparseness of population. The unoccupied or rather unimproved lands extending 
 from Point Aguilla to San Diego on the land of the coast, and into the interior for 
 distances varying from twelve to fifty or sixty miles, and the extensive valley ranges 
 beyond the first and eastern line of ridges of the San Bernardino mountains offer 
 strong inducements to the immigrant and settler who may be seeking a permanent 
 and agreeable home, and who wishes to cultivate the soil as a means of livelihood 
 and source of profit. To such this district of the State furnishes an ample field for 
 his operations, and equally profitable with any other portion of our wide domain. 
 
40 
 
 MINERAL PRODUCTS OF LOS ANGELES, &c. 
 
 A brief review of the agricultural capacities of the soils of this part of the State 
 has been given, and I would say in this connection, that in these particulars lie the 
 strength and principal value of the lands throughout the district generally ; the 
 mineral resources of this range of country so far as examined, being comparatively 
 of little value. 
 
 The transverse chain of the Pacific coast (Sari Bernardino chain) appear thus 
 far to act as a barrier, and to have cut off almost completely the rich mineral de 
 posits found in the mountains of the more northern sections. There are a few lo 
 calities, it is true, where auriferous deposits of limited extent are met with, but no 
 general features which would in the slightest degree indicate that they extend over 
 any considerable areas. So far as I have been able to learn, both from personal 
 inspection and information derived from others of localities which I have not visited, 
 I entertain the opinion that no extensive deposits of gold will be found south of 
 these mountains, and few, probably, that would warrant mining explanation. There 
 are some evidences existing that silver may be met with in the southeastern spurs 
 of this chain, but to what extent is yet undetermined. The limestone rocks of the 
 Armagosa, and the granite and quartz of this section, contain both gold and silver, 
 but they are situated to the north of this chain, yet the gypsum beds found near 
 their southern base and on the southern part of the Colerado Desert are found to 
 contain gold in small quantities, not sufficient, however, to pay for working. The 
 predominating metaliferous rocks of these mountains, so far as known, consist mostly 
 of copper containing lead and silver ; the heavier quantities of these ores lying upon 
 the Rio Santa Clara, in the County of Santa Barbara. Bismuth and iron are also met 
 with in these mountains, the former to a limited extent, the latter more generally 
 disseminated and forming small veins among the primitive rocks. Both of the latter 
 minerals are found in the immediate vicinity of the Mission of San Buenaventura, 
 and the former (Bismuth) in the mountains near the coast in the vicinity of the 
 rancho Guadalupe. The principal mineral products of these counties, of any com 
 mercial importance, are the beds of sulphur ; they commence in the County of San 
 Luis Obispo, and through alternate distances of two to six miles, extend to the 
 County, of Santa Barbara, and northern part of Los Angeles. The larger propor 
 tion of these beds lie near the coast, and form the investing surface material of 
 those volcanic vents found upon this part of the coast, and which have been alluded 
 to in the preceding pages of this report. These sulphur deposits will, at a future 
 day, be worked with profit when the demand for this article shall exceed that of the 
 present time, and still I think the present demand is sufficient to warrant, the in 
 vestment of capital in this quarter, where the mineral is found in sufficient quanti 
 ties to render the working of its mines a lucrative operation. 
 
 The appearance of magnetic sands among the drift found in the beds of the ar- 
 royas led me to the .supposition that gold might exist in their connection, which, 
 upon examination, was found to be the case, although in very trifling quantities. 
 The same thing was found to exist upon the beach three miles southeast of Santa 
 Barbara. This metal was probably derived from the heavy gravel drift which 
 is found in the immediate vicinity. 
 
 Bitumen is another of the more abundant mineral products of this portion of the 
 State, and is found in very large quantities. This article is available and well adap 
 ted to the manufacture of gas for the purposes of illumination, and will probably be 
 used to considerable extent in this country, the'only practical objection to such a use 
 of it, being the fact that no valuable residuum is left in the retort after the extrica 
 tion of the gaseous constituents ; as this mineral yields a much greater volume (I c- 
 
41 
 
 ing nearly double,) of illuminating gas, than any other in use, it is very question 
 able whether it would not be equally profitable from this circumstance. In the use 
 of coal, we have the coke remaining which may be applied as an article of fuel, but the 
 value of the latter in the market would probably be counterbalanced, by the increas 
 ed volume of illuminating matter contained in the simple bitumen. The expense 
 of transportation of coal from distant regions must very materially enhance the 
 price of the commodities resulting from it, but in the use of the asphaltum upon 
 pur coast, this heavy item would, as a necessary consequence become materially di 
 minished. The only real objection to the introduction of the latter article for the 
 above purposes is that there may not be sufficient quantities of the mineral obtain 
 able for so extensive uses as would be required ; this is a valid objection, and should 
 be well considered before entering upon a speculation of that kind ; from what is 
 already known of these beds, they certainly have the appearance of being adequate 
 to the supply of any ordinary demand for those purposes, as they are frequently to be 
 met with covering many acres of ground. This fact however in regard to quantity 
 can only be determined positively by clearing one or two of the larger springs, and 
 thus ascertaining the actual amount of the mineral discharged per day or per week, 
 and should it be found anything near adequate to the demand for gas manufacture, 
 its collection and transportation at fair rates of prices, will form a much greater 
 source of revenue to this district than the entire cattle trade of these counties at the 
 present time. A little attention to this subject will convince us that a heavy and lucra 
 tive business may be conducted in this department of trade, if the necessary meas 
 ures are adopted to bring this element into practical notice, for as stated in the pre 
 ceding pages these springs extend from the county of Santa Clara to San Diego, 
 and most of them near the coast. 
 
 To illustrate more fully the advantages to be derived, and the extent of business 
 that now lies untouched in this particular, it will only be necessary to allude to the 
 quantity of coal required for the purposes of illumination at present in this State. 
 The requirements for the city of San Francisco is about 5000 tons per annum, at 
 an average price of 22 dollars per ton, equal to 110,000 dollars, the demand for 
 Sacramento is equal to about 2000 tons, which at the same price equals 44,000 dol 
 lars, the total amounting to 154,000 dollars. Allowing the coal to produce, (which 
 the best quality will,) about 1100 pounds of coke from the ton of coals, the value 
 of the coke as sold here, at about 62 cents (high price,) per bushel, will yield a re 
 turn upon the original cost ; of a little more than twelve dollars per ton, or a sum 
 total of nearly $87,000. This estimate is based on the product of the Scotch coal, 
 the specific gravity of which is but 1.27. The Asphaltum of this State has a 
 specific gravity of about 1.62, the difference in the excess arrising probably from 
 the earthly matters contained therein. 
 
 There cannot be less than 4000 tons Asphaltum lying upon the surface of the 
 ground in the counties of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara alone, within a few miles 
 of the coast at the present moment. Its value delivered in San Francisco would 
 not be less than sixteen dollars per ton, equal in value to 64,000 dollars, and this 
 amount alone would offer sufficient inducement to embark in the enterprise indepen 
 dent of any other consideration. The amount lying upon the surface in other ad 
 jacent counties is probably equal to the amount in those specified, so that 8000 tons 
 would be a safe estimate to place upon the quantity already available. 
 
 The analysis of this mineral exhibits the following available constituents for the 
 manufacture of gas ; in one hundred parts there is found a a limpid oil equal to 
 thirty per cent, and the same amount of charcoal with a large per cent of ammonia, 
 the balance consisting of earthly matters and water. Here then we have 60 per 
 cent of the gross weight applicable to immediate use, the charcoal holding the same 
 relations to the bitumen, that exist in the coke to the coal. That the supply of this 
 article is abundant, there can be but little question and fully equal to 5000 tons per 
 annum, (the requirements of the State will not fall short of this figure for years to 
 6 
 
42 
 
 come,) equal in value, at 16 dollars per ton, to 80,009 dollars, and should it possess 
 no more than an equal amount of illuminating matter, it will be seen that it will be 
 far more economical than the present use of coal. The only, or rather the princi 
 pal question asked by those interested in gas manufacture, is this, is there a 
 sufficient quantity to meet the demand for 3000 tons per annum, in other words, if 
 there is a sufficient quantity, is there every evidence of quality also to make it a 
 reliable resource ? 
 
 The proper opening of these springs would undoubtedly furnish an ample quan 
 tity of the mineral, and if the business should be judiciously managed, it would 
 prove lucrative and permanent. It is to be hoped that this brief allusion to this 
 subject, may elicit attention from those who are intimately acquainted with the local 
 ities in which it is found, to its proposed value, as well as to the quantities which 
 may be supplied. 
 
 Limestone is found in considerable quantities among the higher hills of this part 
 of the State. Without any exception I believe it is primitive, and the greater part of 
 it possesses a high crystalline structure. It is well calculated for the manufacture of 
 lime, and proportionately less fit for any other application to building purposes. 
 The granites which form the principal basis of these mountains, is usually of a 
 hornblendic character, often running into true Sienite. It is ill adapt?d to purposes 
 of building, both from its constituents, and its genernl consistency, and it is gener 
 ally in situations remote from navigable waters, a fact which forbids at present its 
 transportation for such purposes, even were it found to be of a better quality. 
 
 I have thus given a general outline of the geological characteristics of this part 
 of the country, and the more prominet economic adaptations of its resources, which 
 may be derived from them, by the enterprise of our citizens, when the industry of 
 the people, as well as their capital shall be invested in their development. It would 
 be incompatible with the limits of an abstract report like this, to enter into the 
 minutiae of the more scientific details which might naturally be drawn from so 
 abundant a field of investigation. I have thought it advisable in this as in former 
 reports therefore to omit them, with a view to furnishing such as may be deemed 
 useful, together with accompanying illustrations, in a final report of a more com 
 plete form in detail, upon the geology of California. 
 
 In the appendix of this report will be found a catalogue of the fossils, minerals 
 and specimens representing this portion of the country, less full however in detail 
 than that which will hereafter be presented, when they can be systematically arrang 
 ed so as to convey a clear idea of their relative ages and positions. 
 
 With these remarks on this part of our subject we will now leave it for the pur 
 pose of turning our attention to the more northerly and equally interesting portion 
 of the State. 
 
43 
 
 COUNTRY NORTH OF THE AMERICAN RIVER. 
 
 The district of country lying north of the American River was entered upon in 
 the early part of October. The examinations were carried through the upper por 
 tions of the county of Yolo, through the west part of Placer, through S utter, and 
 crossing the Feather River, was pursued through the counties of Colusi, Shasta, 
 portions of Trinity, the eastern part of Klamath nearly to Sisldyou. Returning to the 
 southward again, the eastern side of the River Sacramento was followed, through 
 the counties of Butte and Yuba. 
 
 I shall confine myself first to the observations made in the more exclusively 
 agricultural portions of this part of the State, and subsequently to the mining coun< 
 ties beyond and upon the upper sections of the Sacramento River and Valley. 
 
 What has been said of the physical geography of the mountains forming the bor 
 ders of the great valley is equally applicable to a large part of that section under 
 consideration, and wherever any material differences occur they will be noticed in 
 the course of our remarks upon this region. The lower bottoms of the Sacramento 
 Valley, over which the principal traveled road now runs, have an ascending scale of 
 about five feet per mile from the city of Sacramento to the junction of the Pitt 
 River, the distance between these points being about the same as that between Sac 
 ramento and the town of Shasta, ard nearly on the same level. The principal agri 
 cultural lands of this part of the valley lie upon these bottoms, which in the county 
 of Colusi are often of several miles in width on both sides of the river. As we 
 advance towards the coast mountains in this county, and also in the south-west part 
 of Shasta, we immediately enter upon an elevated plateau, which apparently extends 
 to the base of the mountains to the west. This plateau, or more properly speak 
 ing, middle terrace of the valley has an ascending grade towards the mountains 
 much more rapid than the lower bottoms, its altitude above the latter varies from 
 60 to 70 feet, and the ascent to its top is usually quite abrupt. As this terrace ad 
 vances towards the west, another table is heen to ascend from its surface, exceeding 
 this middle terrace in height, beyond which the heavier rolling hills, constituting 
 the base of the coast mountains commence, and which in a short distance terminate 
 in rugged and elevated ridges. 
 
 Throughout the county of Colusi, and also for a short distance and to the south 
 part of the county of Shasta, this middle terrace contains a large area of arable 
 land, differing materially from its equivalent in the more southern portions of the 
 same valley producing there but a limited vegetation and being composed of coarse, 
 harsh gravelly soil. These peculiar characteristics of the middle section of the 
 plain are carried southward from the vicinity of Red Bluffs for a distance of ninety 
 miles, when they gradually come to partake of the sterile features above noticed, 
 and which are carried into the western part of the county of Yolo, on the same line 
 of elevation above tide level. 
 
 On this middle plateau is situated some of the best land for farming purposes to 
 be found in this part of the State. The soil has been derived from the mountains 
 of trapean rocks which constitute the eastern ridges of the coast chain, and is com 
 posed of a soft loam mixed with little sand, and the detritus of a few of the slate 
 rocks which are found in comparatively small quantities along the base of these 
 ridges. The almost total absence of the granitic rocks, which are usually productive 
 of harsh, dry and uncongenial soils, unless modified by particular local circumstan 
 ces, and the admixture of the extensive limestones which stretch from across the 
 Pitt River and appear in the mountains to the west renders the lands of these coun 
 ties peculiarly adapted to the culture of the grain and root crops, and desirable to 
 the farming population of the country. The constituents of these lands renders 
 
44 
 
 them valuable, for the culture of fruits. They contain all the elements necessary 
 for their healthy and successful propagation, with the advantages of an extensive 
 market, which is immediately surrounding almost the entire section. The advan 
 tages presented by nature are not entirely overlooked by the inhabitants in this part 
 of the State. This is apparent from the fact that flouring mills have already been 
 erected, of capacities much greater for grinding than those which have been seen 
 in other counties. 
 
 The county is as yet but sparsely settled, but an examination of the character of 
 its lands, and of the inducements it will present to the strict agriculturalist, will 
 lead to the most favorable conclusions respecting the future appreciation and settle 
 ment of this district. Its capacities for the production of the cereals and also ex 
 tensive corn crops, were evidenced during the last year, in which we find that the 
 reputation which this district had acquired for the rearing of these products, was 
 fully sustained. 
 
 The lower bottoms of this part of the valley present a somewhat anomalous fea 
 ture in their native productions compared to their equivalents farther to the south. 
 It consists in the forest growths which extend for miles from the banks of the river. 
 On the bottoms below Tehama, the oak, maple and other trees which skirt the banks 
 of the stream usually extend but a very short distance back into the flanks of the 
 valley, never I believe reaching in any instance the foot of the middle terraces. At 
 the distance of about twenty miles south of Tehama we first enter the valley forest 
 (for so it may be called.) which continues to increase both in density and extent as 
 we approach the upper end of the valley, and soon after passing Red Bluffs it is 
 seen to extend from the base of the coast mountains to the Sierra Nevada. The 
 greater part of the trees are situated upon the middle plateau, and extend them 
 selves into the upper tables and thence into the foot-hills of the mountains where they 
 soon become commingled with the pine and other trees of mountain habits. The 
 trees growing upon these lands offer a good criterion to judge of the character and 
 condition of its soils on which they are found. They exhibit to us the fact that the 
 soil possesses those elements which are necessary for the propagation of the cultiva 
 ted trees, and which can be made doubly useful in supplying woods, either for build 
 ing, for fuel or other purposes, and the production of fruits, at present a great desi 
 deratum in the State of California. 
 
 This part of the State has every appearance of possessing superior advantages 
 for the culture of the northern fruits, the apple, peach and pear, either or all of 
 which would find here a soil and climate congenial to their healthy and luxuriant 
 growth. 
 
 Before dismissing the agricultural districts of the upper Sacramento, I would call 
 the attention of the residents of this part of the State, to the means of irrigation 
 which may be advantageously used in this district. All the streams which issue 
 from the mountains, lose a great part of their water beiore they unite with the 
 main river, and in some cases, it has been found that the waters of thpse streams 
 were entirely absent from their beds for miles above their junction. When this is 
 found to be the case, and even but a small district of valley lands intervenes be 
 tween these points where the waters thus disappear from their surface channels, 
 there will usually be found between the main river and the sink, some point at which 
 the waters issue from beneath the surface, which is manifested in these cases by 
 small lagoons, swampy ground, and wet places, none of which are usually of any 
 great extent. This fact has led me to suppose, that a clay bed might probably exist 
 beneath the superficial soils, which is nearly impervious to water. This upon ex 
 amination has been found to be the case. The limited superficial discharge of these 
 waters, is accounted for in a sandy admixture which is found in the clay, and which 
 of course would admit a much freer percolation of water, than the compact clay 
 alone would allow ; the natural inference from which is, that by .far the greatest pro- 
 
45 
 
 portion of the waters which flow through the tributary streams of the northern Sac 
 ramento, pass beneath the surface of the valley and emerge from the same many 
 miles distant from the places of their disappearance. As the structure of this basin 
 will be examined more in detail in another part ot this report, further remarks in 
 relation to this part of our subject will be dispensed with at this time. 
 
 MINERAL DISTRICT OF THE UPPER SACRAMENTO VALLEY. 
 
 We come now to the consideration of the mineral resources of the Upper Sac 
 ramento Valley. The upper portions of this valley lie for the most part on the 
 east banks of the Sacramento River, with the exception of a small section above 
 the junction of Clear Creek, on the west side of the main stream. The southern 
 boundary of what may be considered properly as the Upper Sacramento Valley 
 (and which is mineral land for nearly its entire extent,) I have proposed to com 
 prise within the range of mountains, crossing the Pitt river and forming a part of 
 its southwestern banks, on the north, and the junction of Cow Creek on the south. 
 This district will have a line of distance from north to south of about thirty-five 
 miles, and a breadth of fourteen miles lying immediately north of the emigrant 
 road leading from Noble's Pass, aad entering the Sacramento Valley. 
 
 In passing across this section it was found that a large portion of the area inclu 
 ded was a placer district, similar in most respects to the equivalent ranges on Butte 
 Creek, and extending southerly through Long's Bar on the Lower Feather River, 
 which is also observable in the vicinity of Camp Far West, on Bear River, and 
 thence on to Rhode's Diggings, in the County of Sacramento. 
 
 Within this area there is at the present time a large mining population, and three 
 considerable mining towns have been built up by the enterprise of that portion of 
 our people who arrive annually by emigration across the territories and enter the 
 northern parts of California through Noble's Pass, also coming through the Ameri 
 can V alley. In the middle portion of this district there are situated some of the 
 most extensive auriferous quartz leads, of any to be found in any part of the State, 
 and from which the gold found distributed through the soil is derived. This entire 
 district may be said to constitute a single large placer embracing an area fully 
 equal to two hundred square miles, and probably the largest uninterrupted placer 
 to be found in this country. The situation of this plain, enclosed as it is by high 
 mountains on three sides, renders a climate mild and agreeable, with the excep 
 tion of a short time during the dry season, when like all valleys in this country, 
 the temperature becomes somewhat elevated. 
 
 This placer range extends in a northerly direction beyond the Pitt River, on 
 which stream the mining town of Pittsburgh is situated ; it is said also to extend 
 up McLoud's Fork, the principal northern tributary of Pitt River ; of this, how 
 ever, I am unable to speak from personal knowledge. I think there is no question 
 but such is the fact, for my informants were men on whom reliance could be placed 
 in matters of this character. In this district as in many others in the State simi 
 larly situated, scarcity of water is the most serious impediment in the way of the 
 miner in seeking for the profits of his occupation as well as to the general growth 
 and progress of the country. And wherever an ample supply of this agent is fur 
 nished for mining purposes, the Upper Sacramento will give abundant employment 
 to a large and busy population. 1 think there is no hazard in expressing the opin 
 ion, that this placer alone exceeds in area the aggregate of all the other known 
 placers of Shasta County, in which it is situated, and is capable of giving employ 
 ment for many years to four or five thousand men. 
 
 I consider the mining sections of this county equal in value to those of many 
 
46 
 
 parts of El Dorado, Placer and Nevada as they existed in the years of 1851-2-3. 
 They are much in the condition in which the flats and ravines in those counties 
 were during those years, and which, since the introduction of water by canals, have 
 yielded vast sums of gold, and such high remuneration for labor. 
 
 These mines are as yet almost untouched, and they require only that stimulus 
 which has been applied in other counties to the south, to bring them into immedi 
 ate use and occupancy. The rapid ascent of the Sacramento River after it enters 
 the canon immediately above the Upper Ferry is such that any amount of water 
 would be easily obtained by diverting a portion of the stream, and carrying it by 
 canals or ditches to the west of the river to be distributed among the high flats to 
 the west from the town of Shasta, which flats abound in auriferous deposits similar 
 to those of Middletown, Briggsville and other localities. A distance of six or seven 
 miles from the mouth of the canon would give sufficient altitude to carry the waters 
 nearly as high as the summit of the hill on which is situated what is known as the 
 Upper Springs, and within the town of Shasta. 
 
 A distance of three or four miles above the first settlement on the plain east of 
 the river, the waters of the Sacramento may be diverted to any extent that might 
 be requisite, arid in quantities sufficient, if required, to nearly inundate the upper 
 plain on that side of the stream, and a natural channel may be found of sufficient 
 elevation a portion of the way, to convey the waters over the undulating hills on 
 the southern and middle portions of the prairie beyond. 
 
 The inducements for the investment of capital in mining operations which offer 
 themselves in this immediate vicinity are unsurpassed in any county of the State 
 south of this point, and it is a remarkable feature in the history of this district 
 that they have not attracted that attention which their intrinsic merits suggest. 
 
 GEOLOGY OF THE NORTHERN COAST MOUNTAINS. 
 
 The term Northern Coast Mountains is used in this case for the purpose of sepa 
 rating a portion of this district, which differs materially in mineral aspect from any 
 other part of this chain south of the County of Colusi. The counties of Humboldt, Kla- 
 math, Trinity, Shasta, and the southwest part of Siskiyou.if not the whole of the latter 
 county, are situated in this part of the chain, and which collectively form a portion 
 of the mineral districts of this State. My line of travel did not extend sufficiently 
 far north to determine with certainty what portion of the mountain district, in the 
 northern part of the State should strictly constitute the coast chain. But from what 
 evidences there are in our possession at the present moment, respecting their peculiar 
 disposition, the presumption is strong that even Mount Shasta belongs to this chain, 
 in place of its forming a part of the Sierra Nevada as heretofore believed. This 
 will prove to be the case, provided the Cascade range which extends through 
 Southern Oregon is found to be a continuation of our coast chain as is now sup 
 posed. 
 
 In this case we shall have the Sierra Nevada terminating at Lassen's Peak, or 
 rather at a point not farther north than this moumtain, and the structure of the 
 county extending northward from this towards the southern line of Oregon fully 
 warrants such a conclusion. North of Lassen's Butte there is not a mountain to 
 be seen on the line of trend of the ridge country, which consists apparently of 
 low, flat table lands, similar in structure and appearance to the table hills north of 
 the main Feather River or those which extend through the southern, western and 
 northern parts of the Counties of El Dorado, Placer and Amador, as we approach 
 the plains from the mountains in these several counties. 
 
 The only mountains in this part of the State are those belonging properly to the 
 
47 
 
 coast ranges, and of these Mount Shasta forms probably the line of eastern limit ; 
 its distance from the sea is a due west line not exceeding seventy miles, being a 
 much shorter distance from the ocean than many parts of the same chain situated 
 farther to the south. 
 
 The mountain districts of this part of the State are divided by bold and rapid 
 streams, and as a consequence, are designated by local names which serve to fix 
 their geographical and relative positions, forming the boundaries of counties and 
 the lines of water-shed, which unite with the ocean at widely different and distant 
 localities. Thus we find the waters which flow into the Sacramento separated from 
 those which flow into the Klamath by the range known as the Trinity Mountains, 
 the latter river draining a portion of the waters belonging to the Great Basin, and 
 which rises east of the Cascade range. 
 
 The rocks which comprise this part of the coast mountains are made up mostly 
 of the primitive group, and simulate in almost every particular with those found in 
 the mining counties of the Sierra Nevada, and also the southern portions of the 
 coast chain. In the eastern and middle districts of this part of the mountains, the 
 sienites and other members of the granitic series are largely predominant, and com 
 mingled irregularly with them, are found the serpentine rocks and their derivatives, 
 consisting of the talcose and chlorite schists, alternating with all the other members 
 of the primitive group. 
 
 Resting upon these we find the slates of an argillaceous origin frequently disturbed 
 and maintaining every conceivable degree of inclination, as in the other mining 
 counties of the State, but still holding their parallel with the mountains in which 
 they are situated, which is observable elsewhere, and the same line of strike or 
 linear direction. The constancy and regularity of the strike found in these rocks 
 at such remote distances from those of the southern range of mining counties leads 
 us irresistibly to the conclusion that they belong to one and the same period and 
 co-relative age, having their origin from the same class of rocks as those of the other 
 sections. The subsequent igneous intrusions which have disturbed the one are 
 found to be of the same character as those which disturbed the other, and have 
 apparently acted with the same force and at the same time with those of the Sierra 
 Nevada. The intrusions of quartz dikes and veins appear equally as numerous 
 and well defined as those found in any other part of the State, and even much 
 more extensive than many of those observable in the midland counties. They simu 
 late more closely with those veins found in the counties of Tuolumne, Calaveras 
 and Mariposa. 
 
 In the depressions lying between the principal divides of the various rivers, the 
 heavy drift deposits are met with ; in some localities they extend to great depth, as in 
 the vicinity of the town of Weaverville, they have been found to the depth of nearly 
 five hundred feet, which was proved by the sinking of the deep shaft near that town. 
 This drift, or the greater part of it at least, has all the evidences of having been 
 deposited during the tertiary epoch, the manifestations of which are found in the 
 great amount of the impressions of dicotyledonous leaves, many of which are appa 
 rently of present existing species found growing in the neighboring mountains ; the 
 silicified woods and lignites all present thesame general features. 
 
 This district is peculiarly interesting from the great amount of drift deposits 
 which are present in many localities, and the character of the organic remains con 
 tained in it is well defined, and will probably be the means of modifying our opin 
 ions in some measure, relative to the probable age of the drift deposits of the 
 different portions of this State. There are apparent grounds existing, (which, how 
 ever cannot be fully demonstrated at the present time) that these drift beds are 
 assigned to two distinct periods of the tertiary era, but more time and further exam- 
 nation must be had before this point can be satisfactorily settled. In an economical 
 point of view it matters but little to which of the two periods, either of them may 
 
48 
 
 belong, so far, at least, as their mineral products are concerned, for the deposit in 
 whatever portion of the State it may be found (except south of the San Bernar 
 dino Mountains) is highly valuable for its auriferous accompaniment which is gen 
 erally found throughout the whole of it in general distribution. 
 
 The drift beds are found extensively dispersed through the northwest part of the 
 State, and are found much elevated on the flanks of the ridges as well as in the 
 depressions between them. I:i this particular they simulate with the extensive and 
 wide-spread placer ranges which traverse the mining districts from the County of 
 Plumas to that of Calaveras, and thence through Tuolumne and Mariposa. From 
 their general character, so far as they have been opened and examined, (which has 
 been but to a limited extent) they present all the physical and integral features 
 which have hitherto warranted our conclusion respecting gold deposits within our 
 borders, and which have guided to those practical proofs, by opening the mines, 
 which have developed to us the natural hiding places of the immense resources of 
 wealth which abound in our State. There is every reason to believe that those 
 drift beds situated in the northern coast mountains are equally as valuable, and 
 will, when worked, prove as abundantly supplied with gold as those of Sierra, 
 Nevada, Placer and El Dorado Counties. This opinion is based on the fact that 
 the deposits on the flanks of the hills in the coast chain are co-relative in age with 
 those of Minesota, Mameluke Hill and White Rock, in the Counties of Sierra and 
 El Dorado, their fossils being identical, and their elevation above the sea about the 
 same. 
 
 The outlines of these beds begin first to show themselves as well defined forma 
 tions on the east and west banks of Clear Creek above Frenehtown, and also on 
 French Gulch, in the County of Shasta, and are distincly traceable from these 
 localities across all the rivers lying to the north and west of this creek as far west 
 as Salmon and Scott Rivers, and on the hills forming the sides of all the larger 
 basins lying between these points; the great Weaverville basin furnishes one of the 
 best examples of the kind in this part of the State, and is observable on what is 
 known as Musser's Flat to the northeast of the town. It is similar in all respects 
 to the localities in Nevada County, in the vicinity of Moore's, Orleans and Eureka 
 Flats, opposite to Minesota. 
 
 LOCAL GEOLOGY. 
 
 The local geology of the Northern Coast Mountains presents but little diversity 
 from the other mineral districts of the State, and as a general fact the rocks'rnain- 
 tain that uniformity of character which is found to exist in almost every locality 
 within any given area. 
 
 The first locality that will claim our attention is that of the middle and northern 
 with the eastern part of Shasta County. Nearly as soon as we leave the valley, 
 and among the first foot-hills the slates are met with standing in nearly a vertical 
 position. This trait, however, extends but a short distance, and we are suddenly 
 introduced from the fossil clay slate into a district in which the latter is most com 
 pletely metamorphosed. This is found to occur within two miles of the point at 
 which these rocks maintain their true laminated character of the slates. In the 
 immediate vicinity of Shasta City, the changed condition of these rocks is noticable 
 and directly east of the town, the intrusion of the igneous is presented on an exten 
 sive scale. On the hill opposite to the City the intrusive rocks have broken through 
 each series that preceded them, and we find the slates in the immediate vicinity of 
 the trapean dikes, most completely changed into true jaspery rocks. To the east 
 and north of the hill we meet with the first beds of the serpentine rocks which have 
 
49 
 
 been disturbed by the same agents which have disturbed the slates ; this bed of 
 the primitive group extends in a northerly direction about six miles, and is flanked 
 on the west by the sienites and granites, and on the east by the older trap rocks. 
 Among these serpentine rocks are frequently to be seen small veins and also large 
 dikes of auriferous quartz running parallel, which will be seen from their course to 
 correspond in trend with those of the more southern part of the State, and this 
 general characteristic belonging to these latter rocks (the quartz) was found to pre 
 vail as far north as my observations extended. 
 
 Nearly all the quartz dikes of this part of the State are situated in the serpen 
 tine rocks, and it is rather an exception than otherwise, to find them associated with 
 other series of veins of any considerable magnitude. There are but very few excep 
 tions to this rule, and when these dikes are found to occur in other rocks, the 
 investing walls are usually granite. The predominance of these veins among the class 
 of rocks alluded to, fixes to a certain extent their probable age, and like the dikes 
 of the counties of Nevada and Amidor, come under the classification of former 
 reports in which they have been arranged as primitive, in order to separate them 
 from a class similar in constitution, which appear to have been intruded subse 
 quent to the deposition of the slates. 
 
 Up to the present time, there have not been observed any extensive quartz 
 ranges which have the appearance of having protruded through the slate formation 
 of this part of the State. I have heard of two localities of this character, one of 
 which I have subsequently visited, but found on examination that the Slate 
 belonged to th stratified rocks of the primitive series, and were almost exclusively 
 talcohe schist. In those localities where opportunities occurred for the examina 
 tion of the trapean rocks which were found adjacent to these dikes, they presented 
 the same appearance and evidences of having broken through that class of rocks. 
 
 This is manifest in nearly every vein to be met with for the distance of five or 
 six miles from Shasta City, and is particularly well defined in the vicinity of 
 what is known as the Quartz Mountain, eight miles north-east of the town and 
 on the head of the Sacramento Valley. From this brief outline of their gener 
 al features and associations, it is difficult to form any other conclusions than those 
 at which we have above arrived, respecting their strictly primitive character ; 
 and as such, when found to be auriferous, they are discovered to be equally val 
 uable with those in other parts of the State. In traveling north-west of the 
 town, and well on to Tower's Bridge we find a diminution in the outcrop of these 
 rocks, but after crossing Clear Creek and assuming a more northerly course they 
 again make their appearance in well defined lodes running parallel with each 
 other for long distances. The best position for examining their relations 
 with the adjacent rocks is three miles from Frenchtown at the Mt. Washington. 
 Mine. At this locality the parallelism of the dikes is observable along the flanks, 
 and over the hill on which this mine is situated. A level has been driven about 
 200 feet on the main lode of the mine, which has exposed the walls of the vein 
 for that distance and at a vertical depth of about 150 feet below the outcrop. 
 It is here found that the lode traverses the primitive rocks exclusively, and like 
 the other mines in the State the power of the lode is increased as it descends. 
 In the vicinity of the reduction works of this establishment are large masses of 
 an amygdaloidal trap, which is found in situ a short distance west of the build 
 ings. This rock is cut through in every conceivable direction by small threads 
 of quartz, which I have found to contain gold, showing most conclusively that 
 the mineral was injected at a subsequent period to the formation of this trapean 
 mass. 
 
 In traveling up the canon from the bridge above alluded to, the quartz dikes 
 are found to crop on the sides of many of the hills as we pass along ; as the 
 ascent of the Trinity ridge is made from McLaughlin's ranch, which is situated 
 
50 
 
 in the canon spoken of, no veins are again met with, until the base of this ridge 
 is approached, towards the Trinity River, when they are again found crossing 
 about two miles to the east of Lewis's Bridge on this stream ; but we shall for 
 the present defer their consideration till we come to examine them again in the 
 county of Trinity, where they belong. 
 
 CARBONIFEROUS LIMESTONE. 
 
 In the eastern part of the county of Shasta, there is a group of calcareous 
 rocks, stretching obliquely across the head of the Sacramento Valley, whilst the 
 mountains in which they are situated, or more properly, the mountains of which 
 they compose the chief part, hold a due north and south trend. Their color 
 and altitude when seen from a distance of twenty or thirty miles in either direc 
 tion, form striking features in the landscape scenery of this part of the country, 
 peering upward in their more northern portions to the height of about 3000 
 feet. Their light blue tint projects them in strong relief, against the dark rocks 
 and darker herbage of the mountains beyond, in such a manner as to display 
 their rugged and bold outline in the clearest and most distinct picturings. 
 
 These limestone mountains, thus termed because there are no rocks of any other 
 description to be found upon them, extend across the Pitt River in a northerly 
 direction for a distance of about thirty or forty miles, forming a portion of the 
 canon of McCloud's Fork, and are situated on the western banks of that stream, 
 between which and the Sacramento flows the rapid stream termed by Mr. Dana, 
 Destruction River, a name which it still retains. 
 
 The dip of these limestones is to the east at an angle of about 20 degrees; the 
 strata, which are very distinct, vary from a few inches to eight feet in thickness, 
 and the thicker beds appear extremely solid, scarcely exhibiting even a small 
 seam. Those which lie near the base of the mountains are much darker in color 
 than those above them, and form a most beautifully variegated marble, inferior 
 to none of those varieties used in ornamental architecture, or for making furni 
 ture* The lower, the middle and a considerable portions of the upper beds are 
 highly fossiliferous, consisting of marine species entirely. The fossils are composed 
 of several species of encriuite, orth'is and small spirifers, in the middle and up 
 per beds, and of corals among the lower ones. This I believe is the first fossili 
 ferous limestone, as yet found in any portion of this State, it has heretofore been 
 entirely wanting. 
 
 The discovery of this group of rocks brings us in close connection with a new 
 geological era within the State, and enables us to present the outline of a strong 
 hope that we mav yet be able to discover that article of comfort and economy 
 so much needed on these western shores. These rocks belong to the carbonifer 
 ous system and appear to be the representatives of that system developed during 
 the survey of the north-west Territories by Mr. Owen. They appear almost 
 identical with the superior portions of that group known as the " Carboniferous 
 rocks of Iowa and Des Moines " and in which the coal measures are found. 
 
 1 do not wish to be misunderstood in this matter, nor to say one word which might 
 induce individuals to invest capital or time, in what would be considered fruitless 
 attempts in search of coal. The only evidence existing, that this article may be 
 found in quantities that would be adequate to the demands of this State, will de 
 pend upon the character and extent of this group of rocks under consideration. 
 My time did not permit that extensive examination of the group, which I wished, 
 but it was conducted far enough to determine the fact of their carboniferous character 
 beyond question. As before stated, these are the first rocks which have been found 
 
51 
 
 in our State, of that series to which the coal measures belong, and they furnish us 
 
 reason to hope that we may yet be able to say that California can supply herself with 
 
 coals from her own mines, and thus avoid in all time to come the enormous expense 
 
 of the importation of this most valuable commodity from vast distances over seas. 
 
 During a hastily conducted line of travel in 1850, through the district east of the 
 Pitt River mountains, I observed a fe^ scattered masses of a secondary conglom 
 erate. This gave me the first impression of th.3 probable existence of the coal 
 measures in those districts of country, and there was a brief notice of the subject 
 in the short report to the Session of 1853. On the 15th page of that report, on 
 the Geology of the Sierra Nevada, the following remarks were made : 
 
 " These conglomerates have but little interest connected with them further than 
 geological position is concerned, except the modifying influence they may exert 
 through their debris on the formation of the valley sections ; but there is a belt of 
 these rocks in other parts of the country which will be entitled to much more par 
 ticular consideration. In addition to the buhr stone of this district, this section of 
 the State contains some few traces of the secondary rocks, a suite almost entirely 
 wanting with this exception in other parts of the State so far as explored. The 
 existence of any portion of this suite should command our attention, and any 
 measure which would be likely to develop this formation, or any part it within the 
 limits of this State should meet with public approbation. The importance attached 
 to this group is the fact that 10 this suite we must look for a home supply of the 
 mineral coals, if even found within the State." 
 
 And on the 16th page of the same report we read as follows : 
 
 " As these rocks have exhibited themselves in the northern districts, and in those 
 sections most immediately connected with the coast-line of mountains, it is to be 
 hoped that judicious explorations in that range may develop its existence (the exis 
 tence of coal,) either at the points alluded to, or in other and more distant parts of 
 that chain. 
 
 From the structure of the country generally it is doubtful whether any other portion 
 of the State presents the slighest ground for hope that this necessary material of econo 
 my will be iound in other parts than those indicated, and every effort compatible 
 with prudence should be made that will tend to elicit information on this highly im 
 portant subject. The frequent discovery of small patches of mineral coal in those 
 mountains, would seem to lend aid to the suggestion that its development in this 
 chain may be looked for with more confidence than at any other point." 
 
 The foregoing remarks upon this subject penned in a hasty manner more than 
 two years since, (and the observations which gave rise to them being conducted in 
 a district of country where at that earlier period of our history the explorer found 
 his attention well occupied rather in the preservation of his life against the dangers 
 of the wilderness and its denizens, than in searching for geological formations,) have 
 during the past year been strongly confirmed. We have reason now to believe 
 in the correctness of our suggestions then thrown out, from the discovery of 
 fossils belonging to that period, and required as a basis for such conclu 
 sions. These fossils have been found at distances of miles from those points where 
 the first indications of the secondary series were thus hurriedly observed. It should 
 be remembered that it is no easy task to define positively the true position of a for 
 mation or group like a conglomerate from its mere lithological characters alone ; 
 and it receives its additional value, when it is found to hold a direct relation with 
 groups of a homogeneous character, presenting fossils of a known age, and known 
 position. 
 
 Such is the case with the fossils of the limestone rocks before us, their relative 
 position being well known, as well as the period to which they belong, that they 
 place the subject of the existence of a coal field in this part of the State, or 
 Southern Oregon, in a more tangible form than any which has been before pre 
 sented. We are able therefore to arrive at something like a satisfactory con- 
 
52 
 
 elusion, not only as to its existence, but approximately as to its probablejlocality. 
 The fossils before alluded to, are always found below the coal beds, and in no in 
 stance above them. Their depth below the coals is generally within three hundred 
 feet. These facts will lead us to look for some other locality more elevated^ 
 and on the line of trend to the north in which these rocks may be found with 
 their appropriate superincumbent strata, in which we may naturally expect will 
 be found the proposed beds of mineral coal. The dip of the rocks to the. east 
 at an angle of about 20 degrees, and the elevation of the lands lying in that di 
 rection with their outline, would warrant extensive explorations in those quar 
 ters with strong grounds for the belief that success would attend the search ; 
 while to the north the beds should be sought for among the higher hills and low 
 mountains east of Shasta Butte, or perhaps as far north as the Siskiyou Range, 
 beyond the Klamath River. 
 
