Whitney’s Geology of California. 233 
rally much inferior in height to the Sierra Nevada, yet the cul- 
minating points rise to perhaps 8000 ft. There are not, however, 
many points above 5000 ft. These chains, or ranges, although 
each is nearly distinct, are all connected, with the exception of 
the peaks which form the outlet of the great Central Valley, at 
the straits of Carquines and the Golden Gate. Both north and 
south of this, each separate chain, after being separated from its 
next neighbor by a valley of greater or less width, then joins 
some other chain lying nearly parallel, the whole system joining 
topographically with the Sierra Nevada at either end. 
these valleys may be found the most fertile soil and lovely 
climate of this favored state, and these, with their adjoining 
lower hills, together with parts of the great Central Valley, con- 
tam nearly all of its agricultural lands. : 
Geologically, these Coast ranges are not known to contain 
any strata older than the Cretaceous. Certain it is that Cretace- 
ous and Tertiary rocks make up the whole of the portion that 
has been examined. Both of these formations are more or less 
System as a whole. The voleanic, however, constitute a con- 
siderable mass near St. Helena, and the granitic in the St. Lucia. 
Considered geologically, it is believed that this system does not 
extend farther. south than lat. 88°, nor north farther than lat. 
defined, sinking to the plain of the great Central Valley; but 
ned, sinking to the plain of sna sothagoert ak “ 
