CHAPTER XIII. 



LEAVING Guaymas, we recrossed the gulf, and 

 stopped off Mulege, to pick up the boat we had 

 been in search of, from thence we went to 

 Carmen Island, and anchored in Salinas Bay, 

 on the south side of the island. Near to the 

 anchorage is a salt lake, several miles in circum- 

 ference; the deposits of salt are formed by 

 natural evaporation, the lake replenishing itself 

 by invisible channels from the sea. The salt is 

 of excellent quality, and is so abundant that 

 thousands of tons are annually taken away, and 

 yet there is no perceptible diminution. It is 

 difficult to calculate the amount obtainable 

 from this source ; but the estimate of persons 

 familiar with the subject place it at a million 

 tons annually. 