 I feel but little hesitancy in saying that a great degree of certainty exists, of 
 the mineral coals being found in the counties of Shasta and Siskiyou, but in the 
 former more particularly. I cannot with respect to the latter named county, 
 speak with the same amount of confidence, as my examination did not extend 
 sufficiently far north to determine with any degree of certainty the probable ex 
 tent and position which these rocks maintain through the middle and northern 
 parts of that county. JVly remarks in relation thereto are based on the fact of 
 an extensive bed of limestone, similar in character to that under consideration, 
 existing on a tributary of the Klamath River, a short distance to the west of 
 what is known as Bridge Creek, a specimen of which was in my possession three 
 years since, but was destroyed in the great fire at Sacramento. This specimen, 
 I believe, contained no fossils, so far as my recollections serves me at the present 
 time. 
 
 Should no coals be found adjacent to any part of this group, there are other 
 circumstances connected with it, which render it of considerable economic value. 
 The depth and solidity of the strata composing the great mass of the hills, and 
 the firm character of the stone, will render it desirable for building purposes, to 
 which it is well adapted, both in quality and quantity. It would make a more 
 durable material by far, for those purposes, than a great portion of the stones at 
 present used, either on public or private works about this country. Indeed 
 there is none to be found so good, except, perhaps, the better qualities of granite, 
 such as is found in the eastern parts of the county of Sacramento. The facil 
 ities of transportation, too, are very good, as this rock is found within six or eight 
 miles of the navigable waters of the Sacramento River, at its higher stages, and 
 which, with light draught boats, could be made available for four months of the 
 year, and probably for a longer season. 
 
 The lower beds of these rocks are composed of corals, and the stems of en- 
 crinites, distributed through a very dark base, and traversed with veins of white 
 spar. It receives a high polish and is obtainable in slabs of almost any dimen 
 sions and thickness. It will be found a most superb article for ornamental house 
 work and for furniture. There are sufficient quantities and variety of qualities 
 of this stone to answer the entire demand of this State for many years to come, 
 and capable of affording an extensive and lucrative business to persons engaged 
 in this department of industry. The value of ordinary marble in this State, is 
 about $2 50 per cubic foot, and the demand constantly increasing. For the finer 
 varieties, the prices are much higher, and rule as high as $8 25 and $4 00 per 
 cubic foot. I have obtained the opinion of practical stone artificers on the fine 
 dark varieties of these rocks, and they unqualifiedly pronounce it but little in 
 ferior in quality to the Italian stone known as the " .Black and gold" marble. 
 The stone of the Sacramento does not possess the rich yellow veins, which dis 
 tinguish the above-mentioned article, but in all other characteristics it closely 
 resembles it. 
 
53 
 
 The situation of these rocks is such that water power may be used almost 
 directly upon the ground from which they are extracted, from the current of a 
 small stream, the tributary of a creek which flows directly to the east of one of 
 the main ledges, and carries water throughout the year. With these advanta 
 ges, and the character of the rocks combined, it is to be hoped that attention 
 may be turned to this department of trade, and thus add another to the list of 
 our available resources. 
 
 TRINITY COUNTY. 
 
 The southern and south-eastern line of this county is separated from that of 
 Shasta by the high ridge known familiarly as the Trinity Mountains. These at- 
 tain an elevation of about 4000 feet, at the points at which the trail crosses this 
 ridge. There are but few points along the line of travel that exceed this height; 
 it may therefore be considered very nearly the general mean altitude of this 
 range, or rather spur of the coast mountains. The rocks composing this ridge, 
 are granite and sienite, deeply underlaid by the greenstone trap which descends 
 to the beds of the streams, and forms the principal led rock of the placers of 
 this section. On the flanks and near the base of the ridge, there are frequently 
 to be met with, isolated masses of the metamorphic rocks, the chief of which 
 are slates. These rocks often present a porphyritic structure, especially when found 
 in contact with the trapean rocks, or with quartz. 
 
 I do not remember one instance in which the sedimentary rocks were found 
 in an altered condition, when in contact either with the granite, the sienite, or 
 any other member of that cotemporaneous group alone. I therefore infer that 
 they were deposited upon the latter subsequently to their consolidation, and any 
 changes which they may have undergone since their deposition and uplift, are 
 occasioned by the intrusions of more recent igneous rocks, which have alike dis 
 turbed the slates, and the primary rocks on which they rest. In using the word 
 primary in this case, it is applicable to the granitic series, including the serpen 
 tines, and is intended to separate the series of this part of the State, from rocks 
 of identical constitution in other localities, which are beyond question, not older 
 than some of the lower members of the tertiary era. These latter rocks were 
 merely alluded to in my first report to the Legislature, and will be found thus 
 noticed on the 12th and 13th pages of that report. 
 
 The deposits of placer gold found in these districts lie superior in position to 
 the metamorphic series, and also superior to most of the slates. It is usually 
 found imbedded in the gravel drift, which is composed for the most part, of 
 rolled masses of the primitive group, almost unmixed with any other of the ad 
 jacent rocks. The entire district west of this range exhibits the marks of old 
 water lines, from which the waters have since receded, the outlet being probably 
 through the Klamath to the ocean. The waters were apparently fresh, and the 
 drift beds and clays which formed the bottom are charged with large quantities 
 of vegetable remains ; but as yet no relics of animals have been found. 
 
 The small amount of deposits found among the drift, and belonging to the 
 more recent rocks leads naturally to the inference that the gold deposits of these 
 basins were derived mostly from the primary suites, and such was subsequently 
 found to be the fact on examining the geological relations of the rocks found 
 among the mountains. This characteristic was prevalent as far as the crossing 
 of the Scott River mountains, and westerly for a distance of not less than 40 
 miles. In this place we shall resume the consideration of the quartz veins and 
 
54 
 
 their relations to the other rocks, which will more fully illustrate the character 
 of this portion of the State. 
 
 The examination of these rocks was continued from Lewis's Bridge on the 
 Trinity, in a northeasterly direction to the base of what is known as Brown's 
 Mountain, a ridge which forms the eastern border of the Weaverville basin. 
 On this ridge there are no vestiges of any other than the primitive series, and 
 trapeau rocks, comporting in character with those spoken of on the Trinity 
 ridge. On the western declivity and a little more than half way down to the 
 level of the basin, the veins were found to be situated in talcose slates, which 
 extend in a broad band from this point to the bottom of the hill ; as usual, the 
 vegetation within the line of its range become much more sparsely distributed 
 than upon either of its flanks where the trap rocks and granites were found to 
 predominate. Following this line for several miles, these talcose rocks were 
 found to be part of an extensive range which composes the major portion of the 
 four prominent peaks situated north of the town of Weaver, which are designa 
 ted as the Weaver Mountains, and which may be known by their peculiarly bar 
 ren aspect, when approaching this town from any point of the compass. This 
 belt extends entirely across the basin, and has been struck, at various points, in 
 sinking shafts and driving tunnels for placer mining. 
 
 Taking a westerly direction along the base of the ridge, and following that 
 line for four or five miles, I observed three dikes of quartz cutting the granite, 
 and one near a small branch which empties into Weaver Creek, which entered 
 the greenstone below the granite. In company with some three or four of the 
 citizens of Weaver, a visit was made to the high ridge west of the west branch 
 of the main creek. In the distance of two miles in reaching the summit of this 
 hill, we crossed as many as five distinct parallel lodes, three of which I subse 
 quently found to contain gold. On the following day, an examination of the 
 southern end of this ridge was made, and a heavy dike of this rock was found 
 occupying the summit, and cropping out at various points on the declivity towards 
 the river. I think that this dike is identical with one which is found on the 
 south-east flank of Brown's Ridge, and it unquestionably cuts entirely through 
 that mountain. 
 
 In all the veins which passed under my observation during my rambles in this 
 section of the State, not one was found to enter any of the rocks of sedimentary 
 origin, but were confined exclusively to the primitive group. On the Tririty River 
 and between that and the Scott, the same features were prevalent in this particular 
 with one exception, which was found at the distance of about two miles from 
 Palmer's Ferry ; here the Argillite slates on the left of the trail were cut through 
 by a single small vein which was traceable for a distance of nearly one mile, and 
 like several veins in the more southern counties of the State ; this lode had a strike 
 nearly due east and west, nearly at right angles to what are known here as the 
 primitive lodes. This is an interesting fact in this county, and serves to show a 
 regularity in those perturbations to which this part of the continent has been sub 
 jected at different periods. Under the article of Mines I shall have occasion to 
 allude to this subject, in connection with the comparative value of the metalliferous 
 character of these lodes, so far as they have been examined and are at present 
 understood in this State. 
 
 From the allusions made to the primitive veins in my report of last year, some 
 idea of their intrinsic value may be gleaned with reference to the prospects which 
 they present for mining operations. 
 
 Finding so great a preponderance of lodes of this character in this district of 
 country, 1 took occasion to collect and examine a consideiable number of these 
 rocks from different veins, and situated miles apart. These collections were 
 from the counties of Shasta, Trinity and the eastern part of Klamath, the 
 aggregate number of which was forty-three, and of this number fourteen were 
 
55 
 
 from the Weaver Basin and its surrounding ridges, of which nine specimens, or 
 about three-fifths contained gold; of the remaining twenty-nine specimens twenty- 
 two were found to contain the same metal. As but one of this entire number 
 of veins was found to be located for mining purposes, within my knowledge, I 
 hope that I may not incur the charge of giving a favorable report on private 
 property for pecuniary considerations, for to be frank in this matter, I found a 
 less quantity in the vein which was claimed than in any specimen which proved 
 to be auriferous. 
 
 The above facts respecting the auriferous character of the quartz veins of the 
 northern section of this State are detailed for the' purpose of calling attention 
 to that important source of wealth, which in other parts of the State has proved 
 of so high a value, and which thus far in the extreme northern portion of the 
 County have been engaged in to so limited an extent. One of the greatest causes, 
 however, which have acted in preventing capital investment in this b/anch of 
 mining, is the hitherto almost inaccessible condition of this section from bad 
 roads, preventing the transit of heavy machinery which is so necessary to success 
 in the reduction of ores. This difficulty at present seems likely to be overcome, 
 for active measures are now being taken for the construction of good avenues 
 of communication, which will insure the means of the transportation of heavy 
 freights to almost any portion of the northern interior. 
 
 IRIDIUM AND OSMIUM. 
 
 This County, like many others of the State, produces the above metals, but 
 in much larger grains than any heretofore discovered. This alloy is the metal 
 usually denominated Platinum in the mines of this State. It is found in 
 the greatest abundance on the south fork of the Trinity River, occurring in 
 large and small rounded grains, and nuggets weighing from one pennyweight 
 upwards to half an ounce. Thus far the south branch has been most pro 
 ductive in this mineral, although some of the adjacent streams contain notable 
 quantities. The size of the grains from this stream will render it of some com 
 mercial importance, as it appears well adapted to those uses to which it is ordi 
 narily applied, (that of forming the points of gold pens) although its price, like 
 that of every other commercial commodity, will be variable according to the 
 supply or demand. During the past year the price of this article has exceeded 
 that of gold; but a considerable quantity being thrown into the market in the 
 early part of last spring, its price diminished very materially; the effect, how 
 ever, was but of short duration, as the article was found to be of an inferior 
 quality. 
 
 It was thought at one period that the large quantities of this metal found at 
 Port Orford, Coose Bay and Cape Blanco might affect the price of the article 
 to an extent that would render its collection in this State of little importance; 
 but the size of the grains from the above localities renders it almost valueless, 
 being but mere thin scales in an extremely fine state of comminution. Che 
 large size of the grains found on the banks of the Trinity, imparts to this article 
 one of its principal values, and as it is found in considerable quantities upon that 
 stream, it is to be hoped that attention may be directed to its collection. 
 
56 
 
 IRON. 
 
 A short dislance to the north of the town of Weaverville are small veins of 
 magnetic iron ore. It is seldom found in veins exceeding one or two inches in 
 thickness; but from its position and other attendant characters, it is fairly pre 
 sumable that this will prove an extensive bed of this ore. Our reason for this 
 supposition is based on the fact, that what appears to be its equivalent, was 
 found on the opposite side of the basin, on the south bank of Brown's Creek, 
 and at the distance of four miles from the point at which it was first discovered. 
 The distribution of the metals in this and other Counties that were visited 
 during the past year, will be noticed more in detail when making out the tables 
 illustrative of that portion of our subject. 
 
 STRUCTURE OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY. 
 
 A farther examination of this valley during the past year has placed us in 
 possession of additional information in relation to the peculiarities of its struc 
 ture, and as this part of the State promises in a few years hence to become the 
 theatre of extensive operations in agriculture, it becomes an interesting and 
 important point to ascertain what may be the probabilities of obtaining a supply 
 of water to conduct those pursuits successfully on so large a scale. The portion 
 of the plains of this valley to which I would call your attention in this particu 
 lar, is that which lies to the north of the County of Sutter, and the extreme 
 lines of the valley section towards the Pitt River, which stream may be consid 
 ered as constituting the northern terminus of those plains. 
 
 It is found that this plain carries an ascending grade of about four and one- 
 half feet per mile from a point opposite to to the town of Marysville to the 
 entrance of the canon leading from the plains to the town of Shasta, the air 
 line distance inclusive, being that one hundred and five miles, giving us as the 
 altitude at the entrance to the canon, a rise of five hundred and twenty feet 
 above the line at which the observations were commenced, and five hundred and 
 ninety-six feet above tide level. 
 
 In this part of the Sacramento Yalley there are ten streams flowing, which 
 carry water throughout the year in the hilly districts forming its boundaries; 
 but the greater portion of the waters flowing at these higher points are lost 
 upon the surface almost as soon as their streams reach the alluvial covering of 
 the plains beyond the lower hills, with the exception of the freshet season. 
 The larger streams, the Sacramento and Feather Rivers, furnish the principal 
 channel for the escape of those waters, which, rising to the east of the slate 
 and conglomerate ridges, discharge themselves into the ocean. 
 
 In order to form an approximate idea of the probable amount of waters 
 which pass beneath the alluvial coverings of the plains, it may be stated with 
 safety that it exceeds the quantity flowing in the Feather River, below the con 
 fluence of the Yuba. This estimate is founded on the known fact that the trib 
 utaries which furnish the waters flowing in the Sacramento, during the summer 
 months, are neither as numerous nor as large as the streams which sink before 
 uniting their waters with that stream during the same period, and which are 
 also direct tributaries to the upper portion of that river during the rainy 
 season. 
 
57 
 
 Much of the water which flows in the Sacramento as it approaches the Bay 
 of Suisan is derived from drainage through and between the superficial strata of 
 the plains, or from the small subterranean courses which flow out over the mid 
 dle clay beds, which form the substratum of the sandy and gravelly clays above. 
 One of the best proofs which is presented, of the existence of these latent cur 
 rents along the plains from the Tipper Sacramento, as far down as Yolo County 
 on the south, is found in the fact that there is derived a constant supply to the 
 large lagoons of the plains, which we can trace to no other source, thus driving us 
 to the conclusion which the known formations of the valley corroborate. Another 
 fact is worthy of attention in connection with this subject, which is that these 
 lagoons have outlets which distribute their waters over the tule grounds, where 
 they maintain quite uniform stages during the summer months, which is traceable \ 
 to no other known and visible system of supply, and compels us again to the belief l 
 that the subterranean courses of the lost mountain streams must furnish its 
 elements. If the lagoons were filled merely by the overflow of the plain during 
 the rainy season, they would not maintain their uniform height throughout the 
 dry season as they now do, and they would furthermore necessarily exhibit all 
 the features of mere standing pools of stagnant water, no signs of which is now 
 to be seen about any of these bodies of clear water west of the Sacramento. 
 It has been asserted, though I have no personal knowledge of such a fact, that 
 a light current is at times perceptible to the south, in some of the larger lakes. 
 
 The water in many of these lakes is of considerable depth, perfectly clear, and 
 much colder than the waters in the rivers, their dimensions varying from eight 
 to twelve miles in length, and three to five miles in breadth. The existence of 
 these bodies of water and their number, temperature, and their uniform depth 
 and volume teach us plainly that the source of their supply must be traced to 
 some other cause than that of the mere periodical overflow of the surrounding 
 lands. If this be admitted, we must look for that supply to the more elevated 
 borders of the valley on the east and west, or at their northern extremities. 
 A sufficient supply of water is not to be found on any part of the west border 
 of the plains, to produce these lagoons until after we pass the Cottonwood and 
 Clear Creeks to the north, and we cannot, therefore, look to that direction 
 alone; but we find the apparent source of an ample supply in the numerous 
 streams that sink upon the upper and eastern sides of the valley which, as 
 before stated, hide the greater portion of their contents before reaching the 
 main channels through which they conduct their discharge in the rainy season. 
 An additional evidence that the waters of these streams pass beneath the sur 
 face, and in a certain degree are superficial, is a fact that heavy forest growths 
 frequent different levels, and in their distribution are found at distances of miles 
 from any currents of water which would be at all adequate to the support 
 of such forests, by imparting to the soil in which they grow the necessary 
 moisture for their nutriment. 
 
 The structure of the plains below the surface, has been inferred from an exami 
 nation of the changes which take place in the soils which are met with in traveling 
 from the higher terraces of the northern end to those of the more southerly levels, 
 which latter are but a few feet above tide water, and in the position of the clay 
 beds which are found lying upon the first outcrop of the slates which are found in 
 the lower foot-hills before entering the more elevated mountain districts. A verti 
 cal section of the country spoken of, would give a depth of about four hundred feet 
 as the superficial covering of the valley where it is exposed to view. The various 
 depths of the principal groups of this part of the State will be found in the table in 
 the following pages, and the respective positions from the surface, as demonstrated 
 by the boring of the Stockton well, which has perforated them to the above noted 
 depth of four hundred feet. The thickness of the lower clay bed is, of course, 
 
 8 
 
58 
 
 unknown, and there is as yet no method of reasoning upon its probable depth from 
 any data in our possession which would amount to more than mere speculation. 
 There is no evidence respecting it beyond twenty or thirty feet, which is all that 
 has thus far been known. 
 
 This deposit has all the appearance of having been originally covered by the 
 waters of the ocean, as small fragments of what appear to be marine shells have 
 been met with at different points, though none of them in a state of sufficient pres 
 ervation to enable us to determine either the genera or species to which they belong. 
 Should this prove to be the equivalent of the Santa Clara deposit, its average 
 thickness might be put down at about one hundred feet, or if like the Los Angeles 
 bed, then the boring of four hundred and thirty-five feet has not yet penetrated 
 through it. There are reasons for the supposition that this blue clay is not less 
 than that of the valley of Santa Clara, and the likelihood of its being much thicker 
 is admissible. We think two hundred feet might be set down as a reasonable sup 
 position respecting its depth, which, should it prove correct, will present the proba 
 bilities of obtaining water from beneath it, at a distance of fifteen miles from Sac 
 ramento City, about at the same depth at which we estimated it last year, the 
 difference between the estimate of last year and the present, being only forty-five 
 feet, and both estimates being made without any reference to each other. In the 
 northern part of the valley, the heavy deposit of clay which has been mentioned as 
 resting on the slates, so far as opportunity offered for examining it, seemed but little 
 disturbed, and from its general appearance, I was subsequently led to the belief 
 that it was the same as that found on the surface of the lower bottoms further south. 
 But I am unable to speak with much certainty upon that point, as no organic 
 remains were observed by which its identity could be satisfactorily proved. The 
 presumption upon this subject, that it is identical, is based on the very tenacious 
 character which it possessed, and its peculiarity of color, two features noticeable 
 only in these lower beds on the southern levels of the plain. 
 
 Should this bed ultimately prove to be identical with those forming the surface 
 of the lower bottoms, for which result we have good grounds of supposition, then its 
 thickness as indicated by its outcrop in the upper part of the valley cannot be less 
 than we have herein estimated it, and would fix the bottom of that deposit at the 
 depth of a little more than seven hundred feet. Short of this water will not proba 
 bly be found in that of the country in any permanent supply. 
 
 The depth of seven hundred feet for an artesian well is not excessive, and may 
 be esteemed even small, when we consider to what depths this description of wells 
 have been carried in other parts of the United States and Europe. A failure to 
 obtain water at this depth should not discourage the enterprise, for the structure of 
 this basin, in every part of it, is such as to warrant a certainty of obtaining water 
 beneath its surface if the operation of boring is carried to the extent which the 
 geological conformation of the ground requires. The case of the artesian well in 
 North Carolina which has been completed within the past year, furnishes a good 
 illustration of the depth to which it may, at times, be necessary to descend to obtain 
 a permanent supply of water. This well has been completed at a depth of 2700 
 feet, and a copious supply obtained. This fact alone should be an incentive to perse 
 verance in the prosecution of such enterprises beyond any depth to which they 
 have yet reached in our State. 
 
 A great uniformity appears "in the disposition of the earthy deposits forming the 
 superstructure of the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, above the rocks at their 
 base. The interesting suite of specimens from the artesian boring at Stockton, 
 sent by Mr. George E. Drew to the Academy of Natural Science at San Francisco, 
 with an accompanying paper giving the depth of each of the beds, and their respect 
 ive distances below the surface, assists us much, with other collateral evidences in 
 forming an opinion of the relative positions of the bedg below and those above the 
 
59 
 
 surface, and which are equivalent, the one with the other. The following table 
 will exhibit the relations of these beds, though nearly two hundred miles apart. 
 
 With the exception of the upper gravel beds, which occur in the higher terraces 
 of the northern part of the Sacramento Valley, the beds below the surface on the 
 San Joaquin will be found to correspond in their general features very closely with 
 the deposits which are traceable above the surface, from the City of Sacramento to 
 the south banks of the Pitt River. 
 
 The figures give the maximum depths at which each of the deposits were met 
 with in both sections of the State, and the diagrams exhibiting the transverse and 
 longitudinal sections of the plains, show the relative positions of the respective beds 
 as far as known at the present time. 
 
 TABLE SHOWING THE POSITION OF THE EARTHY DEPOSITS OF THE PLAINS OF THE 
 SAN JOAQUIN AND SACRAMENTO ABOVE AND BELOW THE SURFACE. 
 
 Beds of the San Joaquin below the surface. 
 
 Light dark red clays and sand, 40 
 
 Grey sand and clay, - - - - - 170 
 
 Blue clay, gravel and sand above, -. - "237 
 
 Light grey sand, - - - 265 
 
 Fine clear gravel, - - - 346 
 
 Blue clay, - - 400 
 
 Total, 400 
 
 eds of the Savramento above the surface. 
 
 Alluvium, lava, light red clays, 52 
 
 Upper gravel beds, - 66 
 
 Light sandy clay, - 160 
 
 Sand, gravel, blue clay below, - - 225 
 
 Light greyish sands, - 276 
 
 Fine gravel, sand and blue clay, - 338 
 
 Blue clay, - - 358 
 
 Total, 358 
 
 The above table exhibits a strong coincidence in the coverings of the valleys 
 at nearly two extremes of the State, and the observations leading to the above 
 results being entirely unconnected with each other, there certainly exists good 
 reason for the belief that the earthy coverings above the stratified rocks will 
 maintain a great degree of uniformity over the entire basin. 
 
 The depth of the Stockton well is not so great as the boring at Los Angeles, 
 the latter being 465 feet below the surface point of starting, 432 feet of which 
 has been carried through the blue clay entirely. This clay has increased in den 
 sity and hardness as they descend, and contains embedded boulders of other 
 rocks. 
 
 For the above information I am indebted to Messrs. Butts & Wheeler, of Los 
 Angeles, in a letter describing the progress of the well after I left that part of 
 the State, during the month of October. The Santa Clara wells produce their 
 supply of water from a bed of fiue gray sand, which lies immediately beneath 
 the heavy clay bed, which varies from 75 feet to about 100 feet in thickness. 
 
60 
 
 On the plains of the Sacramento there are some additional aqueous deposits 
 which have not made their appearance in the line of the Stockton well, but they 
 may have arisen from changes in the respective levels of water courses, such as 
 have been known to have taken place within comparatively short periods, an 
 illustration of which is to be found in two instances with respect to the bed of 
 the Sacramento River. The old bed of that stream, about nine miles south of 
 Shasta City, may be easily traced at a distance of four to eight miles from the 
 present course of the River, at a level of about three feet above medium stag< s 
 of water, and running nearly at right angles to the line on which the River now 
 runs. 
 
 The differences caused by these additional beds, however, are very trifling. 
 Their aggregate would only amount to about 34 feet in a line of distance of 
 290 miles, and would not, therefore, affect any general result in relation to those 
 wells. 
 
 The annexed diagram, exhibiting a longitudinal and transverse section of the 
 plains of the Sacramento and San Joaquin, will exhibit more plainly than lan 
 guage can convey, an idea of the structure of these plains so far as known at 
 the present time. 
 
 The diagram No. 1 shows a section carried through the major axis of the 
 valley, comprising an air-line distance of 160 miles, or from the upper terrace 
 at the northern extremity of the valley, south to a point opposite to the City of 
 Sacramento in the County of Yolo. The lower clay bed is indicated at the 
 different points at which it was noticed, which will be seen, by reference to the 
 sketch, in the arroya south of Tehama; and again on the banks of the lake on 
 the western side of the Sacramento River. This is probably the same bed 
 which is found resting upon the slates some twenty-five miles north of the limits 
 represented in the sketch. By reference to the letter of Mr. Drew, respecting 
 the Stockton well, which we have exhibited in a tabular form, a close similarity 
 of the beds of the two districts will be observed, and if the waters which sink 
 beneath the surface in the more elevated districts of these plains, pass beneath 
 this bed, (and from the evidences before us, such seems to be the fact), it will 
 be necessary, as a consequence, to penetrate it in order to obtain any consider 
 able supply of water. I entertain but little doubt that the foregoing remarks 
 afford a correct idea of the true position of matters below the surface of the 
 plains, and we are warranted in these conclusions from an examination of the 
 outcropping materials on the flanks of the valley for miles in extent. The out 
 crops of the slates, sandstone and clays, on the west sides of the plains, are the 
 equivalents of those which we may expect to find beneath the surface of the 
 valley, and from the positions of the sedimentary rocks on the eastern borders, 
 we are not warranted in any other conclusion than that waters are flowing in 
 subterranean streams on the more impervious materials comprising the basis oi 
 these plains. 
 
 From the observations which I have been able to make during the past season 
 upon these districts of the State, there have been no new facts elicited which 
 would induce any modification of the opinion entertained and expressed in my 
 former report, respecting the probable depths which it will be necessary to reach 
 in order to obtain water from artesian wells. If there exists any reason for a 
 change of those opinions, it rather tends to the increase of the depth which may 
 be required. I still feel confident that the former conclusions will be found cor 
 rect, and the figures true as to the point at which perennial springs will be 
 reached. All the evidences I can command only tend to strengthen this confi 
 dence. Still it should be recollected that it is beyond the power of man to 
 demonstrate, with absolute certainty, the depth of the stratified rocks which form 
 these plains, without actual penetration through them, and the feasibility of an 
 
61 
 
 operation of this kind is demonstrable only so far as may be legitimately inferred 
 from the natural position of the substratum as presented in their outcrop upon 
 the borders of such plains. We should have in view, at the same time, the 
 probable effect of those disruptive agencies which have elevated the edges on 
 either hand, and the law which governs those effects, when exerted over long 
 distances. In this country, as in every other which is similarly situated, the 
 smallest amount of inclination will be produced on originally horizontal strata 
 at the greatest distance from the immediate center of disturbance. On this 
 rule was founded the position assumed in my former report, in relation to this 
 subject, which is here referred to, together with a transverse section of the val 
 ley, in order the more fully to illustrate this portion of the present report. 
 
 The superficial structure of the plain is now known to a depth of 400 feet 
 below the service, and if it be admitted that the rocks beneath the surface at 
 the center are in their proper position, which will be found to be the case, tak 
 ing the preceding rule as the basis of our calculations, we may thus be enabled 
 to make an approximation of the depth to the surface of the underlying rocks, 
 the superior of which is probably sandstone imposed upon a firm conglomerate 
 beneath them. 
 
 It was stated in the report of last year, that a permanent supply of water 
 would not, in all probability, be obtained before the sandstone had been perfor 
 ated, unless, perchance, an arenaceous deposit should exist below the heavy upper 
 clay beds, and this underlaid by a deposit of plastic clays or argillaceous slates ; 
 in that case the depth of water would fall within 800 feet. 
 
 I am not aware of any facts which would modify that opinion, and it is far 
 better for us to have the probable maximum before us rather than the minim am 
 of depth required, for, should we base our estimates of cost upon the latter, 
 there are strong probabilities that failure in obtaining water from these sources 
 would be the result even though a comparatively small depth might intervene 
 between the point of suspension and the point at which water might be found. 
 
 An examination of the diagram exhibiting the transverse section of the basin 
 will develope the fact that the Stockton well is in all probability but little more 
 than half way down to the position assigned to the upper beds of sandstone, 
 and it is quite certain that if water is not obtained before reaching those rocks, 
 that it will be necessary to penetrate through their beds and obtain the supply 
 on the surface of the conglomerate. The only prospects of a permanent supply 
 of water being obtained at any depth less than twelve hundred feet, are the 
 probabilities which may exist of a deposit of sand being found immediately 
 below the beds which are now being bored, and this resting on an impervious 
 deposit as above mentioned. 
 
 The following table of estimated depths under such a contingency as last pro 
 posed is given in order to direct attention to all of the favorable constructions 
 which may be adduced upon this interesting subject, and hoping that citizens 
 interested in it may be properly encouraged to persevere to the attainment of 
 successful practical results. The depths' in this table are estimated for a supply 
 of water above the sandstone, and at given distances east and west of the City 
 of Sacramento, and will be equally applicable to other localities upon these 
 plains, so far as they maintain nearly the same level above tide water. 
 
TABLE SHOWING THE PROBABLE DEPTH OF A PERMANENT SUPPLY OF WATER ABOVE THE 
 
 SANDSTONE. 
 
 FEET. 
 
 At Sacramento City, - - *^ - 775 
 
 Twelve miles east of Sacramento City, 700 
 
 Seventeen " " - 660 
 
 Twenty " " - 625 
 
 West of Sacramento, (at Washington), - - 775 
 
 Eleven miles west of Sacramento, - - 700 
 
 Fifteen " " t - . . 650 
 
 Twenty-two " 550 
 
 To this table may be added 380 feet, should it become necessary to descend 
 through the sandstones and upper beds of slates, which we have arranged as 
 belonging to the superior beds which form the basis of the Valley. 
 
 It would be impossible to estimate the increased value of the lands lying upon 
 these extensive plains when the fact has once been demonstrated that water can 
 be obtained from these sources; at the same time it must be seen that individ 
 ual enterprise alone will not be equal to the task of penetrating such depths, in 
 consequence of the heavy expense which must be incurred in the undertaking. 
 Few individuals are possessed of a landed estate of sufficient extent and value 
 to warrant their embarking in such an expensive and costly operation. The 
 State has, perhaps, a much greater interest in this matter than any other land 
 holder, from her large landed possessions on these plains, and we here suggest 
 the wisdom of the policy on her part, which shall take the initiative, if it were 
 only to carry one shaft to the required depth at which water can be obtained. 
 Not only would one success of this kind greatly enhance the value of her own 
 lands, but it would also prove a strong incentive to combinations of individuals 
 for the attainment of similar objects respecting private property. It is evident 
 ly the fear of failure which now deters many from undertaking the enterprise, 
 consequently each district is now waiting for some neighboring section to enter 
 the field, the effect of which is to retard the settlement and cultivation of the 
 country, and affect materially the general prosperity. The effect of partial fail 
 ures in obtaining water at small depths, and with limited means, will be that 
 these operations will be esteemed unavailable, and it therefore becomes a matter 
 of both public and private pecuniary interest to determine at what depth it will 
 be necessary to descend, in order that a permanent supply may be obtained. 
 After the solution of this matter by fair practical experiment, it would be found 
 that all individual and corporate enterprises would be governed by its results. 
 
 I have conversed with two intelligent gentlemen who have been large contractors 
 in well boring, in the Atlantic States, and they have given it as their opinion, that 
 an eight inch bore cannot be carried to the depth or twelve hundred feet in Cali 
 fornia for any sum less than $14,000. This fact alone would be sufficient to deter 
 almost any individual from an attempt to sink a well of this character, unless there 
 should be a probability almost strong enough to approach a reasonable certainty 
 that success would crown the enterprize. The sinking of one well to the requisite 
 depth, would have the effect of imparting confidence in the undertaking, which no 
 other circumstances can ever inspire. If this were done by the State, the exten 
 sive area of lands lying upon the valleys, and belonging to her, which under present 
 circumstances must be sold at vey low rates from their desiccated character, would 
 rise in intrinsic and market value sufficiently to more than repay the State for the 
 expense of their reclamation. 
 
 The immediate occupancy and improvement of the broad plains of California 
 
63 
 
 would follow fast upon the steps of any system of irrigation which would successful 
 ly redeem their lands from that arid condition which for half the year gives them 
 more the character of deserts than of habitable countries. Such a process of im 
 provement would thus lead the State to new sources of revenue, not only in the 
 enhanced value of her own lands, but also in the greatly increased value and amount 
 of the improved lands of individual property taxable for governmental purposes. 
 
 There is no part of the country more inviting in point of fertility of soil and sa 
 lubrity of climate than these valleys, and none which would be more tempting to 
 the ambition of the agriculturist, if the additional feature of a plentiful supply of 
 good water could crown the advantages which these lands possess, being in their 
 central position between the markets of the mining towns on the one hand, and 
 the cities of the seaboard on the other. 
 
 It is to be hoped that general attention may be turned to this subject, and that it 
 will meet with such deliberation too on the part of the State Government as its im 
 portance would suggest. The higher portions of these plains, where nature has 
 supplied them with moisture, are found to be abundantly productive, both for pas 
 turage and the culture of grains, and if this moisture could by any means be secured 
 throughout the summer season in the now arid portions, there would be no obstacle 
 to the settlement through the valleys of an active and prosperous agricultural pop 
 ulation. 
 
 TERTIARY ROCKS AND OTHER DEPOSITS OF THE SIERRA 
 
 NEVADA. 
 
 We shall now pass to the notice of the rocks belonging to the tertiary periods, 
 \\hich are found in the Sierra Nevada, and which extend from the middle sections 
 of these mountains to the east of the foot-hills and under the eastern borders of the 
 valleys of the Sacramento and San Joaquin. They consist of sandstone, slates, 
 conglomerates, and heavy beds of gravel drift, alternating with sands and clays of 
 the latter group, many are found in an indurated state, at times possessing a stony 
 hardness, and at others the same bed is frequently found loose and incoherent. 
 
 On examining the rocks of this district of the State in the month of June last, 
 it was found that the tertiaries were resting upon the granites direct, and that the 
 granite had been uncovered by placer mining to a much more westerly extent than 
 had previously been assigned to their positions. These operations placed us in 
 possession of the facts, that they formed the base of the table lands near Willow 
 Springs, and within 22 miles of the City of Sacramento. The aqueous deposits 
 which are found resting upon the granites, exhibit themselves as out-liers, forming 
 the main body of the first range of plateaus above the plain, and are of the utmost 
 importance in determining the relative ages of contiguous rocks to the east. 
 
 West of Willow Springs, in the county of Sacramento, the slates and sandstones 
 crop out near the edge of the plains ; they soon become covered with the alluvial 
 drift, and are not met with again in travelling to the east until arriving at the first 
 range of hills beyond the above mentioned locality. Between the springs and 
 these hills, the only surface rock is the granite, forming the " bed rock " of 
 this section for several miles, and lying at an average depth of about twenty-five 
 feet below the surface. At the distance of eight miles (air line) east of the 
 Springs, these rocks disappear, and are replaced by beds of indurated gravel drift, 
 having large quantities of a coarse granitic sand commingled ; this latter article 
 being heavily charged with iron, which forms the cementing medium of these beds. 
 This drift-bed has been pierced to the depth of ninety -four feet with shifts sunk for 
 mining purposes. 
 
64 
 
 At'the depth of forty-three feet from the surface, a bed of marine shells was 
 found in fine gravel and sand, cemented by iron, giving the mass a considerable de 
 gree of firmness. Below the first fossil bed there were alternating beds of sand and 
 gravel, in which were imbedded the teeth of sharks and other portions of the skele 
 tons of fishes ; commingled with these were the remains of mollusca in large quan 
 tities, and of various species. From the specimens obtained, it appears very cer 
 tain that these beds were deposited upon the granitic rocks direct, as the fossil 
 specimens in the State collection will abundantly prove, for in these the fossil may 
 be seen adhering firmly to that rock. 
 
 Above this heavy bed of drift, and at the distance of half a mile to the south, 
 the conglomerates crop out and form the summit of a high table ridge, on exami 
 ning which, the marks of the old water line of the sea were distinctly engraved 
 upon its surface for a linear disiance of nearly three miles. These rocks extend 
 north and south from this point, forming the summits of a set of similar table 
 ridges, for a distance of 20 miles, beyond which they were not followed in this 
 State. 
 
 The altitude of these marine beds above the level of the sea is less than 800 
 feet, and in three localities they were found to range between 900 and 1000 
 feet. I consider these as corresponding with equivalent beds at the distance of 
 150 miles farther north. In this section of the State we have another illustra 
 tion of those periodical elevations which form so conspicuous a feature in almost 
 every district which has been visited, and which will prove a constant attendant 
 of the traveler wherever he may wend his way. 
 
 The most eastern limit at which these tertiaries have been met with, is upon a 
 line running north and south and cutting through Mormon Island on the south 
 branch of the American River. The fossils beds will be found in the immediate 
 vicinity of the following localities, viz : Texas Flat, Half Way House., Volca 
 no Ridge, and Mississippi Flats in the county of Placer. The conglomerates pn 
 these table ridges are the same as those which pass beneath the edge of the valley, 
 and it is in this section of the State, that the thickness of those rocks can be 
 ascertained with a precision, sufficiently accurate for any practical purpose. 
 
 By reference to my notes taken at the beds, I find the following to be the order 
 and thickness of the deposits as they occur at the different localities above named, 
 and which are known to reach the edge of the plains immediately to the west. This 
 table includes the rocks only, and such as are known ' to pass beneath the eastern 
 border of the valley, and may serve to direct those operations which were spoken 
 of in the preceding article. 
 
 THICKNESS OF THE SEDIMENTARY ROCKS IN THE SIERRA NEVADA. 
 
 East of the border of the Valley. 
 
 Argillaceous Slates, 
 
 Conglomerates, 
 
 Clay, sands and gravels, 
 
 Total, 
 
 At the border of the Valley. 
 
 FEET 
 
 Argillaceous Slates, 
 
 Conglomerates, 270 
 
 Sand, Clays, &c., 56 
 
 Total, '- - 456 
 
65 
 
 The fossil drift beneath the conglomerate east of the plain is not perceptible to 
 that extent which would guide us to any conclusion as to the depths to which it de 
 scends at the edge of the valley. Therefore no estimate is entered for this deposit 
 in this table. 
 
 The survey of the U. S. Kail Road Expedition, for 1854, has demonstrated that 
 the fossil deposits of this range of country, are continuous to the extreme southern 
 portion of the Tulare plains. The fossils of Pose Creek appear identical with 
 those of the counties of Placer and Sacramento, but I am unable to give their 
 differences in altitude if any exist, as the observations which would determine that 
 point, are not accessible at the present time. 
 
