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part within the state of California, this distinction of the 
mountains into two main chains, is evident enough to even a 
superficial observer ; yet north of that district, it is not so well 
marked, and this is for the reason that the two systems 
approach each other very closely, and at the same time, the 
Coast Mountains sink into insignificance when compared 
with their lofty neighbors. Enclosed, then, between these 
two chains, we have a vast plain or depression is 
drained by the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers which, 
uniting, empty through the Golden Gate into the Pacific. 
Besides, upon the opposite side of the Sierra Nevada, we 
have another plain which extends much further to the east, 
until it is bordered upon that side by the Rocky Mountains. 
With the exception of the Golden Gate, there is no other 
opening through the Coast Mountains into the ocean within | 
the state of California. Such is not the case, however, to 
the north of its boundary, for here we find the otherwise 
opposing chain, broken through by several streams of less or 
greater dimensions. One only, however, is of any great size, 
and this is the Columbia River, which, arising far to the 
north in the British possessions, and on the flanks of the 
Rocky Mountains, breaks through both the Cascade and 
Coast Ranges, the latter of which is here pretty markedly 
represented, before it empties into the ocean- But one fact 
must be remembered in connection with these streams, that 
is, that they all, after draining certain valleys to be considered 
hereafter, break through at right angles to one or both of the 
mountain chains, forming gates or cafions. 
Beginning at the north to consider these rivers and the re- 
gions they drain, we find, first, the Columbia, a stream of 
very considerable dimensions, which arises far to the north in 
the British Possessions and flows almost directly south- 
ward until it reaches the line of the 48th parallel of latitude 
when it swerves to the west until it strikes the eastern slope 
of the Cascade Mountains. Here it is again deflected to the 
south and somewhat east until it reaches the 46th parallel 
of latitude when it turns a sharp angle towards the west 
and soon breaks through the Cascades at the Dalles. Its 
