eA a ew ara PS 
1878. | The Springs of Southern Nevada. 19 
known as Desert Wells, from the fact that parties passing that way, 
have dug pits from four to eight feet deep when there, in search of 
more water. These springs, when visited by the writer, were 
mere pools of muddy slime, with a slight film of stagnant water 
overlying the viscous blue marsh. So nauseous were these waters 
that neither men nor animals could drink them. Enough water, 
however, was obtained by digging new pits or “wells” near by, 
to partially alleviate the sufferings of man and beast, which were 
somewhat intense after marching over thirty miles through the 
heated sands of the Smoky Valley Desert upon a July day. 
These springs—if springs they may be called—were situated 
at the southern extremity of Smoky Valley surrounded by a 
dreary waste of sand and “alkali flats,” with here and -there a 
stunted sage bush. 
Day break the following morning found the party en route to 
Silver Peak, the next objective point. Silver Peak, a small 
mining camp, is located near the west side of Clayton Valley, 
and at the eastern base of the Red Mountain range. Near 
this place and along the western border of the salt marsh 
which forms the major part of the basin are the Thermal 
Springs. The more important ones are eleven in number. 
With one exception they are contained in a narrow belt, running 
almost north and south. This belt is about a half mile in length, 
its width being but a few rods. Beginning at the southern limit 
of this line, the first spring we encounter is in a small depression 
in the general surface. (Fig. 2.) Its waters are slightly saline, 
_ but quite palatable, and are the best for use in the vicinity. The 
