322 EEPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY. 



witli this deposit are a number of parallel fissures or open seams, from two inches up 

 to one foot in width, having a general trend of north 8° west. These fissures are 

 generally continuous, though sometimes filled at intervals with debris that has fallen 

 in and choked up the passage. All along the length of these fissures are seen jets 

 and clouds of steam rising; and the sound of water boiling violently may be heard 

 at short distances below the surface, although concealed from view. Where the fis- 

 sure is perpendicular a depth of 10 or 15 feet may be seen, and in some instances wat«r 

 is at the bottom. In several places the steam issues in i^uffs, with a noise like that 

 from a steam boiler, and jets of hot water are thrown up, with more or less force, 

 frequently 10 and '20 feet in height ; while in other places, the water is raised with 

 just sufficient force to bubble up above the surface and run off. In the whole area 

 there are but one or two small basins where water is at all times standing. In sev- 

 eral places there are elevated conical mounds built up by the sinter deposited from 

 the boiling waters. The water flowing from these sources runs away partly over the 

 surface of the deposit, and partly through channels concealed from view a short dis- 

 tance below the surface, and probably finds its way to the Trnckee River. The sedi- 

 ment, or rather deposit, from these waters is quite friable, and lies in thin strata ; it 

 is occasionally porous and cellular, almost resembling coral. Sulphur occurs, coating 

 the other portions of the deposit. The steam also emits the odor of suljihurous gas. 



From this description it will be seen that we have at this locality a 

 repetition on a small scale of some of the phenomena observed in the 

 Yellowstone National Park. The deposit is a true geyserite ; the speci- 

 mens analyzed for Mr. Hague by Mr. R. W. Woodward containing over 

 92 per cent, of silica. 



VOLCANO SPRINGS. 



Tbis locality is described by Col. A. S. Evans* as being located in 

 Lander County, Nevada, southeast of Beowawe. Whether it is the 

 same locality as that on Bancroft's map of the Pacific States, south of 

 Argenta I canuot say. Going south, or even southeast, from Beowawe, 

 a station on the Central Pacific Railroad, brings us into Eureka County, 

 and not Lander. I cannot find the locality marked on any maj). As 

 there are spouting springs at the locality, I have given below a brief 

 description of them, taken from Colonel Evans' article: 



Across the valley, some six miles to the southward, half way up the western slope 

 of a hill, perhaps six hundred feet in height, we saw a long table-land of mesa, white 

 uxjon the top, and with long ribbon-like streaks of blue and white running down thence 

 to the i^lain below. This had been designated as the locality of the Volcano Springs ; 

 but, beyond the discolorations mentioned, there was nothing to attract the attention 

 of a traveler, and one might pass the point a dozen times without being made aware 

 of their existence. * » » Some time before we reached it we heard a noise as of 

 many s'^eam engines working away in some factory; and as we forced our horses up 

 the steep acclivity, over ground that resounded beneath their tread hollow and cav- 

 ernous, we heard other sounds emanating from the deep bosom of the mountain. 



He describes a number of springs, speaking of their cones and mounds, 

 the lining of which resembled porcelain, and says: 



There was a low rumbling sound accompanying the action of the first. The second 

 worked exactly like a steam-pump, with a sready, regular stroke, the water being 

 thrown oiit, not in a continuous stream, but in jets corresponding with the regular 

 strokes of a piston. As we stood over it we could hardly divest ourselves of the im- 

 pression that we were standing above a well-regulated steam engine in full operation, 

 as, in fact, we were. We timed the pulsations with our watches, and counted just 

 one hiuidred in a minute. From many small orifices, some not larger round than one's 

 finger, all around us the steam was escaping ; and the whole mesa seemed a mere crust 

 perforated like a cullender. * * * 



Looking southward along the height extending over half a mile of space, we saw 

 dozens of these hot-water volcanoes, if we may he permitted the expression, in full 

 operation, and an immense number of others quiet for the moment, but bearing evi- 

 dence of being in working order. The largest of those quiet for the moment had an 

 orifice as large as a sugar hogshead, and was filled to the surface with clear, sparkling 

 water. 



The water in the basin, though not boiling, was not quite cold enough for bathing 



* Overland Monthly, February, 1869. 



