232 Whitney's Geology of California. 
features of the mountain system of the state, Professor Whit- 
ney illustrates in the following manner. me 
In order to bring vividly before the mind the grand simplicity 
of the topographical features of California, we may draw on 
the map of the state five equidistant, parallel lines, having a 
direction N, 31° W., and 55 miles apart. 
et the middle one of these be drawn at the western base of 
the Sierra Nevada, touching the edge of the foot-hills, as it will 
ound to do, with the given direction, from Visalea to Re 
the coast line of the Pacific, or the western base of the Coast 
Ranges. 
These lines divide the state into four belts of nearly equal 
width, which preserve their main physical features over about 
ve slasrecacob latitude, and for a nae - 400 miles, which 
embrace the most mg NS of the state, comprising nearly 
7 
| THe Coasr Ranges, : 
_ ‘These, as their name indicates, lie near the coast, and when 
seen from the sea, appear to form an almost unbroken wall risitg 
directly from the water. They consist of a number of chains 
names; they are gene 
