10 



scarcely to be found, and which, as a consequence, renders their study a difficult 

 and laborious task. 



Between the middle and eastern ridges of this part of the chain and at a 

 distance of about thirty miles south of the intersection of the Monte Diablo 

 range there are some valley districts occupied as ranches for grazing purposes, 

 but'the major part of the entire district present but few inducements that invite 

 it to a permanent and extensive population. 



The general characteristics of the mountains west of the central portion of 

 the chain, are repulsive in their character, and ill adapted to any other than 

 those purposes to which this part of the chain is applied, viz: that of affording 

 pasturage for wild cattle and the rearing of sheep. 



On the eastern side of the central ridges, the intervening country lying be 

 tween them partakes much more of the character which is found to prevail in 

 many of the more northern parts of the line ; somewhat extended valley sec 

 tions, occurring at long intervals, and again breaking up into rough and jagged 

 peaks, with here and there small plats, with detached portions of wild herds 

 that roam these hills almost unknown and unowned. 



The ascent to the eastern ridges is abrupt, and the eastern declivities are 

 much of the same character, until the plains of the Tulare lying at their base 

 is approached, when the foot-hills present the same general characteristics as 

 those on the western slope of the Monte Diablo range towards the southern 

 part of the Salinas. There is not that gradual graduation from mountain to 

 plain, which is incident to the descent from the Sierra Nevada. This will be 

 found a prevailing character throughout this portion, and also many other parts 

 of the coast mountains. 



The western slope of the mountains towards the sea, from Point Lobos in the 

 County of Monterey, through the entire length of the County of Luis Obispo, 

 is extremely rugged and precipitous, forming a heavy and bold shore line as far 

 south as Point Sal, when the coast begins to assume a much smoother and 

 agreeable aspect. This, however, is but the outline appearance of the plats 

 as they descend from the base of the hills in a gradual slope; for on reaching 

 the water-line, the faces of these plateaus form perpendicular escarpments of 

 nearly one hundred feet in height. 



From the facts at present in our possession relative to those parts of these 

 mountains lying south of the city of San Francisco, we are now able to form an 

 opinion that will approximate correctness as regards their geographical position 

 and relations, and it would seem but proper that they should hold that place 

 upon our maps which they respectively hold in nature. 



With this view before us, the following proposition will be submitted for the 

 classifying the mountain ranges of this part of the State: 



For all that portion of the coast mountains south of the city of San Fran 

 cisco, and following the line of the coast to the southern part of the County of 

 San Luis Obispo, the same to be denominated Coast Mountains and ceasing at 

 their junction with the San Bernardino Mountains which enter upon the coast 

 line near this point. The local name of Santa Cruz Range to be retained and 

 to comprise the entire group of mountains which extend from the Pajaro 

 River on the south, and terminating at the Presidio Point near San Francisco. 



That range of mountains commencing on the south shores of the Bay San 

 Pablo, Straits Carquines and Bay of Suison, and forming the west boundaries of 

 the Yalleys of San Joaqmn and Tulare the eastern boundary of the Salinas 

 and Santa Clara Valleys, with the east coast of the Bay of San Francisco, to 

 be denominated the Monte Diablo Range. (This latter range having its south 

 ern terminus due west of the central portion of the large body of water known 

 as the Great Tulare Lake.) 



portion of the Monte Diablo Range, extending from the head of the 



