SCENERY. 89 



Kiver, where a ledge of rock three hundred feet wide crosses 

 tlie valley. Under this rock runs the creek, through an arcli 

 twenty feet high by eighty feet across. The rock above the 

 arch is one hundred and fifty feet deep. On Lost River, in 

 Siskiyou county, there are two natural bridges, about thirty 

 feet apart. The rock is a conglomerate sandstone, and each is 

 from ten to fifteen feet wide, and the distance across the stream 

 is about eighty feet. One of these bridges is used regularly 

 by travellers. On Coyote Creek, in Tuolumne county, teii 

 miles northward from Sonora, are two natural bridges, half a 

 mile apart. The upper bridge is two hundred and eighty -live 

 feet long with the course of the water, and thirty-six feet high, 

 with the rock thirty feet deep over the water. The lower 

 bridge is similar in size and height to the other. 



§ 62. Solfataras. — In the northeastern part of Plumas coun- 

 ty are many hot springs — perhaps numbering one thousand — 

 covering an area of ten acres. They roar and hiss so as to be 

 heard at a distance of a mile, and their steam can be seen from 

 a greater distance. The whole place smells strongly of sul- 

 phur, which mineral, as well as alum and various earthy salts, 

 abound in the soil about the springs. 



In four or five places in California the earth is constantly 

 hot, and sulphureous gases and vapors are always escaping. 

 There is such a solfatara about fifteen miles eastward from 

 Santa Barbara; another near Owen's Lake; another near the 

 Geysers, in Sonoma ; and another near the hot springs in Plu- 

 mas county. It was rumored in 1858 that there was an active 

 volcano in Plumas county, near Lassen's Peak, but there is no 

 satisfactory proof of its existence, though there is a portion of 

 country in that vicinity of which very little is known. 



§ 63. Mount Shasta. — One of the best opportunities for ro- 

 mantic adventure in the state is in the ascent of Mount Shasta. 

 Several parties have gone to its summit — no trifling underta- 

 king. The ascent is very difficult ; the sides of the peak are 

 steep and rugged. The distance from the southern foot of the 

 mountain to the summit is estimated at fifteen miles. Four 