 Between the Tulare plains and the American River, there are some fou or five 
 other localities in which the tertiary deposits have been observed, and which con 
 tain imbedded fossils closely allied to those found in the localities specified ; and the 
 evidences thus furnished in relation to this subject are very conclusive in their char 
 acter, as pointing to that period when the Tertiary seas had their boundaries far to 
 the east of their present limits. A recession of the waters of the Pacific Ocean 
 has therefore taken place, to the distance of 140 miles, since the period at which 
 those fossils lived. A suite of these specimens for the State collection has been 
 secured, from this very interesting portion of the State, a list of which will be found 
 appended to this report. 
 
 We have now a more practical and economical view to take of this subject, so 
 far as relates to the positions of these beds, and as this will involve a pecuniary in 
 terest in which the mining community are directly concerned, I solicit their partic 
 ular attention, as well as that of the State authority, to the subject. 
 
 In order that a better understanding of the position of these rocks may be ob 
 tained, the following table showing their natural and relative positions is inserted. 
 It commences at a point due north of Beale's Bar and continues west to the ends 
 of the plains : 
 
 Beale's Bar, 
 Texas Flat, 
 Slates, 
 
 Conglomerate, 
 Fossil Beds, 
 
 Mfeet Shaft. 
 
 JLlder Springs, 
 
 Conglomerates, 
 
 Fossil Beds, 
 Granite. Granite. Granite. 
 
 Plains 
 
 From the above table it will be seen that the 94 feet shaft which was sunk on 
 whut is familiarly known as volcano ridge in the county of Placer did not reach 
 that point at which the drift deposit containing gold may be expected to occur. 
 This is proved by the fact that at Alder Springs, a short distance to the west, t'le 
 basis rock is granitic, and the auriferous deposit is found lying upon it, and belo 7 
 the conglomerates and fossil beds to the east. The same fact is noticeable at tw > 
 other mining localities to the south and west of Alder Springs, also in the flats som > 
 three miles to the north of Beale's Bar. There are then at least five diflerent posi 
 tions at which the fossil beds are known to lie above the auriferous drift, and ths 
 positions assigned to the beds under consideration in the table furnish the data on 
 which to found the conclusion. They occupy the terraced positions as occurring afc 
 the points designated, denudation having caused the outliers to the west of Aldar 
 Springs. Similar peculiarities are also noticeable in some of the lower minin 5 
 localities further to the south, where the workable placers are found to occupy alikj 
 position among the hills a few miles east of the plains. 
 
 The position of those beds as they are found to occur in the lower hills, and where 
 also the best opportunities are offered for their study, leads us to the conclusion thai 
 
66 
 
 during this portion of the tertiary era a submarine deposit of drift was formed and 
 that subsequently the superior conglomerates had their origin, and are now found 
 superimposed upon the deposits above named. Should this doctrine be finally 
 demonstrated by more extensive and well directed improvements in mining opera 
 tions, and the facts before us at the present moment most certainly favor the pre 
 sumption that it is probably correct, than a new and wider field for mining opera 
 tions is soon to open in this district of the State, and we may reasonably expect to 
 meet with deposits equally valuable beneath these rocks in other parts of the State, 
 on the same line of elevation, as those which have already been developed in the 
 counties of Placer and Sacramento. 
 
 In this State it is well known that numerous instances have occurred in the min 
 ing districts where the miners have passed through the sedimentary rocks, (slates,) 
 and found the deposits of gravel drift beneath, the same containing gold in fully 
 equal quantities with that found in the surface material above them, and which was 
 thought the foundation stone below which no gold would be found. These 
 suggestions are not made as bringing to light any new principle in relation to placer 
 deposits, for facts of similar character have been known for three years past in different 
 sections of the State. The present case relating to the placer deposits of the coun 
 ties of Sacramento and Placer, may be regarded as corroborative testimony of our 
 former knowledge, and the existence of a much more extensive range of this char 
 acter, than has heretofore been discovered. 
 
 The position of these auriferous deposits in the counties above named, and the 
 corresponding character of a large portion of country lying north and south of the 
 above section is adverted to at the present moment for the purpose of directing at 
 tention to those districts near the foot-hills which present similar features, and which 
 are as yet untouched. These districts on either hand having the same altitude 
 above the plains present equal certainties of the existence of the same deposits as 
 those met with in the county of Placer. Under the head of placer mining, I shall 
 have occasion to allnde to this subject again. 
 
 The other members of the tertiary group on the foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, 
 consists of sandstones and clays, the most important of which are found upon the 
 Cosumnes and other rivers south of this stream. The sandstone beds as far as ex 
 amined have every appearance of being much more recent than any member of the 
 stratified rocks of which we have heretofore spoken, and their position is evidently 
 tinconformable with the latter, resting very evidently on rocks having a much high 
 er degree of inclination. In fav< ;rable localities for their examination, I have found 
 their depth to exceed 110 feet. An instance of this kind is afforded upon the 
 banks of the Tuolumne River, at a distance of two miles east of Jackson's Ferry. 
 
 As a general rule, these rocks have been but little, if any, disturbed, having 
 but a slight inclination from the horizontal, and it might be said none, except 
 that which is found to correspond with the gradiency of the plains beyond, and 
 seldom exceeding two or three degrees. Immediately east of these deposits, 
 and as you enter the hills, the other sedimentary rocks are seen cropping out 
 and assuming high angles of inclination which are found to increase as you 
 travel in an easterly direction. 
 
 Sufficient opportunity did not offer for a more critical examination of the re 
 cent sandstones than that of a mere passing notice. It would be desirable that 
 they should receive a closer investigation during the coming season, than was 
 afforded, from want of time during the past summer. Their proper place in the 
 tertiary formations must be deferred until that time shall arrive, when we shall 
 be able to speak with more precision in relation to the peculiarities which they 
 may present. The older tertiaries in the more elevated portions of the moun 
 tains are more or less auriferous in n'early every locality in which they have been 
 examined. 
 
 The soft clays which are at times found between the slates and conglomerates, 
 
67 
 
 and the gravel beds which are also found beneath the latter, are of the same 
 character in as marked a degree as the drift beds of the surface which are im 
 posed upon them. So far as those beds have been opened there appears little or 
 no exception to the rule. 
 
 Within the last year the older conglomerate rocks have been found to contain 
 gold, but not to that extent which would warrant mining explorations. The 
 fact, however, is sufficiently well established to require notice in this place. 
 
 The sedimentary rocks extend eastward in the more central mining counties 
 to within twelve miles of the summit ridge of the chain. Here a few imperfect 
 fossils have been found, but none of sufficient distinctness to determine either their 
 geological position or character with any degree of certainty. It is proper to 
 state however that there are some evidences of the cretaceous, or perhaps, the 
 upper secondary rocks being found in those districts, though as yet it is a mat 
 ter of much doubt, arising from the imperfect condition of the organic remains 
 found imbedded within them. 
 
 The following table exhibits the approximate depths of the superficial cover 
 ings of the mountain mining districts, in which that department of industry is 
 conducted. The table is intended to represent the more central line of country 
 which corresponds with the trend of the chain, and is usually found at a distance 
 (air line,) of about forty miles from the eastern border of the plains. It will 
 include in its range the towns of Forest City, Nevada, Georgetown, Volcano, 
 Mokelumne Hill, and Sonora. 
 
 TABLE. 
 Sierra. 
 
 Gravel drift 60 feet 
 
 Light gray and blue clays - 15 " 
 
 Blue clays - 15 " 
 
 Gravel and sands - 30 " 
 
 Clays, with lignites 18 " 
 
 Blue clays - - - 25 " 
 
 Clays, with leaves 8 " 
 
 Auriferous gravel - 18 " 
 
 Slates - 22 " 
 Primitive rocks. 
 
 Total, - 201 feet. 
 El Dorado. 
 
 Gravel drift 60 feet. 
 
 Blue and brown clays - 20 " 
 
 Cemented drift, clays, and lignites 40 
 
 Sand clays - - 20 ' 
 
 Clays, with leaves - 10 " 
 
 Sandy clays and lignites - 10 " 
 
 Coarse sand, pyritous 4 " 
 
 Auriferous gravel - 25 " 
 Primitive rocks. 
 
 Total, 189 feet, 
 
68 
 
 Amador and Calaveras. 
 
 Gravel drift - - 60 feet 
 
 Clays and sands - 40 
 
 Plastic clays - - 50 
 
 White clays - 30 
 
 Cemented gravel and clays - - 45 
 
 Clays, with silicified woods 15 
 
 Auriferous drift - 30 
 Primitive rocks. 
 
 Total, 2tO feet. 
 
 Nevada. 
 
 Gravel drift - - 80 feet. 
 
 Blue and yellow clays - 20 " 
 
 Blue and gray sandy clays, with leaves - 30 " 
 
 Gravel and light clays - 50 " 
 
 Gravel and brown clays - 10 " 
 
 Sands, gravel, and petrifactions - 8 " 
 
 Auriferous drift - 40 " 
 Primitive rocks. 
 
 Total, 238 feet. 
 
 There is much uniformity, it appears, in the general character of the superior 
 coverings of the primitive rocks in the placer ranges, and no little coincidence 
 in the material which makes up the great mass of these beds; as much, at least, 
 as the different sources from which the detrital materials were derived would 
 permit; the modifications that may be present in any of the beds being produced 
 entirely from local circumstances. 
 
 There is one feature, however, that is deserving of notice, and which is strongly 
 marked throughout the State; one of which will enable us to arrive at a much 
 better conclusion relative to the age of these deposits, than any relations which 
 their lithological characters present; this is the close similarity which is manifest 
 among most of the lignites and dycotyledonous leaves found in every portion of 
 this part of the State, as well also as in many parts of the coast mountains. 
 The beds that produce these forms in the mining districts have been placed in 
 the tables as they occur in nature, and we may thus see at a glance theposition 
 which each of these beds hold to each other. 
 
 The peculiarities connected with the distribution of these remains, leads to 
 the conclusion, that a great uniformity of climate, arid other conditions, prevailed 
 for a long period after the disturbance of the older tertiary slates; this is proved 
 from the fact, that comparatively little if any disturbance is manifest during the 
 age in which the drift beds were being deposited. Kotwithstanding these beds 
 are elevated considerably above the sea, they do, in most cases, preserve their 
 conformability with each other, and are unconformable with the slates on which 
 they at many points rest. This may be regarded as one of the evidences of a 
 persistent elevatory action going on through all the periods of the latter, as 
 well as some of the earlier portions of this epoch. It would be a difficult task 
 for the observer to define, with any degree of accuracy, the differences of age 
 between the one part of the state and that of any other, so far as these particu 
 lar deposits are concerned. 
 
69 
 
 The close similitude in. most of the fossil vegetation found in the drift beds, 
 would render it difficult to define from what portion' of the State any one suite 
 of those specimens may have been taken. I have the impressions of leaves from 
 the counties of El Dorado, Tuolumne, and Trinity, (the two latter counties 
 being two hundred and seventy -five miles distant from each other,) that a close 
 observer would be very likely to declare as having all been taken from the same 
 locality. These organic forms are now in the hands of gentlemen fully compe 
 tent to define their generic and specific characters, and whenever their investiga 
 tions shall have been completed, the same will be placed before you. 
 
 PLACER MINING. 
 
 This branch of industry in this State has been prosecuted with much vigor 
 during the past year, and many new discoveries of placer deposits have been 
 developed within the past season. Those who have engaged in the heavier opera- ,. 
 tions of this department, have carried their workings to an extent heretofore 
 unparalleled in the history of mining in this State, the details of which will be 
 noticed more at length in the following pages. 
 
 In the present article I shall review, briefly, the history of this branch of 
 industry, and adduce such testimony of their probable continuance as has fallen 
 under my observation, and such as will be found supported by facts alone. 
 
 There has been much discussion abroad relative to the probable continuance of 
 the placer deposits of California, and attending this discussion, a manifest disposi 
 tion among Atlantic writers to underrate the capacities of the State for the produc 
 tion of gold. So far as the personal interests of such individuals are involved in 
 this question we have nothing to do ; but when the publication of such articles are 
 carried to an extent that a public injury is sustained upon our shores as a conse 
 quence, then it becomes a duty we owe to ourselves to speak in defence of the 
 State of our adoption, and place the question before our friends and relatives 
 abroad upon that basis upon which alone it can stand. 
 
 We shall, therefore, confine ourselves to facts, as developed within the past year 
 and the year preceding, which will define, to some extent, the areas of the placer 
 ranges on the western slope of the mountains ? and it is to be hoped that they may 
 prove sufficient to convince such as may be seriously affected with melancholy for 
 our future fate in this particular, that they are in no danger of sinking deeper into 
 the slough of that insolvency which their over-heated imaginations have prepared, 
 from any failure, on the part of this State, to produce even an increase on her past 
 annual exports. The commercial circles of the East, have been saved from bank 
 ruptcy by our exports, and we shall still continue to exercise the same paternal % 
 care over their interests as formerly, provided they will relieve us from accepting < 
 the entire produce east of the Rocky Mountains. Since 1849, we have had but a 
 reiteration, from year to year, of this doleful prognostic, and this in the face of a 
 continual advance on each annual aggregate exported from our shores, until now 
 the public mind has become less sensitive to the dismal moan, which greets the eye 
 or ear from some portion of the Atlantic board on the arrival of almost every 
 mail. 
 
 The failure of an arrival of the accustomed number of millions per month to the 
 Atlantic cities, is found to create a feverish panic among our distant friends, which 
 is to be regretted, as an injustice to the people of this State, usually follows such a v 
 contingency, from some portion of the Atlantic board. This arises from the fact ( 
 that parties abroad do not possess the local information of those causes which are ' 
 productive of such a failure, neither could they properly appreciate the same, were 
 it in their possession. 
 
70 
 
 The only regret to which we must submit in this matter is that, as a State, we 
 have exported too much ; but the prospect is that in the future we shall export 
 much less gold than formerly. The report of the Controller of State for this year 
 shadows forth the long wished for advent of confidence in capital investments for 
 home improvements, and is a true exhibit of our resources ; showing that, not 
 withstanding we have an increase of one million above our exports of the pre 
 ceding year, yet we still have added to our home capital, permanently invested, 
 fourteen millions, within the same period. 
 
 In my report of last year, it was stated that the placer ranges were at that time 
 known to extend nearly to the summit ridge of the mountains ; but this year it has 
 been ascertained that they pass beyond the ridge, and are now fonud on the 
 eastern declivity, having nearly the same altitude as those occurring on the opposite 
 side. Within the past season, many of these deposits have been examined, and 
 thus far are found to be equally productive with those of similar ranges to the wast, 
 and, with a favorable season ensuing, they will be largely occupied. 
 
 This increases the breadth of the placers, in the more elevated districts, about 
 nine miles, and the length between twenty-five and twenty-seven miles, on a line 
 parallel with the trend of the mountains. This additional field is what may be 
 denominated "dry diggings." Still they will prove available only during the 
 summer season and early part of autumn, from their altitude and local position. 
 
 Since my last report, I have been enabled to trace the " Eastern Blue Range," 
 for a distance of thirty miles south of the point at which it was left last year, and, 
 as far as examined, it possesses most of the general characters that were mentioned 
 in relation to this district at that time. Its line may be defined to a considerable 
 degree of accuracy by the following localities : 
 
 South of the middle branch of the American River, it is found at what is known 
 as Cement Hill, being part of the same range of the Mameluke Hill, a short dis 
 tance south of the former. Extending in a southerly direction from the vicinity of 
 Georgetown, it is next met with at White Rock, some sixteen miles distant, and 
 about three miles east of Placerville. In this section of country, the outliers of 
 the range are distinctly seen, forming level ridges for long distances, the latter 
 surrounding small basins or forming the flanks of broad ravines, similar to that 
 known as Coon Hollow, and other adjacent localities. From Placerville it extends 
 in a southerly course for eight miles, and it is again met with some three miles 
 east of the town of Ringold, forming a flat table, of small extent, on the side of a 
 hill facing to the southwest. From this locality it assumes a more southeast 
 course, and is again seen on the sides of the hills forming the banks of Indian 
 Creek, in the county of El Dorados This is the most southern limit to which these 
 placers have been traced with any degree of certainty. 
 
 A course a little east of south would bring this line of deposits in the vicinity 
 of the town of Volcano, in the County of Amador, but it is yet quite uncertain 
 whether this mining town is absolutely upon this range of placers, or whether it 
 passes to the east of the high ridge back of this locality. From what observa 
 tions I was enabled to make at Mokelumne Hill, and also south of this point, I 
 am inclined to the belief that if it passes through this section of the State it 
 will ba found to the east of these latter towns, at distances within eight or 
 twelve miles. The high table ridge to the east of Chilian Gulch possesses many 
 of the external features which mark this range in other parts of the State; but 
 the conglomerate beds found adjacent to this section indicate this to be of much 
 more recent origin than the placers under consideration. The absence of any 
 fossil remains from this district renders it difficult to form any conclusion that 
 would be satisfactory on this point; it will therefore be omitted until such 
 times as farther investigation may be had upon this immediate vicinity. 
 
 We will now turn to the more particular consideration of the placer, as far as 
 known, and examine its capacities for production, with other characteristics that 
 mark it in its course. 
 
71 
 
 The line of the deposit has now been traced distinctly for a distance of one hun 
 dred and thirty-six miles, in an almost continuous line, and upon it are now 
 located many of the most valuable mining districts of the State, on which the 
 heavier investments of capital have been made for its successful workings. 
 From the nature of the ground and its location, being very remote from the 
 plains, and in many cases difficult of access from its elevation even above the 
 adjacent country, it necessarily has required a much greater outlay of capital to 
 develop its treasures than any of the districts lying to the west of it and im 
 proved as mining ground, and thus far has yielded a proportionably greater 
 amount of gold. 
 
 So far as these districts have been opened, they have fully sustained the char 
 acter which they have heretofore acquired, and particularly noticed in the pre 
 ceding report, viz : that in no instance, up to the present time, has this placer failed 
 to reimburse the money expended in opening the ground, reaching the lead and 
 returning a handsome profit to the adventurer. This cannot be said of any other 
 range of placers in this State. 
 
 Up to the month of November last, there had not been an abandoned claim 
 upon the range where the works had been conducted with the view of reaching 
 the lower lodes of the range, and no failure has occurred in striking the lode where 
 the adits have been driven at any sufficiently low point. 
 
 From these facts alone, it will be seen that placer mining is not altogether a 
 game of chance when conducted with skill, well-directed and practical judgment, 
 and it teaches, also, another valuable lesson, which is, that segregated labor and 
 capital is not sufficient to cope with the heavier branches of placer mining, 
 neither is it as profitable in its results as when otherwise and judiciously directed. 
 This branch of industry in this State has taken that place at the present time, 
 which strictly entitles it to the appellation of a science, and he that would fully 
 appreciate it should witness it. Placer mining to California is what coal mining 
 is to Pennsylvania, and the great coal districts east of the Rocky Mountains, 
 and we are fast approximating that day when its subterranean operations will 
 equal, and in many instances exceed the latter. Should there be those who foster 
 doubt on this point, and doubtless there are many such abroad, I would respect 
 fully suggest to such a visit to the upper portions of the counties of Placer and 
 El Dorado, with those of Amador and Calaveras on the south, and those ^of 
 Nevada and Sierra on the north. In these counties they will find an ample 
 field of operations, on which they will find but little difficulty in forming an 
 opinion of the character and extent of the workings beneath the surface and 
 the means employed to consummate the end. They will find the engineer with 
 his levels as carefully adjusted and applied as though his survey was instituted 
 for the leveling of a rail track, and the necessities of accuracy in the selection 
 of the most feasible point to tap the heart of the mountain is equally as great 
 in the one case as in the other. 
 
 The placer miner of the present day in this section of the State, estimates the 
 costs of the operation on which he is about to enter with all that care and attention 
 that would be bestowed upon any other enterprise where the sura of ten to thirty 
 thousand dollars is the sum to be invested, and where his interests are involved to 
 that extent. It is not uncommon to find amounts equal to the above, invested in 
 our larger operations now in progress of working, and a few instances among many, 
 may serve to illustrate the fact. I will mention but two or three in connection 
 with this part of our subject. 
 
 The cost of opening the Mameluke Hill, near Georgetown, by the parties inter 
 ested, exceeded forty thousand dollars, while the receipts from the same during the 
 period of little more than one year, has exceeded five hundred thousand. 
 Another case is that of Jones's Hill, the opening of which has already risen above 
 thirty-four thousand dollars, the receipts being above two hundred and eighty-four 
 
72 
 
 thousand dollars ; and still another in the County of Nevada, (Laird's Hill) the 
 expense of opening was nearly forty thousand dollars, while the receipts from the 
 latter in June last, had reached the sutn of one hundred and fifty thousand the 
 resources of either are as yet in any thing but an exhausted condition The 
 above are mentioned only for the purpose of conveying a better idea of the ex 
 penses and profits of what is denominated deep mining, in this State, and the 
 localities named form but a small proportion to the aggregate of similar 
 workings. 
 
 In the counties of Nevada, Sierra, Placer, El Dorado, Amador and Calaveras, 
 there are scores of adits and other workings of smaller dimensions, which have 
 already cost sums varying in amount from ten thousand dollars upward to the 
 figures given above, and from which proportional profits have been derived. The 
 mining districts abound with evidences of wealth like those above, and they possess 
 equally as strong evidences ot permanency of chatacter, and it would be no difficult 
 matter for the incredulous to banish his incredulity, if he will but take the trouble 
 to investigate the facts which nature and individual enterprize have placed before 
 him. 
 
 An idea of the necessary expenses that must be incurred in conducting these 
 branches of placer mining, can be obtained only by an examination of the adits 
 which have been driven in prosecuting these labors. There are but few which are 
 less than three hundred feet in length, and many that range from ten to twelve 
 hundred feet, and of a size sufficient to use a horse within for the purpose of de 
 livering the earth to be washed at the sluice or the attle to the end of the tram- 
 road. These adits are driven in some cases hundreds of feet through solid rocks, 
 and when- thus conducted they often penetrate the very centre of a mountain, 
 or as in the case of the high ridge south of Placervilb, they have not only reached 
 the center, but have passed entirely through the ridge. 
 
 In other parts of the State, the heavier placer operations are conducted in a 
 different manner. In place of the adit, a broad ditch is carried through the 
 hill, and the entire hills removed to their base by hydraulic washings. This 
 system of working, as conducted in this State at present, will compare very 
 favorably in magnitude with any system of mining operations of the Atlantic 
 States, or even in many parts of the older continent, and from the success which 
 has thus far attended it, it bids fair to advance much beyond the limits to which 
 it is now confined. Five years have elapsed since the mines of this State were 
 worked to any considerable extent. The area that is now known to contain 
 valuable deposits of gold, is believed to be at least six times greater than that 
 which was developed during the years of 1848 and 1849, while the number of 
 miners actually engaged in the extraction of gold is less than those of 1852, yet 
 the export of the year last past exceeds by nine millions the total exports of 
 the former year. Under these circumstances, it is rather a forced conclusion 
 to arrive at, that the mines of the State are in any way likely to recede from 
 their former productions ; and we would suggest to our friends abroad, that it 
 is time they had divested themselves of the idea too long prevalent, that our 
 placers will soon become exhausted, or that the workings consist in mere surface 
 scratching, without depth or probable continuance. We have* evidences that 
 should prove satisfactory to reasonable beings, that they are something more 
 than an ephemeral show, as all known facts in this State are opposed to that 
 position, and they are abundant for two hundred miles of the length of the 
 eastern mountain chain. 
 
 In order to convey a better idea of the mining districts they will be divided 
 into three distinct ranges, denominated the Upper or Eastern Range, the Mid 
 dle Placers, and the, Valley Mines. This has now become necessary from the 
 fact that the characteristics of these districts are as distinctly marked as are the 
 
73 
 
 
 northern, middle, and southern portions of the State. It separates also three 
 evidently distinct periods of the geological history of this part of the continent, 
 in which marked changes are apparent upon the surfaces that had emerged above 
 the ocean during that epoch. 
 
 EASTERN RANGE. 
 
 This district extends from near the summit ridge of the mountains to within 
 about twenty-five miles of the edge of the plains. It maintains a very uniform 
 breadth of about twenty miles, and a length of one hundred and thirty, as far 
 as known. It covers an area equal to about three thousand square miles, a 
 large proportion of which is available as mining grounds. 
 
 In this district is situated the major part of what is known as the " dry dig 
 gings " which includes the towns of Forest City on the north and Placerville on 
 the south. At the present time there is but a comparatively small portion of 
 this district occupied and improved. Admitting, that of the area included with 
 in the lines of this district, but one-third of the same may be considered as con 
 taining placer deposits, we shall have for the immediately available purposes of 
 mining an area equal to one thousand square miles. 
 
 A glance at the entire area which is now in actual occupancy on this range, 
 and employed as mines in active operation, will convince those acquainted with 
 the district that but a very small fraction of the available territory is as yet 
 opened or in any manner improved. It is estimated that twenty square miles 
 will cover that au.ea and even this may be considered a large figure for the grounds 
 so improved ; amounting to two per cent, only, of the lowest aggregate that 
 can be placed upon the unoccupied district of the range. It is doubtful whether 
 there are men enough in this State (aside from those req'uired for the transac 
 tion of other departments of business,) to occupy and improve even one half of 
 the available mining lands that lie in the four middle mining counties of the 
 State which at the present time is untouched, for it is pretty well ascertained 
 that the absolute amount of ground in fourteen of the mining counties, now un 
 der improvement for those purposes, does not exceed five hundred square miles. 
 The amount of territory in each county which is unoccupied forms a heavy ag 
 gregate against the other. 
 
 Of the eastern range of placers there are wide districts intervening between 
 the settlements on the range, and an approximate idea may be obtained, of the 
 extent of these placers, by citing districts that are well known, which will con 
 vey at the same time a better conception of the proportions occupied and the 
 reverse. 
 
 The counties of Placer and El Dorado are fair examples of this district; they 
 lie adjoining each other and are situated nearly in the middle of the State, and 
 of the range. The deep workings of the above counties extend north and south 
 for a distance (air line,) of thirty-three miles, the north fork of the American 
 being one boundary, and the mountains and its tributaries being the other on 
 the south ; the breadth included in the above line and extending east and west 
 is about fourteen miles. The mining towns within this district are Iowa Hill, 
 Michigan Bluffs, Georgetown, Spanish Flat, Placerville, and other smaller set 
 tlements situated between the above and to the east of the line as given. 
 
 The area of the eastern range in these comities alone, amounts to four hun 
 dred and sixty-two miles, nearly one half of the aggregate amount for the State 
 as belonging to this particular range of deposits ; and when we recollect that 
 
 10 
 
74 
 
 there are four additional counties through which their placers are found, the 
 estimate of one thousand square miles will not be considered as excessive. 
 
 To those who are acquainted with the section alluded to, I have no hesitancy 
 of submitting the above figures, tor there is no object to be attained in present 
 ing a fancy sketch of our available resources. We may draw upon facts for 
 many years to come in regard to matters of this character, for the mining dis 
 tricts are possessed of an ample fund for that purpose. 
 
 It must not be understood that the " deep diggings " of this district are the 
 only resources obtainable, or that they constitute the only deposits of gold in 
 the range, for it is far otherwise. The entire surfaces of this range are produc 
 tive of this metal; it was from the surface washings of portions belonging to 
 this district of the State that a large proportion of the gold was obtained dur 
 ing the earlier periods of mining. These placers still continue to yield profitable 
 returns for labor, though long since they were among the old workings which 
 were considerrd exhausted. The returns from these old placers at the present 
 time are attributable to the improved methods of mining that have been intro 
 duced subsequent to their first becoming abandoned, and the greater care which 
 is now bestowed in washing the earth. 
 
 The placer miner of the present day will not exhaust the same quantity of 
 ground that he would have done in 1850 or 1851, and at the same time obtain 
 an equal and, in some instances, a greater amount of gold from one of these ex 
 hausted placers. We may, therefore, regard the surface deposits of these sec 
 tions as prolific sources of wealth for years to come. This conclusion is based 
 on the facts which past experiment has demonstrated, and which are acknowl 
 edged throughout the State by those who have given any attention to the sub 
 ject. 
 
 In selecting the Counties of Placer and El Dorado as illustrative of the char 
 acter of the eastern range of deposits, I would not be understood as expressing 
 any preferences, of productive capacity or of a better defined range of these 
 deposits; they were selected from the fact that they held a more central position 
 in relation to the above than for any other purpose, and they do not, to my 
 knowledge, afford any better illustration of the characteristics of this district, 
 than the Counties of Sierra, on the North, or that of Amador or Calaveras on 
 the South; in fact, this range is much better exemplified in the County of Sierra 
 than at any point south of the latter. 
 
 MIDDLE PLACERS. 
 
 By this term is expressed that range of country which is situated at an aver 
 age distance of about twenty miles from the line of the higher foothills, or hav 
 ing its western border within about lour miles of the edge of the plains, compris 
 ing a district of country of twenty miles in width and three hundred in length, 
 having a trend parallel with that of the mountain chain in which it is situated; 
 it covers an area equal to about six thousand square miles. 
 
 On this range is situated what is denominated the surface workings, although 
 there are some instances in which the deposits of drift containing gold lie nearly 
 as deep as those alluded to in the preceding article. This, however, is not the 
 general fact relative to these districts, and the labor and expense of extracting 
 the metal, consequently, is not as heavy. The ordinary depth of the placer 
 drift in this district, ranges between twelve and forty feet ; it is composed of a 
 more heterogeuous collection of stones than the deposits of the higher range ; in 
 the latter the pebbles and boulders have but few varieties, while those of the 
 
75 
 
 middle placers are composed of many; so much so is this the case, that it is 
 often difficult to distinguish what rocks predominate. 
 
 The " bed rock" of these districts is composed mostly of slates elevated to high 
 angles of inclination, or the same rocks changed by heat, in some cases to that ex 
 tent as nearly to obliterate their former structure ; their transition has been so 
 complete that they have assumed the character of true porphyries ; this must have 
 occurred prior to the deposition of the drift as these deposits bear no marks of ig 
 neous action since they were deposited. In some localities the drift beds are found 
 resting upon the granite direct, the latter rock often presenting evident marks of 
 the action of water. 
 
 In examining the gravel from this district, we will often find the stones which 
 are peculiar to the eastern range mingled with those of more recent date, and which 
 are often found in closer proximity in situ ; with the above is also found more or 
 less of the smaller gold of the upper districts commingled with that which is inci 
 dent to the middle sections of the State. 
 
 These facts naturally lead us to the conclusion that at the period in which the 
 gravel drift of the middle placers were deposited that the country to the east was 
 subjected to the action of floods which must have been somewhat violent in their 
 character. I am not prepared to say at this time, that the deposits of this district 
 of the State, were formed during the period of the NORTHERN DRIFT, for there are 
 some features wanting to establish that point conclusively. Should the above fact 
 be ultimately established, there are attendant circumstances that will prove the 
 eastern range to have preceded that period, and which has been alluded to in 
 former reports. 
 
 The economical value and extent of the middle placers, is the principal object of 
 their notice in this place, and we will therefore direct our attention to that particu 
 lar point. It is upon this range of country that the g eater proportion of the mi 
 ning community of the State are located, and more particularly upon the central 
 and eastern portions of the same. The cause of this is oovious, for from the nature 
 of the ground to be operated upon, segregated labor is more prosperous, and small 
 companies with limited means can prosecute mining with better success and profit 
 than in the heavier workings of the eastern range of placers. The labor and inci 
 dental expenses for facilities in the extraction of gold, are much less and more ea 
 sily obtained as a general rule than in the former case ; hence men who are pos 
 sessed of limited means usually occupy the middle sections before entering the field 
 of the more lengthy operations that are conducted in other districts. 
 
 This district of the State is but sparsely settled, at the best ; and like many other 
 portions of the mineral and agricultural sections, there is but here and there a few 
 scattering cabins or small settlements, often for many miles. The placers that are 
 spread far and wide throughout this section, are scarcely touched, or if so, they are 
 marked by a few small shafts only, which have been sunk by some prospecting mi 
 ners, in their rambles over the State in search for richer fields than those they left. 
 It is often the case that these shafts have remained for two or three years after they 
 were driven, when they have again become occupied by others, yielding profitable 
 returns for small amounts of labor. It is from these very partial examinations of 
 traveling miners made in preceding years, that some of the most valuable placer 
 deposits have been developed ; the hints thus given in the former case have been 
 adopted by those who have subsequently followed, and have thus led to pleasing 
 results. 
 
 The introduction of water by artificial canals into regions lying remote from nat 
 ural streams has had the effect to develop further the fact, that but limited sections 
 exist in this district in which the staple product of the State does not abound. 
 From the above facts we should be led to infer that a much larger population than 
 that at present found in these districts should follow under the circumstances : it 
 should be thus, but there are causes which at present operate to prevent such a re- 
 
76 
 
 suit, the principal of which, is the want of a sufficient supply of water to conduct 
 mining operations to that extent which the character of the country require. The 
 natural supply of this material seldom exceeds four months of the year, in amounts 
 that would be equivalent to subserve the above purposes, in the greater proportion 
 of the mining localities of this range, and this too at that season when labor is 
 nearly suspended from inclemency of the weather. In order therefore that an ex 
 tensive population should be found upon the unoccupied portions of this part of the 
 mineral district, the introduction of water by artificial means becomes an essential 
 requisite. 
 
 An increase of our mining population in any district of the State, ha x no ten 
 dency whatever to excite any fear of the exhaustion of the mines of that local 
 ity to which they may chance to wend their way; for it is now admitted that 
 sufficient room for labor abounds in any of the mining settlements, for a much 
 greater number than those who now occupy them. The introduction of water 
 by canals through an unoccupied portion of the State, is as certain to bring in 
 an active population along its line, as the fact that such an agent is known to 
 exist, as it is well known that nearly the entire surface contains a sufficiency to 
 largely pay for labor in its extraction. 
 
 So far as the middle placers have been opened, they have thus far proved 
 productive to an eminent degree, and the new placers which had been developed 
 within this range have, as far as known, proved fully equivalent to those which 
 have preceded them, and there is no good reason that can be advanced for the 
 untenable position that has been assumed, that the present theatre of operations 
 is the finale, any more than for a similar opinion which was entertained four 
 years since in relation to those localities at that time occupied, and which are 
 still yielding their annual quota nearly the same as before. 
 
 YALLEY MINING. 
 
 We come now to the consideration of the lower and most western districts in 
 which deposits of gold have been found, and which constitute the third and last 
 in the order of arrangement. 
 
 The valley mines are those districts which are situated among the lower foot 
 hills of the mountains, and extend westward from thence into the eastern edge 
 of the plains of the San Joaquin and Sacramento to the extent of three 
 to five miles. These mines are distinctly traceable from Chico Creek in the 
 County of Butte on the north, nearly to Snelling's ranch on the Merced River 
 to the south, having a linear distance of about two hundred and fifty miles. 
 The position which they maintain, or whether they exist at any point north of 
 the first named boundary, and south of Fort Reading on Cow Creek, in the 
 County of Shasta, I am at present unable to state, not having passed over 
 that particular district during the past season. But the opinion may be safely 
 entertained, that they are continued through the latter district, and that the 
 placers of the Upper Sacramento Yalley alluded to in the preceding pages of 
 this report are but the northern termini ot this belt. The valley mines are 
 situated on what has been spoken of as constituting the higher terraces of the 
 plains, and are composed of alluvial drift mostly, which have been derived from 
 the lower hills adjacent to their borders. The gravel of the lower beds is usually 
 small and composed of the pebbles found in the conglomerates commingled 
 with the smaller stones which have been conveyed by the agency of water from 
 the approximate portions of the middle districts. The gravel is usually much 
 discolored by the ferruginous materials with which they are intimately commin- 
 
77 
 
 gled, and all the beds containing gold, from the surface to their greatest depth 
 partake in a high degree of the same peculiar characteristic. The deposits are 
 found to extend to depths varying from three to eight feet, and rests on sand 
 stone, slates or clay beds above the latter, and are the most shallow of any of 
 the placer ranges as yet discovered in the State, and at the same time the most 
 easily worked. In my report of 1853, the attention ot the Legislature was 
 directed to the peculiarities of this district of the country under the head of 
 mineral resources, and which will be found on pages 21 and 22, of Assmbly, 
 Doc., session 1853. I recur to this subject again at the present time, 
 trusting that this district may attract that attention to which it is entitled, hoping 
 that some measure may be adopted that will have the eifect of preventing those 
 collisions which must ultimately ensue between the agriculturists and miners in 
 regard to the occupancy of the lands. 
 
 It is incumbent upon me to define, as nearly as possible, the probable extent and 
 local position, both of the agricultural and mineral lands, so far as the same comes 
 within my knowledge ; and for this purpose, this subject is again introduced, so that 
 in sectionizing, hereafter, these districts may be distinctly marked, and their bound 
 aries thus known. 
 
 It has been generally supposed that the entire valley lands skirting the foot-hills, 
 possessed but limited amounts of the precious metals, and that when such lands 
 containing gold were thus known, the deposits have been regarded as purely acci 
 dental. Such is not the case, however, and if it were, the same rule would be 
 equally applicable to every other portion of the mining districts of the State. Since 
 the days when that opinion prevailed, there have been circumstances occurring, at 
 different times, respecting the true characteristics of these lauds, which have had a 
 tendencv to modify the views then entertained respecting them, to that extent that 
 those views have now become entirely obsolete, and the valley mines are now 
 considered nearly co-extensive with the middle or upper districts, and they 
 probably fall but little short of the latter. 
 
 So well defined is the mineral district of the plains, that, at the present time, 
 there are not less than eight water companies who have extended their works to the 
 foot-hills, and three of this number were distributing water four miles beyond the 
 hills, into the plains, during the month of December last. In the central and more 
 northern portions of this range, the extension of these canals is being prosecuted as 
 fast as the nature of attending circumstances will permit, and from what is now in 
 process of being completed beyond the line of the lower mountains, there will not be 
 less than twenty-three of these canals discharging- water on to the surface of the valley 
 within the current year. In seven of the principal mining counties of the State, there 
 are one hundred and nine companies engaged in the conveyance of water for mining 
 purposes, and with this amount, even, there is not sufficient to supply the demand. 
 "We may therefore conclude that the small quantity which twenty-three flumes will 
 convey to the valley mines will not probably amount to over eighteen per cent, of 
 that which will be requisite for their operations. 
 
 Should an ample supply of water be furnished to open this entire range of 
 placers, we have not a population sufficient to occupy and improve it, aside from 
 those engaged in similar occupations in other parts of the State. A large propor 
 tion of these mines will, therefore, remain untouched for many years to come, and 
 improved only in isolated portions, where the conveniences of water are easily 
 obtained. 
 
 Most of those who are at present engaged in this district, are men who have for 
 merly occupied themselves in the older and mountain districts sirce 1850, and are, 
 therefore, capable of judging of the comparative value of a placer of this kind, with 
 those of other sections. Their experimental knowledge is, therefore, of some value, 
 as a criterion, to judge of the prospects of these mines, as being remunerative for 
 labor, if no other more conclusive considerations presented themselves. 
 
78 
 
 We will not stand upon the basis of individual opinions alone, in this matter, 
 but will present an outline of the settlements upon this range of country. They 
 will present the best argument of the capacities, progress and development of the 
 mines, Jrom the date of their discovery to the present time, and the character of 
 these valley sections. 
 
 The localities situated along the line of these mines are well known in the State, 
 and as a consequence, their comparative products will be easily estimated by those 
 who have even but a slight acquaintance with the mineral products of the country. 
 
 Commencing in the county of Butte, the first mining locality is on what is 
 known as Neal's Flat; following a southerly direction to Butte Creek, they are 
 again found at Kieh and Reeve's Bars, on that stream, and a few miles further 
 south the mines are occupied in and about the vicinity of Spring Valley, and 
 thence to the banks of the main Feather River ; crossing this stream they again 
 occur in the vicinity of Iowa Ranch, nine miles southwest of the town of Bidwell. 
 Following the line of the foot hills to the Honcut Creek, miners are engaged on 
 both sides of this stream, and but twelve miles distant from the town of Veazie. 
 
