of the Gold-fields of California. 



429 



and no stream of any importance flows from them into the val- 

 ley, which is almost exclusively supplied by the melting of the 

 snows which during the winter months accumulate in the upper 

 portions of the Sierra. 



This range, on the eastern side of the valley, is towards its 

 southern extremity called the Inyo Mountains, whilst further 

 north they are known as the White Mountains. Owen's River 

 rises not far from the head of the San Joaquin, and near the 

 southern extremity of the valley flows into Owen's Lake, which 

 has no visible outlet, and whose banks are in many parts thickly 

 coated by an alkaline incrustation. No fish inhabit its waters ; 

 but at certain seasons of the year it is resorted to by myriads of 

 waterfowl attracted by the grub-like larvae of a fly which depo- 

 sits its eggs on the surface. 



These grubs are about the length of a small grain of rice, but 

 somewhat less in diameter, and are thrown on the lake shores 

 by the waves in such vast quantities that they are collected by 

 the Indians as an important article of food. In addition to 

 these there are large quantities of minute Crustacea resembling 

 the Artemia salina, 



Waters of Owen's Lake. — A sample of water taken January 3, 

 1866, from opposite Franklin's Ranch, had a specific gravity of 

 1-076, and on analysis afforded the following results : — 



In an Imperial Gallon. 



2942-05 



589-12 



1206-80 



55-34 



15-43 



175-49 



2127-07 



16-94 



7128-24 



The above results may be expressed as follows : — 



In an Imperial Gallon. 

 Chloride of sodium . . . 2942*05 



Chloride of sodium 

 Sulphuric acid 

 Carbonic acid . 

 Silicic acid . 

 Phosphoric acid 

 Potash . . 

 Soda . . . 

 Organic matter 



Sulphate of soda . . 



. 956-80 



Carbonate of soda 



. 2914-43 



Sulphate of potash 



. . 122-94 



Phosphate of potash . 



. . 35-74 



Silicate of potash . 



. . 139-34 



Organic matter 



. . 16-94 



7128-24 



