THE SOUTH FARALLONE ISLAND, FROM THE BIG ROOKERY, LOOKING SOUTH. (Six barren rock islands. Twenty-five miles due west of the Golden Gate in the Pacific Ocean.)

SEA LIONS AND THEIR YOUNG, VICINITY OF THE GOLDEN GATE, CALIFORNIA

(These Sea Lions weigh from 2,000 to 5,000 pounds each.)

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SEAL ROCK, HOME OF THE GREAT SEA-LIONS; AND THE CLIFF HOUSE.

(A little south of the Golden Gate, San Francisco.j

PROBASCO

SPRINGS.

California is prolific in natural wonders: not only. are her animals, forests, and vegetation astonishing to mankind-the Sierras and their lateral ridges in producing gold and silver-her mountains in elevating their pinnacles-her streams in pouring their dashing cataracts thousands of feet below-her myriads of singing crystal springs leaping from their mountain imprisonments to join the hurrying waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin to the bosom of the Pacificbut the bowels of the earth, as if uneasy from the effects of a prolonged emetic, belch from its angry mouth volcanic jets of mud, steam, sulphur, and bitter, mineral, hot, and cold water.

From the centre of Mono lake (see Lakes) jets of steam and smoke are emitted in fitful flashes. Four hundred miles north of this point, and near the Mattole river, in Humboldt county, are numerous springs, not of water but of gas: some of them burst forth in jets of great force, and, when ignited, blaze, and hiss their forked tongues from the earth until the elements are quenched. From the head of a stream of water one of these jets sends forth its volume, which, when ignited, presents the singular appearance of the river being on fire. Small springs of petroleum are also found in this region.

In San Diego county, near its centre, eighty miles east of the town of San Diego and fifty miles west from the Colorado river, is the bed of a lake of considerable size: it is about six feet below the level of the ocean. Five miles south of this, in an alkali flat, is a cauldron of boiling mud, tossing and shaking its angry sides and

surface, and emitting volumes of steam and sulphurous vapors, throwing with loud reports jets of mud high in the air. For many miles around this cauldron are hot springs and deposits of sulphur; a trembling motion. is felt under foot for a great distance, and at times a rumbling, subterraneous noise is heard in the vicinity. There are also sulphur springs near this locality.

In Alameda county, thirty-three miles in a direct line southeast from San Francisco, are warm and mineral springs possessing great medicinal qualities. They are the resort of pleasure-seekers and invalids during the summer season; the climate is genial and salubrious.

CALISTOGA SPRINGS.-The springs at Calistoga, in Napa county, are seventy-six miles north from San Francisco. They are situated in a beautiful and fertile valley dotted with live oaks, and surrounded by rolling hills and mountains partly covered with trees. The view is very picturesque, and good hotel accommodations make it a fashionable place of resort during the summer months.

The springs, which boil from a low, boggy spot in the valley, form quite a group. Some of them are walled with boards and arranged for bathing; some of them are also very hot, so much so that at a little depth eggs can be boiled in a few minutes. Although these springs are twenty-five miles distant from the Geysers, in Sonoma county, they are supposed to be connected with them by some subterranean passage. Experiments made by boring to a depth of sixty feet proved the water to be so hot that no test of its actual heat could be made.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.

A group of springs

called the White Sulphur springs is also in Napa county, about seventeen miles north of Napa City. Sulphur water issues from the rocks in a narrow gorge in the mountains, through which a crystal stream dashes, singing in its course beneath the deep and beautiful foliage of oaks, alder, and willows which fringe the margin of the stream. Rich foliage shades the springs and crowns the mountains.

These springs and their surrounding scenery are most delightful. A comfortable hotel and cottages are maintained here for the accommodation of guests.

SODA SPRINGS.-On the east side of Napa valley, and five miles north of the town of Napa, are situated the famous Soda springs. They are located on the side of a mountain, about one thousand feet above the level

of the sea. These springs, which are very numerous, occupy about thirty-five acres of land. From these springs a very superior article of soda is obtained, which has become a staple beverage throughout the State: during the summer more than five thousand dozen bottles per month are sold. The water is pleasant to the taste, and by many is considered to possess great medicinal qualities: it contains bicarbonate of soda, carbonate of magnesia, carbonate of lime, chloride of sodium, subcarbonate of iron, sulphate of soda, siliceous acid, and alumina.

Asphaltum and petroleum are found in several portions of the State. Asphaltum-a thick, tarry substance and petroleum issue from the surface of the earth. Seven miles west of Los Angeles more than twenty acres are covered with holes: from these bubbles up thick petroleum, which, when cool, forms asphaltum.