 From the Honcut south, the next placers which are improved, are those upon the 
 banks of the Yuba, in the vicinity of Ousley's Bar, being but fourteen miles east 
 of Marysville. There are two mining camps near the edge of the plains between 
 the south banks of the Yuba, before reaching Camp Far West, on Bear River, 
 which is the next locality of any note. From this place to the American River, 
 there are four localities in which these mines have peen opened, and which run 
 west of a line cutting through Massachusetts Bar, the lowest on the latter stream. 
 
 From the latter locality, we pass through placers three miles from Alder Springs, 
 and in a southerly course from thence to the west of Prarie City. On the Con- 
 sumnes they are again found at Michigan Flat and Cook's Bar, and following the 
 plains they again occur four miles west of lone Valley. South of the latter and 
 along the western lines of the county of Calaveras to Jackson Ferry, on the 
 Tuolumne River, and between that stream and the Merced, there are ten locations, 
 known as mining camps or towns, the inhabitants of which will equal those of some 
 of the more inland districts. The number of settlements on this range, at this 
 time, amounts to thirty-one, several of which have been occupied for the past two 
 years. This fact alone is sufficient to establish its character as a mining district, 
 and it is one also that many hundred thousands in gold has been extracted from 
 during 1854. 
 
 I have been thus particular in noting the localities situated upon this range, for 
 the purpose of quieting if possible, some few of those periodic effusions which flow 
 from the over-anxious conservators of the public good both at home and abroad, by 
 exhibiting what may be considered an approximate outline of the area of our min 
 eral resources so far as known, and to contradict plainly by statistical facts, (the 
 bolder enunciation which too often appears in the columns of those who should be 
 possessed of better information) that the mines of this State are in a depreciating 
 condition, to that extent that either confidence or capital investment in either 
 branch, may be considered a hazardous enterprise. 
 
 Another reason for the local details respecting the valley mines, as given, is for 
 the purpose of eliciting that attention to the location of lands for agricultural pur 
 poses, which the statutes of this State and the United States prescribe in relation 
 thereto, and to define as near as possible, the western limits to ^ich the mineral 
 lands in all probability extend ; and due care in selecting lands for the purposes of 
 agriculture along the eastern borders of these plains will ultimately save much ex 
 pensive litigation and trouble. 
 
 The western limits of the mineral lands are generally well defined, and so dis 
 tinctly marked that even the stranger may readily recognize them in passing across 
 them. The following are the characteristics that will designate these grounds, from 
 
79 
 
 those in which no gold has as yet been found, and which latter approximate and 
 form in some few instances the eastern borders of the phins. 
 
 I will here quote from my report of 1853, the original description of this 
 section of the State. I have seen no reason to change the opinion then enter 
 tained, but believe that all subsequent events to the present time are fully cor 
 roborative of that position. 
 
 " This district of country is situated in the lower foot-hills and immediately 
 on the eastern edge of the valley. It maintains a very uniform breadth of about 
 four miles, (from the base of the hills,) and is almost uninterrupted throughout 
 the valleys adjoining the foot-hills to the east. A large part of the mining dis 
 trict of the county of Sacramento is a true example of these lands, though the 
 principal range alluded to is situated a short distance west of those points in 
 which mining operations are conducted at the present time. 7 ' 
 
 This district is strongly marked throughout its entire extent, and in passing 
 over it either from the mountains or from the valley to the mineral districts 
 proper, -the transition is so marked that it cannot fail to attract the attention of 
 the most careless traveler. It will recur to the mind of almost every person who 
 has passed from the valleys into the interior, that at the distance of some four 
 teen miles east of the Sacramento River, that he enters very suddenly a district 
 of the plains thickly strewed with small angular pebbles of quartz, the belt is 
 scarcely less than two miles in width at any point and in some places much 
 broader, (extending often to four miles.) On reaching the eastern verge of the 
 plains, the transition is equally marked and sudden as in the first instance; the 
 angular pebbles disappear and a few round pebbles mixed with alluvium, replace 
 them for a short distance, when these are immediately succeeded by the outcrop 
 of the slates." 
 
 " From what the writer has seen of this district, I feel no hesitancy in saying 
 that it must in a few years become the busy field of active and extensive mining 
 operations, and I think this opinion will meet the concurrence of those persons 
 who are intimately acquainted with the localities and are engaged in mining 
 operations, at the present time, within the limits prescribed." 
 
 " It is not to be understood that this section of country will prove as highly 
 productive in a short space of time as the superficial deposits of the interior 
 sections, nor can it with any degree of propriety be expected, but as a compen 
 satory principle, they will possess the double advantage of being readily acces 
 sible and though yielding a lower, they will render a more continued remunera 
 tion for labor and a surer prospect of success " 
 
 In quoting the first part of the last paragraph I would not be understood as 
 entertaining the same opinion at this time, for the development of these placers 
 since that day has furnished grounds for a change of opinion in that particular, and 
 I taka this opportunity to recall it. 
 
 "Within the past year, where the advantages of water in sufficient quantity existed 
 to conduct operations in mining, these districts have yielded as fair average returns 
 for labor as any district of the State. And though situated so far to the west and 
 into the plains, where we should have expected to have found little else than fine 
 " drift gold," it is proved that in the majority of those localities which have been 
 opened, that metal equally coarse with much found in the more elevated districts 
 has been taken from the valley mines. This fact is sufficient to do away with the 
 idea that the deposits of the plains are merely accidental, as they have been termed ; 
 they have evidently been derived in a great measure from the breaking down of the 
 adjacent sedimentary rocks, which contain veins of auriferous quartz, the disintegra 
 tion of which has furnished the material which we now find distributed throughout 
 the range, and from that cause we may expect that these placers will prove equally 
 advantageous for operation on an extended scale as many of the more ancient beds 
 of the Sierra Nevada. ^ 
 
80 
 
 The limits of that district, containing gold upon the plains, I should estimate as 
 carrying a line parallel with the foothills and at a distance of four miles west of the 
 latter, and which should be considered mineral lands in the strictest sense in which 
 that term is applied, and they should be subjected to the same jurisdiction that now 
 obtains in the mountain sections. Such lands under our present system of laws 
 are not subject to entry, and the fact is thus mentioned that their position may be 
 better understood. 
 
 From the best information obtainable from all parts of the State, it is believed 
 that the amount of ground in actual occupancy and under improvement for mining 
 purposes does not probably exceed four hundred square miles, one fourth of which 
 area may be included in what are known as old placers, and which are still produc 
 tive. During the year 1852 it was estimated that one hundred thousand men were 
 engaged in the extraction of gold, (this is probably a close figure) a much greater 
 number than has been employed since that time, and whose aggregate product for 
 that year amounted to the sum of forty-five millions of dollars. Taking as a basis 
 the returns of the last census from which we find that the total number of inhabit 
 ants in the mining counties for that year amounted to one hundred and forty-three 
 thousand (allowing thirty thousand for El Dorado not returned) of sixty per cent, 
 of which number were probably engaged in the actual process of mining or a total 
 of about eighty-six thousand thus employed for 1853. 
 
 This is probably above the actual number employed during 1853 and 1854, as a 
 very large number of those formerly engaged in mining have employed their time, 
 since 1852, in agricultural pursuits. These estimates may be considered approxi 
 mations only, but taking the highest possible figure that can be given for those 
 employed for the years 1853 and 1854, (eighty thousand) the following propor 
 tional results for labor will be found ; the actual working time, in this branch of 
 employment, in this State, being about eight months of the year. The figures 
 below comprise those only which have appeared in manifests, with the exception of 
 those of 1854, in which the deposits at the Mint for coinage and bars during the 
 months of November and December are included with that known to have remained 
 on deposit in different parts of the State, and which was the product of the year 
 last past. The two latter sums make up an aggregate of little more than eleven 
 millions, which, with the exports of 1854, amounts to the sum of sixty-one millions 
 that is known as the product for that year : 
 
 TABLE OF EXPORTS, PRODUCT, AND AVERAGE WAGES. 
 
 Exports and Product. Miners. Average Per Annum. 
 
 1852, - - - $45,000,000 100,000 $450 
 
 1853, .... 56,000,000 86,000 670 . 
 
 1854, - - 61,000,000 86,000 700 
 
 
 
 The above is certainly a much better remuneration for labor than can be found 
 in any other State of the Union, and is fully corroborative of the fact long since 
 stated, that our mines are absolutely yielding a higher income at present, than at 
 any former period, with a less amount of work expended. There are no preten 
 sions to accuracy in the above figures, as no fractional amounts are included, which 
 would have swelled the amounts given, to a material degree. They are intended 
 to convey but a general idea of what labor will command in the mines of the State, 
 from one portion of the mining sections to any other extremes thus far known. 
 
 From what has been said of the areas comprised within the lines of the different 
 ranges, as given in the preceding pages, it will be seen that we have still enough 
 
81 
 
 and to spare for all who are present, and for all that may hereafter arrive, for at 
 least the next half century. There need be but little fear of their failing to yield 
 their annual crop of gold, as long, perhaps, as our valleys will yield their crops of 
 grain. 
 
 The aggregate areas amount to about eleven thousand square miles, that is 
 known to contain gold ; and, when this is compared with the area actually occu 
 pied, the latter will be found to comprise but a mere mite of our available 
 resources. With our present population of the mining districts, and the broad 
 expanse of territory over which they are spread, they appear like mere specks, 
 dotting the surface of an inland sea, so indistinct as scarcely to be appreciable on 
 the broad expanse by which they are surrounded. 
 
 QUARTZ VEINS. 
 
 In my report of last year, it will be seen that the quartz veins of the State 
 were divided into separate groups denominated the older and recent groups, 
 each having a different age and apparently belonging to different geological per 
 iods. These were again separated into three divisions, each occupying certain 
 districts of the State, and the divisions of the older group were found run 
 ning in lines nearly parallel with each other. 
 
 It will be necessary briefly to allude to the relative disposition of these veins 
 among their investing rocks in order to obtain a better idea of the positions and 
 relations of other veins which have been developed with the year that has pass 
 ed. 
 
 That group which was denominated the " older," and which includes the east 
 ern and more central line of dikes that traverse the inland districts of the State 
 pursue a strike which is nearly north and south. This intrusion occurred evi 
 dently during the period immediately preceding the upheaval of the rocks be 
 longing to the tertiary epoch, the proofs of which are found in the part that in 
 no instance are they known to have disturbed the rocks of that date, though 
 often found closely adjoining the latter, and which in some instances are found 
 to overlie the dikes themselves. 
 
 The uniformity which these rocks present in their latitudes with the rocks by 
 which they are invested, compels us to admit that they must be regarded as a 
 distinct group, equally as marked in feature as are any of the different beds 
 which go to make up any series found in the sedimentary rocks of any portion of 
 the State. 
 
 To the west of this suite of veins, are found the more recent dikes, and which 
 were called the " recent group." These extend from the edge of the plain 
 eastward for about fifteen miles, and in some few instances have been found in 
 truded among the rocks of the preceding period. 
 
 The peculiarities that remove these veins from the former, is found in the fact 
 that they have disturbed not only the primitive but also the most recent of the 
 tertiary rocks of these districts, and as late as the pliocene group in other parts 
 of the State, abundant evidences of which are met with in many parts of the 
 coast mountains. 
 
 The course of the recent dikes diverges from those of the older at an angle 
 of about twenty-four degrees, their mean trend being south twenty-four degrees 
 east, and north twenty-four degrees west. Were these peculiarities merely local, 
 we might with some degree of reason assign to the entire series a cotemporane- 
 ous age, the characteristics noticed pervade so great an extent of country that 
 
 11 
 
82 
 
 we should find some difficulty in demonstrating that they made their appearance 
 among the other rocks during one and the same period. 
 
 In addition to the preceding series we have now to consider another and dis 
 tinct set of veins which have been developed and clearly defined during the past 
 eighteen months. These are the east and west veins, which often cut for 
 mer dikes at nearly right angles, and when first seen were regarded as branches 
 of the north and south lodes ; but subsequent observation has established the 
 fact that they are an entirely independent group. 
 
 At present there are eight localities in the State at which these veins are known 
 to occur, four of which are found to cut the older veins, and the others are located 
 among the slates of the tertiaries. We have no means as yet of determining the 
 fact with any degree of certainty, whether the east and west veins are older or 
 nearer than the tertiary dikes, but what evidences there are existing leads to the 
 inference that they preceeded the latter. This presumption is based upon the fact 
 that where the east and west veins are noticed among these rocks, there is not the 
 same evidences of disruptive agency as at those points where they are found in 
 contact with the older veins. The information in our possession relative to these 
 dikes throughout the State, is such at present that we are enabled to arrange them 
 in somewhat a more systematic order than has heretofore been presented. 
 
 The table below will present at one view the different systems that are at present 
 known, and which are beyond all question ; but it is not to be supposed that those 
 presented comprise all that will ultimately be developed among the metalliferous 
 lodes of the State. Others might be added to the present list were we to adopt the 
 plan of arranging a system from surface features alone, but we prefer waiting until 
 those lodes which present indistinct evidences of being unconnected with the others 
 shall have been definitely settled by subterranean openings, for nothing can be lost 
 by the delay. 
 
 SYSTEMS OF VEINS 
 
 No. 1 North and South Veins. 
 
 No. 2 East and West Veins. 
 
 No. 3 Northeast and Southwest Veins. 
 
 The above are the only lodes yet known, and the former division of the 
 groups will still be retained until such time as the effects of the east and west 
 veins on the recent or tertiary dikes shall have been ascertained. The rocks 
 disturbed by each system will be lound as follows : 
 
 SYSTEMS. GROUPS. ROCKS DISTURBED. 
 
 North and South Veins. Older. Primitive. 
 
 East and West Veins. Median. Primitive. 
 
 Southeast and Northwest Veins. Recent. Tertiary Slates and Sandstone. 
 
 The dissimilarity in the metallic constituents of these systems is worthy of 
 remark, as well also as the peculiar dispositions of the metal itself. In the first 
 and second cases we find but little disposition to the crystalline form in any of 
 the veins yet explored, while in the other, the metal more frequently assumes 
 this character, and the percentage of silver is also much greater. 
 
 The constituents of the veins are equally well marked, the ores of lead are far 
 more common in the east and west lodes than that usually found in either of 
 the others. As a general fact, it may be stated that the metal from the 
 placers in the immediate vicinity of these veins often bears but little analogy to 
 to that found in situ among the rocks of the district in which the latter are 
 situated. It is not uncommon to find gold of a very low carat in a placer, 
 
83 
 
 while that of a metallic lode adjoining would be correspondingly high, and the 
 reverse of this is also true. 
 
 The gold of the North and South veins is usually destitute of any crystalline form 
 with the exception of one or two instances, while that from the east and west veins 
 possesses this character in a much higher degree These lodes also contain the 
 largest amount of other metallic compounds, as lead and copper, the first of which 
 is frequently productive of silver ; I have seen gold from one of these veins pro 
 ducing five per cent of that metal ; the assay was made at the United States Mint 
 of this State. 
 
 These points lead to interesting inquiries relative to placer gold, and when fully 
 understood, will settle many of the discrepancies that now obtain in relation to the 
 variable character of the metal produced from these districts ; and will ultimately be 
 the means of determining the relative ages of such deposits. 
 
 From mining explorations we are constantly acquiring information of the distri 
 bution of the metallic lodes of the State, and the day is not far distant when all the 
 different systems of productive veins will be fully understood and their peculiarities 
 noted with that precision which the necessities of this department of business de 
 mands, and an intimate acquaintance with the changes that occur in these lodes is 
 now being understood as necessary in prosecuting this business with advantage. 
 
 There is a manifest disposition in the veins below the surface to produce silver, 
 and as before remarked that tendency is much the strongest in the Median set of 
 veins. Associated with the galena of those lodes, molybdenum and tellurium are 
 common attendants throughout, and when these veins shall have been carried to 
 near those depths to which similar operations have been conducted in other 
 countries, we may confidently look for a supply of this metal that will be but little 
 inferior to the present product of gold. 
 
 QUARTZ MINES. 
 
 The operations in this department have continued active during the past season, 
 and the number of mines is on the increase. So far as the workings have been 
 conducted on the lodes during the past year, there are no farther evidences of 
 pinching out than was presented in my former report. But to the contrary, the 
 majority of the veins have increased a little in power, or have maintained fully 
 that to which they had arrived last year. The greater proportion of the mines 
 have been carried to more depth than before attained. 
 
 Of the total number of mines reported in active operation during the year, 
 there are thirty-one still engaged, nine of the number having suspended during 
 1854. Of the total number suspended, five can be considered but temporary, as 
 two are erecting new reduction works, the other three have ceased to reduce ores 
 from the inefficiency of their machinery, and it is not probable that they will again 
 resume operations until the means of transportation is such that heavy freights 
 can be conveyed to near the districts in which the latter are located. At present 
 the only transportation to these sections is upon the backs of mules and horses, 
 and those acquainted with the requisites of machinery for the reduction of ores 
 Tull readily perceive the inadequacy of such material as could be conveyed over 
 rugged mountain trails by the latter process. 
 
 The jjarties owning these mines have not abandoned the enterprise on which 
 they entered, but will await the time when the avenues of communication afford 
 advantages superior to those at present in use, and which will undoubtedly be 
 opened during the present year. 
 
 The remaining four companies that have stopped their operations, I am unable 
 
84 
 
 to give any cause for, as the parties who had the control of affairs were absent at 
 the time I visited the districts. The report of those in the vicinity of these mines, 
 in relation to the cause of their suspension, was not of a favorable character for 
 their early resumption, but I should be unwilling to say that a mine was valueless 
 upon such evidence, as private interests often exaggerate unfavorable circumstances 
 above their true color The four last are in reality all that can be considered as 
 permanently suspended, and the five preceding are at the best but temporary, as 
 three of the number will resume work about the beginning of June, and the re 
 maining two probably as early as September next. 
 
 In the immature state of this branch of industry, and the inefficiency of 
 machinery, with the difficulty of commanding often the necessary amount of capital 
 to conduct these operations to a succcessful termination, the ratio of ten per cent, 
 of those who fail cannot by any means be considered as very large. And when it 
 is compared with similar transactions in this State little more than two years since, 
 the above sinks into insignificance. Or, if we look to more distant regions, it will 
 not be difficult to find more than a parallel in the operations that transpired in the 
 early days of the Lake Superior mines. The history of mining, either in the 
 United States or Great Britain, when carefully examined, will not present a 
 broader margin of successes than is to be found in the gold mines of this State 
 since it became what might be considered a settled business, and the position which 
 they hold as sources of profit, with an increasing confidence, is the best proof of 
 their value. As we are situated in this State, these mines are subjected to the 
 most severe test which it is in the power of man to inflict upon a business of this 
 character. It is the test of intrinsic merit, and though invidious clamors are at 
 times uttered, and often by those who have never taken the pains to inform them 
 selves as to their native richness, still these even grow fainter as each succeed 
 ing month brings to light new evidences of success. 
 
 Had we the sams facilities of exhibiting the characters which our gold 
 mines present, through the agency of mining journals and jobbing boards, like 
 those in New-York, Boston, and the English Metropolis, we have no fear but that 
 the mines of this State would take their position in the front rank of those 
 operations. But unlike^ the mines abroad, they do not require at home the 
 prestige which fancy paper throws around the many faltering institutions of our 
 distant neighbors. 
 
 That our mines have thus withstood the violent assaults that have been made 
 upon them by those who stand behind the scenes of a foreign press, and thus 
 attempt to give a fatal thrust unseen, is one strong evidence that they inherit a 
 vitality which it is beyond the powers of those in this State still thus employed to 
 deprive them of. We have passed that day when either British skill or capital is 
 required to foster these operations, and the evidences are strong, that under the 
 circumstances, as they have proved themselves, we should have been far better 
 conditioned had their attention been directed to ether, and probably to them more 
 congenial channels. 
 
 We had expected to have received instruction in the mysterious art of mining 
 from a people who boast the knowledge of centuries of experience in that pro 
 fession ; but to their own astonishment, American miners in California have 
 become their tutors. I would not be guilty of casting envious reproaches upon 
 foreign friends, but justice to ourselves demands that the PACTS should come 
 out. 
 
 Another argument which in itself carries weight in regard to the integrity of 
 these mines, is the fact, that none of ithose at present engaged exhibit the slight 
 est hesitancy in embarking in additional enterprises. This is proved from the 
 fact of a constant addition of new reduction works in different parts of the State, 
 and more particularly in those counties where the mines have been opened to the 
 greatest extent. It is hardly a supposable case, to believe that men would thus 
 
85 
 
 coolly invest in speculations that require sums varying from fifteen to fifty thou 
 sand dollars, which three years experience before them has demonstrated to be a 
 failing and unprofitable business. We might torture the fact into such a conclu 
 sion, but the exercise of a little reason would be likely to dictate otherwise. 
 
 At the present time we find parties entering the field with new and increased 
 facilities at their command, (and who, from mismanagement, in times gone by, 
 have lost heavily) and are now realizing their most sanguine expectations from a 
 judicious management of those operations in which they formerly failed to suc 
 ceed. 
 
 The greater proportion of those who have embarked in this business within the 
 past year, are men who have heretofore lost heavily in the same business. Their 
 experience of former days taught them somewhat a severe lesson, but at the same 
 time, they learued enough of the value of these metallic veins to inspire that con 
 fidence in ultimate success which they are now realizing in an eminent degree. 
 This proves that their confidence was not misplaced, and the only error committed 
 in the premises was too hasty and inconsiderate action, and the use of means inade 
 quate to secure the desired end. 
 
 Gold mining in this State has arrived at such a point, that it is now looked upon 
 by those in the least conversant with the business, as one of the principal and 
 best employments for Capital and labor ; yielding a higher rate of profit for the 
 means employed than any one branch of mercantile pursuits at present known in 
 this country ; and as an evidence of this it will be but necessary to state that sev 
 eral of the mercantile men of the larger cities have withdrawn their capital from 
 their former pursuits and invested the same in the latter. It is a rare thing to 
 find one of these mines doing a losing business, for it has become a settled prin 
 ciple, that the lodes will pay the expenses of opening the mine, and there are 
 but few that do not do it. 
 
 Numerous instances of this character are found in the State, and so well has 
 this been demonstrated that those who engage in this business seldom fail to 
 realize that result. One of the best examples of this is the case of one of the 
 mines in the county of Amador, the aggregate expenses of which, in opening 
 their mine and the erection of their reduction works, amounted to seventy-one 
 thousand dollars, while the receipts from the mine, consisting of ore removed 
 from the shafts and gallerys in opening, amounted to sixty-two thousand, the 
 engine of the mill costing over twenty-two thousand. In this case the opening 
 of the mine paid nearly the entire expenses of the concern. This is not an 
 isolated instance, it is mentioned as illustrating what we have formerly said on 
 this subject, and is stated as a fact which speaks louder than words. 
 
 Such is a brief history of the general phases which are presented in this branch 
 of employment at the present time in this State, and with what has been said 
 relating to this subject in my former reports, may serve, perhaps, to correct some 
 of the erroneous impressions that still attach themselves to this important source 
 of wealth, and which are as groundless as the wind. The sun' of that day has 
 set, when it will again be in the power of any man, or set of men, to again wreck 
 that confidence which now reposes in the value of the gold mines of this State ; 
 their results have placed them beyond the reach of cavil, and beyond the shade 
 of doubt. 
 
 In what follows I shall confine myself to such statistics of mines as are at the 
 present time in my possession, with a catalogue of such new mines as have been 
 opened during the past year, and also a notice of such mines as were in operation 
 and unknown to me at the time of the publication of my former report. 
 
86 
 
 LAFAYETTE AND HELVETIA MINE. 
 
 
 
 This mine is located in Grass Valley, and the diagram of their workings is taken 
 from the lode on Lafayette Hill, one and a half miles southwest of the town. In 
 this mine is found a heavy east and west vein, having a dip of about thirty-eight 
 degrees, witli a power of four feet at eight fathoms. The lodes of this hill have 
 been fairly opened, and thus far present a somewhat envious feature to neighbors. 
 The present depth of the workings are about eleven fathoms at the deepest point, 
 the lode in the greenstone, with the above power and a tendency to advance from 
 the latter. The underlie of the vein for about one hundred feet and immediately 
 adjoining the walls, is a bed of hydrosilicate of magnesia of an extremely fine tex 
 ture, containing gold. And the adit level of the mine, exclusive of the team-road 
 for conveying the cattle to the mine-yard, is in its total length 1200 feet. Not in 
 creased from last year, it will be seen, in consequence of the change in the 
 course in which they have been driving daring the past year on the east 
 and west lode. The working on the latter is near one hundred and forty feet, 
 and thus far proved a fine quality of ore 
 
 During the past season the company have erected a new mill directly upon the 
 last lode. This is a most judicious movement on their part, as it will be the ' 
 means of saving the neat sum of eleven thousand dollars each year which has 
 been heretofore paid out for teaming. The arsenical ores do not increase much 
 from last year, and the sulphuret of iron containing and investing the metal, is 
 more abundant than formerly. The reduction works are carried by a twenty-five 
 horse-engine, with a double battery of nine stamps each, and when in full opera 
 tion is capable of reducing about thirty tons of ore per day. This mine employs 
 twelve miners on the lode, day and night, while the aggregate of the other labor 
 ers amounts to twelve more ; making a total of twenty -four. 
 
 The use of Cram's cylinder and Berdan's amalgamating apparatus, have been 
 thrown aside as of little use, and inferior to the more simple and far less expen 
 sive methods that have been suggested from practical experience in this district. 
 
 OSBORN HILL MINE. 
 
 This mine is located two miles east of Grass Valley, on the above hill, and the 
 Lawrence Hill adjacent. Vein has a strike north and south, with an easterly dip 
 of forty degrees. The workings of 1853 have been abandoned for the purpose of 
 attacking the lode at a lower point, some six hundred feet to the north of the 
 latter, and thus drain the southern part of the lode. This has been accomplished 
 by the sinking of their water-shaft to the depth of one hundred and sixteen feet, 
 and which is fifty-one feet deeper than their former shafts of the old workings, 
 and cuts the lode about 80 feet below the greatest depth reached at any former 
 period. The amount of levels driven on Osborn Hill, and principally south of 
 the deep shaft, exclusive of the extreme south workings, is four hundred and fifty 
 feet, and upon Lawrence Hill three hundred feet ; making a total of seven hun 
 dred and fifty feet thus exposing a heavy bed of good ore. The amount of 
 shafting on both hills is near that of the levels ; the mine is thus well ventilated. 
 The power of the vein is three and one half feet, at the depth of twenty feet into 
 the solid greenstone. Arsenical pyrites are plentiful among the ores of this mine. 
 The full complement of laborers at this mine engaged in the lode, is thirty-two. 
 
87 
 
 EMPIRE MINE. 
 
 Situated in Grass Valley, near the southern extremity of the town. This mine 
 has been in active operation for two years, and their works have been uninter 
 rupted during the greater part of that time. 
 
 Their principal lode is situated at Ophir Hill, one and a half miles to the east 
 of their reduction works. The superior portion of the lode is situated in a decom 
 posed granitic rock, and enters the greenstone at the depth of 103 feet, at the 
 engine shaft A. The accompanying diagram is a general plan of their tower 
 workings which is on a level with the bottom of the above shaft. The entire lode 
 is very much decomposed, and the quartz matrix heavily charged with peroxide 
 of iron ; it is very seldom that gold is easily discoverable with the naked eye in 
 any of the ores from this hill, yet is found to yield remarkably high in the reduc 
 ing process. At the main shaft, A, is an eight inch lifting-pump, driven by 
 steam to free the mine from water and also for bringing ores to the surface from 
 level, B, and gallery, C, the same being conveyed from the latter down to the 
 level through the winzes, 1, 2, 3, 4. The ores from the galleries, D, are deliv 
 ered at the whim shafts, E, E. 
 
 The ground plan exhibits the extent of the workings in December, 1854, and 
 from it may be gleaned ^ome idea of the amount of ore immediately available, as 
 well also as the very judicious manner in which the mine is conducted, both for 
 convenience and economy. The ores from the lode, like all the other mines of 
 this section, are breasted out, giving ample and convenient room for the disposition 
 of the attle. The strike of the lode is north eighteen degrees west, with a dip of 
 twenty degrees, and power of three and a half feet. 
 
 The complement of laborers at the mine is thirty-four, and including the reduc 
 tion works it amounts to about forty men actively engaged. 
 
 JONES' AND DAVIS' MINE, AMADOR, COUNTY. 
 
 The mine and reduction works are situated on the east side of a small tributary 
 of the Amador Creek, the latter passing through the town of Amador one mile 
 north of this mine. The top of the whim shaft C is one hundred and forty-five 
 feet above the level of the creek, and ninety feet below the outcrop of the vein 
 to the south. The shaft 4 on the vein is three hundred and sixty-four feet 
 above the town of Amador. The design of the company in the working of their 
 mine, as mentioned in the report of last year, has been carried out, the connec 
 tion of the lower level throughout having been completed but a few days before I 
 visited the mine this year. The mine, as now opened, presents the following ar 
 rangement : whim shaft C, 100 feet ; south shaft, 140 feet ; upper level, 280 feet ; 
 middle galleries, 150 feet; bottom levels, 180 feet. The amount of work com 
 pleted within the past year is indicated by the dotted lines, and the total amount 
 of excavation on the lode is exhibited in the dark shades of the accompanying dia 
 gram. The characteristics of the mine and the investing rocks, and reduction 
 works, are seen by reference to the latter. 
 
 This company have erected a thirty-horse water-wheel and double-battery of 
 eighteen stamps, their power is sufficient to reduce 25 tons of ore per day. They 
 have discontinued the use of steam. 
 
88 
 
 The fall complement of laborers for this mine during the ensuing year, will 
 amount to twenty-three ; they have formerly employed thirty-four doing the 
 opening of the lode. 
 
 KEY-STONE MINE. 
 
 Situated about three-fourths of a mile south of the former, and on the same 
 tributary of the Amador. It is evidently a parallel lode with that of Spring 
 Hill, and Jones' and Davis's mines, and is situated about twenty-five feet above 
 the level of the Creek. The adit runs nearly east and west for the distance of 
 one hundred and ten feet, at which point the lode is cut with a power of three 
 feet, at nine fathoms from the surface. At the end of the adit, a shaft has been 
 sunk through the lode for seven fathoms ; its diameter is four and a half feet. 
 This shaft is heavily timbered, and well ceiled, the planking and frame snugly 
 jointed. It is one of those operations that partakes strongly of the character of 
 permanency in its design and construction, like most other of the workings of 
 1S54 in this branch of business. The diagram presents the work on the lode as 
 now progressing. The old gallery at the end of the adit has been driven to 100 
 feet on the south, and 90 feet on the north. The gallery 18 feet above the end 
 of the adit, has been carried 100 feet in each direction. The level at the bottom 
 of the seven-fathom shaft is 94 feet, with a power, in the lode of five feet. 
 
 This company have also abandoned the use of steam for power, and have erect 
 ed a forty horse water wheel, and heavy battery at the old reduction works. 
 They have also built another large mill south of the former, of equal capacity, in 
 order to work their mine at distant points to better advantage. 
 
 The complement of laborers at this mine for the present is sixteen, but on 
 opening the southern workings they will employ about thirty-five. Many impor 
 tant and valuable improvements have been made during the past year on this 
 mine. 
 
 MIDIAN MINE (Lea & Johnson's.) 
 
 This mine is beginning to show its true character, a handsome lode and much 
 decomposed at the bottom of the nine fathom shaft. At the bottom of this shaft, 
 two short levels of forty feet each have been driven, which shows a power of three 
 feet in the lode at those places. On the south end of the vein an adit has been 
 driven sixty-six feet, at the end of which the lode was struck with a power of four 
 feet, on this one level has been driven of fifty-six feet. The vein shows a fair 
 prospect. 
 
 The company have erected their reduction works this year, but were not in 
 operation at the time I visited the mine. 
 
89 
 
 EUREKA MINE. 
 
 Situated near the town of Sutter, county of Amador. The whin shaft A, has 
 been carried from seven to sixteen fathoms during the past year. The adit enters 
 from the west, and is about one hundred feet in length. The upper gallery has 
 been carried south of the adit a distance of one hundred and fourteen feet, and 
 north seventy-five feet. The middle gallery is thirty feet below the preceding, 
 and opens at the whin shaft, being driven on the north sixty feet, and south 
 eighty-five feet. The level at the bottom of the sixteen fathom shaft, is one hun 
 dred and forty-four feet in length. The tramroad which was commenced last year 
 has been completed for nine hundred feet, and is now within some eighty feet of 
 the lode. The rocks are a graphic slate, very firm, and often charged with pyritic 
 crystals. 
 
 The rich thread which commenced at the surface, and for fifty feet in depth, 
 was highly piritiferous ; is found at the bottom of the main shaft much more pro 
 ductive. The pyrites have ceased entirely at this depth, and the hilo is composed 
 of metalic gold, not disseminated, but forming a true vein, at times exceeding 
 three-eighths of an inch in thickness. The vein has been struck in an adjoining 
 mine, about one thousand feet to the south. This is the only instance of a true 
 vein of metalic gold having been found in this State. 
 
 The compliment of laborers in this vein is sixteen, and the capacity for reduc 
 tion of ores about ten tons per day. 
 
 STATISTICS OF MIXES. 
 
 During the past year I have obtained statistics from fourteen of the gold mines 
 of the State. These consist of mines located in the counties of Shasta, Nevada, 
 El Dorado, and Amador. The statistics consist of all general and incidental 
 expenses, the number of operatives employed as miners, engineers, tenders, &c., 
 with their wages per month ; expenses of fuel, teaming, dead work, quantity of 
 ore reduced per day, average product of the same, with monthly and annual 
 receipts. These statistics were taken from the books of the companies, and may, 
 therefore, be entitled to confidence as a fair exhibit of the character of this branch 
 of mining. 
 
 To save time, and at the same moment render the subject more comprehensive, 
 the aggregates of these statistics will be given : 
 
 Capital invested, $ 793,000 
 
 Net receipts, ..... 1,483,000 
 Expenditures, .... 507,000 
 
 In addition to the above fourteen mines, there are thirty~others which have 
 continued in operation during 1854, and which, from the known investments of 
 the preceding year, will give an additional investment of $334,000, From the 
 net proceeds of the fourteen mines above known, and their expenses, it would be 
 safe to assume that the thirty not heard from, have yielded fully fifty per cent, on 
 their capital invested. This, it will be seen, is much below the proportion of the 
 first. This then would give for the total number of mines, an amount of capital 
 actively employed, as follows : 
 12 
 
90 
 
 Investments, - - - $1,127,000 
 
 Gross receipts, - 2,157,510 
 
 Total capital and products, - $3,284,510 for 1854. 
 
 From the above it appears that the aggregate product of these mines is about 
 four per cent, of the product of the State, as far as the latter is known with any 
 degree of certainty. 
 
 The aggregate number of persons actively employed in extracting the ores, and 
 in reducing the same, amounts to six hundred and ten, bearing a very small pro 
 portion to the great mass engaged in the other branch of mining in the State. 
 
 In regard to the above figures, I would state that they represent rather the 
 minimum than the maximum of investments and receipts, and it has been a leading 
 object in collating these statistics, to avoid those extravagant estimates, heretofore 
 indulged in, with relation to this subject. 
 
 The above list of additional mines, with the number still actively engaged from 
 last year, swellii the aggregate number for 1855, to fifty-three mines in actual 
 operation, and a net increase of thirteen from the preceding year over all that 
 have suspended for any considerable length of time. 
 
 WATER COMPANIES. 
 
 The table below will give an approximate idea of the value and extent of our 
 artificial water courses, constructed for the purpose of facilitating mining opera 
 tions The valuation in the aggregate of the counties are placed at those figures 
 on which they are known to yield a profit of five per cent, per month. The esti 
 mates are based on a careful examination of the aggregate receipts of eighty-three 
 of one hundred and nine companies included, and our list comprises but seven of 
 the principal mining counties of the State. Much interesting local details was 
 obtained, which the want of time this year prevents from appearing in these pages : 
 
 TABLE. 
 
 Counties. No. Companies. No. Miles. Valuation. 
 
 Amador, 15 129 $298,000 
 
 Calaveras, .... 12 165 397,000 
 
 El Dorado, - ' - - - 10 173 380,000 
 
 Nevada, 27 210 412,000 
 
 Placer, 11 160 369,000 
 
 Sierra, ----- 14 137 180,000 
 
 Tuolumne, - - 20 185 446,000 
 
 Total, - - - - 109 1,159 $2,480,000 
 
91 
 
 LIST OF NEW AND RESUMED MINES EOR 1854-5, 
 
 The following is a list of those mines that have gone into operation within the 
 year 1854, comprising those which have erected works for the reduction of their 
 ores. 
 
 Name of Mine. 
 
 Crcesus, ; " " "" 
 
 Canada Hill, - 
 
 Yan Ammon, * -.- 
 
 Orleans, 
 
 Whitesides & Co., 
 
 Rooky Bar, - 
 
 Mount George, 
 
 Pacific, 
 
 Maryland, 
 
 Whitlock's, 
 
 Bryant's, 
 
 Fort John, 
 
 Badger's, 
 
 Tuolumne, 
 
 Orleans, 
 
 Experimental, 
 
 San Juan, 
 
 Burleigh, 
 
 Location and County. 
 
 Auburn, Placer county. 
 Canada Hill, Nevada county* 
 Wolf Creek, Do. 
 
 Grass Valley, Do. 
 
 Wolf Creek, Do. 
 
 Grass Valley, Do. 
 Mount George, Do. 
 Placerville, El Dorado County. 
 
 Do. Do. 
 
 Logtown, Do. 
 
 Do. Do. 
 
 Drytown, Amidor County. 
 Sutter, Do. 
 
 Sonora, Tuolumne County. 
 
 Do. Do. 
 
 Columbia, Do. 
 
 Mokelumne river, Calaveras County. 
 Do. Do. 
 
 Mines omitted in report of last year, and still in operation. 
 
 Mount Pleasant, 
 Sierra Nevada, 
 Eagle, 
 Pocahontas. 
 
 Grizzly Flat, El Dorado County. 
 
 Do. Do. 
 
 Do. Do. 
 
 Logtown, Do. 
 
ALTITTDES, 
 
 AS OBSERVED BY ANEROID BAROMETER. 
 
 County. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Position. 
 
 Feet above tide 
 level. 
 
 Sacramento, 
 
 Lexington House, 
 
 House, 
 
 141 
 
 El Dorado, 
 
 Smith's Exchange, 
 
 Natoma Yalley, 
 
 325 
 
 Do. 
 
 Salmon Falls, 
 
 Bridge, 
 
 325 
 
 Do. 
 
 Indian Springs, 
 
 Top of Hill, 
 
 1,827 
 
 Do. 
 
 Pilot Hill, 
 
 Base, 
 
 1,288 
 
 Do. 
 
 Oak Valley, 
 
 Road, 
 
 1,240 
 
 Do. 
 
 Greenwood Yalley, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1,511 
 
 Do. 
 
 Georgetown, 
 
 Main street, 
 
 2,484 
 
 Do. 
 
 Spanish Flat, 
 
 Hotel, 
 
 2,444 
 
 Do. 
 
 Kelsey's Flat, 
 
 Road, 
 
 2,486 
 
 Do. 
 
 Chile Bar, 
 
 South Fork American, 
 
 980 
 
 Do. 
 
 Placerville, 
 
 Main street, 
 
 2,058 
 
 Do. 
 
 Coloma, 
 
 River, 
 
 857 
 
 Do. 
 
 White Rock, 
 
 Top of Hill, 
 
 2,300 
 
 Monterey, 
 
 Infusorial beds, 
 
 Do. 
 
 310 
 
 Shasta, 
 
 Shasta city, 
 
 Main street, 
 
 912 
 
 Do. 
 
