renheit at the surface. It forms a small pond, from the bottom of which the v 

 boiling up through several holes, accompanied hv Imbblcs of -as, probably 

 bonic acid, and steaming vigorously on the surface: There are no calcareousd 

 but the ground around the spring is covered with salt, which tastes like chk 

 sodium. The water must, therefore, contain salt, which, however, does not im 

 taste. The salt from this spring has shared the fate of several other salts anc 

 mens of efflorescences of the collection: it has been dissolved in consequence 

 upsetting of one of our wagons in Carson River, and we are thus unable to 

 an analysis of it. The vegetation near this and other similar springs is peculiar 

 on account of the saline nature of the soil, partly on account of the Bteaming 

 phere which surrounds it, and by which its development is forced verv consid 



Fish Spring, in a branch of the Salt Take Desert, is similar to the last, bu 

 less warm, so that animals drink the water freely. The springs on the west 

 Pah-hun-nupe Valley, on our northern route, are'sli-htlv sulphureous. 



The Alkali Springs, at the western foot of the Mark Mountains, cast of 



ingredients, and t;mlil\ ,„,zi..g iron, r l,e soil wherever a'hole is dug. 



ike those of West* 



Although the o-reatest portion of tin- route explored bv ( \-.pnm. Simpson is not deti 

 in this respect, still considerable improvements might be made at some points in 

 to increase the affluent, prevent the loss of water, ami provide for the watering 

 large number of animals within the shortest possible time. There are also some 

 stretches where the traveler would be much benefited if water could be obtain 

 intermediate points. In the following I will confine myself to general remarks. 



From all that has been said of the formation of the valleys, of the mater 

 which their bottom is formed, and of the structure of the mountain ranges, it wf 

 pear that in general the success of the boring of artesian wells would be doul 

 except where water is naturally abundant. We do not find in the valleys that alt 

 tion of strata, permeable and impermeable to water, which is necessary for the 

 struction of artesian wells. They generally allow the water a free circulation in e 

 direction, and the stratified rocks are too much disrupted to be calculated upon 

 any degree of certainty. Frequently we would reach igneous rocks with the h 

 and then the striking even of a fissure would be merely accidental. In most inste 

 all efforts would prove abortive, and if water was really obtained, it might be w 





it at favorable points. 



Water mav be obtained where small and insufficient springs rise to the sur 



