THE TRUCKEE AND HUMBOLDT VALLEYS. 33 
which, in the absence of the genuine article, pass in this re- 
gion for water. It is often in a state of violent ebullition, 
and is thrown up in intermittent jets, especially when ex- 
traneous substances are introduced. Some of the springs 
of this region, highly saturated with mineral ingredients, 
build for themselves a conical chimney, as it were, by the 
deposition of their dissolved constituents. Coarse and wiry, 
but verdant grasses spring up around. Sometimes living 
fish make their abode in these boiling springs, though not 
found in the particular group in question. I have seen them 
from similar wells where the surface of the water marked 
709. This statement is consistent with that of other obser- 
vers in various parts of the world. Carpenter says "we 
. have examples of the compatibility of even the heat of boil- 
ing water with the preservation of animal life. Thus in a hot 
spring at Manilla, which raises the thermometer to 187°, and 
in another in Barbary, whose usual temperature is 1729, 
fishes have been seen to flourish. Fishes have been thrown 
up in very hot water from the crater of a volcano, which 
from their lively condition, was apparently their natural 
residence." Various confervee and animalcule are known to 
occur in similar situations, and indeed, were noticed in 
these identical springs. Carpenter adds, “small caterpillars 
have been found in hot springs of the temperature of 205°, 
and small black beetles, which died when placed in cold 
water, in the hot sulphur baths of Albano.” After these 
quotations I hope no one will charge me with Munchausen- 
ism. In apparent extravagance they certainly far "m 
my statement. 
A few hours after leaving the springs the road begins to 
descend, and soon a view is obtained of the basin into which 
both the Humboldt and Carson Rivers enter and "sink," or 
disappear in the sands. A broad, barren valley is stretched 
out before us, through which the course of the river is indi- 
cated by the fringe of green tules which border it. Occa- 
‘sionally the plain is marked by a tract of white alkaline 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. IV. 5 