 Red Bluffs, 
 
 River, 
 
 184 
 
 Do. 
 
 Mt Washington Mine, 
 
 Mill, 
 
 2,028 
 
 Do. 
 
 Mt. Washington, 
 
 French Gulch, 
 
 3,028 
 
 Do. 
 
 French Town, 
 
 Clear Creek, 
 
 1,754 
 
 Do. 
 
 Mountain House, 
 
 Do. 
 
 2,000 
 
 Do. 
 
 Tower's Bridge, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1,112 
 
 Do. 
 
 Mountain House, 
 
 McLaughlin's Ranch, 
 
 3,154 
 
 Trinity, 
 
 Brown's Mountain, 
 
 Summit, 
 
 3,361 
 
 Do. 
 
 Trinity Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 3,980 
 
 Do. 
 
 Weaver nlle, 
 
 Main street, 
 
 2,116 
 
 Do. 
 
 Lewis's Bridge, 
 
 Trinity river, 
 
 1,668 
 
 Los Angeles, 
 
 Los Angeles City, 
 
 Main street, 
 
 257 
 
 Santa Barbara, 
 
 Santa Barbara, 
 
 Mission, 
 
 188 
 
 
INDEX 
 
 Preface, - ------ 
 
 Report, ------ 9 
 
 Physical Geography Coast Mountains, - 9 
 
 Geology Coast Mountains, - - - - 13 
 
 Tertiary Rocks of Coast Mountains, 15 
 
 Primitive Kocks of Coast Mountains, - - - 17 
 
 Volcanic Rocks of Coast Mountains, 19 
 
 Geology San Bernardino Mountains, - 20 
 
 Stratified Rocks of San Bernardino Mountains, 24 
 
 Infusorial Group, Extent of San Bernardino Mountains, - 28 
 
 Plains Los Angeles, ----- 29 
 
 Artesian Wells, - 31 
 
 Soils and Productions of Los Angeles, 36 
 
 Mineral Products of Los Angeles, - 40 
 
 Country north American River, 43 
 
 Mineral District of Upper Sacramento Valley, - 45 
 
 Geology Northern Coast Mountains, 46 
 
 Local Geology of Northern Coast Mountains, - . . 48 
 
 Carboniferous Limestone, - - - - 50 
 
 Trinity County, - 53 
 
 Iridum and Osmium, - - - - - 55 
 
 Iron, - ----- 56 
 
 Structure of Sacramento Valley, - - - - 56 
 
 Tertiary Rocks of Sierra Nevada, - 63 
 
 Placer Mining and Ranges, 69 
 
 Eastern Range, - - ~ * - - 73 
 
 Middle Placers, ------ 74 
 
 Valley Mines, - ... - 76 
 
 Quartz Veins, - - - - - - 81 
 
 Quartz Mining, - 83 
 
 Lafayette and Helvetia, Grass Valley, Nevada County, - 86 
 
 Osborn Hill, Grass Valley, Nevada County, - 87 
 
 Empire Mine, Grass Valley, Nevada County, 87 
 
 Jones & Davis, Amador, Amadof County, - 87 
 
 Keystone, Amador, Amador County, 88 
 
 Midian, Amador, Amador Couny, - 88 
 
 Eureka, Sutter, Amador County, - 89 
 
 Statistics of Mines, - 89 
 
 Water Companies, ----- - 90 
 
 New and Resumed Mines for 1854, - - 91 
 
 Barometric Altitudes, - - - - - $2 
 

 NOTE. 
 
 During the tour for 1854 a large collection of Marine Secondary and Tertiary 
 Fossils has been made, with a variety of other mineral specimens, and as soon as 
 arranged will be deposited in the office of the Secretary of State, with those of 
 the preceding year. 
 
 JOHN B. TRASK. 
 
 - 
 
 
Document No. 14. 
 
 IN SENATE.] 
 
 [SESSION OF 1856. 
 
 REPORT 
 
 ON THE 
 
 GEOLOGY 
 
 OF 
 
 EMBRACING THE 
 
 MINERAL AND AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES 
 OF THOSE SECTIONS; 
 
 WITH 
 
 STATISTICS OF THE NORTHERN, SOUTHERN AND MIDDLE MINES, 
 
 BY DR. JOHN B. TRASK, 
 
 JAMES ALLEN, STATE PRINTER 
 
COMMUNICATION FROM STATE GEOLOGIST. 
 
 SACRAMENTO, March 1, 1856. 
 
 To His Excellency, J. NEELY JOHNSON, 
 
 Governor of the State of California : 
 
 MY DEAR SIR: 
 
 Pursuant to an Act passed in May last, by the Senate and Assembly of the 
 State of California, authorizing a further examination of the unexplored portions 
 of this State, and relating to their geological peculiarities and ^economical adap 
 tations, I have the honor through you to submit the following Report : 
 
 Yours, etc., 
 
 JOHN B. TRASK. 
 
COMMUNICATION FROM GOVERNOR 
 
 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ] 
 Sacramento, March 11, 1856. ) 
 
 To the Senate of California: 
 
 I have the honor herewith to transmit the Fourth Annual Report of Dr. J. 
 B. Trask, State Geologist. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 Your obdient Servant, 
 
 J. NEELY JOHNSON. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 In the early part of June the tour for 1855 was entered upon, and continued 
 uninterruptedly till the middle of January, 1856, comprising a period of nearly 
 eight months of actual labor in the field. With the exception of eighteen days, 
 during which time I lay sick at Shasta City with the malarious disease contracted 
 in the Sacramento Yalley hi the discharge of my duties, I have been engaged in 
 examining the mineral and agricultural capacities of those portions of the 
 State over which my route led me, and noting their economical adaptations. 
 The first part of the season was spent in the line of counties extending from 
 Marin to the south part of Mendocino, and included between the coast and Sac 
 ramento River, and crossing the coast chain, in a diagonal direction, across the 
 south-east and east part of the County of Humboldt, again to the plains. Sub 
 sequent to this, my course was directed to the northern counties, through Shasta, 
 a portion 1 of Klamath and Siskiyou. On the Upper Trinity, the head waters of 
 Salmon and Scott Rivers, much of my time was spent in exploring the tolerably 
 rugged mountains of this part of the State. 
 
 The Salmon was axamined as far down as the junction of the forks, and the 
 Scott River was followed from six miles above the junction of the South Fork, 
 down the main stream for twenty-five miles. After leaving the Scott River I 
 passed down the Scott Yalley, and over the low ridges which divide this from the 
 Shasta and Yreka Plains, on to the town of Yreka. After leaving this locality 
 I traveled through the valley of Shasta River and down that river to its junction 
 with the Klamath. Leaving this stream at this point, on account of the diffi 
 culty of traveling along its course, I again struck it at two points below. 
 
 During this part of the season the Indian troubles that existed in this part of 
 the State, rendered traveling alone a dangerous undertaking, and as the season 
 was considerably advanced, being then near the latter part of August, I retraced 
 my steps, and reached the Sacramento in the early part of September. I then 
 took up my route for the southern part of the State, and spent the months of 
 October and November in those districts, as far south as the San Bernardino. 
 
 Returning from thence, the balance of the season was spent in the mining 
 portions of the State, the line traveled over extending from the branches of the 
 Feather, through to Mariposa, at which time I closed my labors in the field. 
 
REPORT. 
 
 This Report will embrace a portion of the counties lying in the Coast Moun- 
 | tains, north of the Bay of San Francisco. The counties included extend from 
 
 Marin to near the northern line of Siskiyou, including the following : Marin, 
 I Sonoma, Napa, Solano, part of Mendocino and Humboldt, with portions of Shasta, 
 
 Trinity, the east part of Klamath and Siskiyou. 
 
 I 
 
 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 
 
 The above portion of the State is made up, for the most part, of mountain 
 ridges having precipitous flanks, with deep, rugged, and in many cases, al most 
 impassable canons. The ridges of the mountains preserve a great degree of par 
 allelism for the greater part of their course, or until after passing the fortieth par 
 allel of north latitude, when they become more rugged, elevated and confused, 
 losing the peculiar characteristics noticeable in their more southern parts. 
 
 Between these ridges lie more or less extended valleys at different elevations, 
 some of which are of considerable magnitude and form the great agricultural 
 regions of this portion of the State. Bounding these valleys are high, rolling 
 hills, covered with the indigenous grasses and wild oats which furnish the grazing 
 lands for the large herds that abound in this region. On the line, two or three 
 large bays indent the coast, the more interesting of which is that of Tourales. 
 
 The gap in the mountains which admits this bay, is about fifteen miles long, 
 and from one to two miles in breadth ; on the south-west point Tourales forms 
 one side, extending in a south-west direction, and terminating finally in the high 
 hills running northward from Touralpias, and on the opposite side, the high ridge 
 which attains an elevation of about 1,400 feet as it approaches the hills in the 
 vicinity of San Rafael. 
 
 Between the two ridges, and near the bend of the bay, a lower gap occurs 
 which readily admits the strong sea winds met so abruptly in passing up the 
 straits leading from the Bay of San Francisco to that of San Pablo. This pecu 
 liarity will be noticed more at length in the following pages, as it will be found 
 to exert a strong influence on the economical adaptations of the country within i ts 
 range. From Tourales, northward, until arriving at Bodega, the country is made 
 up of low mountains ; and after passing this point the mountains assume a much 
 more rugged and elevated character to Cape Mendocino, being but a succession 
 of ridges and canons all the way for that distance, with small and fertile valleys 
 included. 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 Eastward from Fort Ross few persons have traveled, and fewer still will proba 
 bly ever attempt to describe that portion of the mountain ridges ; it is frequented 
 only by the hunter, its rugged character rendering it unadapted to other uses. 
 
 Between the western or ocean ridges and the first high ranges to the east, lies 
 the extensive valley of Petaluma, the length of which, between its extremes proper, 
 is forty miles, with a varying width from eight to fourteen miles. Separated 
 from this by a range of hills is the valley of Russian River, an elevated fertile 
 plain of about seventeen miles in extent, and which ceases at the great bend of 
 that stream at the point where the river canons, and in the vicinity of twenty-five 
 miles from the coast. 
 
 Near the head of Russian River, and between that stream and the waters of 
 Clear Lake, stands the high truncated summit of Mount Helen ; upon its summit, 
 fastened to the solid rock, is a plate of copper bearing a Russian inscription. 
 
 North and west of the mountain extend a line of rugged r barren, volcanic 
 peaks at a short distance from the edge of the valley which skirts the lake ; and 
 again, upon its north-west and northern end the same wild features abound. 
 These mountains are covered, to a greater or less extent, with volcanic glass, most 
 unmistakeable evidence of their recent origin. 
 
 This lake, situated at a considerable elevation in these mountains, is not far 
 from twenty-five miles in length, with a variable breadth of from one to seven or 
 nine miles. The valley forming its shores is well timbered and possesses high 
 productive capacities if properly tilled. This lake furnishes the principal water 
 for Cache and Puta Creeks, which reaches the Sacramento through tte tule 
 marshes that border that stream to the south-east of where those streams emerge 
 from the mountains. 
 
 Traveling in a northerly direction from the north border of this sheet of water, 
 you cross two ridges giving rise to several streams that flow into the Sacramento 
 for forty miles beyond, when an oblique line of ridges commence, bearing a more 
 westerly direction than those of the preceding portions of the. mountains spoken 
 of, and whose western flanks form the shed, furnishing the southern tributaries 
 of the South Trinity and Lower Klamath with part of their waters, which are 
 thus discharged directly into the Pacific Ocean. South of the preceding, there 
 are several other streams furnished from these mountains, which discharge their 
 waters at various points along the line of the coast. 
 
 From the head of Stone Creek I reached the valley sections of the Sacramento, 
 and arriving at Shasta, again went over a portion of the route of the preceding 
 year, to the base of that part of the Coast Mountains known as the Trinity 
 Mountains, and crossed the latter from the waters of Clear Creek about eighteen 
 miles above the point crossed in 1854. These mountains maintain an average 
 hight for their entire length of nearly or quite four thousand feet and bear a 
 westerly bend ; the distance from base to base being about twelve miles. I 
 have crossed this ridge at four different points, but never at a less distance than 
 nine miles. They divide the waters of the Trinity and Clear Creeks ; the one 
 flowing into the Pacific by the Klamath, and the latter into the same ocean by 
 the Sacramento. After crossing these mountains and the streams at their base, 
 the route lies for the most part on or near the river. This portion of the stream 
 is Steward's Fork, (improperly called the " North Fork," the North Fork proper 
 being situated some thirty miles below Gribb's Ferry,) and may be followed with 
 ease nearly to its sources, being fordable at short distances for its entire length. 
 
 The ridge dividing the Trinity from the Salmon is an elevated, rough and 
 rocky group of jagged peaks, having an average hight of about five thousand 
 feet. On their southern slope'there is nothing of interest, but on the northern 
 declivities there are to be found the local drift deposits, which are observable on 
 the flanks of the Sierra Nevada. 
 
11 
 
 The route usually followed leads to the east of these mountains at a distance 
 of eight miles, arfd up the canons of Steward's Fork to the base of Scott's 
 Mountain, which is bufo a spur of the Salmon Mountains, and divides the waters 
 of the Trinity, Salmon and Scott's Rivers at this particular point. 
 
 The distance across the Scott's Mountain is about eight miles, though usually 
 estimated much higher than this amount, from the difficulty of making passage 
 and the time required in consequence of the rocky character of the trail. 
 
 Immediately on reaching the base of this mountain to the north, you enter the 
 head of Scott's Valley near Callahan's Ranch. At this point the South Fork 
 of the Scott joins the main stream, which winds through this broad plain on the 
 western side and its center, for twenty-eight miles, or to a point nearly opposite 
 Fort Jones. From there the stream assumes a more westerly turn and joins the 
 Klamath some forty miles from the above named point. 
 
 At a short distance beyond the Fort the road down the valley turns short to 
 the right and -follows this northerly course for about twenty miles all the way 
 on the level of the plain. At this point a low mountain intervenes, which 
 separates the Scott's River Yalley from that of the valley of the Shasta River, 
 lying to the east, and that of the smaller valley of Yreka about seven miles to 
 the north of its base. The latter valley is but a branch of the valley of Shasta 
 River and has received its name from the building of the city near its center. 
 
 Among the higher southern ridges of those mountains which divide the two 
 large valleys above noted, the Shasta River has its rise, and not as has generally 
 been supposed and stated, in the mountains of Shasta Peak. This mountain and 
 adjacent hills furnish the waters at the sources of the Sacramento on the south, 
 east and west, and on its northern flank throws off two of the southern tributa 
 ries of the Klamath. I think that at least six-tenths of the waters derived from 
 Mount Shasta, find their way to the ocean by the Sacramento, and this mountain 
 furnishes the principal, and in fact the sources of that stream. 
 
 This, it will be seen, modifies our views much respecting the geographical fea 
 tures and positions of this part of the State, and teaches us the fact that the 
 latter river belongs strictly to the Coast Mountains, and not to the Sierra Nevada, 
 as heretofore represented. 
 
 I am thus particular in this respect, for the reason that so many palpable 
 errors have crept into our local geography, that the utmost disorder at present 
 prevails, and thus far this matter seems governed by one general law, viz : the 
 law of general confusion only. After crossing the Shasta River, we find little 
 else than rugged hills, until arriving at the Klamath, and here those hills assume, 
 and pass into thefange known as the Siskiyou Mountains, which continue nearly 
 to the coast, the Klamath winding its course at their southern base. To speak 
 of these mountains would be but a reiteration of what has been said of others 
 belonging to the coast mountains, and it is unnecessary to say more relating to 
 them until we come to consider their geological structure, and influences on the 
 climate of the surrounding country. 
 
 GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF COAST MOUNTAINS NORTH OF 
 THE BAY OF SAN FRANCISCO. 
 
 The geological structure of this portion of the State has been treated of to 
 soiie extent, but there are additional points relating thereto that require some 
 attention. The district of country from the northern shores of the Gate to the 
 head of the Arroya San Antonio, have heretofore been treated of by others; 
 that portion will therefore be passed over in order to avoid repetition. Our 
 present examination will commence near the head of the above arroya, and con 
 tinue through those parts of the mountains not before noticed. 
 
12 
 
 COUNTY OF SONOMA. 
 
 From the known character of the rocks, both primitive and sedimentary, th* 
 abound along the shores of our large bays, and from thence extend to some dis 
 tance into the interior, it might at first be thought that an easy inference could 
 be drawn of the character of the country to the north-west having so many of 
 the general external features that appear in preceding districts but such is not 
 the fact, for soon after leaving the coast line of the bays, we enter a widely dif 
 ferent character of rocks from those found near them on the head of the San 
 Antonio, the serpentine and other primitive rocks which are found from this 
 point southward, cease. The country from thence northward, to the town of 
 Petaluma, assumes a new aspect, the rocks changing from the primitive groups 
 to those of recently volcanic origin. So far as my examinations extended, these 
 latter did not in any case present the slightest trace of any one of the sedimen 
 tary rocks, excepting the local drifts. 
 
 The entire group which underlies this part of the country is of a basaltic char 
 acter exclusively, having in some cases the massive form, in others again the true 
 columnar structure. At the distance of about one mile westward of the town 
 of Petaluma the latter characteristic may be conveniently examined, for at this 
 point the basaltic columns are being quarried for the purpose of erecting build 
 ings at this flourishing place. At this locality the prisms are usually about six 
 feet in length each, and regularly pentagonal in form, standing upright, and on 
 a prism of equal diameter in breadth. This enables them to be thrown down 
 easily, after which they are cut into sections of the required thickness", and used 
 for the purpose above named. 
 
 This group of rocks extend in a westerly direction, to within three or four 
 miles of the coast, but are not found upon the shore line, with the exception of 
 one instance, and this occurs about six miles south-east of Lopes Embarcadero, 
 on Tomales Bay. 
 
 In a northerly direction and among the high hills skirting the valley of Peta 
 luma, these rocks are traceable for thirty or forty miles, after which they give 
 place to the primitive rocks again, which continue on the ridge fronting the 
 coast for fifty miles further on towards Mendocino. 
 
 To localize more particularly the boundaries of the volcanic rocks westward 
 from Petaluma, it will be necessary to state, that near the crossing of the Estero 
 Americano, on the Bodega Road, the first out-cross of the primitive series is found, 
 surmounted by the same fossiliferous rocks as those of Monte Diablo. This is the 
 first instance in which the latter rocks are met with on this ifne of travel. It is 
 interesting to observe the regularity that presents itself in these particulars, for 
 this deposit of marine fossils fixes the relative age of these distant points, and 
 shows us more plainly their cotemporaneous origin. The primitive rocks and the 
 fossiliferous group resting upon them are tilted to the west, and at the contact of 
 the volcanic and primitive groups the most unmistakable evidences of change in 
 structure is apparent. 
 
 In view of these facts it may not be amiss in reasoning upon this subject, and 
 in considering the relative ages of plutonic rocks, not to place too strong a stress 
 on more isolated facts, which might lead us to suppose that a primitive group may 
 be of more recent age than those of known modern deposits. 
 
 The basaltic rocks of this district are clearly post-tertiary, but I am inclined to 
 the belief that the statements made, of the primitive rocks of San Francisco being 
 of that age, will admit of some argument, though I do not design to discuss that 
 question in this place. 
 
 From Tomales Point (which is of granite), southward, and from the same point 
 
Ib 
 
 northward, the coast line of mountains to Fort Ross are of the same primitive 
 character, being made up of rocks of the granite series, imposed upon which are 
 those of sedimentary origin. 
 
 The latter class consists for the most part%f a coarse conglomerate, alternated 
 at distant intervals with small beds of the coarse brown and yellowish sandstone 
 incident to almost every other part of the coast line from one extreme of the State 
 to the other. The latter beds contain marine mollusca in the fossil state, but none 
 were observed in the conglomerates which lie superior to them. At Bodega Head 
 several beds of these conglomerates are found ; and the point forming the reef at 
 this place is of the same character. 
 
 There is reason to believe that this conglomerate is auriferous ; and subsequent 
 to my visit to these localities gold was found in small quantities among the debris 
 of these rocks. At Point Tomales on the west shore of the bay, gold also abounds, 
 but in small quantity. It is found about one mile from the northern end of the 
 point, near the settlements on that shore. 
 
 Leaving the coast line and passing into the interior, we find the geological char 
 acter of the country changing in a material degree. At the distance of twenty 
 miles from the coast and east of Fort Ross, the volcanic rocks again make their 
 appearance, and continue northward and eastward almost uninterrupted for sixty 
 or seventy miles. Occasionally an isolated group of some of the primitive series 
 is met with in these ranges, and when this is the case more or less of the marine 
 tertiaries accompany them. All that were met with have apparently the same 
 relative age as those of the Monte Diablo groups. 
 
 Aniong the mountains on the south-west and west of Clear Lake, there are large 
 masses of scorial associated with alsidian, (volcanic glass), which is spread broad 
 cast among these hills, thrown out from recent craters, often met with in this part 
 of the State. 
 
 Among the basalts of the country south and about the Petaluma district, no 
 scoria was found in place that had the appearance of having been ejected in the 
 vicinity, but a plentiful supply is found upon the surface, all of which are evidently 
 transported masses from the more northern sections. 
 
 At first it is somewhat difficult to account for these features in the lower lands 
 of this plain, as there seemed no adequate cause for producing so extensive a local 
 deposit, as no river runs through this valley at the present time. In some exam 
 inations made in the earth thrown from a well on the premises of Judge Thom 
 son, the secret was in some measure explained; for here the shells of several fresh 
 water molluscas of the genus unio, and parts of a crustacean, (probably astacus), 
 were found at the depth of eighteen or twenty feet below the surface. 
 
 On subsequent examination of the plain, an old river bed was traced for nearly 
 its entire length, having two distinct terraces on each side. This ancient bed was 
 followed to within about two miles of the present bed of Russian River, from 
 which it is divided by a very low range of hills, and here the former bed is 
 entirely effaced. 
 
 Near this point, (which is called Russian River Valley,) the Russian River 
 Canons suddenly breaks through the primitive rocks in a broad chasm, the bend 
 at this place forming almost three sides of a parallelogram. 
 
 I have no doubt from the present position of the stream that it has been divert 
 ed from its course, which was originally through the great valley of the south, 
 and forced into its present bed during those violent convulsions that, at a compar 
 atively recent period, must have disturbed this entire section. A stream of the 
 capacity of the above would be amply sufficient to account for the local drift of 
 this plain, and which cannot be well explained on any other hypothesis. 
 
 On the eastern side of the Petaluma Valley, a range or spur of low moun 
 tains separates the former from the Valley of Sonoma. These mountains are made 
 
14 
 
 up of fhe same materials as those to the west, but at their southern extremity 
 there is a small out-crop of the primitive rocks. 
 
 These two valleys unite a few miles north of the Guilicus, and are, in fact, but 
 one plain, being divided into two branches by the group of low mountains above 
 alluded to. 
 
 On both flanks of the ridge in the middle of this plain, and at elevations vary 
 ing from two to five hundred feet above the sea, are to be found beds of an 
 infusorial deposit in a fossil state, of considerable thickness. These beds are 
 made up of the siliceous coverings of the Diatomacne principally. On the west 
 flank of the mountain north of Santa Rosa, they extend for a distance of twelve 
 miles, making the entire length of these deposits on this line of ridges about 
 twenty-eight miles. 
 
 Crossing a similar ridge from Sonoma to Napa Valley, which is about twelve 
 miles across, the same deposits are met with on both flanks of the mountain 
 skirting the Napa Valley, and they extend in an easterly direction across the 
 southern spurs of the range to the declivities of the Coast Mountains, forming 
 the west boundaries of the Sacramento Plains, and as far north on that flank as 
 Puta Creek, beyond which point I have, as yet, been unable to trace them. 
 
 This deposit bears the common name of " Chalk Rock " throughout this part 
 of the country. In all the points at which an opportunity has offered for exami 
 nation, these fossil deposits were found reposmg on the primitive series, associated 
 or unassociated with others of the sedimentary group ; in some cases the latter 
 were filled with other marine fossils, but in most instances they were destitute of 
 organic remains. "Nfc i j- 
 
 MINERAL CHARACTER OF THE PRIMITIVE ROCKS OF THE COAST 
 
 MOUNTAINS. 
 
 Among the primitive rocks of the above district the granite series was most 
 predominant. These consisted of coarse granite, mica, schists, sienites, with occa 
 sional patches of the serpentine rocks. The granites w'ere mostly micaceous, and 
 the seams often contained epidote. 
 
 It was a frequent occurrence to find small veins of quartz running through the 
 series in almost every part of it. The drift derived from the breaking down of 
 this series, contains a large proportion of this material, sufficient to attract atten 
 tion in passing over almost any part of these plains. 
 
 Magnetic sand was observed in most of the small streams, and the sulphuret of 
 iron in a few localities. In the vicinity of the Sulphur Springs at the head of 
 Napa Valley, and in the trappean rocks of that district, this latter mineral is abun 
 dant. It is owing to the presence of this mineral at these springs that they de 
 rive their sulphurous odor. 
 
 SOILS OF PETALUMA VALLEY. 
 
 From the character of the rocks above described, and which compose the 
 mountains that surround this and the adjoining valleys, it will be easy to infer the 
 character of a soil derived from such materials. 
 
 Accordingly, we find on most of the lower bottoms, a compost, it might almost 
 be said, that in itself would be adequate to the production of almost any crop that 
 might be placed upon it. In the immediate vicinity of the recent volcanic rocks 
 the soil is soft and mellow, being much superior to that on the bottom lands of 
 the plain. On these bottom lands there is an intimate mixture of the arenaceous 
 
15 
 
 materials found upon the hills to the north, which causes the texture of the soil to 
 become much lighter and more susceptible to the influences of heat which super 
 vene in the earlier part of the seasons. 
 
 On the more elevated portions of this plain the soil is made up of a coarser ma 
 terial with *a strong admixture of small gravel, which gives the impression of 
 harshness and sterility to some extent, but a closer examination develops the fact 
 that these grounds are equally capable of production with those of the bottoms. 
 
 All portions of this plain and its branches are not susceptible of cultivation to 
 the same extent as the above, for the reason, that in the vicinity of the lateral 
 plains there are to be found beds of coarse, arenaceous rocks resting on patches 
 of the granite, which have played an important part in making up the soils of 
 those districts. Although the material composing these, grounds is sufficiently 
 comminuted for ordinary purposes of agriculture, still they will prove unprofitable 
 for cropping, from the uncertainty to which they will always be liable, resulting 
 from a deficiency in the elements necessary to produce the cereals in particular. 
 In grounds of this character, two years has been sufficient to render these lands 
 totally unadapted to the production of wheat, though barley and oats thrive fairly 
 upon them still ; this results evidently from a deficiency of the phosphates and 
 lime, which are almost imperceptible in their productions or the soils themselves. 
 I have conversed with farmers in this and the adjoining valleys, and found a very 
 erroneous opinion existing as to the character of the soil and the presence of lime 
 in the adjoining hills. The white, siliceous deposit of the infusoria was mistaken 
 for calcareous' rocks, arising probably from the name of chalk being ordinarily 
 applied to this material. 
 
 That the grounds forming the main body of the Petaluma Valley proper are, 
 for the most part, well adapted to the produce of wheat, barley and oats, still it is, 
 in my opinion, very questionable if these crops can succeed well in this district, 
 those of oats and wheat more particularly. The reason of this is most obvious, 
 and is dependent on climatic influences entirely. 
 
 One of the great causes operating to induce a loss in this species of cropping 
 b|jng the universality of the rust, to which they must be constantly liable 
 according to our present information respecting the causes of its appearance. It 
 is a matter of no small moment with the agriculturalist of this part of the State 
 to determine this matter satisfactorily and weigh all the evidences pertaining to 
 this point ; and if he proceeds otherwise he incurs the risk of a loss of his labor 
 and expenses in the introduction of crops. During the past year an extended 
 range of the agricultural portions of this part of the State was traveled over by 
 myself and nearly all the peculiarities relating to the grain crops noted ; and 
 I may state it as a general fact, that all the wheat, and of whatever variety, 
 suffered almost total destruction from the supervention of the rust at the period 
 of the milk, in this and the adjoining valleys to the east, as far as the Bucca / 
 Valley, that came within the range of the cool winds of the ocean. A field that / 
 was healthy to-day would in forty-eight hours become valueless, so sudden were 
 the effects produced upon these crops. 
 
 The wheat alone is not the only thing that suffers, for we find that the wild 
 oats that cover the hills is affected in a like degree, and to that extent that 
 cattle refuse to feed upon it. I heard of but four instances in which the culti 
 vated oat was affected. 
 
 This, however, is sufficient to show that there is an uncertainty existing touch 
 ing these two grains, that should demand the careful attention of the farmer 
 situated in these sections. 
 
 On a preceding page of this Report I stated, under the head of " Physica\ 
 Geography," that the position of the mountains forming the Coast Range woulf 
 be considered again in relation to this subject. 
 
16 
 
 The trend of the ridges extending from the interior to the Coast Line is usually 
 about north-west, and this position is maintained from Fort Ross to PuntaReys. 
 
 The winds that prevail on the coast during the summer and spring months are 
 in nearly the same direction, and thfts finds a long line of direct avenues whereby 
 it reaches the interior loaded with moisture from the ocean, appearing, as it 
 enters the interior through these gaps, in the form of dense, cold fogs. 
 
 It is from this cause that we experience the strong winds on the Bay of San 
 Pablo in the e^ning, similar to those of San Francisco at the same time. 
 
 In the Valley of Petaluma these winds also prevail, reaching the lower part of 
 the valley about four o'clock in the afternoon. In the Valley of Russian River 
 I find a more westerly wind prevailing, which enters that section through the 
 canon of that stream. Thus, it is evident that plains of this section, and situa 
 ted in the depression of these mountains, must always be subjected to the influ 
 ences of these breezes in almost every part of them. 
 
 Our present knowledge relating to the peculiar causes inducing the rust in 
 wheat, leads us to the conclusion that the crop on these plains must (from the 
 above circumstances, and the relative position of the valley,) attach to itself 
 that degree of uncertainty in its ultimate product as to render its introduction a 
 hazardous enterprise. 
 
 Thus far, barley and root crops have succeeded without injury, and so far as 
 quantity in product is concerned, have netted a large return ; and it is to this 
 variety of cropping, that I consider the district better adapted than to any other. 
 Were these deficiencies in the soil, they could easily be remedied by artificial 
 means, but where climatic influences are the causes of discrepant and unremuner- 
 ative results, it is beyond the power of man to control them. As a grazing coun 
 try, this entire section has no superior on this coast, and its advantages in this 
 particular have not been overlooked by many residing here. In fact, this entire 
 range of valleys and hills, from the shore line to the western edge of the Sacra 
 mento Valley, is the great dairy of California. Some idea of this may be gained 
 from the fact, that upwards of fifty tons of butter alone was shipped from the 
 town of Petaluma during 1855, and a much larger amount of cheese from |}ie 
 same locality all of which is used in the market of Sa Francisco. 
 
 The advantages of this country for dairy purposes consists in the fact, that 
 from the coast line, eastward, the amount of moisture absorbed from the ocean 
 fogs as they pass over the grounds, is sufficient to keep plants and grasses, (of 
 which there is abundance,) in a fresh and green state, during the greater portion 
 of the summer months ; while the interior, during the same periods, are parched 
 and dried up almost entirely. 
 
 I would take this opportunity of suggesting to the people of this section of the 
 State, the culture of the honey bee. It is the only portion with which I am 
 acquainted that holds out the slightest hope that that insect can be reared with 
 advantage and profit ; for, it is only on the shore districts of this country that 
 flowers are abundant during the summer season. 
 
 Thus far the production of honey, by the natural process of manufacture, has 
 failed in this State, but this portion of it certainly ofl'ers the strongest induce 
 ments to attempt the production of this article as a source of profit. I think 
 that the bee might be sustained for forty miles along this coast line. 
 
PLAIN, WEST OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER. 
 
 After leaving the Sonoma and Napa Districts on an easterly line of travel, 
 you enter immediately on the southern end of the Sacramento Valley, west of 
 the river. The Bacca Plain may properly be considered the commencement of 
 the valley at this point. 
 
 The soil along this line of country northward, to the County of Colusi, differs 
 somewhat from that of the coast valleys preceding. They are made up for the 
 most part of the debris of the trappean and other primitive rocks, which as a 
 general rule, present but few traces of the serpentine rocks or its derivatives. 
 Syenites and green stone, the equivalents of the eastern mountain range, are 
 found here. 
 
 The grounds are soft and mellow, easily tilled, and highly productive in char 
 acter. It is evident, however, that a continued succession of the wheat crop 
 alone in these lands, must in a few years render them unprofitable for this cul 
 ture, for the reason that the materials from which the soils have been derived do 
 not contain those elements in sufficient amount to insure with certainty a long 
 series of cropping with this grain. The calcareous and phosphatic minerals are 
 limited in quantity, which, as every informed farmer must know, will sooner or 
 later seriously impoverish those lands, unless attended to early, and their grounds 
 kept in condition, either by artificial application of the materials thus annually 
 exhausted, or an intermission of the barley and oats, which will enable them to 
 recover by a natural, and perhaps more profitable process. 
 
 These remarks will apply to the entire range of country included between 
 Puta Creek on the south, and Stony Creek on the north. It would be well for 
 agriculturalists in this part of the State, (those at least who are permanently 
 located there,) to consider this subject well, as a heavy interest, in a pecuniary 
 point of view, attaches itself to this matter. 
 
 This part of the State (and also that on the east side of the river, included 
 within the same parallels,) must become the main wheat producing districts of 
 California. Other portions of the valley sections, though in many instances 
 possessing a soil of superior fertility, cannot be relied upon with certainty for the 
 production of this crop, although those districts will produce both wheat and 
 barley beyond any question whatever. The reason of this is obvious, and it 
 needs but a glance at the geographical positions of each to readily perceive why 
 this is so. The relative position of the coast valleys and plains to the ocean, is 
 such that the moist winds of the latter, with the chilling coldness that usually 
 attend them must, and will, exert a pernicious influence on the wheat in any por 
 tion of them. 
 
 The experience of rigid investigation for many years past in other countries, 
 lead us to the above conclusions, and we should certainly profit by what that 
 practical experience has demonstrated. 
 
 Had we a series of meteorological observations instituted along our valley sec 
 tions, situated in the Coast Mountains, and upon our great interior plains, we 
 should not be left to fall back upon so many of those vague surmises that at the 
 present time forms not only the basis of opinion, but of subsequent action also, 
 relating to the constant discrepancies that arise touching the matter of agricul 
 ture in all its varied departments. But so long as the present system exists, we 
 must expect to suffer from what we now look upon as unaccountable results, when 
 the loss of a crop (save in some half a dozen counties,) is found to occur. When 
 these crops are successful, ample reasons are found to account for the fact why 
 tnuy arc so, the fertility of the soil is made to shoulder and support the weighty 
 fabric, as though no other agent had even the shadow of an existence in such 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 results. But the succeeding year this same crop is a total loss, and thousands of 
 our laboring farmers are bankrupted as the consequence. What, then, is the 
 reply ? An hundred wild vagaries are put forth to shelter presumptuous igno 
 rance, which finally falls back on the principles adopted by a coroner's jury, where 
 the causes of death are not distinctly apparent, viz : " death by dispensation of 
 Providence," " died by a visitation of God." 
 
 This reminds us of the reply of an ancient philosopher, touching an important 
 question in hydraulics, " Nature abhors a vacuum beyond thirty-two feet ;" and 
 we may safely infer that the fertility of our soils in such cases "abhors" the produc 
 tion of the crop, although the evidences of inexhaustibility in the soils are never 
 more apparent than when that crop is successful. 
 
 This is our present condition relating to this matter, and the usual number of 
 causes assigned for such discrepancies are equaled only by the groundless premi 
 ses on which they are based. As this subject touches a vital interest in this 
 State's welfare, it should merit that attention which its importance demands, and 
 measures taken to develop the facts which have a bearing upon this subject, leav 
 ing the fancies that have hitherto attached themselves to this subject, to their 
 own support. 
 
 To avail ourselves of such means of demonstrative evidences, should be one 
 of our first motives of action, for in this subject the whole people have a direct 
 interest, it being a matter that affects each person pecuniarily, and the State in 
 the same manner, but to a more extended degree. To accomplish this result, a 
 series of meteorological observations should be instituted, that would extend 
 from Siskiyou to San Diego. Sixteen stations, at as many different parts of the 
 State, would not be too small a number, which could be thoroughly equipped 
 with all necessary instruments for about $1,800. The result of such observa 
 tions would place us in possession of facts, whereby legitimate deductions could 
 be made as to the influences that climatic changes and conditions exert on the 
 different varieties of crops that our lands are capable of producing, and which 
 have been made so wofully manifest during 1855. 
 
 These are the only means by which this matter can be demonstrated, and until 
 adopted, and systematically carried out, the uncertainty and doubt that now 
 invest this subject must continue, the State, and private citizens being subjected 
 to losses, in the failure of certain kinds of grains, without a hint even of the 
 medicate causes producing the sad effects that it has been our lot to witness 
 within the past year. 
 
 SAN BERNARDINO. 
 
 During the months of October and November, the country intermediate 
 between Los Angeles and San Bernardino was partially examined. This district 
 is made up of an elevated plain, ranging from two hundred to nine hundred feet 
 above the sea, the ascent from Los Angeles to the highest part of the plain 
 being gradual and uniform. The north side of the plain is flanked by high and 
 rugged mountains, the mean trend of which is nearly east and west, and belong 
 to the San Bernardino range. It is this same range that at Santa Barbara, and 
 for a considerable distance eastward, has found a place on local maps, bearing 
 the name of Sierra Madre, which is very inappropriate, and only serves to pro 
 duce confusion. The range should bear the name of one of the principal moun 
 tains, San Jacinto, or San Bernardino ; the latter would be preferable, as it is 
 most prominent, and better known. As it is a distinct range, and of considera 
 ble length, probably not less than two hundred miles, or even more than this, 
 and running in a direction almost transverse to every other mountain chain, 
 either in this State or the adjoining province of Sonora, a name that would sep- 
 
19 
 
 arate it from the chain, bearing the appellation of Sierra Madre, in the latter 
 province, should be adopted, for it is only by knowing the positions of our moun 
 tains that the geography of the State can ever be clearly defined. 
 
 On the south side the plain is skirted by a range of high hills and low moun 
 tains, derived apparently from the high mountain near the coast, and on the east 
 side of the Bay of San Pedro, known as the Santa Anna, deriving its name from 
 the river which flows and discharges its waters into the sea at its base. 
 
 The country after leaving the Monte, which is ten miles east of Los Angeles, 
 gradually attains elevation for sixty miles, at the rate of about twelve feet per 
 mile, and terminates near the western edge of the valley, on which the town of 
 San Bernardino is built. From here the ground descends for several miles, form 
 ing the beautiful valley bearing the latter name. 
 
 For the distance of about twenty miles of the route, the country is almost a 
 perfect desert, producing but- a scanty vegetation, consisting of almost leafless 
 shrubs, with a few scattered species of the low palm tribe, and cactus. 
 
 After crossing this desert, you enter one of, the most beautiful valleys in the 
 State, surrounded on every side by water, and a stream of considerable size, (the 
 Santa Anna,) coursing its eastern and southern border. This valley contains 
 about twelve leagues of land, and is situated about twenty miles west of the 
 mountain. Similar in climate to the plains, of Los Angeles, it is capable of pro 
 ducing the fruits and flowers of either the temperate or tropical zones. Indigo, 
 coffee and tobacco, will flourish here, and either, as a crop, would prove more 
 remunerative than those now raised in this or any other portion of the State. 
 The introduction of either, or all of these staples of trade and commerce, in this 
 locality in particular, is a subject that should command the attention of our citi 
 zens residing there. 
 
