SOCIETY. 37 



To dry up, a slang phrase, meaning to stop, fail, disappear, 

 become silent. It is very expressive to Californians, accus- 

 tomed to see the whole face of the country dry up in the sum- 

 mer season. 



Diggings, a general name for placer gold mines. Wet dig- 

 gings are in the banks and bars of creeks or rivers ; dry 

 diggings are in flats or the beds of gullies, which are dry the 

 greater portion of the year. 



Espediente, the original papers relating to some government 

 business, filed in a public office. 



Embarcadero, (em bar ca day' ro) a landing place. 



To freeze out, a miner's phrase, used to express the policy 

 whereby stockholders, or partners -in mines, are driven to sell 

 out. For instance : if some rich men, owning part of a mine, 

 discover that it is very valuable, they may conceal that fact, 

 and at the same time levy heavy assessments for works which 

 can bring no speedy return ; and thus the poorer shareholders 

 will be burdened and discouraged, and induced to sell out at 

 a low price. 



Fuste, (foos' te) a strong' saddle-tree, made of wood, and 

 covered with raw cowhide, used for lassoing. 



Gulch, a gully. 



Habilitation, from the Spanish 'habUitacion, a certificate, or 

 stamp on paper, which authorized it to be used for certain 

 purposes. To habilitate paper, is to place the mark of habili- 

 tation upon it. 



To hydraulic, a mining term, to wash dirt by throwing a 

 stream of water upon it through a hose and pipe. 



Jaquima, (hack' ee ma) a head-stall used in breaking wild 

 horses. 



To knock down, a miner's phrase, meaning to steal rich 

 pieces of auriferous quartz from the lode. 



Manada, (ma nah' da) a herd of breeding mares under the 

 lead of a stallion. 



Mecate, (may cah' te) a rope of hair, used for tying horses. 



