84 ^^ -BESOUECES OF CALIFORNIA. 



§ 56. Geysers. — The Geysers, in the northern part of Sono- 

 nm county, are among the wonders of the state. They are in 

 a deep and steep ravine, amid a district filled with the marks 

 of violent volcanic action. Down the western slope of the 

 mountains which separate Clear Lake from the basin of Rus- 

 sian River, runs a stream called the Pluton River; and near 

 this are the Geysers, a multitude of springs, boiling with heat, 

 and emitting large quantities of steam, with a hissing, roaring, 

 and sputtering noise. ISTear them are many tepid and cold 

 springs, which add to the wonderful character of the place. 

 Hot and cold springs, quiet and boiling springs, are found 

 within a few feet of each other. And then the waters differ 

 as much in taste, odor, and color, as in temperature and action. 

 One is almost as fetid at times as rotten eggs ; another has 

 black water, resembling ink ; a third is called the " Eye-water 

 Spring," and its waters are reputed to be excellent for curing 

 sore eyes and cutaneous diseases ; and the waters of others 

 are strongly purgative. The ground in the ravine is in places 

 deeply covered with the minerals deposited by the springs : 

 among these, sulphur, sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salts), sul- 

 phate of aluminum (alum), and various salts of iron, predomi- 

 nate. 



The chief feature of the Geysers is called "The Steampipe," 

 an orifice about eight inches in diameter, in the hill-side, from 

 vrhich rises a large volume of sieam to a height varying from 

 fifty to two hundred feet. The steam roars continuously, 

 sometimes bursting out in pufis louder than that made by the 

 general-escape pipe. It deposits flowers of sulphur on the 

 objects which come within its range. 



" The Devil's Punch-Bowl," called also " The Witches' Caul- 

 dron," is in a large hole, six feet across, in the hill-side. The 

 liquid in the bowl is black and thick, and is always in commo- 

 tion with the heat, and the vapor from it deposits black flow- 

 ers of sulphur on the rocks around. 



The sides of the canon are bare, and smoking with heat. 

 The Geysers are a favorite place of resort for pleasure-seekers 