 The production of wheat in this valley, must, for the reasons given in preceding 
 pages, prove too doubtful a crop to be relied upon as a source of revenue entirely, 
 for the blasting effects of the sea winds reach this place with ease. The charac 
 ter of the immediate and distant country that surrounds this section, must, so 
 long as they exist in their present form, induce a frequent re-enactment of the 
 disastrous results to that crop, which befel alike them and their more northern 
 and western neighbors the past year. 
 
 The soil is possessed of almost unlimited capacities, and a fine climate exists. 
 This may be aptly illustrated by a statement of the fact, that after the blight of 
 the cereal crop in 1855; the grounds were re-plowed, and planted to maize, 
 which was nearly ready for harvest in the month of October of the same year. 
 This district, like % the primitive sections of the Sierra Nevada, produces gold in its 
 rocks and streams, sufficient in quantity to warrant mining explorations to a consid 
 erable extent. But with me it would be a matter of doubtful policy, to abandon 
 the more certain results of agricultural pursuits, with the advantages that soil and 
 climate here present for the production of those staples of trade, which as a State 
 we now so heavily import, for the more uncertain, but at times the more ready 
 product of the mine and placer. When all other means fail, they have the mate 
 rial about them that will furnish all the necessaries of life that are purchasable 
 for a long period of time- 
 
 The streams that produce gold in this part of the State, are those of the San 
 Gabriel, Arroya del Gabon, the Santa Anna and its mountain tributaries, with the 
 valley at the base of San Bernardino, known as Valle del Oso, (Bear Valley). 
 The metal is in coarse, thick scales, and small, pin-head grains, usually but little 
 waterworn, and often quite rough. Between the mountains and Temescal, and 
 also in the direction of San Jacinto, in the entrance of the Pass of San Gorgouio,' 
 an iron-shot auriferous quartz is found. 
 
 I regard this deposit of gold, and that of the northern slope of the San Ber- 
 
20 
 
 nardino Mountains, as but the terminal portion of an auriferous belt, extending 
 nearly two hundred miles northward, and is again met with at the Armagosa 
 Mountains, a short distance from the immigrant road leading from Salt Lake to 
 San Bernardino. 
 
 GEOLOGY OF TABLE MOUNTAIN, TUOLUMNE COUNTY. 
 
 This celebrated locality, of which so much has been said and written of late, 
 is one of the most remarkable and interesting places to be found in this State. 
 
 That portion of the mountain which has so recently attracted attention on 
 account of the placer deposits found beneath its surface, is situated near the 
 towns of Sonora and Columbia, being about equi-distant from either locality. A 
 portion of Shaw's Flat is situated immediately at its base. The superior portion 
 of the mountain is composed of basaltic rock having the prismatic form ; but in 
 a few instances, at different points, it assumes the pentagonal shape, so common 
 to the columnar form of this rock. 
 
 I have traced this basaltic overflow in an east and west direction, for the 
 distance of nearly forty miles on its course, and it is probable that it will be 
 found to extend to a much greater distance eastward than at present known. 
 
 As yet the origin of this volcanic outbreak is somewhat obscure, as no decided 
 volcanic vent is yet known to the east of this range, though such has been 
 reported ; nor is it necessary that a crater should exist to produce the features 
 that are throughout its extent observable. 
 
 From all the evidence existing on the subject and in our possession at the 
 present time, it appears most probable that this immense mass of igneous mate 
 rial found its way to the surface through a large fissure produced from subterra 
 nean forces, and is in itself purely local. 
 
 The vertical position of the columns prove, that for twenty miles of its course 
 at least, it must have flowed in a horizontal direction, and at the western end of 
 the bed, where it approached the plains and began to thin out, there we find it 
 following the accepted rule as regards the crystallographic forms assumed by this 
 rock. Although it is prismatic it loses to a certain extent its vertically, (as 
 may be seen at Peppermint Falls,) and the columns are inclined to various 
 degrees of the horizon. 
 
 Its super-position is another proof of its horizontal movement, as well as its 
 comparatively modern age. The rocks over which it flowed on the south side of 
 the mountain are primitive in character, being composed of mica schist and 
 others of the granitic series, the former at the points of contacl having suffered 
 in texture and compactness from the heated mass. 
 
 Its breadth is very variable throughout its course, in no instance, I believe, 
 less than four hundred feet and often to one-fourth of a mile. It seems to have 
 followed the course of a stream, filling its bed and banks, and to have flowed in 
 this course for the entire length that it is now observable upon the surface. 
 
 To the east of Columbia it crosses the present bed of the Stanislaus at two 
 different places, but what its position beyond this may be is at present unknown 
 with any degree of certainty. From the relative position of the Stanislaus at 
 the present time the evidences are almost demonstrative, that at the period of its 
 occurrence it flowed into and down the former bed of this river, displacing the 
 latter and filling up the space between its banks. The depth of the banks to 
 the bed may be pretty accurately measured by the thickness of the basalt above 
 that bed, which is about one hundred feet on a general average. 
 
 Subsequent to the deposition of these rocks the drift-banks of the stream have 
 been gradually removed, which has left the basalt in relief above them. A 
 
21 
 
 portion of the ancient banks still remain on the south side of the mountain for 
 about one mile in length, and this is found to rest on the same micaceous schist 
 that is found at various points, as before mentioned. The drift is composed of 
 the debris of primitive rocks alone. 
 
 Within the outcropping mica schist on the flanks of the mountain and beneath 
 the basaltic mass, is found a very modern aqueous deposit, consisting of clay, 
 sands, fine and coarse gravels, similar in all respects to present river beds. 
 Among these are found the shells of alosmodon and a few small univalves, the 
 casts of which closely resemble some forms of physa present inhabitants of the 
 adjoining streams. Of the former shell I am unable to distinguish it from alas- 
 modon yubaensis, a shell found in all our streams throughout the State at the 
 present time. 
 
 The fine clays contain an abundance of leaves of present existing genera and 
 species, most of them may be found in the adjacent country distributed along 
 the banks of the streams and in the deep ravines adjoining. 
 
 The " bed rock " is primitive, like the present baiik of the Stanislaus to the 
 north, being composed of mica schist and the older trappean group. Time is yet 
 required to determine with certainty the period to which this basaltic overflow 
 belongs, but from present appearances it seems improbable that it should extend 
 beyond the pliocene. 
 
 The examination of the fossils, made by Messrs. Evans, Shumard and Newb.erg, 
 about the Dalles, and other parts of Oregon and Washington Territories, may 
 throw some light upon this subject, as these gentlemen have observed the overflow 
 of basalt in those regions over the modern aqueous deposits to an extent that 
 would make " Table Mountain " a mere secondary affair. 
 
 The gravel arid clay beds of this locality have been found to prove extremely 
 rich in placer gold, but like all. new discoveries of this kind, much that has been 
 said is only conjectural. 
 
 There is good reason to believe that the range will furnish a large amount of 
 gold, from one extremity to the other, as it flows over a deposit which has been 
 derived from the primitive rocks exclusively, from which the greater portion of 
 the placer gold of this State has been set free. 
 
 Another reason that confirms this opinion is found in the fact, that the drift 
 deposits which lie beyond the western terminus of the Table Mountain, and 
 inferior to the same, are well charged with gold. They are likewise co-extensive 
 in an easterly direction with the mountain, so far as that limit is at present known. 
 
 This being the case it will require no dangerous tension of the mind to believe 
 that for many years hence, this district will yield ample rewards for labor, though 
 in a minor degree to what either anticipation or report would make it. 
 
 This mountain has been often blended with the table lands that skirt the base 
 of the Sierra Nevada in many places. There is but one locality with which I am 
 acquainted, that bears any resemblance to it, and that is in the vicinity of Pose 
 Creek on the Upper Tulare. The relationship here existing is found in the 
 character and age of the material, but not in the forms that it assumes; for in the 
 latter case the overflowed matter is mostly scoriaceous and massive, and not 
 prismatic. 
 
 The table lands (called Table Mountains since the opening of the locality at 
 Sonora) of other parts of the State are the remains of the ancient shores of the 
 ocean, and are of marine origin exclusively, having their origin from aqueous 
 causes alone, not from igneous. The peculiarities of form seen from a distance, 
 has been the cause of confounding them together. 
 
 Beneath the basaltic rocks of the Table Mountain, and below the fresh water 
 deposits that immediately succeed the latter, are found a series of marine tertiary 
 rock, composed of sand-stone, conglomerate and slates regularly stratified, and 
 
22 
 
 Laving a westerly dip of eight or ten degrees. These aqueous rocks can be 
 studied to the best advantage about two miles east of Dentville, on the Stanislaus 
 River. At the locality known as " Two Mile Bar " these rocks are cut through 
 by the river, exposing their surface and those of the basaltic columns above them, 
 to the hight of more than two hundred feet above the primitive rocks on which 
 they rest, and which are exposed for a hight above the surface of the stream for 
 about sixty feet more. 
 
 The scenery at this place is romantic in the extreme, but not more so perhaps 
 than at other points further up. 
 
 Above all the aqueous rocks the basalt appears in the columnar form, at places 
 standing vertical, and again the columns lying horizontal resting upon the vertical 
 masses. The mural walls of the aqueous rocks with the above, and their hight 
 above the river, give to the district a wild, rugged, and at the same time, a fan 
 ciful aspect. About three miles above Dentville an adit was driven into the 
 aqueous rocks, by Judge Stakes and others associated with him, in which several 
 marine shells were met with. This work is still going on, and during the coining 
 season will test most fully the character of these rocks. 
 
 Gold was met with in the course of the works, but not in sufficient amount to 
 justify them in stopping at this point for its extraction. 
 
 This is but another instance corroborative of my former statements, of the 
 existence of this metal in the marine sand-stones and conglomerates that skirt 
 almost the entire line of the base of the Sierra Nevada, and is but an analogue of 
 the present existing state of things along 'our coast line, from Oregon southward. 
 We need no better evidence of this than the beach washings along that line at 
 the present period. 
 
 CARBONIFEROUS ROCKS OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICTS. 
 
 In my report of last year, attention was called to the existence of a group of 
 rocks belonging to the coal measures. The line of country traveled over in this 
 part of the State, has developed their existence as far north as the Shasta and 
 Yreka Valleys, and westward of the points at which they were noticed last year, 
 as far as the head of the Cottonwood. Those groups of the above district are 
 much superior in position to those observed in 1854, and contain a series of fos 
 sils of higher organization. They are consequently further removed from the 
 coal beds than those rocks situated between the Pitt River and Cow Creek, east 
 of the Sacramento. On the Cottonwood, small seams of a highly bituminous 
 coal is frequently met with, but as yet no vein of sufficient power to warrant 
 mining operations for this mineral. 
 
 In the district east of the river two additional veins have been found, neither 
 of which have yet been opened to any considerable extent. Within the ensuing 
 year this section will be more thoroughly explored for this mineral, as its exten 
 sion southward from Cow Creek we are now pretty certain is not less than thirty 
 miles. 
 
 SALINES OF THE UPPER SACRAMENTO VALLEY. 
 
 Among the table lands of this part of the State, are found an extensive group 
 of sedimentary rocks belonging to the lower Eocene period, abundant in marine 
 fossil remains. In the vicinity of Antelope Creek, extensive saline deposits are 
 met with, which, if properly worked, will furnish large supplies of salt for com 
 mercial purposes. Associated with the latter mineral in solution, and as an efflo 
 rescence on the rocks and earth, is found the tincal, which, when purified, forms 
 
23 
 
 the borax of commerce, so much used in all metallurgical operations as a flux for 
 the purification and smelting of metals and metallic ores. The capacity of this 
 district for the production of this mineral alone, is equal to eight hundred tuns 
 per annum. 
 
 Considering the very few localities which furnish this useful agent in sufficient 
 quantities to make it an object for commercial purposes, this locality, in this State, 
 assumes an important position, and adds another to the many of our valuable 
 resources. The day is not far distant when this mineral will be found to form an 
 extensive article of export to foreign markets, and to compete with the produce of 
 Tuscany, China and Thibet, at present the three main sources of supply for the 
 world. It is found here in the form of bi-borate of soda, boracic acid, borate of 
 lime, and of magnesia. In addition to this, iodine and bromine occur at the same 
 locality. 
 
 The springs which furnish these materials are abundant, and thus far have 
 proved highly efficacious as medicated waters, a great variety being found in the 
 immediate vicinity. Sulphurated hydrogen gas is found in some of these springs, 
 forming an active medicinal agent, in the form of sulphur springs, a few of which 
 are thermal. 
 
 From all the springs heavy volumes of carbureted hydrogen is evolved, which 
 burns freely, and with a clear flame. This latter is furnished in sufficient quanti 
 ty to serve the purpose of evaporating the waters, for the manufacture of salt 
 and borax. 
 
 The elimination of this inflammable gas in such large quantities, and the occur 
 rence of the coal-bearing rocks and occasional seams of coal a few miles to the 
 north is, to say the least, a strong inducement to believe that a bed of bituminous 
 coal underlies this entire section of the State. The evidences are sufficiently 
 strong to warrant an exploration to determine this point by boring. It is not 
 probable that a depth to exceed three hundred and fifty feet would be necessary 
 to determine the fact. 
 
 MAMMOTH MINE SEVENTY-SIX, JAMISON CREEK. 
 
 This mine is situated on Jamison Creek, in the County of Plumas. It was loca 
 ted and opened in 1851. The lode is heavy, and belongs to the primitive ranges, 
 situated near the eastern line of the State, and near the main ridge of the Sierra 
 Nevada. 
 
 It is beyond doubt but a continuation of that line of lodes on which the Ariel 
 Mine is located in the County of Sierra, eighteen miles southward of Downieville, 
 on the south branch of the North Yuba, and also that of the National Mine, on 
 the ridge of South Fork of the Yuba, in the County of Nevada, the Copper Hill 
 and German Bar Mines lying intermediate, and between the Middle Yuba and 
 Downieville. 
 
 In 1852 the company commenced work with a set of arastras, and have con 
 tinued with the same until the present year. During 1855 they have erected a 
 Chili Mill at an expense of $18,000, employing water as a motive, with a capacity 
 equal to thirty horse power. The expense of opening the mine, with the improve 
 ments prior to 1855, amounts in the aggregate to a little less than $10,000, mak 
 ing the cash capital invested equal to $28,000 at the present time. 
 
 The present condition of the mine is as follows : A main shaft has been driven 
 near the center of the lode, to the depth of seventy feet, and ten feet in diameter, 
 occupying the power of the lode only ; an adit two hundred and sixty feet in 
 length cutting the vein thirty feet below the bottom of the main shaft, (the adit 
 is five feet by six feet,) which will deliver the ores from the mine with greater 
 

 24 
 
 facility and quantity, than by the course heretofore pursued, and with a great 
 saving of expense. 
 
 An adit is to be connected with the reduction works by a train road. The adit 
 has been driven through the trap rock for a distance exceeding one hundred and 
 forty feet, at an expense of thirty dollars per foot. 
 
 On these large lodes, wherever they have been opened, we find the same gen 
 eral rule holding good that have been repeated previously, viz : that a very gen 
 eral increase in power is manifest the greater the depth attained. 
 
 In this mine the increase is eighteen inches in twelve fathoms, the vein at this 
 depth being twelve feet in power. 
 
 The Chili Mill reduces two and one-half tons per diem, the ore yielding thus 
 far an average of forty dollars per ton. 
 
 It will be seen from the above statement that this mine, as imperfectly worked 
 as it appears to have been by the slow process of the arastra, together with the 
 absolute amount of ore reduced, which amounts to seven hundred tons only, has 
 paid the entire outlay of capital in its opening, and to the present time the yield 
 being $28,000 with the contingent and incidental expenses. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Mine opened, 1851 ; erection of new reduction works, 1855 ; expense incurred 
 for same, $18,000. 
 
 Tuns of ore reduced per day, two and a half; average value of same, forty 
 dollars. 
 
 Depth of main shaft, seventy feet ; length of adit, two hundred and sixty feet. 
 
 Cost of adit, $5,320 ; cost of shaft, $1,260. 
 
 Strike of lode, N. 30 E. ; dip 40 W. ; power, twelve feet. 
 
 Walls of lode, talcose schist ; ores, pyriferous and gossan. 
 
 McGHEE, Director. 
 
 EXPERIMENTAL MINE, COLUMBIA, TUOLUMNE COUNTY. 
 
 This mine is situated about one and a half miles north of the town of Colum 
 bia, in the County of Tuolumne. 
 
 It was first located in 1852, and some little money and labor expended upon it 
 sufficient to fairly test the character of the vein. 
 
 From this time until the early part of 1854, little or no labor was bestowed in 
 developing the mine. During that year a company was organized with a small 
 capital, who proceeded to erect a mill and reduction works, driven by water, and 
 continued in operation until the failure of a sufficient supply of the motive power 
 compelled them to suspend their operations for the time being. 
 
 The capital invested in erecting their reduction works amounted to $3,602 ; and 
 at the end of a little more than four months, the mine yielded $16,150 from fif 
 teen hundred tons of ore, giving an average of a little more than ten dollars per 
 ton. 
 
 This, however, is but a preliminary movement to a larger operation, as the 
 aggregate yield was found to pay a large interest on the capital invested. 
 
25 
 
 SPRING HILL MINE, AMADOR, AMADOR COUNTY. 
 
 Cash capital $18,000. 
 
 The Spring Hill Mine is situated on Amador Creek, about three-fourths of a 
 mile from the town, to the westward. 
 
 The lode comprising this mine was located in 1851, by Rice & Co., who com 
 menced operations on the vein in 1852. 
 
 It is from this year that the mine must take the date of its existence, for during 
 that period the first mining improvements were instituted. 
 
 From 1852 to the beginning of 1855, the lode was worked with variable suc 
 cess by the original owners.- This was attributable to the loose manner in which 
 the mechanical and engineering departments were conducted, and the lack of 
 application of those means that were available and most effective during that 
 period. Mechanical skill and a sad want of knowledge of the requirements of 
 mining engineering marked its progress for three years, at the end of which time 
 the mine was in a condition little better than valueless, and the motive power 
 nearly on a par with the subterranean workings. The whole appearance of the 
 property was that of a "present" interest only, and each department of its con 
 duction was but a reflection of the same image, too frequent still, even at this time. 
 
 The result of the above operation was the disposition of the property at a mere 
 song, a moiety of its true value, which took place in the latter part of 1854. 
 
 At this period a new company came in possession of the entire property by 
 purchase, and commenced the first improvements that partook of the character 
 of permanency in the slightest degree. Their first movement was to place the 
 mine in something like a safe working condition, which required a heavy outlay 
 of capital in addition to the purchase, they being obliged to repair the defects of 
 the workings of previous years. This done, they then commenced the extrac 
 tion of such ores only as could be removed without subsequent injury resulting 
 to the mine, and secured their excavations, as they proceeded, in a permanent 
 manner. In the course of these workings, from their directions and the relative 
 position of the older excavations, it became necessary to cut the latter, in order 
 that easy and efficient communication might be had with the reduction works, for 
 the transportation of the material of the lode; and in pursuing this course it was 
 not unfrequently that the old works, as they approached them, would give way, 
 from the total insufficiency of the artificial supports that were placed in them. 
 
 Thus, after encountering obstacles of the above character, the company have 
 succeeded in not only placing the mine in a safe and accessible condition, but have 
 also taken from the lode an amount of ore sufficient to meet their outlay in repairs 
 and other improvements, and a handsome profit on the capital investment. 
 
 Since its occupancy by the present company a new building has been erected 
 over the mill and wheel, and another for the accommodation of their men em 
 ployed, which is twenty-six by fifty-two feet, at an aggregate expense of $3,500. 
 The dead work consists in driving their upper adit one hundred and fifty feet, at 
 an expense of six dollars per foot, and the sinking of the eleven-fathom shaft at 
 its termination, at an expense of five dollars per foot, which in their aggregates 
 amount to $1,230 more. 
 
 The improvements on the mine for 1856, and which are in course of construc 
 tion by contract, are one adit of ninety feet, at seven dollars per foot. This adit 
 begins at the north shaft of the old workings and runs diagonally into the hill, 
 and when on the vein will afford a line of level about five hundred feet in length. 
 A new sixty-horse-power engine is in process of erection to replace the dilapidated 
 machinery now in use, and a heavy Chili mill in connection with the former, the 
 whole of which will be driven by a sixty-horse-power. 
 
26 
 
 Statistics for 1855. 
 
 Number of men employed, 11. 
 
 Five miners at 60 per month : $300 
 
 One Stoker t 50 
 
 One Whim-tender 50 
 
 Two Battery-tenders at $60 per month 120 
 
 Two Engineers at $65 per month 130 
 
 One hundred and forty-four cords of Fuel at $5 per cord. . 720 
 
 Provisions 240 
 
 Incidentals v 240 
 
 $1,850 
 
 Average amount of ore reduced per month, 246 tuns; aggregate for nine 
 months, 2,221 tuns; average value per tun, $21 ; aggregate receipts, $46,000. 
 
 Aggregate deads and improvements $4,730 
 
 Average monthly expenses 1,850 
 
 AsfOTea*ate of expenses . 16,650 
 
 oo o Jr 
 
 Total expenses $23,230 
 
 Net balance over all expenses $22,770 
 
 CONDITION OF THE MINE. 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 One Whim Shaft 19 
 
 One Air Shaft 19 
 
 One Air Shaft. . 11 
 
 Total Shafting 49 
 
 Feet 
 
 Lower Level at bottom of Whim Shaft 130 
 
 One Adit V 274 
 
 One Adit 30 
 
 Total Levels and Adits 434 
 
 Strike, north and south; dip, 68 east; power, nine feet. Ores, pyritous. 
 
 PACIFIC MINE, PLACERVILLE, EL DORADO COUNTY. 
 
 The ground occupied by the mine of this company was located in 1852, and 
 like many others of that period, had an existence only in the highly elated hopes 
 of those who found the lode. Until 1854 the ground remained unimproved, 
 when the present stockholders, becoming convinced of the value of the lode, 
 commenced operations by opening the vein through shafts and adits, and subse 
 quently by the erection of reduction works during the summer of the year. 
 
 The mine was continued in active operation from that time up to the present 
 without intermission, during the period in which water was obtainable, wliich is 
 
their motive power. The absolute running time for the year (ending November, 
 1855) was nine months and twenty days. 
 
 The cash capital invested in the beginning of operations in 1854, was $11,000, 
 about $7,000 of which was expended in the erection of their mill, and the balance 
 in opening the lode and the construction of conveniences to convey their ores to 
 the reduction works. 
 
 The amount of work done upon the lode within the year, will perhaps convey 
 a better idea of the activity with which the work has been prosecuted than any 
 other means that could be adopted. 
 
 The lode has been opened and is in good workable condition for more than two 
 hundred feet and at an average depth of nearly sixteen fathoms for the above 
 length below the surface. Near the center of the lode one thirteen-fathom shaft 
 has been sunk and is used at the present for bringing the ores from the upper 
 galleries to the surface. 
 
 From the west side of the hill an adit has been driven to intersect the lode on 
 a line with the main shaft, and which cuts the lode at twenty fathoms from the 
 surface. 
 
 From the entrance of the adit to the reduction works a train road has been 
 carried on the side of the hill, about five hundred feet in length, which is now 
 used for the delivery of all the ores of the mine ; this has been constructed during 
 the past year at an outlay of $4,500. 
 
 During the month of December the company were engaged in erecting more 
 effective machinery for the purpose of amalgamation, at an expense of about 
 $3,500. This is a judicious movement, as it is most evident that a serious loss of 
 metal has been sustained during the past year's operations. 
 
 At the end of the year, terminating the 29th September, 1855, the company had 
 declared six dividends, above all current and incidental expenses, and above original 
 capital investment during the following months. The dividends are on forty-five 
 shares : 
 
 Per share. Net receipts. 
 
 March 31st $25 00 $1,125 00 
 
 May 26th 60 00 2,700 00 
 
 June 30th 100 00 4,500 00 
 
 July 28th 20 00 900 00 
 
 August 25th 40 00 1,800 00 
 
 Sept. 29th 25 00 1,125 00 
 
 The following is the statement of operations at this mine for the past year and 
 its present condition. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Tuns. 
 
 Amount of ore reduced per month 164 
 
 Aggregate for nine months 1,524 
 
 Average value per tun $25 00 
 
 Aggregate yield for 1,524 tuns . 39,778 61 
 
 Current monthly expenses 1,650 00 
 
 Aggregate of monthly expenses 14,850 00 
 
 Net profits 24,928 61 
 
28 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 Length of lower level 34 
 
 Upper gallery, north 8 
 
 " " south 16 
 
 Main shaft 16 
 
 Main adit 31 
 
 Strike, north and south; dip, 58 east; power, 9 feet; dead work, $4,500. 
 
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LODE. 
 
 The lode is situated in talcose slate, the superior portions of both being much 
 decomposed and easily removed. A large amount of the upper portions of the 
 vein contains cavities holding free gold. At the depth of about forty feet the 
 vein becomes more compact and pyritous, having a slight ribbond appearance, 
 from a small quantity of gruphite being distributed through the seams. The 
 rock is thoroughly impregnated with thin, glistening scales of greenish and 
 whitish talc, the latter often covering the surfaces of fractures entirely, and the 
 latter containing microscopic particles of gold in considerable quantities; at times 
 the surfaces are well filled with fine spangles of gold visible to the naked eye. 
 
 This lode contains lead and molybdenum in small quantities, in khe form of 
 sulphurets, at times distinct but most commonly combined in the same mineral. 
 Among the ferruginous sulphurets a small quantity of arsenic is noticeable, but 
 to no considerable extent. 
 
 This mine is situated in the corporate limits of the City of Placerville, and 
 immediately south of the center of the corporation. 
 
 EUREKA MINES, SUTTER, AMADOR COUNTY. 
 
 Cash capital invested, $32,000. The location of this mine was made in the 
 early part of 1852, since which time it has been actively worked up to the present 
 date. Among the early adventures in gold mining proper, the persons who com 
 pose this company were among the first who entered the field of research to de 
 velop and demonstrate the feasibility and practicability of this branch of industry 
 in this State. 
 
 Their first operations were cotemporaneous with the fe\v who launched on this 
 tide of speculation in the County of Nevada, and with others in the Counties of 
 Ainador (Calaveras) and Mariposa. 
 
 The difficulties encountered by these parties at the outset were such as to dis 
 hearten most of mankind, but a cool determination and prudence in the manage 
 ment of their affairs has enabled them ultimately to overcome the multitudinous 
 obstacles that opposed their way, and ride out safely the wild tornado of public 
 opinion that made its inception against them during the latter part of 1852 and 
 the beginning of 1853. 
 
 From the early part of the latter year the company progressed steadily in their 
 operations, and in the latter part of that year the following was the condition of 
 their mine : 
 
 Near the center of the lode which forms their property, they had sunk one shaft 
 to the depth of seven fathoms ; at the bottom of this shaft a level was carried 
 south one hundred and forty-three feet, and north ninety-five feet, making two 
 hundred and thirty-eight feet of levels at the close of that year. 
 
 During this year a heavy and long adit was commenced on the east side of the 
 
29 
 
 hill, which was* driven through solid rock three hundred and seventy feet, and at 
 an expense of eighteen dollars per foot. 
 
 During the year 1854 the main shaft was carried to the depth of sixteen fath 
 oms, and an adit of one hundred feet driven on the west side of the hill, which 
 intersects the main shaft at the depth of seven fathoms, and the upper galleries at 
 the same point. The upper galleries were driven one hundred and fourteen feet 
 further south and seventy-five feet north. 
 
 At the bottom of the sixteen-fathom shaft' levels were driven north sixty feet 
 and south eighty-five feet, making one hundred and forty-five feet of levels, fifty- 
 four feet shafts and one hundred feet adits, on the lode and west side of the hill 
 during that year ; the train-track and adit on the east of the vein having been 
 completed to the length of nine hundred feet during the same period. 
 
 At the close of the year ending December 1, 1855, the main shaft had been 
 sunk four fathoms, and a level driven south ninety-four feet and another north to 
 the depth of thirty feet, and the long adit driven to the depth of five hundred and 
 thirty -five feet below the surface ; at this depth the vein carries a power of twelve 
 feet. 
 
 Prior to 1855 a portion of the lode only had been taken out, from the meager 
 character it presented seven or eight feet being the maximum of the strength of 
 the lode used- for mill-work. But since the commencement of 1855 that position 
 of the vein formerly rejected has, at the depth of one hundred and thirty-two feet, 
 assumed sufficient value to warrant its extraction, and the result is, an increase of 
 one-third more ore in the same depth opened. 
 
 The ores now taken from the mine are one hundred and twelve feet below the 
 water line. 
 
 During the months of January and February the Directors declared three divi 
 dends of one hundred dollars per share. The mine is free from debt. 
 
 The limited capacity of the reduction works, and the increase in the power of 
 the lode, bears little relation to each other; and the company, in place of stopping 
 their present battery to erect one of greater power, purchased during the past 
 year an adjoining mill, with its water privileges, of nearly equal capacity to their 
 own, at an outlay of $6,000, and with an additional expense of $1,500, have put 
 the same in operation, thereby doubling their former capacity for reduction. Ex 
 penses in repairs on the reduction works for 1855, $1,200. 
 
 The scarcity of water in the creek from whence their power is derived, during 
 the past year, has been such that but six months full running has been made, 
 during which the average amount of ore reduced was fifty tuns per week. During 
 the dry season the average of reduction amounted to twenty ,tuns for the same 
 period of time. 
 
 The following statement will gire the comparative expenses in conducting the 
 operations of this mine for 1854 and 1855 : 
 
 Statistics for 1854. 
 
 Cash capita], $32,000. 
 
 4 Miners $400 
 
 2 Stokers 120 
 
 2 Battery Tenders 150 
 
 1 Carpenter 100 
 
 1 Blacksmith . 100 
 
 1 Horse Team , 216 
 
 1 Ox Team . 192 
 
 Provisions, etc : . 900 
 
 ,. Incidentals 80 
 
 $2,258 
 
30 
 
 Dead work on shaft and equipments, 54 feet, at $20 per foot .....' $1,080 
 
 Adit and train, 370 feet, at $18 per foot 4,660 
 
 West Adit, 100 feet, at $8 ' 
 
 Aggregate monthly expenses for nine months 20,322 
 
 Aggregate receipts per month, for nine months, at $4,000 per month. . $36,000 
 
 Expenses 26,862 
 
 Balance . $9,138 
 
 Statistics for 1855. 
 
 4 Miners $280 
 
 2 Stokers 120 
 
 2 Battery Tenders 150 
 
 1 Carpenter 75 
 
 1 Blacksmith 75 
 
 1 Horse Team 216 
 
 1 Ox Team * 192 
 
 Provisions, etc 600 
 
 Incidentals.. 60 
 
 $1,768 
 
 Dead work on adit, 165 feet, at $7 per foot $1,155 
 
 Expenditures on Mine and Mill 13,298 
 
 Total ore reduced for 6 months, 1,296 tuns; do. do. for 6 months, 396 tuns 
 Aggregate Expenses 14,496 
 
 Total receipts 33,000 
 
 Total expenses 28,949 
 
 Balance $4,051 
 
 Balance to credit on purchase New Mill 6,000 
 
 The greater proportion of the latter has been expended in improvements and 
 liquidating liabilities. 
 
 The balance for 1855 is over and above all expenses and dividends for the year, 
 a very material decrease in the expenses of conducting the operations of the 
 mine from that of 1854, which is a general rule throughout the State. 
 
 The following recapitulation will show the condition of the subterranean works 
 on the lode : 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 Depth Main Shaft . . 22 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Length Upper Level 230 
 
 " Middle " 145 
 
 " Lower " 124 
 
 Total length of Levels 499 
 
31 
 
 Feet. 
 
 West Adit 100 
 
 East " 535 
 
 Tr ain Track. . . 430 
 
 Total length of Adit Tracks 1,065 
 
 Power of Lode, 12 feet; dip of Lode, 70 east. Strike, north and south. 
 Aggregate amount of ore reduced, 1855, 1,692 tons. Average value, $20. 
 
 KEYSTONE MINE, AMADOR, AMADOR COUNTY. 
 
 This mine, like that of the Eureka, was one of the pioneer operations of the 
 State. The mine and reduction works are situated but a short distance west of 
 the town of Amador, on a small tributary of Amador Creek. 
 
 The first permanent workings of this mine were commenced in the early part 
 of 1853, and though superficial in their character, were prosecuted with vigor for 
 a considerable part of that year. At the close of 1853, and in the early part of 
 the following year, the old workings were abandoned, from the insecurity of the 
 artificial supports used during the preceding period. 
 
 It was at this time that the necessity of more permanent supports for the exca 
 vations became apparent to the conductors of the mine, and during that year 
 they commenced their permanent structures in the underground operations, their 
 first movement being the cutting of a main shaft of sufficient capacity to afford 
 easy ingress and egress from the main adit to the lode below its level. During 
 1854 this shaft was driven to the depth of eight fathoms on the vein, and con 
 forming to its dip, and from the top to the bottom was timbered heavily with oak, 
 and the angles snugly tenoned and jointed, the ceiling being put in with heavy 
 planking, and closely squared. By this tedious and expensive process the mine 
 was safely secured from falling in, the 'upper part of it at least, a result which 
 must have ensued had the old system of working been persisted in. The old 
 works above the main adit were still in a weak condition, and began to present 
 many features of falling in, and which would have produced serious inconvenience 
 had they neglected to secure it in a proper manner. 
 
 An inclined shaft was accordingly commenced that would connect that sunk 
 from the end of the adit with the surface, in a direct line of inclination. This 
 was done during 1855, and the depth of that portion of the shaft above the adit 
 was seven fathoms. 
 
 This whim-shaft was cased with solid timber from top to bottom, and put in 
 with close joints, as it became necessary to use this heavy material in place of 
 planking, from the loose character of the surrounding ground. The ores are 
 now raised by a horse whim, through the line of shafting as described, and landed 
 at the* end of the main adit, from whence they are conveyed on train-ways to the 
 reduction works, about four hundred feet north of the entrance to the mine. 
 
 During 1855 the sinking on the lode in a line with the whim-shaft, has been 
 five fathoms, and from this depth the lower level has been driven one hundred 
 feet north, and south about twenty feet. The upper gallery has been driven each 
 way but twenty -five feet. 
 
 The lode at the depth of twenty-one fathoms, has a power of nine feet for one 
 hundred feet in length. The ores of this mine are highly pyritous, and strongly 
 impregnated with graphite, the latter mineral imparting at times a black, mottled 
 appearance to the ores, and at others a ribbond-like form, giving the idea of true 
 lumination. 
 
32 
 
 At the depth of seventeen fathoms the ores lose the character of porosity 
 which in the superficial ores was a striking characteristic, the cavities containing 
 free gold. The walls of the lode are of a graphic slate, often impregnated with 
 arsenical crystals of iron, and the simple sulphuret of that metal. 
 
 During 1854 this company declared monthly dividends through the year of 
 $200 per share. The following statement will show the condition of the mine 
 and the relative expenses of working for 1854 and 1855 : 
 
 Statistics for 1854. 
 
 Number of men employed, eighteen. 
 
 Six Miners, per month $390 
 
 Two Engineers 180 
 
 Two Stokers 120 
 
 Two Battery Tenders 120 
 
 One Teamster 70 
 
 One Blacksmith 70 
 
 One Carpenter . . . . 70 
 
 Provisions 416 
 
 Incidentals 288 
 
 Eighty-five cords Wood per month 425 
 
 $2,149 
 
 Supplies, Repairs, etc $185 
 
 Dead Work and Improvements 6,181 
 
 Average ore reduced per month, 192 tuns 2,204. 
 
 Average value per tun, $21 $46,284 
 
 Aggregate monthly expenses 25,780 
 
 " deads and improvements ' 6,368 
 
 Total receipts $46,284 
 
 Total expenses 32,148 
 
 Balance $14,136 
 
 Statistics for 1855. 
 
 Number of men employed, twenty. 
 
 Eight Miners - . $420 
 
 Two Engineers 150 
 
 Four Stokers 200 
 
 Two Battery Tenders 120 
 
 One Teamster 65 
 
 One Blacksmith 65 
 
 One Carpenter 65 
 
 One Whim Tender 70 
 
 Incidentals 200 
 
 Seventy-five cords Wood, at $4 50 336 
 
 Provisions * 400 
 
 $2,091 
 
33 
 
 
 Dead work and repairs $'1,200 
 
 Ore reduced, 3,000 tuns. 
 
 Average value, $20 per tun $60,000 
 
 Aggregate monthly expenses 26,282 
 
 " Deads and Improvements 1,200 
 
 Total Receipts $60,000 
 
 Total Expenses 27,482 
 
 Balance , $32,518 
 
 During the month of March a dividend of five hundred and fifty dollars per 
 share was declared, since which period two others have been declared, the amount 
 of which is not ascertained. 
 
 The following recapitulation will show the amount of work performed upon the 
 mine : 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 North Shaft 4 
 
 Main " 21 
 
 Total 25 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Upper Gallery 190 
 
 Middle " 200 
 
 Total , 390 
 
 One adit of 140 feet. 
 
 Strike, north and south ; dip, east. Power, nine feet. 
 
 UNION MINE, SUTTER, AMADOR COUNTY. 
 
 The Union Mine is situated in the town of Sutter, formerly known as Amador 
 No. 2. 
 
 This mine was located in 1852, though but little work was done upon the lode 
 during that year or the following. In 1854, an attempt was made to reach the 
 lode by driving an adit from the west side of the hill to the length of about three 
 hundred and fifty feet ; at this point the vein was tapped and worked with varia 
 ble success, but owing to the insecure manner of supporting the walls, and a 
 rather reckless method of working the lode, it became abandoned for the time 
 being in order to settle up the affairs of the concern. 
 
 The work during this period was performed under lease and contract a most 
 disastrous course to pursue in gold mining in ttiis country. The result of the 
 operation was, that at the time the ninety-foot level on the south was completed, 
 the property was in worse condition and of less value, so far as those works were 
 concerned, than in the original state in which nature had placed it. In the latter 
 part of 1854, the company had decided upon a systematic plan of working, and 
 in the course of the past year have put that plan into execution. 
 
 The whole of the old works are abandoned for the present, and will not be used 
 
34 
 
 for the extraction of ores until levels are driven at the bottom of the present main 
 shaft, when by stopping a winze between the upper and lower levels, and putting 
 the main adit in repairs, good ventilation and an easy delivery of the ores to the 
 surface will be made. . 
 
 With tl^is view, and plan before them, the company commenced their first per 
 manent operations in the early part of 1855 by 'driving a six-foot shaft in the lode 
 to the depth of twenty-seven fathoms. The shaft is heavily timbered and planked 
 from the top to the bottom, and is. separated in the center by a partition, on each 
 side of which a pair of train rails are laid for the purpose of guiding the " ribble 
 tubs " in which the ore is placed to be taken to the surface. 
 
 In all the mines of this portion of the State having inclined shafts, this system 
 is now adopted. Each tub when loaded will bring up about four hundred pounds 
 to a cargo. 
 
 At the bottom of the twenty-seven fathom shaft, two levels have been com 
 menced, and are driven north and south about thirty-five feet ; at the distance of 
 one hundred feet north of the main shaft, another shaft has been commenced and 
 carried to the depth of nine fathoms. 
 
 At twelve fathoms from the surface, and connecting with the whim shaft, two 
 galleries have been driven of ninety feet each ; the south gallery connects with 
 the end of the old adit of three hundred and fifty feet, and may be used for the 
 /transportation of ores at a future day. 
 
 At the bottom of the main shaft the lode has a power of twelve feet and 
 possesses all the characteristics heretofore mentioned of the lodes of 'this part of 
 the State, being more or less pyritous and streaked with graphite derived from 
 the investing walls of the lode. 
 
