ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 39 



doctor is a man of intelligence and fullj' competent to give the facts in a relia- 

 ble manner. The following are the main facts taken from his notes, made at 

 the time the phenomenon was observed. 



On Monday, August 31st, Dr. A. Farnsworth, David Webb and Mr. Alex- 

 ander left Independence for Kern River, on a fishing excursion. Taking the 

 Hacket trail, some six miles southwest of Lone Pine, they ascended the Sierra 

 at a point opposite, and west of Owens Lake (the trail leading westward to 

 Visalia). After crossing the summit they struck the northern branches of 

 Kern River, and followed them down the western slope to where they formed a 

 strong, rapid stream, at which point they crossed on a natural bridge, made by 

 a stream of lava that appears to have issued from near the summit and run 

 down a distance of several miles. The waters subsequently cut a channel under- 

 neath the lava, and left it arching above as a natural bridge. (The doctor does 

 not state how high the bridge is above the water, its width, or the length of 

 span ; but as the stream is small, the bridge is probably not very remarkable 

 in height or extent.) 



The party reached the ford of the main branch of Kern River on the even- 

 ing of September 2d, and camped in the narrow valley by the river bank. Dr. 

 Farnsworth describes the gorge of the main river as being grand and imposing 

 in the extreme ; the mountains on either side rising in bold cliffs and steep 

 slopes several thousand feet above the river-bed. 



On the third of September another party of seven persons, from Lone Pine, 

 joined them, and they all moved up the river about one mile above the crossing 

 and camped. During the night the party were frequently awakened by a 

 " rumbling noise " and a tremulous motion of the earth. Next day (Septem- 

 ber 4th), the morning meal had just been completed, when at eight o'clock, 

 precisely, the earth was shaken terribly. The tall trees swayed, and even the 

 grass was observed to wave back and forth. Immense masses of boulders and 

 earth were detached from the surrounding clifTs, and came thundering down to 

 the narrow flat along the river. 



Consternation filled the minds of the whole party, principally from fear of 

 the boulders and loose earth that came down the steep sides of the mountain, 

 for being completely hemmed in on each side, they had no place of safety to 

 flee to. Fortunately the principal land slide came down on the side of the 

 river opposite to the camp, so that by close watching and active dodging, the 

 whole party escaped unhurt. 



From eight to nine o'clock, forty-one distinct shocks were felt, some of which 

 were quite severe, but nothing like the first one. The party gathered up their 

 camp equipage as soon as possible and moved down the river a short distance, 

 where a wide flat would give them more protection from the loose stones of the 

 mountain sides. 



During the reniffinder of the day the shocks continued, at intervals of five to 

 ten minutes, and during the night the party were kept awake by the frequent 

 shocks and rumbling noise. Light shocks continued until the morning of the 

 sixth of September, when the party concluded to move to a less disturbed 

 locality. As before stated, the first shocks felt on Thursday evening, the 

 third of September, were light but distinct. The heavy crash was at eight 



