42 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 
style of building, though introduced solely because of its 
cheapness and simplicity, is considered by far the most secure 
against earthquakes. 
No earthquake felt at San Francisco since 1846 has been 
more severe than one which visited Buffalo, New York, in 
1857, as described in the American Journal of Science and 
Art for September, 1858. On the 10th of July, 1855, an 
earthquake cracked the walls of twenty-six houses in Los An- 
geles; but no wall was thrown down, nor was any person 
injured. 
Most of the earthquakes of California are confined to very 
small districts. Thus, not more than one in ten of those felt 
in San Francisco is perceived in Sacramento. The most ex- 
tensive Californian earthquake of which we have any record 
was that of January 9th, 1857. It shook the earth from Fort 
Yuma to Sacramento, 4 distance of five hundred miles, being 
most severe at Fort Tejon, about half way between these two 
points. Loud noises, either rumbling or like explosions, were 
heard to accompany the shock at Tejon, San Bernardino, Visa- 
lia, and in the Mojave valley. The waters of the Mokelumne 
River were thrown upon the banks so as almost to leave the 
bed bare in one place. The current of Kern River was turned 
up-stream, and the water ran four feet deep over the bank. 
The water of Tulare Lake was thrown upon its shores; and 
the Los Angeles River was flung out of its bed. In Santa 
Clara valley the artesian wells were much affected: some 
ceased to run, and others had an increased supply of water. 
Near San Fernando a large stream of water was found run- 
ning from the mountains, where there was no water before. 
In San Diego, and at San Fernando, several, houses were 
thrown down; and at San Bueneventura the roof of the Mis- 
sion Church fell in. Several new springs were formed near 
Santa Barbara by the shock. In the San Gabriel valley the 
earth opened in a gap several miles long; and in one place 
the river deserted its ancient bed, and followed this new open- 
ing. In the valley of the Santa Clara River there were large 