 On the east side of the lode a rare feature is noticeable for this system of veins, 
 and one wholly anomalous in this country. The ores are uniformly of a dark 
 color, with a tint of blue in every mine thus far opened; but the east side of the 
 lode of the Union carries a vein of pure white quartz, free from sulphurets or 
 other admixtures, but containing pure metallic gold imbedded in coarse nuggets. 
 
 The mine employs fifteen men at an average rate of seventy-five dollars per 
 month each, with board, and up to the present period has paid the entire expenses 
 of labor and all the incidentals pertaining to the operation for the year, from the 
 ores extracted during the opening of the mine. 
 
 RECAPITULATIONS OF WORKINGS. 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 1 shaft of 27 
 
 1 " 9 
 
 Total ". 36 
 
 Feet. 
 
 2 galleries, 90 feet each 180 
 
 1 adit, 1854 350 
 
 Strike, north, 50 west; dip, 70 east. Power, 12 feet. 
 
35 
 
 MEDIAN MINE, HERBERTVILLE, AMADOR COUNTY. 
 
 This mine was located in 1852, under the name of Lea & Johnson, and during 
 1853 a small amount of work was 4one upon it. In 1854 it passed into the 
 hands of the present parties, holding it by purchase. The latter part of the year 
 was spent in exploring the mine and the extraction of ore preparatory to reduc 
 tion. During the past year the company have erected their reduction works and 
 other necessary buildings, at an expense of $10,000; the power employed being 
 water. During the past year the lower south level has been driven ninety feet 
 and a shaft sunk to the depth of seventeen fathoms. From the bottom of this 
 shaft, which is used for hoisting the ore from the mine by a horse whim, a level 
 has been driven fifty feet, and the distance between levels is sixty feet. 
 
 At this mine the sulphuret of molybdenum occurs associated with lead, and 
 usually combined with the sulphuret of iron containing the gold. 
 
 The characters of the ores have changed materially at the depth of seventeen 
 fathoms. From the surface down to the depth of twelve fathoms the pyritous 
 minerals were much decomposed, and at times a considerable amount of red 
 oxide of iron impregnated the ore. At the present time the ores comport in 
 their dark blue color with those of the surrounding district, being highly charged 
 with pyrites which develops gold after calcination. 
 
 The shafts and levels on the east side of the hill are not used at present on 
 account of their distance from the reduction works, as a greater amount of 
 mineral is obtainable from the workings in close proximity to the mill, the power 
 of which latter is used to raise the ores from the mine, and a heavy item of 
 expense is thus saved in teaming. 
 
 The failure of water to supply power during the past summer, prevented the 
 reduction of ores beyond the period of four months, which constituted the entire 
 running of the mill for 1855; but this failure will probably be obviated the 
 coming year by the introduction of a greater amount of water from other sources. 
 
 The walls of the lode are of graphic slate on one side and an impure serpentine 
 rock on the other; this latter is highly pyritous, and in the adjoining Herbertville 
 Mine has proved highly auriferous. An examination of this rock will be found in 
 the table of analysis and assay. 
 
 No statistics can be given of receipts and expenses, from the short period that 
 the mine was reducing ore. 
 
 RECAPITULATION OF WORKINGS. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 1 adit 60 
 
 1 level 90 
 
 1 50 
 
 2 levels, 1854 '. 30 * 
 
 Whole amount levels and adit 230 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 1 shaft 8 
 
 1 17 
 
 Whole amount shafts 25 
 
 Strike, north and south; dip, east 70. Power, 9 feet. 
 

 
 36 
 
 BADGER MINE, SUTTER, AMADOR COUNTY. 
 
 The Badger Mine is situated about 1,000 feet south of the Eureka, and is a 
 continuation of the same lode. The reduction works belonging to the company 
 are situated on the creek, half a mile west of the town. 
 
 This mine was opened in 1854. During that year an adit was driven to the 
 length of three hundred and fifty feet, at an average cost of eight dollars per foot. 
 
 Between the latter part of that year and the month of December, 1855, a shaft 
 was sunk to the depth of twenty-nine fathoms on the lode, at an expense of six 
 teen dollars per foot, including timbers and equipments for a whim. At the depth 
 of twenty fathoms from the surface, a level has been carried north twenty feet, 
 and south to the same distance, and at two and a half fathoms below the latter 
 another level has been driven south of the main shaft to the same distance. 
 
 From the bottom of the twenty-ninth fathom shaft, a level has been driven 
 south sixty feet and north fifty feet. A winze is carried from the middle level to 
 the lower one, through the depth of five and a half fathoms from the end of the 
 south level, and the ground intervening between the end of the middle south 
 level is being removed in order to connect the two at the depth of sixty feet south 
 of the main shaft. 
 
 From the latter part of 1854 up to date, the company have erected their reduc 
 tion works and other necessary buildings at an expense of $12,000, and an addi 
 tional expense of $2,500 in the construction of roads and kilns for the conveyance 
 and calcination of their ores. 
 
 The character of the ores of this mine are precisely of the same character as 
 those of the Eureka, next adjoining on the north. 
 
 The average running time of the mine during 1855, amounts to six months 
 only, and a scanty supply of water part of the time. 
 
 The power of this lode has increased about thirty per cent, at the bottom of 
 the shaft over the size at the anterop. The ores are heavily charged with arsenic, 
 iron and molybdic sulphurets, in which free gold is disseminated. 
 
 The amount of assessments called on the opening of the mine and the erec 
 tion of their works, was five hundred dollars per share, of five shares, and the 
 balance of expenses for the period which they have been in operation, has been 
 derived entirely from the proceeds in the opening of the mine. 
 
 The mine has employed during the entire year twelve men, at an average of 
 sixty-five dollars per month and board. 
 
 The following statistics will show the general expenses incurred in getting into 
 operation : 
 
 Cost of Mill and Equipments $12,000 
 
 " Main Adit .... . Y . . ; 2,800 
 
 " Roads and Kilns 2,500 
 
 " Teaming 1,080 tuns ore 1,080 
 
 " Shaft, Timbers and Equipments 2,820 
 
 " Fuel 192 
 
 Total general expenses $21,392 
 
 The average amount of ore reduced per month, with full head of water, is one 
 hundred and eighty tuns. The aggregate for the six months was 1,080 tuns, 
 yielding $35,000, or nearly thirty-'three dollars per tun. 
 
 The condition of the subterranean condition of the mine will be found from the 
 following recapitulation : 
 

 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 1 Adit 350 
 
 1 .Level, upper , 20 
 
 1 " " 20 
 
 1 " middle 20 
 
 1 " lower 60 
 
 1 " 50 
 
 Total Levels . . 170 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 1 Main Shaft ...... . .......... . ...... . .............. 29 
 
 1 Winze ........................................... 5-J- 
 
 Total Shafts 
 
 Strike, north and south ; dip, east 70. Power, four feet. Working twenty-six 
 fathoms below water line. 
 
 HERBERTVILLE MINE, SUTTER, AMADOR COUNTY. 
 
 This mine has been alluded to in former reports, and is among the earliest that 
 were opened in this State. Its operations have continued almost uninterrupted 
 until during the past year. During this year but a small amount of ore has been 
 reduced, in consequence of the failure of water to supply the motive power, the 
 company having removed their engine on the erection of their large water-wheel 
 in the latter part of 1854. 
 
 This has proved a serious inconvenience, not only to this company but also the 
 Midian, adjoining, both of which were dependent on the water of an adjoining 
 canal to continue operations in reduction. 
 
 After the failure of the water the Director of the mine continued the sinking 
 of the two whim-shafts, and the driving of the levels between them. Little, there 
 fore, has been done other than to open the mine to a greater extent than formerlj 
 existed. This has been done at a heavy expense, and the small amount of ore re 
 duced has nearly met the liabilities incurred. 
 
 The condition of the mine at the close of 1854 was as follows: 
 
 The south shaft had been sunk to the depth of twenty-three and a half fathoms 
 and the north shaft to sixteen fathoms, with levels, uniting the shafts which are 
 distant from each other, one hundred and twenty feet, and extending beyond the 
 shafts the length of two hundred and eighty feet, inclusive. 
 
 The work this past year consists in the sinking of the south shaft to the depth 
 of thirty-six fathoms and the north shaft to thirty fathoms. From the bottom of 
 the thirty-six-fathom shaft, levels have been driven each way and between shafts 
 to the length of three hundred and twenty feet, the middle gallery to the length 
 of one hundred and eighty feet, and the upper gallery two hundred and thirty 
 feet; distance between levels sixty feet. 
 
 At this depth the ore maintains the same features as formerly, being highly py- 
 ritous. 
 

 38 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 1 North Shaft. 30 
 
 1 South " 36 
 
 Total Shafts 66 
 
 Feet 
 
 Lower Level 320 
 
 Middle " 180 
 
 Upper " 230 
 
 Total levels 730 
 
 Power, 10 feet; dip, 68 E.; strike, N. 18 W. 
 Working, 28 fathoms below water line. 
 
 ROCKY BAR MINE, GRASS VALLEY, NEVADA COUNTY. 
 
 The Rocky Bar Mining Company was organized and went into operation as a 
 gold mining company in the early part of 1852. The grounds belonging to this 
 company are situated on Massachusetts Hill and upon Gold Hill, in the town 
 above mentioned. 
 
 Owing to the lateness of the season at which they commenced operations, and 
 the sudden advent of the rains when but a small part of their adits and shafts 
 were completed, they were obliged to relinquish the working on Massachusetts 
 Hill for the balance of the season, or until the rains should cease, their works not 
 being in condition to afford sufficient drainage. 
 
 * The company, therefore, proceeded to purchase a group of claims on Gold Hill, 
 from which they commenced the extraction of ore, and its reduction by the ma 
 chinery which they had erected. The reduction continued until the month of 
 June, at which time the company settled up their affairs ; and it was found that, 
 notwithstanding the inordinate high price of labor and necessaries, that the com 
 pany had met the outlays, which amounted to $47,000. 
 
 This was accomplished in the face of every obstacle which the times in which 
 they operated presented ; and those acquainted with those early days are best 
 capable of judging what men engaged in this branch of employment had, as a 
 resultant, to encounter. 
 
 At the close of 1852 the condition of the workings on Massachusetts Hill were 
 as follows : 
 
 An adit had been driven two hundred feet, mostly through soft material, at an 
 expense of ten dollars per foot, and another below it, of the same length, through 
 hard trap rock, at an expense of $8,000. 
 
 In addition to the above, five shafts, averaging fifty-five feet in depth, were sunk, 
 at an expense of $500. On Gold Hill, two shafts of fifty feet each, at the same 
 cost as the above. 
 
 From the first part of 1853 up to the latter part of 1854 but little work was 
 done upon the mine, from some dissatisfaction of the stockholders abroad. At 
 this period the resumption of operations took place under a new Director, who 
 has proceeded to erect a system of working similar to that proposed in 1853, to 
 free the mine from water, which was the only impediment to progress at the time 
 the operations were relinquished. The present Director has erected a fourteen 
 horse-power engine near the summit of the hill and near the lode, and by the use 
 
39 
 
 of heavy pumps succeeded in freeing the mine and sinking a whim-shaft in con 
 nection, that now affords easy communication and ample facilities for all the 
 underground operations that may be required. 
 
 The depth of the engine shaft is twenty fathoms, with a diameter of eleven 
 feet by six. It is well timbered and planked, and divided by partitions in such a 
 manner that no impediments can interfere with the working, caused by ingress or 
 egress and the many other incidents that occur in operations of this character. 
 
 From the bottom of the shaft, an adit level has been driven eastward two hun 
 dred and ten feet, and another westward one hundred and forty feet, each being 
 well timbered and ceiled, and the whole mechanical department is done in a strong 
 and workmanlike manner. 
 
 The amount expended in dead work, in the re-opening of this mine, inclusive 
 of the engine, has amounted to $25,000, and the enhancement in value to the 
 property is more than double that sum. In the month of December little more 
 than 1,000 tuns of ore had been removed and reduced since the lode had been 
 reached, and it is to be regretted that with the prospects before them, there 
 appeared a disposition among some of the stockholders to withhold the necessary 
 means that would place their property on a stable foundation and valuable 
 source of profit for many years to come. There requires an outlay at the present 
 time of a sum not less than $23,000, to put that mine in what would be consid 
 ered a safe and good condition for future operations. The pump shaft should be 
 carried to a depth of not less than thirty-six fathoms, in order to be able to 
 remove the ore on the lode to advantage, and not subject themselves to the neces 
 sity of skinning where the lode is at any moment liable to become pinched, from 
 its loose and decomposed character. There is more of irregularity in lodes where 
 much decomposition of their mineral constituents has occurred, and more liability 
 of nipping out in such cases, and should such an accident occur in any mine, it 
 will frequently cost a greater sum to obtain it again than it would to have sunk to 
 the firm rock, inclosing it in the first place at a greater depth. 
 
 Another improvement at this mine is most obviously required. This is the 
 erection of their own reduction works ; nearly one-third of the amount that 
 would be required to erect a battery of sufficient capacity, and the necessary 
 equipments, has been expended during the three months that they had been redu 
 cing ores, or up to the middle of December. 
 
 It is to be hoped that the proprietors of this mine may not be blind to their 
 own interests to that extent as to allow so valuable a mine as they evidently pos 
 sess, to remain a second-rate affair, when such fair prospects of large returns are 
 manifest as in the lode which constitutes their property. But it will be impossi 
 ble to make that mine what it ought to be, with so small an expenditure of that 
 which has been applied to its opening. 
 
 . No person in the slightest degree familiar with mining operations, can expect 
 that the bare opening of the mine will in all cases pay not only expenses but a 
 dividend on the investment, yet such seems to be the prevailing idea even at this 
 late day, with the experience of years before them to the contrary. And it cer 
 tainly seems singular our friends abroad should expect- such a thing, as they man 
 ifestly do under the circumstances. 
 
 Those who will examine this mine, and the work that has been performed upon 
 it in its re-opening, cannot but conclude that the money has been judiciously 
 expended, and the only thing to regret is, that a sufficient amount was not invested 
 at once to do the work which is absolutely necessary. 
 
 *The following statistics will show the present condition of this mine, its 
 expenses and receipts : 
 
40 
 
 Number of men employed, thirty-four. 
 
 20 Miners, at $4 per day $1,920 
 
 6 Stokers, at $3 per day 432 
 
 2 Engineers, at $125 per month 250 
 
 2 Whim Tenders, $100 per month 200 
 
 1 Blacksmith, $100 per month 100 
 
 1 Carpenter, $100 per month 100 
 
 2 Carmen, $80 per month 160 
 
 Incidentals 200 
 
 $3,362 
 
 Aggregate amount of ore reduced in three months, 1,000 tuns. Aver 
 age value, $40 per tun $40,000 
 
 Cost of reduction, at $6 per tun 6,000 
 
 Length of East Adit, 210 feet, cost $5 50 per foot 1,155 
 
 " West Adit, 140 feet, " ' 740 
 
 Depth of engine shaft, 20 fathoms. 
 
 Aggregate expenses on mine for three months $10,086 
 
 Aggregate of dead work, and value of engine since re-opening 25,000 
 
 Aggregate receipts $40,000 
 
 Whole amount Adit Levels, 350 feet. 
 " Shafts, 20 fathoms. 
 
 Working eighty feet below water line, pump discharges 260 gallons per min 
 ute. 
 
 BOSTON MINE, GRASS VALLEY, NEVADA COUNTY. 
 
 This mine is at present owned by a French company. No general history of 
 the mine was obtained. The following are their statistics for 1854 and 1855 as 
 nearly as they could be obtained : 
 
 Statistics for 1854. 
 
 Number of men employed, nine. 
 
 4 miners, $5 per day $480 
 
 2 engineers, $160 per month . , 320 
 
 1 battery tender 120 
 
 21 cords wood per day, $4 50 264 
 
 2 stokers 160 
 
 Incidentals . , 280 
 
 $1,624 
 Amount of ore reduced per day, 13 tuns ; average value $15. 
 
 Aggregate receipts for 9 months $36,630 
 
 expenses 14,616 
 
 Balance in favor $22,014 
 

 41 
 
 Statistics for 1855. 
 
 4 miners $384 
 
 2 engineers 200 
 
 1 battery tender - 100 
 
 2J cords wood per day, $3 50 192 
 
 2 stokers 160 
 
 Incidentals 200 
 
 $1,236 
 Ore reduced per month, 338 tuns ; average value $15. . . $4,010 
 
 Aggregate receipts for 8 months $32,560 
 
 " expenses " 9,888 
 
 Balance in favor $22,672 
 
 The workings of this mine thus far have been confined mostly to the surface. 
 No considerable depth has as yet been attained upon the lode. The affairs of 
 the company appear to be managed in a prudent and economical manner. Their 
 machinery is light but effective for its weight. 
 
 OSBORN HILL MINE, GRASS VALLEY, NEVADA COUNTY. 
 
 The Osborn Hill Mine and that of the Lawrence Hill, adjoining, and which is 
 the property of one company, are situated about two miles east of the town. The 
 reduction works of the company are situated on Wolf Creek, near the middle of 
 the village. The mine was one of the earliest that was opened in the State, and 
 has continued in active operation since the early part of 1853. As was the usual 
 case with most of the veins that were worked during that period, this mine, like 
 others, was worked without much system until the latter part of 1853, when the 
 company adopted a much more systematic course than had been N previously 
 observed. 
 
 During 1853 the following work was done upon the lode of Osborn Hill : An 
 adit was driven to the intersection of the vein on one side, to the length of one 
 hundred and ninety feet. At the contact the lode was found to have a dip of 
 twenty-seven degrees. From the termination of the adit two levels were carried 
 to the length of one hundred and twenty feet each, and one winze sunk to the 
 depth of twenty-five feet. At the bottom of the four-fathom winze the lode had 
 acquired an angle of forty-one degrees. Subsequent to this another adit was 
 commenced fifty feet below the former and carried to the length of one hundred 
 and twenty-five feet, the last fifty feet of which was carried into the green-stone 
 trap, which was very hard and compact. 
 
 From the very heavy expenses attending the driving in this rock and the great 
 distance that it would be necessary to carry it, the enterprise was abandoned. 
 
 At this time there was considerable water in the mine, and as the season 
 advanced it was judged most prudent to abandon this part of the lode for the 
 present and attack it at a more advantageous point, with the exception of the 
 extraction of such ores as were available above the points of drainage. Accord 
 ingly in 1854 the lode was opened on Lawrence Hill some six hundred feet to 
 
 6 
 
42 
 
 
 the north of the old workings. On this hill the company put in what may be 
 considered their first permanent workings. 
 
 On this hill they commenced and carried down a large whim shaft to the depth 
 of nineteen fathoms. From the bottom of this shaft a level was carried north 
 about one hundred and sixty feet and south one hundred and thirty feet. These 
 two levels laid out a heavy bed of good ore two hundred and ninety feet in length. 
 
 The advantage of this deep whim shaft will become apparent when it is stated, 
 that it cuts the lode fourteen fathoms below the lowest point worked in the old 
 operations of 1853, and for a length of six hundred feet will drain that part of 
 the mine, thus affording an opportunity to extract that mass of ore at any future 
 day. During 1855 the works have been continued in this part of the mine. The 
 north level is carried to the length of two hundred feet, and the south level to 
 one hundred and sixty feet. On the north level two winzes have been sunk to 
 the depth of five fathoms, and on the south level one winze to the same depth. 
 A breast of fifty feet has been carried down to the depth of six fathoms below 
 the winzes. The lode is now opened and in condition for drainage to the depth 
 of twenty fathoms below the old workings and with which the vein is continuous, 
 and will keep the mine clear of water to the depth of thirty-nine fathoms for the 
 length of eight hundred feet south. The engine now discharges the water from 
 the main shaft, and with its lateral attachments, to the depth of one hundred and 
 forty-two feet. 
 
 The cost of sinking the engine shaft was thirty-three dollars per foot, and in 
 fact the best investment ever made upon the mine. They are now working sixty- 
 eight feet below the water line on this part of the lode. 
 
 The following statistics will show the comparative expenses of working during 
 1854 and 1855 : 
 
 Statistics for 1854. 
 
 20 Miners, $80 per month $1,600 
 
 2 Engineers, $112 " 225 
 
 2 Battery Tenders 150 
 
 5 Stokers 250 
 
 2 Shaft Tenders 200 
 
 1 Blacksmith 75 
 
 1 Carpenter 75 
 
 2| cords wood per day, at $4 50 240 
 
 Teaming 900 
 
 Total $3,715 
 
 Dead work on engine shaft at $33 per foot $3,828 
 
 Average amount ore reduced per month, tuns 520 
 
 Average yield per tun 29 
 
 Average yield per month 14,880 
 
 Aggregate yield for 7 months $104,160 
 
 Aggregate expenses for 12 months 48,408 
 
 Balance in favor $55,752 
 
43 
 
 Statistics for 1855. 
 
 18 Miners, at $75 per month $1,350 
 
 2 Engineers at mill 200 
 
 2 " at mine 160 
 
 2 Battery Tenders 120 
 
 2 Shaft " 120 
 
 3 Stokers 150 
 
 1 Carpenter 65 
 
 1 Blacksmith 65 
 
 2| cords wood, at $3 156 
 
 Teaming, $20 per day 480 
 
 Total $2,866 
 
 Engine and dead work for mine $10,000 
 
 Amount ore reduced per month, tuns '. 520 
 
 Average value per tun $25 
 
 Aggregate receipts for 6 months $78,000 
 
 Aggregate expenses for 12 months 44,828 
 
 Balance in favor $33,172 
 
 RECAPITULATION OF WORKINGS. 
 
 For 1853. 
 
 Feet 
 
 1 Adit 190 
 
 1 " 125 
 
 Total Adits 215 
 
 2 Levels, 120 feet each 240 
 
 1 Winze, 5 fathoms ; 6 Shafts, 240 feet. 
 
 For 1854. 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 1 Whim Shaft 19 
 
 Feet. 
 
 1 Level, north 160 
 
 1 " south.. 130 
 
 Total Levels.. 290 
 
44 
 
 For 1855. 
 
 1 Level, north 40 
 
 1 " south 30 
 
 Total Levels 70 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 3 Winzes, 5 fathoms each 15 
 
 1 Breast 6 
 
 It should be borne in mind, that during those periods in which improvements 
 are going on, the companies are obliged to retain their men at ruling rates, 
 though no ores are reduced in the interim. This frequently subjects them to 
 heavy expenses, as in the case before us, and also with most of the other mines in 
 the State who 'date their opening in 1852 and 1853. 
 
 The ores of this mine still retain'their peculiar characteristics as in the preced 
 ing year ; the arsenical sulphurets predominating. 
 
 EMPIRE MINE, GRASS VALLEY, NEVADA COUNTY. 
 
 The reductions of this company are situated in the town of Grass Valley. 
 
 The lodes, which constitute this mine, are situated one upon Ophir Hill and 
 another upon the hill known as the Ben Franklin, and about one and a half miles 
 east of the town. 
 
 The company commenced its operation in 1852, and have continued almost 
 uninteruptedly since .that year, or more particularly so from the early part of 
 1853. 
 
 Most of the workings during 1853 were of the superficial character that was 
 so general throughout the State in this department of mining, owing to the then 
 prevailing idea that was promulgated by pretenders, that the lodes would, in all 
 probability, give out at small depths below the surface. 
 
 In the latter part of 1854, the company, like their neighbors of Osborn Hill, 
 commenced their first permanent improvements. This was done by sinking a 
 large whim shaft to the depth of seventeen fathoms, and the driving of a series 
 of adits and levels from the bottom of the shaft. 
 
 The opening consisted in driving what are known as the east and west levels, 
 which are one hundred and twenty feet apart. 
 
 The west level was driven north of the main shaft three hundred and twenty 
 feet, and south of the same one hundred and forty feet ; and the east level cor 
 responding to the former. 
 
 Between the levels and south of the shaft two winzes of one hundred and 
 twenty feet each were driven, and north of the shaft another winze of the same 
 length and which extended east of the east level sixty feet, connecting with 
 another smaller level which had been driven to the length of ninety feet ; a winze, 
 one hundred and eighty feet was also carried to the depth of thirty-five feet 
 between the east and west galleries, and was subsequently carried entirely 
 through to the depth of one hundred and twenty feet. 
 
 The mine was, therefore, divided into six compartments of about one hundred 
 feet square, and all connected directly with the main shaft, affording easy com 
 munication with the surface and the advantage of uninterrupted workings in all 
 parts of the mine. 
 

 45 
 
 During 1855, a large proportion of this ore was sloped out and reduced, and 
 at the time I visited the mine the company had commenced opening another 
 level one hundred and seven feet west of the engine shaft, and had made a 
 cross-cut seventy-six feet in length. 
 
 On the Ben Franklin lode an adit had been driven one hundred and seventy 
 feet, at which point the vein was cut, and a level was being driven to the south, 
 which, in December, had attained the length of thirty-five feet. A considerable 
 body of ore had been delivered to the surface, having many of the characteristics 
 of Ophir Hill. 
 
 The character of the ores of this lode are such, that the gold which it contains, 
 is in a free state, owing to the extensive decomposition of the pyritous elements 
 originally contained within it. There are some portions, however, which require 
 calcination, in order to liberate the metal. The depth of seventeen fathoms has 
 not been sufficient to produce a solid wall to the lode, though all the mines which 
 have opened in this vicinity have presented this feature usually at about half that 
 depth. 
 
 From the position of the green-stone, it is highly probable that a few feet below 
 their present workings, this rock will be met, as in the adjacent country. 
 
 The following statistics will give the operations of this mine for 1854 and 1855 : 
 
 Statistics for 1854. 
 
 Number of men employed, thirty-six. 
 
 20 Miners, $5 per day $2,400 
 
 6 Stokers, $4 u 576 
 
 2 Engineers, mine 200 
 
 2 " mill.... 260 
 
 2 Battery Tenders 180 
 
 2 Shaft Stokers 120 
 
 1 Amalgamator 1 30 
 
 1 Carpenter 130 
 
 1 Blacksmith 130 
 
 4 cords Wood per day, $4 50 per cord 432 
 
 Teaming, $25 per day : 600 
 
 Total $5,158 
 
 Sinking Engine Shaft 1,500 
 
 Aggregate expenses for 10 months $51,580 
 
 Dead work . 1,500 
 
 Total expenses $53,080 
 
 Aggregate ore reduced, 5,200 tuns. 
 
 Aggregate value ore reduced. 130,000 
 
 Balance in. favor $76,120 
 
46 
 
 Statistics for 1855. 
 
 Number of men employed, thirty-eight. 
 
 21 Miners, at $4 per day $2,184 
 
 6 Stokers 432 
 
 2 Engineers, mine 180 
 
 2 " mill 200 
 
 2 Battery Tenders 180 
 
 2 Shaft Stokers . . . 120 
 
 1 Amalgamator 100 
 
 1 Carpenter 100 
 
 1 Blacksmith 100 
 
 4 cords Wood per day, $3 per cord 288 
 
 Teaming 500 
 
 Incidentals . 500 
 
 Total $4,884 
 
 Aggregate expenses for 9 months $43,884 
 
 Dead work 2,000 
 
 Total expenses $45,884 
 
 Aggregate ore reduced, 4,680 tuns. 
 
 *" Aggregate value, at $25 per tun 116,000 
 
 Balance in favor $70,000 
 
 In regard to the figures given, touching the valuation of ores not only of this 
 mine but those of several others, I will state that I am fully aware that they are 
 actually below what they have averaged for months consecutively ; and in these 
 statements I prefer to err by being below the absolute yield than to commit an 
 error in being above their value. 
 
 My object and aim in these statements has been to place the results of these 
 adventures before the public in such a form as will have a tendency to convey a 
 more lucid idea of the probabilities of success or failure in this branch of employ 
 ment. In giving these figures, it may be that I have overstepped the bounds of 
 prudence, and perhaps, to some extent, the confidence of those who have from 
 time to time furnished me with the statistics of their operations ; and if so, my 
 only apology for so doing is, that we have arrived at that period in our history 
 when it has become incumbent upon us to demonstrate the practicability or im 
 practicability of operations of this kind within this State, and to divest the busi 
 ness, as much as possible, of either the suspicion that rests upon it, arising from 
 the precedents of gold mining in other States and countries, or, the surmises of suc 
 cess or failure, by which it is at present encompassed. 
 
 Original capital paid in (cash) $32,000 
 
 Nominal capital 600,000 
 
 Month of August, one dividend on nominal capital, 1 per cent. 
 
 " September, " " " " 
 
 . " October, ' " " i " 
 
HELVETIA AND LAFAYETTE MINE, LAFAYETTE HILL, GRASS VAL 
 LEY, NEVADA COUNTY. 
 
 The above mine was located in 1851, and soon after its location the company 
 commenced operations in the opening of their lode. It was not, however, until 
 the early part of 1852 that any considerable amount of excavation was made; and 
 it is from this period that the mine should date its beginning. 
 
 During the general crash that befel most of the gold mines in that year, this 
 company pursued a uniform and continued course of working throughout the 
 panic, and carried their operations through, almost uninterrupted, up to the pres 
 ent date. It is therefore one of the oldest established mines in the State, and 
 ranks one of the first among the pioneers of gold mining in California. 
 
 From the first opening of the lode on Lafayette Hill, up to the close of 1855, 
 the reduction works of the mine were situated nearly two miles from their vein ; 
 they have, consequently, been subjected to a heavy expense in transporting their 
 ores to the mill. During 1855 they have erected a new and capacious mill di 
 rectly upon their lode, the machinery of the reduction works doing nearly all the 
 labor of hoisting of ores, pumping, etc., that had previously been done by hand, 
 on the mine. 
 
 During the years 1852 and 1853 the workings on the lode at Lafayette Hill 
 consisted in the following amounts : 
 
 An adit was carried from the north side of the hill to the length of two hun 
 dred feet, and from the end of this a level was commenced and driven on the vein 
 to the length of eleven hundred feet, at an average depth of nine fathoms below 
 the surface. On the strike of the vein some eight shafts were sunk, four of which 
 were nine fathoms, three eleven fathoms, and one thirteen fathoms ; each of 
 these shafts were supplied with a hand-windlass, and from most of them ores were 
 delivered to the surface alternately. 
 
 After the level had been carried through, and a connection formed with the 
 surface by means of the adit, the shaft delivery of ores was abandoned, and the 
 mineral matter taken to the surface by the latter means. During 1854 all the 
 ores were taken out by this channel on train-ways laid for the purpose. 
 
 During 1854 the underground workings consisted in breasting down the lode 
 for nearly its entire length, which was carried to the depth of seven fathoms. 
 The walls of the lode being for the best nine fathoms, a very compact and hard 
 greenstone trap, the lode and walls requiring blasting every foot that was exca 
 vated. 
 
 During the year 1855 the company have' completed the erection of their new 
 mill, as above mentioned, and the subterranean workings to connect with it, are 
 as follows : 
 
 From the end of the adit a heavy cross-cut has been carried northward forty- 
 six feet, at an average expense of forty dollars per foot ; at the end of this a shaft 
 (engine shaft) six feet by eight, has been sunk to the depth of fifteen fathoms, 
 heavily timbered and planked throughout. The cross-cut connects with the 1,100 
 feet level, and thus easy and efficient communication is established with the sur 
 face of the mine throughout. 
 
 From the bottom of the engine shaft a level is to be driven during the coming 
 year, the end of which is to be equal to that of the main level of 1,100 feet, and 
 at its completion a body of ore will be placed in position to be sloped down, hav 
 ing an average depth of twenty-eight fathoms below the present line of workings. 
 This, it will be seen, will afford facilities for obtaining ore to any amount that may 
 be desired for at least three years to come. 
 
 The reduction of ores during the past year, have not been as extensive as for- 
 
48 1 . 
 
 merly, from the fact of heavy and costly. improvements going on, and the desire 
 to avoid the burdensome expense of the transportation of ores to such a long dis 
 tance. This expense will be entirely saved during the coming year, and will mate 
 rially increase the net receipts to an amount little short of $11,00.0. 
 
 The greatest depth attained in the lode, at the close of 1855, was twenty-four 
 fathoms ; at this point the vein carries a power of four feet. At this depth there 
 appears to be a material change in the mineral character of the ore from that of 
 the preceding year, with the exception, perhaps, of a slight increase of the arsen 
 ical sulphurets, but even this is questionable. 
 
 Lead and a small quantity of molybdenum, with occasional traces of zinc as 
 formerly, are among the products of the ore. 
 
 The following statistics will furnish some additional information of the opera 
 tions of this mine, and also its present working condition : 
 
 Statistics for 1854. 
 
 Number of men employed, twenty-four. 
 
 16 Miners, at $100 $1,600 
 
 2 Engineers, at $125 250 
 
 2 Battery Tenders, at $100 200 
 
 2 Stokers, at $75 150 
 
 1 Blacksmith 125 
 
 1 Carpenter 125 
 
 2 cords Wood, at $4 50 299 
 
 Teaming, $30 per day 780 
 
 Incidentals 650 
 
 $3,529 
 
 Aggregate ore reduced in eight months, 4,160 tuns. 
 
 Average yield, at $18 per tun $74,880 
 
 Amount dead work 6,450 
 
 Total receipts $74,880 
 
 Total expenses 42,348 
 
 Balance $32,532 
 
 Statistics for 1855. 
 
 Number of men employed, forty-five. 
 
 34 Miners, at $80 ". $2,720 
 
 2 Engineers, at $125 250 
 
 2 Battery Tenders 200 
 
 4 Stokers, at $55 . 220 
 
 1 Blacksmith 125 
 
 1 Carpenter 125 
 
 2-|- cords Wood, at $3 195 
 
 Teaming, $30 per day 780 
 
 Incidentals 650 
 
 $5,265 
 
49 
 
 Aggregate ore reduced in eight months, 4,000 tuns. 
 
 Average yield, at $25 per tun $100,000 
 
 Dead work on mine 30,000 
 
 Cost of Mill 20,000 
 
 Total receipts $100,000 
 
 Total expenses 92,120 
 
 Balance $7,880 
 
 Below will be found a recapitulation of the condition of the mine on the 1st of 
 January, 1856. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 1 adit 200 
 
 1 level 1,100 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 4 shafts, each 9 
 
 3 " 11 
 
 1 " 13 
 
 1 engine shaft 15 
 
 1 air" shaft 12 
 
 , Total 60 
 
 Strike, east and west; dip, north 41. Power, four feet. 
 Working fourteen fathoms below water line. 
 
 MOUNT WASHINGTON MINE, FRENCH GULCH, SHASTA COUNTY. 
 
 In the northern part of the State this company were pioneers in this branch of 
 industry. The mine and reduction works are situated on French Gulch, about 
 two miles from the town, and on the Shasta and Yreka Roads. 
 
 Simultaneous with many of the openings made in the early part of 1852, in 
 the middle and south part of the State, this company located and opened their 
 lode in this region. During that year and the subsequent one, a considerable 
 amount of loss was sustained in their operations, arising from the unsystematic 
 methods adopted in working. The lode was found to be valuable, and the utmost 
 confidence was reposed in its productions, but the necessity of a radical change in 
 the conduction of their operations became apparent to all concerned, in order to 
 insure success and profit from their property. 
 
 Accordingly a new directorship was the first result of the above conclusion, 
 and which saved the mine literally from total abandonment. 
 
 On the advent of the new administration the mine was heavily involved, but 
 by the month of September, 1853, the entire liabilities were discharged from the 
 proceeds of the mine, over and above expenses. During that year the company 
 drove an adit at an expense of $1,800, which was 130 feet in length, and opened 
 a line of level together with the adit, which amounted in their aggregate to 
 nearly 300 feet. During the latter part of 1853, and to the close of the year 
 

 50 
 
 ending August, 1854, they had expended in improvements on the mine, $1,080 
 additional, in placing the workings in a stable condition. 
 
 The employees upon the mine during the latter period averaged nine men for 
 each month during the year, at an aggregate expense of $1,360 per month, inclu 
 sive of board; and the incidental expenses amounted to about $175 per month 
 additional. 
 
 The receipts from the mine during the same period were as follows : 
 
 September, 1853 $7,341 20 
 
 October, " 5,012 00 
 
 November, " 4,508 58 
 
 December, " 3,262 80 
 
 January, 1854 5,246 40 
 
 February, " 4,170 20 
 
 March, " 6,777 20 
 
 April, " 5,420 45 
 
 May, " 3,280 40 
 
 June, " 2,618 80 
 
 July, " 2,594 40 
 
 August, " 3,000 00 
 
 $53,232 43 
 
 Cash capital $7,000 
 
 Expenses for year 16,320 
 
 Dead Work ' 2,880 
 
 Receipts $53,232 43 
 
 Expenses 19,200 00 
 
 Balance $34,032 43 
 
 From the above statement it will be observed, that from May to August there 
 is a diminution in the monthly receipts. This occurred from the failure of water 
 during those four months to that extent that not over one-half running time was 
 actually made, the water for the motive power being derived from the creek on 
 which the mine is situated. 
 
 The lode is situated superiorly in slates, and inferiorly in the trap rock. The 
 ores are peculiar, and differ somewhat in their general appearance from most of 
 the ores of other mines. The attendant metallic compounds are lead, molyb 
 denum, arsenic, iron, and a small quantity of copper, all in the form of sul- 
 phurets, but much more intimately blended than is usual in other parts of the 
 State. Associated with these is metallic gold, easily visible, but more commonly 
 invested by its associated minerals. It is probable that a considerable per cent- 
 age of silver abounds in these ores, though no absolute experiment has as yet 
 been instituted to ascertain that fact. The following is the present condition of 
 the mine and its workings, with expenditures and receipts for 1855 : 
 
 Since the latter part of 1854 an adit has been driven two hundred and twenty 
 feet, which cuts the main lode ninety feet from the surface. The upper level's 
 have been driven to the length of five hundred and twenty-two feet, and from the 
 western end of the latter an inclined shaft has been driven on the lode to the 
 depth of thirty-two fathoms. In the course of driving on the lower adit of two 
 hundred and fifty feet, several beds of ore amounting to twelve feet in thickness 
 
. 
 
 51 
 
 were driven through, each containing gold, but insufficient to warrant its extrac 
 tion in preference to the main lode. 
 
 The train-way from the mouth of the mine to the reduction works has been 
 completed, and is three-fourths of a mile in length. It is carried over two inclines 
 of eight hundred and twenty-seven feet in length each, and has cost for its com 
 pletion, $5,400. The running time for 1855 has amounted to eight months only, 
 the balance of the year being lost from insufficiency of water for power in part, 
 and necessary improvements. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Number of men employed, 12. 
 
 3 Miners, $90 per month $270 
 
 2 Battery Tenders, $60 per month 120 
 
 1 Superintendent, $150 per month 150 
 
 4 Stokers, 50 " 200 
 
 1 Blacksmith, 70 " 70 
 
 1 Cook, 60 " 60 
 
 Incidentals, 50 " 50 
 
 $920 
 
 Ore reduced per month, 117 tuns. Average value, $24 62 per tun. 
 Aggregate ore reduced for eight months, 936 tuns. Aggregate value, $22,132. 
 
 Dead Work $6,090 
 
 General Expenses 7,360 
 
 $13,450 
 Balance in favor $8,682 
 
 CONDITION OF MINE WORKS. 
 
 Feet 
 
 1 Level , 522 
 
 1 Level 222 
 
 1 Level . 97 
 
 Total Levels 841 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 1 Shaft 30 
 
 1 Shaft 12 
 
 1 Shaft 23 
 
 Total Shafts 66 
 
 Depth below water line, twenty-two fathoms. 
 
52 
 
 MARBLE SPRING MINE. 
 
 This mine is situated on a "branch of the North Fork of the Merced River, in 
 Mariposa County, and the highly metalliferous character of the quartz and the 
 uniformity of its yield in gold renders it one of the most interesting of the quartz 
 mines of California. 
 
