13 



Farther to the north and at the distance of fifty miles are the mountains of 

 San Fernando, the whole of which are but the more prominent peaks of this 

 transverse chain. On the northern base of these mountains flows the River 

 Mohave, through the central and northern parts of the great desert. 



Within the district above named, and on the south base of these mountains 

 lies the great plain of Los Angeles, which from the northern to its extreme 

 southern lines cannot be less than one hundred and eighty miles in length, with 

 an average breadth of forty miles, comprising within its limits an area of arable 

 lands equal to three-fourths of the valley of the Sacramento, or about one half 

 that of the Sacramento and San Joaquin combined. 



The local positions of the mountains bordering the western and southern por 

 tion of the State must it will be seen, modify to a great extent the productive 

 capabilities of the adjoining districts, and no better illustration of this fact is 

 necessary than an examination of the flat lands lying contiguous to their base ; 

 in the case before us the lands at the southern base of the San Bernardino 

 chain, though coarse and harsh in texture, are at the same time highly fertile, 

 while that found upon the northern base, though derived from the same sources, 

 is wholly incapable of vegetable production, or at least to but a very limited 

 degree. From this then it will be seen, that the climatal conditions necessary 

 for a healthful and abundant vegetation are influenced more by position and al 

 titude rather than from any defects in the soil itself. 



Hence it is, that we find the Santa Clara and Salinas valleys are more uni 

 formly productive, than the portions of the San Joaquin lying immediately to 

 the east of the former, while at the same time the latter is more productive than 

 the section to the south known as Desert, but which under favorable circumstan 

 ces has proved inferior to none of the best lands in any part of this State ; this 

 if a plain contradiction to the general idea prevailing, and promulgated from 

 high sources, that this portion of the State is valueless, and if individuals see 

 proper to publish conclusions made up from hasty examinations, and unfavor 

 able predilections, they must not expect others to follow in their trail, and per 

 vert truth to save individual responsibility. 



The only requisition necessary to make this desert a productive field, suited to 

 the growth of our southern staples, is the introduction of water in sufficient 

 quantities for irrigation. This done, no district of this State will present greater 

 capacities. 



The position and course of the San Bernardino chain, with its extent and al 

 titude forms a striking feature in the geography of the State, and the cliraatal 

 features incident to the effects produced by position and altitude, are equally dis 

 tinctive ; the products arising from these peculiarities, are equally marked in all 

 their forms, while its zoology partakes of the general mutation which supervenes 

 to as great an extent as is manifest in the peculiarities of the climate ; not less 

 characterized are the native inhabitants, their pursuits and interests; there seems 

 but little to unite them with other parts of the State, as each and every natur 

 al product, methods of living, and political feelings, are as distinct as the almost 

 impassable mountain barrier that separates them from the northern portions of 

 the State. 



GEOLOGY OF THE COAST MOUNTAINS. 



The geology of that portion of the Coast Mountains south of the River Na- 

 cismiento, differs, but little from that observed a short distance south of that line. 



The talcose rocks and their derivations extend south of the river for the dis- 

 ntnce of about thirty miles, forming a narrow belt, and flanked on the south- 



