METAMORPHIC ROCKS—BOTTOM-LAND OF THE FOUR CREEKS, 27 
tom-land of the Four Creeks. Here the aspect of the landscape is suddenly chan ged. Instead 
of the brown, parched surface of gravel to which the eye is accustomed on the surrounding 
plains, we find the ground hidden from view by a luxuriant growth of grass, and the air 
fragrant with the perfume of flowers. The sound of flowing brooks, and the notes of the wild 
birds, greet the ear in strange contrast with the rattling produced by the hot wind as it sweeps 
over the dried weeds and gravel of the plain. The whole scene is overshadowed by groves of 
majestic oaks, and the eye can wander down long avenues of trees until lost in the shadows of 
their foliage. 
This scene of luxuriant beauty is the result of natural irrigation, the ground being abundantly 
watered by the Pi-pi-yuna river, which supplies the water that forms the Four Creeks. This 
stream, on emerging from the foot-hills of the Sierra, divides into several channels, to which 
the name Four Creeks is given. These divisions of the stream diverge, and ramify over the 
plain, and at length empty into the Tulare lake by a number of mouths. In fact, a broad delta 
is here formed between the Tulare lake and the mountains, and the profuse vegetation may not 
only be referred to the presence of water, but to the fertility of the soil, which is alluvial, and 
is frequently enriched by overflows of the creeks. A fresh portion of granite debris, in fine par- 
ticles, is brought down by these streams from the adjoining granite ridges, and at each over- 
flow is spread out over the surface. The beds of the streams are generally sandy ; and the soil 
near them contains sufficient sand, mingled with the clay, to give it the loose, open character 
desirable for cultivation. 
The underlying earth is doubtless a continuation of the same formation of deep clay that was 
observed at the crossing of King’s river, and that forms the surface of much of the country 
between that stream and the Four Creeks. 
The value and importance of this fertile, alluvial tract, as an agricultural region, cannot be 
lightly estimated. 
. The climate is undoubtedly favorable to the growth of most of the varieties of plants that are 
cultivated in the southern States, and the soil may be regarded as remarkably fertile. Settle- 
ments have already been made, and bridges have been constructed over some of the streams. 
It is probable that considerable annoyance will be experienced among settlers from chills and 
fever; but it might, perhaps, be avoided, to a great degree, by residing on the margin of the 
adjoining plains, or among the foot-hills of the mountains. A partial escape would also be 
thus effected from great numbers of mosquitoes that infest the low groufttls among the trees. 
This beautiful plain, covered with luxuriant vegetation, is a fine example ‘of the effect of 
irrigation, for without these streams it would be a desert. Many of the most desolate and 
desert-like plains that skirt the foot-hills of the Sierra can boast a soil of equal excellence, and, 
if supplied with water and brought under cultivation, would reward the toil of the agriculturist 
with rich returns. 
Lost Mountains.—Near the point where we passed from the plain to the bottom-land of the 
streams, one of the foot-hills of the Sierra was entirely detached from the main ridges, and 
stood isolated in the plain. It well deserves the title of ** Lost Mountain,’’ which is applied 
by the hunters and travellers of that region and the Great Basin to all similar isolated hills. 
I examined the rocks of this ridge, and found that it was composed of alternating beds or 
seams of talcose and steatitic slates, with opaque white quartz. The quartz has an earthy 
luster, is full of cavities, and is in stalactitic forms, with surfaces resembling chalcedony. These 
siliceous seams were very numerous, and varied in thickness from one-eighth of an inch to ten 
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