 The ore is a grayish blue quartz, very hard and solid, containing large quanti 
 ties of sulphurets of iron, zinc and lead, the latter predominating. From ten to 
 twenty per cent, of the ore consists of sulphurets. The gold yielded is of a low 
 degree of fineness, not averaging over 790-1000, and giving so great a proportion 
 of silver, that taken in connection with the argentiferous galena produced and the 
 general appearance of the ore, it is not unlikely that the mine may, when more 
 extensively and deeply worked, prove to be a silver mine ; it now bears all the 
 appearance of what the Mexicans call oroche. 
 
 Thie mine was discovered and located in the summer or fall of 1851, by Silcott, 
 Bunyon, McPhane, Harvey, Humphries and Davenport, and by them sold to the 
 Empire State Quartz Mining Company. New claims have been located in con 
 tinuation of the same vein by the present proprietors, and it is now claimed by 
 them to the extent of about 1,760 yards. 
 
 The general course of the vein is nearly north and south, passing along the 
 back of a ridge of high hills, along whose base, Upon one side, flows the Marble 
 Spring Creek, and upon the other, the North Fork of the Merced. 
 
 The vein lies between trap rock upon the upper side and slate on the lower, 
 and all the ore is obtained by blasting. It stands at an angle of about fifty 
 degrees, and . has kept an average width of two to three feet, and increasing in 
 bieadth downward. 
 
 The advantageous position of the vein has rendered it unnecessary to sink 
 shafts. Four tunnels have been run in, each twenty to twenty-five feet perpen 
 dicular hight the one above the other, and starting at the base of the hill and 
 continuing upon and in the direction of the vein, northerly. Their respective 
 lengths, commencing at the lowermost, are three hundred and fifty, two hundred 
 and fifty, two hundred and one hundred feet. They have been opened up, one 
 into the other, and the trap rock taken from above the vein has been used to stow 
 away in the place of the quartz taken out, leaving the tunnels about six feet high 
 and five feet wide, for the conveyance of the ore from the drifts. The ore is con 
 veyed in cars upon train ways from each tunnel direct to the mill, which stands 
 within one hundred yards of the mouth of the openings. 
 
 The total amount of ore taken out, to the commencement of the present work 
 ing season, has been 1,300 tuns,, the whole of which has been reduced without 
 selection, and has yielded $56,197 in gold, being an average of forty-three dollars 
 per tun of 2,000 pounds. 
 
 The ore is delivered in the mill at a cost of about five to six dollars per tun. 
 The works at the mines, in addition to the necessary out-buildings, smith-shops, 
 etc., at this time consists of a steam mill, having an engine of fifteen-horse power, 
 running ten stamps of five hundred and thirty pounds each, and capable of reduc 
 ing to a fine powder ten to fifteen tuns of crude ore per day of twenty hours. 
 
 The process of collecting the gold consists of blankets, Goddard's Amalgamat 
 ing Tubs, and lastly, a newly 'invented riffle box. 
 
 The fuel used is pine wood, of which great abundance is found in the imme 
 diate vicinity, and is deliveied at the mill for four to five dollars per cord. 
 
 The number of hands required and the wages paid are as follows : 
 
53 
 
 Superintendent of Workmen, per month $100 
 
 " Amalgamating 150 
 
 First Engineer . . 130 
 
 Second Engineer . 75 
 
 Carpenter 60 
 
 Teamster 50 
 
 2 Stamp Feeders, each $50 100 
 
 Cook 50 
 
 6 Miners, $80 each 480 
 
 $1,195 
 
 In addition to salaries, all the employees are boarded, which costs the establish 
 ment about twenty dollars per month for each man. 
 
 PITTSBURG MINE, NEAR NEVADA, NEVADA COUNTY. 
 
 This mine was located in the month of September, 1850, by the present pro 
 prietor, R. S. Whigham. After its location and during the following year, the 
 engine and appurtenances for reduction were manufactured for this mine in Pitts- 
 burg, and shipped in November of the same year. 
 
 On the 20th of June, 1852, the engines and batteries were erected and ready 
 for running, and during that month went into operation. 
 
 During the erection of the mill, house and machinery, a shaft had been sunk 
 on the vein to the depth of seven fathoms, and an adit driven two hundred and 
 sixty feet, which cut the lode at this point, at right angles to its strike ; a level 
 was then driven northward for two hundred and sixty feet, which gave the same 
 length of backs on the lode ready for excavation. 
 
 In addition to the above, a train-road was laid from the mouth of the adit to 
 the mill, a distance of five hundred and sixty feet. 
 
 From the month of June, 1852, to the end of the year (June, 1853,) the mine 
 was in active and constant operation, obtaining the ore exclusively from the Pitts- 
 burg lode, the yield of which varied from ten to fifty dollars per tun, the aver 
 age for the year being twenty-four dollars and ninety cents per ton. At this time 
 the mine was leased to the West Mariposa Quartz Mining Company for a period 
 of two years, their lease expiring on the 25th of June, 1855. 
 
 The operations of this company were under the principal superintendence of 
 S. M. Murry, the English company's agent, who, with his attaches, commenced 
 operations in their characteristic style, and closed out their labor department in 
 1854, with the exception of such as required the use of ink and paper only. 
 
 At the time this company took charge of the Pittsburg Mine it was well 
 opened, and in good working condition. They had driven an adit but a short 
 distance south of the former workings, when a peculiar idea seized the minds of 
 the Directors, that the lode would run out at some future time, if they persisted 
 in following its legitimate and well-defined course. Accordingly, an order was 
 issued to cease operations on the lode, and to drive in a direction at nearly right 
 angles to the strike of the vein, that they might strike it again at a point some 
 distance ahead, where the merest novice would see that such an event would be 
 a total impossibility, from the line of cutting adopted, and the distinct, well 
 marked course of the river. 
 
 At the point of the new workings they left a lode whose power was sixteen 
 inches, and had increased nearly four inches in twenty-seven feet on the line of 
 strike ; and after driving as directly as possible to the distance. of ninety-three feet 
 

 away from the vein, they arrived at the sage conclusion that the lode had run 
 out, and reported accordingly to the parties by whom they were employed. 
 
 In this case we hare one of those strange feats of nature, that are so remarka 
 bly rare in their occurrence that they are regarded as phenomena of great inter 
 est, and find a place in annals of science, to be handed down to posterity. 
 
 This was no other than an optical delusion on the one hand, and an extraordi 
 nary pre-vision on the other. For in the one case their optical powers would not 
 permit them to discern an eighteen-inch lode two hundred and sixty feet in length, 
 over which they were obliged to pass constantly in and out of the mine, and on 
 the other hand their mental powers were of sufficient strength to descry a lode 
 one hundred feet beneath the surface, and ninety-three feet from any point that 
 one could possibly exist. 
 
 The result of these operations was, that they had the effect of nearly ruining 
 one of the most valuable mines in the State, and at the expense of about $20,000 
 for their stockholders at home. This magnificent failure (to call it no worse 
 name,) of the foreign company, soon made the Pittsburg Mine a by-word 
 rather than anything else, and injured that property to an extent, that had it 
 been put under the hammer it is doubtful if the whole concern would have 
 brought the first cost of the engine, and a more sad mistake was never made than 
 the lease of this property under the circumstances. 
 
 There is no censure that is too severe for conduct like the above. On the 25th 
 of June, 1855, the proprietors again came in possession of the property by the 
 expiration of the lease, and at the time I visited the mine they had repaired their 
 machinery, and had commenced the reduction of ores again from the mine. The 
 period in which ore had been reduced from Pittsburg Hill was about two 
 months, and at no time had it yielded a less sum than twelve dollars per tun, and 
 ranging from that to forty-six dollars per tun, thus showing that the mine was 
 worked with its former success. 
 
 How is it that men unskilled in metallurgy and mining can succeed in this man 
 ner, and such universal defeat mark the progress of men making high pretensions 
 in those departments, who have been, and still are, engaged in the same branches 
 of industry in our midst ? I am not disposed to reproach or criminate where it 
 is not justly due, but at the same time I cannot permit some things to pass unno 
 ticed where a State is to be the sufferer, even though it may prejudice the private 
 interests of friends, acquaintances or individuals. 
 
 This subject is by no means exhausted. Much more might be said than here 
 committed, not only in relation to this, but other operations similar in character. 
 But I have no desire to drag personal conduct and management into a public 
 document, it is far more fitting for a private journal. 
 
 I have thus far seen no reason to retract one syllable from 'the remarks that 
 may be found on page Eighty-Four, Document No. Fourteen, Session of 1855, but 
 each additional feature that presents itself relating to this subject would only 
 place that language in a still stronger position. 
 
 The following statistics will show the operations of this mine for 1853, the full 
 running time being nine months, the period named would constitute at that time 
 the workings for one year. 
 
 Number of men employed, eighteen. 
 
 8 Miners, at $100 $800 
 
 4 men at Mill, $4 per day 416 
 
 1 Carman 50 
 
 1 Shaft Tender 60 
 
 1 Engineer 100 
 
 1 " 75 
 
55 
 
 2 Battery Tenders, at $75 150 
 
 3 cords Wood per day 234 
 
 Incidentals 208 
 
 Total monthly expenses $2,093 
 
 Engine and Mill $30,000 
 
 4 Shafts 1,344 
 
 1 Adit 2,080 
 
 1 Level 3,120 
 
 1 Train Way 6,720 
 
 Total dead work $43,264 
 
 Aggregate ore reduced, 4,680 tuns. Average yield per tun $24 90. 
 
 Aggregate monthly expenses $18,937 
 
 receipts 112,320 
 
 Balance in favor 50,000 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 , 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 4 Shafts 7 
 
 Feet. 
 
 1 Adit 260 
 
 1 Level 260 
 
 1 Train Road 560 
 
 Working three fathoms below water line. 
 
 This brief history and statistical matter of those mines, from which we have 
 the returns of their operations for the periods given, is sufficient to show the 
 healthy and stable condition of this branch of employment, and their yield is 
 fully sufficient to warrant all that I have said in former reports relating to their 
 intrinsic value. The rapid increase in the number of mines, during the past 
 three years, may also be taken as an evidence of success ; more particularly so 
 when it is known that this speeies of property does not appear as stocks either in 
 foreign or domestic markets. 
 
 Their rise and advancement, therefore, cannot be attributed to speculation, or 
 jobbing, at home more particularly, for here this property has not, as yet, divested 
 itself of those opprobriums that unprincipled speculators (who were more willing 
 to earn their living by any other means than legitimate labor,) on the one hand, 
 and the inconsiderate manner of investment and working on the other, attached 
 themselves, like deadly parasites, during the days of its comparative infancy. 
 But a kind Providence interposed, and soon produced a finale to their brilliant 
 career. 
 
 Unsupported by any of those extraneous influences usually brought to the sup 
 port of faltering mining property, they have lived beyond the possible reach of 
 further injury from the causes that have hung with so heavy a weight upon the 
 reputation and integrity of gold mining in California. It would be interesting 
 to review their past history in full, did time permit, for each mine would furnish 
 
56 
 
 a goodly amount of valuable instruction of itself; but, as a condensed view will 
 serve our purpose equally well, and at the same time convey a clear idea of their 
 advancement and progress, this course will be pursued. I will thus state the 
 number of mines that could be considered in full operation from 1852 to the 
 close of 1855, a period of three years, the figures being the aggregate at the end 
 of each year. 
 
 In the beginning of 1852, the number of mines that continued to the close of 
 that year was fourteen. At the close of 1853, the number had increased to 
 thirty-nine. At the end of 1854, their numbers amounted to fifty-one. And at 
 the close of 1855, the total number is sixty-five. 
 
 In addition to the total for 1855, as above, there are thirteen companies open 
 ing their lodes, preparatory to the commencement of erecting reduction works 
 and the reduction of their ores. But as no reduction works are, as yet, erected, 
 they are not included as in actual operation. 
 
 I have pursued the uniform rule, never to consider a mine as having a legiti 
 mate existence until it has been in operation one full year in the reduction of 
 ores. For if it can sustain itself during that period, and prudently managed, it 
 is certain to do more than this subsequently, in this State. 
 
 The strict adherence to this rule has brought us to the above result, as regards 
 the number actually engaged, and which may be considered among the perma 
 nent things of the State. But had a departure from this rule been adopted, and 
 every little vein on which a mere scratch had been made, recorded as a mine in 
 operation, we should, if honest, have, been obliged to chronicle failures equally 
 numerous with those that occurred during the " great crash " in this business in 
 1852. The greater part of those failures were in mines of this character, and 
 many of them even worse than this, viz : failures from having no lode whatever. 
 
 Such operations are not legitimate mining, and it is a harsh rule to judge 
 legitimate operations by. To apply such a rule would be equally consistent with 
 the striking illustration of Mr. Everett, who, a short time since, in lecturing 
 before a public body, elucidated the comparative value of gold and the products 
 of agriculture, by which, through immense labor, he proved to his wondering and 
 delighted audience, that the product of that metal from the mines of this State, 
 for five years, amounting to nearly three hundred millions, did not equal in value 
 the entire products of agriculture of all, the States inhabited by our Atlantic 
 neighbors. If their aggregate had not been sufficient to have swamped us, in 
 this herculean estimate, he could have fallen back on the world at large, and the 
 wonder is that he did not do so. 
 
 It was to be hoped that the day had passed by, when we were to suffer such 
 prejudicial detraction from men of high character and education, but it seems 
 otherwise. In years gone by, men of small capacities indulged in such material 
 to astonish and delight. "Former precedent " of our capacities in the production of 
 gold was their guide, but that pedestal has slipped from beneath their feet, and 
 they are now silent. But the above comes from a higher source, and conveys 
 more meaning than floats upon its surface. What heinous act have we, as a 
 people, committed, that Atlantic savans should thus seize every opportunity to 
 detract from even the small amount of credit, which, on fitting occcasions, they 
 are willing to acknowledge is our due. It is not enough that we send them from 
 fifty to sixty millions per annum, for the material which each year they force 
 upon our markets, and furnish large sums for many of their internal improvements 
 to the prejudice of our own, but we must then be coolly told that the labor of 
 eighty-six thousand men does not equal that of the balance of the Union. And 
 would thus insinuate an idea, which their tongues would parch at, did they 
 attempt boldly to utter. I hope I may not have misconstrued the import of the 
 remarks alluded to, but I can place no other construction upon them. 
 
57 
 
 In the appended tables will be found tlie aggregate product of eighteen mines, 
 for the years 1854 and 1855, presenting, in a condensed form, the results of 
 each ; and for the items from which these figures have been derived, the reader is 
 referred to the history of the individual views in the preceding pages. 
 
 From these returns, some approximate estimate may be made of the character 
 and importance of this branch of employment, and the position that we maintain 
 as a mining State, compared to one of the greatest mining nations on the globe. 
 
 In carefully reviewing the operations of the English, Welsh and Irish mines, 
 for forty-three years, and those of Cornwall and Devon, the close of 1847 pre 
 sents us with some interesting facts and figures relating to the product of those 
 mines, and by which we may form some estimate of the value of our own. 
 
 From the Welsh, Irish, and English, mines, there were raised and sold in 
 forty-three years the amount of 417,040 tuns of copper ores, being the product of 
 ninety-one mines for the above period. Upon this ore I place an average value of 
 fourteen pounds sterling per tun, being a higher sum than would be claimed for 
 those ores by those best acquainted with their value. 
 
 Their aggregate would therefore be equal to $29,192,800, giving an average 
 product for each year from the ninety-one mines of $681,730 per annum. 
 
 The product of one hundred and three mines of copper in Cornwall and Devon, 
 ending in 1847, amounted to 37,000 tuns, which, at the same price as the above, 
 gives us an aggregate of $13,076,015 as their value. 
 
 The total number of mines engaged, it will be seen, amounts to the number of 
 one hundred and ninety-four, the aggregate product of which in value, is $42,- 
 268,815. 
 
 This shows us an average per annum, from the total number of mines, of the 
 sum equal to $972,763. 
 
 During 1854 eleven of the gold mines of this State produced $777,790 ; and in 
 1855 eighteen mines produced the amount of $2,216,697, being an increase of 
 $1,438,907 over that of the preceding year. The aggregate product in value 
 from the total number of mines in two years being $3,016,951. Tims we find 
 that the mines of copper of the United Kingdom, and amounting to one hundred 
 and ninety-four in number, do not produce an annual aggregate in value equal to 
 eighteen mines of gold in our own State. 
 
 RECAPITULATION OF THE PRODUCT OF ENGLISH COPPER MINES. 
 
 91 Irish, Welsh and English Mines produced in forty -thrfce years 
 
 the value of $29,192,800 
 
 103 Mines of Cornwall and Devon, ending at same date 13,760,015 
 
 Total. $42,952,815 
 
 Aggregate and average product per annum $972,763 
 
 RECAPITULATION OF THE PRODUCT OF CALIFORNIA GOLD MINES. 
 
 11 Gold Mines of California produced in one year, 1854 $777,790 
 
 18 " " " " " 1855'.... 2,239,161 
 
 Total $3,016,951 
 
 Aggregate and average product per annum $1,625,520 
 
 8 
 
58 
 
 Prior to this time speculation has been the principal guide in the estimates of 
 gold mining in this State, but at the present time we have something more tangi 
 ble to rest upon ; and it is to be hoped that hereafter those engaged in this 
 employment will not so stubbornly withhold statistical matter, so necessary in 
 forming opinions in regard to any branch of business whatever. We cannot 
 establish the integrity of our mines by any other means, and so long as it is with 
 held it must, and will, cast a shade of doubt on all such operations. It is a known 
 fact, that nearly every mine in active operation in 1854 declared at the end of the 
 year a handsome profit on investment and labor, yet it is impossible almost to 
 draw any facts from the proprietors of the greater portion of them. 
 
 I have in my possession at the present moment the receipts of eight additional 
 mines for 1855, obtained from parties indirectly interested, and on whom reliance 
 can be placed, but with whom it would be a breach of confidence to make public 
 the figures furnished. I have omitted their publication for this and an additional 
 reason, viz : that the expenses of these mines for the same period are unknown. 
 These figures would swell the amount already given for the past year to 
 $3,641,090. 
 
 Had we the full returns of the product of the fifty-two mines that have con 
 tinued in operation through the past year, it would be safe to presume that their 
 aggregate product would fall but little short of $6,000,000. 
 
59 
 
 TABLE 
 
 Exhibiting the number of Mines from which returns have been received up 
 to 1854 and1S55 J with their depth, in fathoms, below the water line and 
 amount of ores in tuns reduced ; together with the aggregate receipt from 
 the same. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 Depth be 
 low water 
 
 1854. 
 Ores raised. 
 
 1855. 
 Ores raised. 
 
 1854. 
 Keceipts. 
 
 1855. 
 Eeceipts. 
 
 Badger 
 
 feet. 
 26 
 
 tuns. 
 
 tuns. 
 1 080 
 
 
 $35 000 
 
 Midian 
 
 12 
 
 
 840 
 
 
 9000 
 
 Union 
 
 21 
 
 
 1 000 
 
 
 18 000 
 
 Keystone . . 
 
 23 
 
 2 204 
 
 3 000 
 
 $52 000 
 
 60 000 
 
 Eureka 
 
 It 
 
 1 400 
 
 1 296 
 
 48 000 
 
 33000 
 
 Pacific 
 
 9 
 
 
 1 924 
 
 
 39000 
 
 Experimental . . 
 Mammoth 
 
 4 
 3 
 
 1 095 
 
 1,000 
 1 095 
 
 
 12,000 
 
 28 000 
 
 Sprin (r Hill 
 
 It 
 
 900 
 
 2 074 
 
 20 000 
 
 46000 
 
 Herbertville . . 
 
 28 
 
 3 400 
 
 1 200 
 
 72 000 
 
 20 000 
 
 Rocky Bar 
 
 14 
 
 1 200 
 
 1 000 
 
 47 000 
 
 40 000 
 
 
 
 2 088 
 
 2 674 
 
 32 000 
 
 36 000 
 
 Osborn Hill 
 
 12 
 
 4 680 
 
 3 120 
 
 104 000 
 
 78 000 
 
 Empire 
 
 12 
 
 5 200 
 
 4 680 
 
 130 000 
 
 116000 
 
 Mt Washington 
 
 16 
 
 2 670 
 
 936 
 
 56 000 
 
 22 464 
 
 Helvetia & Lafayette . 
 Marble Springs 
 Pittsburg . . 
 
 14 
 9 
 3 
 
 4,160 
 To date. 
 3 000 
 
 4,000 
 4,320 
 1 000 
 
 100,000 
 112 000 
 
 74,000 
 56,197 
 19 000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 
 .. . $777,790 
 
 $2,2*39,161 
 
 Total f 
 
 or 1854 
 
 and 1855 
 
 . 1 
 
 13,016.951. 
 
 
EXAMINATION OF THE SULPHURETS OF IRON FROM QUARTZ 
 CONTAINING GOLD. 
 
 These sulphurets were taken from the tailings of mines in different parts of the 
 State, and examined, to detect any metallic gold that might be contained in them. 
 
 The process pursued to extract the metal is one that would be practicable on 
 the large scale, and was adopted as a means of illustrating the practical results 
 obtainable by those means if fully carried out, and long since suggested. 
 
 A detail of the process may not be amiss, though containing nothing that is 
 new. 
 
 The sulphurets were separated from the sand by washing, and dried. After 
 being thoroughly dried, they were introduced into a shallow porcelain capsule 
 and roasted at a clear red heat, being constantly stirred, and the heat continued 
 until all fumes of sulphur were dissipated. The mass at this time has the appear 
 ance of a coarse brownish-black powder, which, on being reduced to a fine pow 
 der, presented all the appearances of being entirely peroxydized, and in this state 
 was of an red iron-rust color. 
 
 It is to this condition that it is necessary to bring this mineral in order to 
 extract any gold by amalgamation that it may contain. 
 
 After thus reducing to a powder the calcined sulphuret, it was washed and 
 amalgamated, and from the amalgam the following results were obtained : 
 
 The quantity used being one ounce avordupois in each case. 
 
 Spring Hill Mine gave 6-Sths grain, equal to $270 per ton. 
 
 Mt. Washington Mine, " 3-16ths ' 135 
 
 Osborn Hill Mine, " 5-16ths * 225 ' " 
 
 Empire Mine, " l-8th ' 90 " 
 
 Eureka Mine, " 3-16ths * 135 " 
 
 Badger Mine, " l-9th ' 80 " 
 
 Lafayette and Helvetia Mine, 1-8 th " 90 u 
 
 The grain of gold in these cases is estimated at the value of three cents, its 
 fractional value being omitted. 
 
 The results are what may be expected in mill work, if properly conducted, and 
 do not represent the absolute amount of gold contained in these minerals. Chem 
 ical analysis will show a much greater amount of metal, and would have been 
 presented in connection with the above had it been completed in sufficient time 
 for this report. 
 
 I am well persuaded that if the above process had been conducted with that 
 strict care pursued in close and rigid investigations, that at least twenty-five per 
 cent,, would have been added to the above figures. My object was to present the 
 probable amount of gold that might be expected, from the reduction of those 
 minerals by a similar process on a large scale, and which are now rejected and 
 thrown away. 
 
 It would be difficult to estimate the amount of gold that is thus thrown away 
 each year from these mines, but a comparison of the average yield of the ores of 
 the mines of the State generally, will show that the amount is certainly very 
 large. 
 
 The yield of these sulphurets is about seven times greater than the produce in 
 the first instance in the majority of the cases, and they compose about twenty 
 per cent, of the ores as they come from the mine. This being the case, we cer- 
 
61 
 
 tainly sustain a loss of at least two hundred per cent, above the aggregates that 
 are realized from the working of these ores, which would place the amount of 
 metal that escapes equal to six millions of dollars from the eighteen mines, whose 
 operations are reported for 1855. 
 
 I have repeatedly suggested to miners the saving and separation of these sul- 
 phurets, by those means that are used for the separation and saving of metallic 
 minerals less dense than the sulphurets of iron, and much less valuable. But, as 
 yet, no such means have been adopted, or, at least, but very imperfectly, and is 
 to be regretted that more attention is not bestowed upon this subject. 
 
 ANALYSIS OF SALINE WATERS FROM LICK SPRINGS, SHASTA CO. 
 
 The analysis of these waters was recently made by Dr. L. Lanswert, and the 
 results are as follows : 
 
 The quantity used for quantitative purposes was one gallon. 
 
 Solid matter contained in one gallon water 
 
 Grains. 
 
 Chloride Sodium, (common salt) 1,168 
 
 Sulphate Soda 104 
 
 Borate Soda 9*6 
 
 Borate Lime 12 8 
 
 Proto Sulph. Iron | 270 () 
 
 Sulphate Lime, Alumina and Silica j 
 
 Loss 35*6 
 
 Total grains per gallon 1,600 
 
 In addition to the above, considerable quantities of the boracalcite of hazes is 
 found upon the surface and on the rocks adjoining. 
 
 These springs yield about twelve gallons water per minute, or an amount equal 
 to 17,280 gallons per day. 
 
 From the analysis we find that at the present time they are capable of pro 
 ducing of solar salt, 2,628 pounds; borax, 331 pounds; borate lime, 458 pounds, 
 together with a heavy amount of free boracic acid. 
 
 "This product will be equal to the amount of $3,793 tuns of salt, 556 tuns borax 
 and 659 tuns borate of lime. 
 
 On comparing the waters of these springs with those of Tuscany, (which is the 
 principal source of supply of the borax of commerce for the world,) it is found 
 that they produce naturally an amount nearly equal to four times that of the 
 Italian Springs. 
 
 The Tuscan springs require two hundred pounds of water at their highest point 
 of saturation to produce one pound of the boracic acid of commerce ; this latter 
 contains but about fifty per cent, of the article when refined. 
 
 The springs of Shasta produce from one hundred and sixty-five pounds water 
 one pound of the refined borax of commerce, in addition to the other associated 
 salts. 
 
 It will be seen then, from the character of these waters, that in a short period 
 hence these articles will become materials of export from our shores, and form an 
 important article in commercial transactions. 
 
63 
 
 GOLD MINES IN OPEEATION IN 1855. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 Location. 
 
 County. 
 
 When 
 t>peU 
 
 Power. 
 
 Directors. 
 
 Mt. Washington, 
 
 French Gulch, 
 
 Shasta, 
 
 1851 
 
 Water, 
 
 Mr. Swartz. 
 
 Eureka, 
 
 Seventy-Six, 
 
 Plumas, 
 
 1851 
 
 14 
 
 " Coulter. 
 
 Mammoth, 
 
 i 
 
 u 
 
 1851 
 
 
 
 " McGee. 
 
 Ariel 
 
 Downieville Buttes, Sierra, 
 
 1852 
 
 It 
 
 
 Copper Hill, 
 
 Minnesota, 
 
 (4 
 
 1855Steam, 
 
 " Gaston. 
 
 German Bar, 
 
 Middle Yuba, 
 
 14 
 
 1853 Water, 
 
 
 Lararnie's, 
 
 Grass Yalley, 
 
 Nevada, 
 
 1852 Steam, 
 
 " Laramie. 
 
 Whiteside's, 
 
 
 u 
 
 1852 
 
 It 
 
 " Whitesides 
 
 Boston, 
 
 
 
 
 1852 
 
 tl 
 
 " Cheevan. 
 
 Lafayette & Helvetia 
 
 
 
 
 1852 
 
 It 
 
 " Conaway. 
 
 Empire, 
 
 
 14 
 
 1852 
 
 It 
 
 " Hotaling. 
 
 Osborn Hill, 
 
 
 
 
 1852 
 
 tl 
 
 " Crossett. 
 
 Orleans, 
 
 EToaston Hill, 
 
 u 
 
 1854 
 
 It 
 
 " Stackhouse 
 
 Gold Hill, 
 
 jrass Valley, 
 
 u 
 
 1851 
 
 tl 
 
 " Atwood. 
 
 Mt. George, 
 
 Vft. George, 
 
 it 
 
 1852 
 
 tl 
 
 " Roberts. 
 
 Canada Hill, 
 
 Canada Hill, 
 
 u 
 
 1852 
 
 It 
 
 
 Pittsburgh, 
 
 Nevada Road, 
 
 11 
 
 1851 
 
 It 
 
 ' Whigham. 
 
 Wyoming, 
 
 Deer Creek, 
 
 It 
 
 1851 
 
 Water, 
 
 ' Lambert. 
 
 Gold Tunnel, 
 
 Nevada, 
 
 11 
 
 1851 Steam, 
 
 ' Kidd. 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 Deer Creek, 
 
 ft 
 
 1851 Water, 
 
 ' Adams. 
 
 Rocky Bar,* 
 
 Glrass Valley, 
 
 tl 
 
 1855 Steam, 
 
 1 Seyton. 
 
 North Carolina, 
 
 Rough & Ready, 
 
 It 
 
 1855 
 
 
 
 1 Hirsch. 
 
 National, 
 
 South Yuba, 
 
 tl 
 
 1855J Water, 
 
 1 Raymond. 
 
 Cro3sus, 
 
 Auburn, 
 
 Placer, 
 
 1852 Steam, 
 
 1 Langdon, 
 
 Pennsylvania, 
 
 Humbug Cafion, 
 
 it 
 
 1855 
 
 K 
 
 1 M'Martree 
 
 Volcano,* 
 
 Sarahville, 
 
 it 
 
 1855 
 
 it 
 
 ' Hancock. 
 
 Sierra Nevada, 
 
 Grizzly Flat, 
 
 El Dorado, 
 
 1851 
 
 Water, 
 
 1 Knox. 
 
 Eagle, 
 
 14 
 
 
 1852 
 
 u 
 
 1 McKain. 
 
 Mt. Pleasant, 
 
 11 
 
 
 1851 
 
 11 
 
 ' Steely. 
 
 Maryland, 
 
 Placerville, 
 
 
 1854 
 
 11 
 
 
 Pacific, 
 
 a 
 
 
 1854 
 
 11 
 
 " Smith. 
 
 American, 
 
 n 
 
 
 1855 
 
 11 
 
 
 Union, 
 
 Aurum City, 
 
 
 1852 
 
 Steam, 
 
 " Foster. 
 
 Tennessee,* 
 
 Consumnes River, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 44 
 
 11 Ray. 
 
 Columbus, 
 
 Cold Springs, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 Water, 
 
 
 Marion,* 
 
 Volcanoville, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 Steam, 
 
 " Baker. 
 
 Cornucopia, 
 
 Logtown, 
 
 
 1854 
 
 u 
 
 
 Mills & Co., 
 
 Cousumnes River, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 Water, 
 
 " Mills. 
 
 Hermitage, 
 
 Ridge, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 Steam, 
 
 " Hoover. 
 
 Pochontas, 
 
 Logtown, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 n 
 
 
 Ranchoree, 
 
 Ranchoree, 
 
 Amador, 
 
 1853 
 
 Water, 
 
 " Williams. 
 
 Amudor, 
 
 Amador, 
 
 (4 
 
 1852 
 
 Steam, 
 
 
 * Resumed Mines. 
 
64 
 
 GOLD MINES CONTINUED. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 Location. 
 
 County. 
 
 When 
 ope'd. 
 
 Power. 
 
 Directors. 
 
 Spring Hill, 
 
 Amador, 
 
 Amador, 
 
 1852 
 
 Steam, 
 
 Mr. Burke. 
 
 Keystone, 
 
 ii 
 
 
 1852 
 
 ii 
 
 " Manning/ 
 
 Midian, 
 
 Herbertville, 
 
 
 1854 
 
 Water, 
 
 " Maxan. 
 
 Herbertville, 
 
 (i 
 
 
 1852 
 
 u 
 
 " Davis. 
 
 Eureka, 
 
 Sutter, 
 
 
 1852 
 
 it 
 
 " Murray. 
 
 Union,* 
 
 u 
 
 
 1855 
 
 ii 
 
 " Tibbetts. 
 
 Badger, 
 
 
 
 
 1854 
 
 u 
 
 " Hay wood. 
 
 Onieda, 
 
 Jackson, 
 
 
 1852 
 
 Steam, 
 
 
 Grass Valley, 
 
 Grass Valley, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 Water, 
 
 " Smith. 
 
 Drytown, 
 
 Drytown, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 it 
 
 " McGrady. 
 
 Palmer & Co., 
 
 Dry Creek, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 u 
 
 " Williams. 
 
 Kingston & Co., 
 
 Drytown, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 u 
 
 " Glover. 
 
 Butte, 
 
 Butte City, 
 
 
 1855 
 
 II 
 
 " Huffalker. 
 
 Foote & Lindsay, 
 
 Mokelumne River, 
 
 Calaveras, 
 
 1855 
 
 (1 
 
 " Lindsay. 
 
 Lone Star, 
 
 N. F. Mokel. River, 
 
 u 
 
 1855 
 
 II 
 
 " Wade. 
 
 Texas, 
 
 N. & M. F'ks Mok., 
 
 u 
 
 1855 
 
 II 
 
 " Raymond. 
 
 Wood House,* 
 
 a 
 
 il 
 
 1855 
 
 il 
 
 
 Experimental, 
 
 Columbia, 
 
 Tuolumne, 
 
 1854 
 
 1C 
 
 " Pownell. 
 
 Wheeler & Co., 
 
 Big Oak Flat, 
 
 n 
 
 1855 
 
 1C 
 
 " Wheeler. 
 
 Marble Springs, 
 
 N. Fork, Merced, 
 
 Mariposa, 
 
 1851 
 
 (I 
 
 " Wheeler. 
 
 Washington, 
 
 Quartsbnrg, 
 
 
 
 1852'Steam, 
 
 
 Ortega, 
 
 Bear Valley, 
 
 u 
 
 1852 
 
 11 
 
 
 Agua Frio, 
 
 Agua Frio, 
 
 II 
 
 1852 
 
 u 
 
 " Atwood. 
 
 Kesumed Mines. 
 
65 
 
 ALTITUDES 
 
 BY BOILING POINT AND BAROMETER. 
 
 COUNTIES. 
 
 Town and Position. 
 
 No. Obser 
 vations. 
 
 Boiling Point. 
 
 Altitude. 
 
 Levels. 
 
 Barometer. 
 
 Yuba, 
 
 Camptonville, 
 
 8 
 
 ' II 
 
 207 20 20 
 
 2,388 
 
 
 2,401 
 
 a 
 
 Foster's Bar, 
 
 6 
 
 209 30 00 
 
 1,371 
 
 1,300 
 
 n 
 
 Oregon Hill, 
 
 2 
 
 204 80 00 
 
 3,677 
 
 
 San Bernardino, 
 
 San Bernardino, 
 
 6 
 
 210 20 00 
 
 909' 
 
 
 (4 
 
 El Chino, 
 
 4 
 
 210 80 00 
 
 636 : 
 
 
 Los Angeles, 
 
 Hill San Pedro, 
 
 1 
 
 209 40 00 
 
 1,544 
 
 
 a 
 
 Los Angeles, 
 
 12 
 
 211 40 50 
 
 250 
 
 
 Nevada, 
 
 Nevada Bridge, 
 
 12 
 
 209 80 25 
 
 1,852 
 
 1,810 
 
 ii 
 
 Sugarloaf Peak, 
 
 5 
 
 207 00 20 
 
 2,535 2,475 
 
 2,551 
 
 n 
 
 Grass Yalley, 
 
 4 
 
 207 80 30 
 
 2,090 
 
 
 2,021 
 
 " 
 
 Omega, 
 
 
 
 
 
 4,800 
 
 tt 
 
 Omega Hill, 
 
 
 
 
 5,750 
 
 5,650 
 
 n 
 
 Omega E. Ridge 1 
 
 
 
 "6,380 
 
 6,350 
 
 ft. 
 
 Ridge B. Yalley 
 
 
 
 -7,000 
 
 7,088 
 
 " 
 
 Hodge's House, 
 
 
 
 "5,162 
 
 5,300 
 
 BearY alley Gapj 
 " 'Omega Gap, 
 
 f5,376 
 ; f5,162 
 
 5,400 
 5,200 
 
 Cabin Gap, 
 
 f5,088 
 
 5,110 
 
 " .'Mountain Gap, 
 
 f5,239 
 
 5,210 
 
 JBear Valley, 
 
 f4,786 
 
 
 Steep Hollow, j 
 
 t4,720 
 
 4,780 
 
 " tMount'n Spring,: 
 
 5,340 
 
 a 
 
 Alpha, 
 
 5,266 
 
 Placer, 
 
 Auburn, 4 208 80 30 
 
 1,072 1,080 
 
 1,372 
 
 " 
 
 Illinois town, 3 
 
 207 80 00 
 
 2,234 
 
 2,301 
 
 u 
 
 Mineral Bar, 3 209 00 30 
 
 1,121 
 
 
 it 
 
 Mount'n Spring, 4 208 00 30 
 
 2,090 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 Iowa Hill, 12 
 
 205 60 30 
 
 *3,299 
 
 
 
 H 
 
 Brush Can. Brg. 2 
 
 208 20 00 
 
 1,947 
 
 
 
 Brush Can. Hill, 
 " Yankee Jim's, 
 " Michigan Bluffs 
 
 o 
 
 <L) 
 
 3 
 
 207 60 30 
 205 80 00 
 205 20 30 
 
 2,230 
 3,185 
 3,492 
 
 
 3,241 
 3,504 
 
 jBaker's Ranch, 1 205 60 30 
 
 3,285! 
 
 
 ^Forks' House, \ 2 205 00 00 
 
 3,622 
 
 
 El Dorado, Placerville, 
 
 ' H i 207 80 20 
 
 2,109 
 
 2,058 
 
 " ,Coloma, 
 
 4 
 
 210 20 30 
 
 835 
 
 857 
 
 " Georgetown, 
 
 4 
 
 207 10 30 
 
 2,433 
 
 2,484 
 
 [Bottle Hill, 
 
 1 
 
 207 00 00 
 
 2,389 
 
 
 
 " El Dorado, 
 
 2 209 30 20 
 
 1,371 
 
 
 1,430 
 
 Araador, Herbertville, 
 
 3 ! 210 20 30 980 
 
 1,004 
 
 * Corresponds wfth a series by Dr. Blake. 
 
 9 
 
 t By Mr. Homfrey, Engineer. 
 
66 
 
 ALTITUDES CONTINUED. 
 
 COUNTIES. 
 
 Town and Location. 
 
 No.Obser- 
 vations. 
 
 Boiling Point. 
 
 Altitude. 
 
 Levels. 
 
 Barometer. 
 
 Amador, 
 
 Sutter, 
 
 5 
 
 ' " 
 
 210 20 15 
 
 919 
 
 
 988 
 
 n 
 
 Jackson, 
 
 3 
 
 210 00 30 
 
 934 
 
 
 
 Calaveras, 
 
 Mokelumne Hill 
 
 8 
 
 208 60 30 
 
 1,681 
 
 
 
 Tuolumne, 
 
 Sonora, 
 
 6 
 
 208 00 30 
 
 1,971 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 Shaw's Flat, 3 
 
 207 20 30 
 
 2,270 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 Columbia, - 3 
 
 207 00 30 
 
 2,314 
 
 
 2,166 
 
 i 
 
 Montezuma, 3 
 
 207 40 ' 30 
 
 1,787 
 
 
 
 Sierra, 
 
 Downieville, 
 
 
 
 2,044 
 
 n 
 
 Galloway's, 
 
 
 
 
 3,586 
 
 u 
 
 Ariel Mine, 
 
 
 
 6,090 
 
 " JButte, 
 
 
 I 
 
 8,846 
 
 Mariposa, 
 
 Agua Frio, 
 
 
 
 
 
 -2,665 
 
 
 Mt. Ophir, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -2,635 
 
 
 Killaly's Ridge, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -5,000 
 
 
 Bullion Knob, 
 
 
 
 
 
 -5,000 
 
 
 Steptoe's Lode, 
 
 
 
 
 
 -3,020 
 
 
 Harodia's Ridge 
 
 
 
 
 
 -5,125 
 
 ! Simpsonville, 
 Quartz Station, 
 
 
 
 
 
 -2,865 
 -2,880 
 
 ! Ridley's Ferry, ; 
 
 
 
 -1,450 
 
 t By Mr. Homfrey, Engineer.