TRAVELS IN THE CALIFORNIA S. 
325 
surrounding highlands that it is chiefly filled with mud, form¬ 
ing a series of swamps, covered with hassocks, and of lakes 
with muddy bottoms. 
This whole valley is quite unpropitious to agriculture 
The soil appears to be sufficiently rich for such purposes, but 
the high mountains toward the sea arrest the clouds as they 
come up from the southwest during the season of rain, and 
thus prevent the deposit of sufficient moisture to sustain much 
vegetation. There are, however, some pretty groves of aspen 
and pine to be found along the stream and in the hills, among 
which live a few red deer and elk. The stream itself is 
stocked with crawfish, chub, and trout , and on its surface 
swim countless flocks of ducks, brant, and geese, with an oc¬ 
casional pelican. On the hill tops may be seen the eagle, the 
magpie, the buzzard, the raven, and the crow. A few fertile 
spots upon the banks are peopled by a portion of the Paiuches 
or Root Diggers; a filthy tribe, the prey of idleness and ver¬ 
min. This valley contains large tracts of w 7 ild grass, which 
will be valuable in coming years to those who shall travel 
with caravans from San Francisco to the States. But the 
valley of Mary’s River can never become an agricultural dis¬ 
trict. It may be occupied by a small community of pastoral 
people, who shall ensconce themselves among the surround¬ 
ing mountains, and lead out flocks and herds to feed on the 
wild herbage. Its chief value, however, will be derived from 
its being on the best route between the States and the Pacific 
Ocean 
