34 



sing about one-third of the quantity supplied at the source?. We cannot ad- 

 count for so great a loss in volume on any other ground than that of absorption, 

 and we are not left to presumption in this case, but have the best of evidence 

 that such is the fact, for in observing the stream as it issues from the primitive 

 rocks, even but a few miles from the City we find that its volume is much heavier 

 than at any point below, after reaching the sedimentary rocks. This is found 

 to be the case with several of the streams in the northern part of the State, and 

 is particularly observable in the Yuba, West Feather and Cosumnes Rivers, 

 during medium stages of water. From Foster's Bar to the junction of the Mid 

 dle Yuba, there is a greater volume of water than at any point below the junc 

 tion, while in the vicinity of Marysville the volume is nearly fifty per cent less 

 than it is thirty-five miles above, notwithstanding that the main river receives 

 all of its principal tributaries from the Middle Yuba down to its continence 

 with Feather River. The same condition of things is observable on the Co- 

 sumnes below Cook's Bar and the Sink, and on the West Feather River from 

 just above Rich Gulch, and the same features are also distinctly marked on the 

 Main Feather as far down as the White Rock. The cause of this irregularity 

 in the volumes of our principal mountain streams seems to us -quite apparent. 

 These streams which we have named, as well as others, rapidly approach the 

 stratified rocks as they descend towards the valleys. These rocks are nearly all 

 open and of a loose texture; the streams, like the Los Angeles River, often 

 flowing for miles along the line of strike belonging to the groups, and crossing tho 

 same only when they approach the alluvial deposits, either among the lower 

 hills or at the edge of the plains. These facts being established, we then have 

 another reason for the presumption that water will be obtained by the means 

 suggested, and the evidence is strong in support of the presumption. The dis 

 appearance of heavy springs among the stratified rocks near the surface, indi 

 cates that the waters which pass beneath them are probably discharged into the 

 sea, as these rocks carry a southerly dip far enough for this purpose. One other 

 fact is worthy of notice, and furnishes stronger evidence of the feasibility and 

 probably successful termination of operations by boring than perhaps any which 

 has yet been adduced. It is this: on the high hill to the west of San Pedro, 

 about four miles distant from the shore, and at the altitude of nearly one thou 

 sand feet, the out-crop of the sandstones belonging to A. in the diagram are ob 

 served, being interlaminated with their seams of slate. The dip of these rocks. 

 on the hill is nearly vertical, the inclination being to the north, corresponding in 

 direction with those on the shore. From among these rocks and at this height 

 there is a perpetual spring gushing out, which furnishes water for a large num 

 ber of cattle* which graze upon this mountain, while no particle of water is to 

 be found during the dry season for a long distance around; there are no sources 

 from which this water can be derived in any part of this hill, and none such cor 

 responding in altitude within thirty-five miles of the spring mentioned. Upon 

 the flanks of the mountains on the other side of the valley at about the last 

 mentioned distance, the identical rocks from wh'urh these? waters emerge, are 

 found at sufficient altitude to furnish such a spring; the same rocks are also 

 found twelve to sixteen miles north and east of Los Angeles, where the river 

 flows parallel with their course, and upon them for nearly three miles. At tho 

 distance of four or five miles further west along the coast, at a locality known as 

 the " Caw," there is also, 1 am informed, a constant stream flowing out -among 

 the stratified rocks, which was formerly resorted to ais a watering- place by ves 

 sels, and by the seal and otter hunters. 



These facts are sufficient to induce -the belief that Artesian borings will suc 

 ceed on these plains provided they are carried to sufficient doplh. and also that 

 failure is as certain if due discrimination he not used in conducting these opera- 



