HOFFMAN ON THE MINEKALOGY OF NEVADA. 743 



No. 2, a few i)aces farther west; the water contained sulphate of soda 

 in considerable abundance. 



No. 3. Besides these three named, there were other small pools highly 

 impregnated with chlorid of sodium. In all, these springs afforded but 

 little comfort to thirsty travelers. 



Two miles south of Gold Mountain, at Pigeon Springs, the water is 

 rather scanty, but what exists is highly charged with the compounds 

 of soda. 



I was informed that east of this range, in the head of Death Yalley, 

 there was a spring the waters of which consist of nearly a saturated 

 solution of alum. Although the information was derived from a miner 

 of more than ordinary education, the statement can scarcely be relied 

 upon, until samples of the water have been submitted to systematic 

 analysis. 



Near the greatest depression of Death Valley,* observations were taken 

 on August 24, 1871, from 10.30 a.m. until 7.30 p.m. At this locality, 

 we found a spring of palatable water, about eight feet across, and over 

 twent}' in length, around the borders of which was a fair growth of tall 

 reeds, or tule-grass. 



ISp. gr. of water at 60°, 1.008. 



Temperature of water at 3 p.m., 80,7'^. 



Temperature of air at 3 p.m., 117°. 



The thermometers were suspended from the dead biunchcs of a mes- 

 quite-bush, clear of all materials having any local effect upon the instru- 

 ments ; and at some distance double blankets were suspended between 

 the upright saplings to avoid the direct rays of the sun. 



In the eastern portion of Armagoza Desert, at the base of a range of 

 low hills, is a tine, strong spring of pure water. The locality is known 

 as Ash Meadows, and the springs are called Grapevine Springs. 



Sp. gr. of water at 60°, 1.003. 



Temperature of water, 81.6o.t 



A si)ring situated at the base of the hills running along the western 

 edge of Diamond Valley is of doubtful character regarding the tem- 

 perature. Lieutenant Wheeler, who was with me at the time, considered 

 it safe to estimate it at loO^.i: 



Deep Spring Valley furnishes a number of springs of various tempe- 

 ratures and qualities of water. The following were the only ones which 

 I had an oppor.tunity of passing. 



The first was a sulphur spring, and was covered to great extent with 

 a dense growth of grass and weeds. 



Temjierature of water, 65.5^ ; air, 82.5'^. 



Later in the day I passed a good-sized body of water, very alkaline, 

 and scarcely fit to be used for cooking purposes. The spring or pond 



* East from Telescope Peak :P 14" N., and distant from 15 to 18 miles. 

 t Quoted from author's MS. by Mr. G. K. Gilbert. < U. S. Geolog. and Geograpli. 

 Sur. West of lOOth Meridian, vol. iii, 1875, p. 152. 

 t Ibidem. 



