SALUBRITY. 131 



in the bed of the ocean, about one and a half miles from the 

 shore, is an immense spring of petroleum, the product of which 

 continually rises to the surface of the water, and floats upon it 

 over an area of many miles. This mineral oil may be seen any 

 day from the decks of the steamers plying between here and 

 San Francisco, or from the high banks along the shore, its 

 many changing hues dancing upon the shifting waves of the sea, 

 and affording various suggestions, both for the speculative and 

 the speculator. Having read statements that, during the past 

 few years, the authorities of Damascus, and other plague-rid- 

 den cities of the East, have resorted to the practice of intro- 

 ducing crude petroleum into the gutters of the streets to disin- 

 fect the air, and as a preventive of disease, which practice has 

 been attended with the most favorable results, I throw out the 

 suggestion, but without advancing any theory of my own, 

 whether the prevailing westerly sea breezes, passing over this 

 wide expanse of sea-laden petroleum, may not take up from it 

 and bear along with them to the places whither they go, some 

 subtle power which serves as a disinfecting agent, and which 

 may account for the infrequency of some of the diseases re- 

 ferred to, and possibly for the superior healthful ness of the 

 climate of Santa Barbara." 



Whether the claim of superiority for Santa Barbara over 

 any other place in California be justified or not, all must 

 admit that it has great advantages of climate and position. It 

 is a town of about 4,000 inhabitants, has a beautiful site, fine 

 gardens and orchards, and has become the leading health 

 resort of the New World. 



96. San Diego. San Diego ranks next in public favor to 

 Santa Barbara, and has a similar climate, except that the rain- 

 fall is thirty-three per cent, less, and the humidity of the 

 atmosphere greater. Dr. Beverly Cole, who is cited by the 

 people of San Diego as authority, speaks thus of its advanta- 

 ges : 



" The wind blowing steadily from one quarter insures healthi- 

 ness. Take a place where the wind blows in the morning 



