Doc. No. 9.] 19 



B 



it carry those veins throughout which is found upon its surface it is not 

 improbable that valuable deposits of ores may be found within it 



SALINAS VALLEY. 



This extensive plain will follow as next in order, in the description of 

 its general features, previous to the consideration of the Coast Mountains. 



The valley is about ninety miles in length, and has a varying breadth 

 from eight to fourteen miles ; it is> situated between the Coast Mountains 

 and those denominated the Monte Diablo Eange, and is bounded on the 

 east by that spur of this range in which the Grabilan is situated. 



The Salinas River flows through this plain from the Cadesal Pass in 

 which it has its rise, to the bay of Monterey. The stream for fifty miles 

 of its course follows the western margin of the valley, and crosses the 

 plain for the first time eight miles south-east of the Mission Solidad, 

 after which it becomes more irregular. Three observations were taken 

 at different points, by which it was estimated that the river had a fall of 

 eighteen inches in one and three-fourths of a mile for seventy miles of 

 its course. The bed of the stream is composed of a loose micaceous 

 sand, derived from the granite rocks to the east, and also from the 

 tertiary rocks on its western border, the latter, however, do not enter 

 largely into its composition. 



The plain of the Salinas consists of three terraces running through 

 nearly its entire length, thus making three different positions which the 

 river ha*s occupied since the formation of the valley, and its recession 

 from the eastern to its western border w r here it at present holds its course. 

 These terraces are very regular in their general outline, and impart to 

 the mind an idea that the plain has a uniform grade for its entire breadth, 

 when the point viewed is one or two miles distant. Commencing on the 

 western side of the valley, the lower terrace is found to occupy a breadth 

 of about four miles, and is composed of a rich alluvium ; at this point 

 the second terrace rises abruptly to the height of eleven feet, its average 

 width being nearly that of the former ; this is also composed of a similar 

 soil as the first, though not in so fine a state of disintegration, or con 

 taining so large an amount of vegetable mould. Both terraces support 

 a dense growth of indigenous grasses and plants, thus furnishing an 

 abundant supply of pasturage for stock of all kinds. 



The third and upper terrace rises nearly as abrupt as the second, and 

 has a varying breadth from one to six miles, it is more irregular upon 

 its surface than the two former, and attains a higher grading as it ap 

 proaches the hills to the east ; the irregularities of the surface are not 

 sufficient to produce any sensible effect in destroying that uniformity 

 which a view of four miles will give on any part of the plain, and would 

 not be noticeable except in passing over it. 



South of the Alisal Ranch, and situated on this upper terrace, are a 

 series of little elevations that continue at intervals of half a mile or a 

 mile through a distance of twenty-seven miles, on the eastern side of 

 the valley. They are symmetrical in form and rise on every side to 

 heights varying from six to ten feet above the level on which they stand ; 

 their surfac^ is smooth and even, covering an area from fifty to one 



