182 CALIFORNIA. 



Dr. Marsh crossed nothing like a range of mountains in the whole 

 route from the United States. Hills and mountains were often seen 

 on what he calls the table-land of New Mexico. The most common 

 plant met with was an acacia, a small shrub which is also to be found 

 in the southern parts of New Mexico, where the climate is likewise 

 very arid. In one district where it occurs, it is found necessary to 

 protect both horse and rider with a sort of armour against this rigid 

 and thorny vegetation, between latitude 37° and 38° N. 



He also reports that there are other streams to the east of the moun- 

 tains without outlets, and which do not reach the Colorado, although 

 running in that direction. He identifies the Youta, or great Salt Lake, 

 with the Lake Timponogos of the early Spanish fathers who visited 

 it, and agrees with others in placing the north end of it nearly in the 

 parallel of 42° N. 



The Colorado he reports to be impracticable for boats to descend 

 from the head waters to its mouth, on account of its rapidity. There 

 is one place in it that is described as similar to the Dalles of the 

 Columbia, which is supposed to be where it passes through the range 

 of mountains. 



The banks of the river are bordered with marshes, which extend 

 for miles back. This kind of country continues up both the Sacra- 

 mento and San Joachim, and is the proper Tula district of which so 

 much has been said, and so many errors propagated. Here the tula 

 (Scirpus lacustris) grows in great luxuriance. 



On the 25th, the boats left New Helvetia. It was discovered, pre- 

 vious to starting, that four men had deserted from their party. This 

 is a common circumstance in this port, and very few vessels visit it 

 without losing some portion of their crews. The dissolute habits 

 of the people form such strong temptations for sailors, that few can 

 resist them. A number of men who were deserters were continu- 

 ally around us. Among others, the sergeant and marine guard that 

 had deserted from H. B. M. ship Sulphur were the most troublesome. 

 Their appearance did not prove that they had changed their situation 

 for the better. 



Ten miles up the river, a sand-bar occurred, over which it was 

 found that the launch could not pass. Lieutenant-Commandant Ring- 

 gold therefore left her at this place, under charge of Mr. Williams, 

 taking sufficient pi'ovisions in the boats. The oaks became more scat- 

 tered, and the soil thickly covered with vegetation, although parched 

 up by continued drought. 



On the 2Cth, they reached the mouth of Feather river, which is fif- 

 teen miles above New Helvetia. It appeared nearly as broad as the 



