42 EESO URGES OF CALIFOKIilA. 



styl-fj of building, though introduced solely because of its 

 cheapness and simplicity, is considered by far the most secure 

 against earthquakes. 



No earthquake felt at San Francisco since 1846 has been 

 more severe than one which visited Buffalo, New York, in 

 1857, as described in the America7i Journal of Science and 

 Art for Se|)tember, 1858. On the 10th of July, 1855, an 

 earthquake cracked the walls of twenty-six houses in Los An- 

 geles; but no wall was thrown down, nor was any person 

 injured. 



Most of the earthquakes of California are confined to very 

 email districts. Thus, not more than one in ten of those felt 

 in San Francisco is perceived in Sacramento. The most ex- 

 tensive Californian earthquake of which we have any record 

 was that of January 9th, 1857. It shook the earth from Fort 

 Yuma to Sacramento, a distance of live hundred miles, being 

 most severe at Fort Tejon, about half way between these two 

 points. Loud noises, either rumbling or like explosions, were 

 heard to accompany the shock at Tejon, San Bernardino, Visa- 

 lia, and in the Mojave valley. The waters of the Mokelumne 

 liiver were thrown upon the banks so as almost to leave the 

 bed bare in one place. The current of Kern River was turned 

 up-stream, and the water ran four feet deep over the bank. 

 The water of Tulare Lake was thrown upon its shores ; and 

 the Los Angeles Kiver was flung out of its bed. In Santa 

 Clara valley the artesian wells were much affected : some 

 ceased to run, and others had an increased supply of water. 

 Near San Fernando a large stream of water was found run- 

 ninsT from the mountains, where there was no water before. 

 In San Diego, and at San Fernando, several houses were 

 thrown down ; and at San Bueneventura the roof of the Mis- 

 sion Chui-ch fell in. Several new springs Avere formed near 

 Santa Barbara by the shock. In the San Gabriel valley the 

 earth opened in a gap several miles long ; and in one place 

 the river deserted its ancient bed, and followed this new open- 

 ing. In the valley of the Santa Clara liiver there were large 



