CHAPTER 1. 
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 
Extent op survey.—Op the coast mountains.—Erroneous notions op.—Parallel ranges.—Number op and geographical 
position.—Northern extension.—Depression across the line op strike at san prancisco.—Monte diablo range.—Effect 
OP THE TOPOGRAPHY ON COMMERCIAL DESTINY.—ABSENCE OP NAVIGABLE RIVERS.—FLOW OP THE WATERS.—OUTLINE OP TOPOGRAPHY 
OP THE STATE IN THE SOUTH.—CLIMATE INDEPENDENT OP OTHER LANDS.—EFFECT OP MOUNTAINS.— No DISTINCT WINTER SEASON.— 
Rainy season.—Fall op rain.—Drought.—Earthquake movements, frequency op.—Elevation op coast range.—Geological 
period of.—Igneous rocks —Different points op elevation.—Depression of fissures op the strata.—Resemblance op the 
OROGRAPHY TO MEDITERRANEAN EUROPE.—PALAEOZOIC STRATA NOT DISCOVERED.—Of THE MIOCENE PERIOD ON THE PACIFIC.-UP¬ 
HEAVAL OP THE SIERRA NEVADA.—PROBABLE EFFECT UPON THE LEVEL OP THE GREAT BASIN.-ABSENCE OP POLAR DRIFT.—Of THE 
QUATERNARY PERIOD.— Op THE COAST LINE OP CALIFORNIA.. 
The geological examinations in southern California occupied from November 22, 1854, to 
April 5,1855. The explorations were made in five counties within that period, viz : Santa Cruz, 
Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. In the counties of San Diego, 
San Bernardino, and Tulare, only a few observations were noted. The five above named 
counties occupy almost the whole shore-line of southern California, and embrace within their 
limits the numerous series of parallel ranges of hills, which are erroneously located as one upon 
the maps of the present time, and which are confusedly included under the common name of 
the Coast Range. 
It would be well if this name were obliterated altogether from the maps and geographies of 
the State. There is no single range of hills which in its whole extent can he termed the Coast 
Range in these counties. These ranges have, as they travel south, a deviation more easterly 
than the shore-line, and pass into the interior, leaving a fresh chain to occupy a littoral position 
for a few miles further south. The western commencement of these ranges form the headland 
along shore, and give that peculiar indentation of the coast and crescentic shape to the bays 
which is so peculiar to this State. Thus, from Point Pinos, in Monterey, to Point Concepcion, 
in Santa Barbara county, as many as four ranges may he counted, each one being the Coast 
Range at its outset, and gliding, in turn, behind a range which, further south, outflanks it, 
itself to be displaced, in turn, by its western neighbor. Viewed from the shore, as in the 
vessels sailing coastwise, these appear one uniform continuous chain, and from this, no doubt, 
has arisen the erroneous term, which, if longer retained, must, from its very comprehensiveness, 
become a source of error and confusion. 
Throughout the majority of the counties as many as three different ranges may he traced, 
running in a direction somewhat parallel to each other, and converging into a focal point in 
latitude 34°. At this point of junction an immense upheaval of primitive rock occupies the 
region, rendering it an uninhabitable and almost impassable district. 
In the vicinity and south of the Bay of San Francisco, the parallelism of mountain ranges, 
already alluded to, is remarkable. This district, which embraces Contra Costa, Alameda, and 
San Francisco counties, San Jaoquin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and the northern part of 
