resembling the escape of steam, which is occasioned by the emission of strong currents of heated gas from hundreds of fissures in the sides of the mountains in the immediate vicinity. The waters of these Springs are said to possess important medicinal properties, and many invalids are attracted thither to avail themselves of their beneficial influences.

16. SALT.

The manufacture of this important staple has recently attracted considerable attention. During the season of 1857, over six hundred tuns were produced in the vicinity of the bay of San Francisco. This quantity, though small, is a satisfactory test of the capacity of this State to supply a sufficiency for home consumption. The Pacific Salt Works, in the county of Los Angeles, are also engaged in the manufacture of this article. The lake from which it is manufactured, covers an area of six hundred yards in length by two hundred in width, and the buildings for the operations of the company, are commodious and well arranged. Capacity five tuns per day. There are numerous small lakes in the vicinity of Salinas Plains that are strongly impregnated and capable of yielding, it is said, large quantities of salt.

17. SALTPETER.

The existence of saltpeter has been discovered on the head-waters of the Pajaro River, near Gilroy, Santa Cruz County. It is found in large quantities, in crystal form, in the alkaline ponds and on the earth in that vicinity. This is an important discovery for the State, as it places within our reach the only mineral that was wanting to manufacture an abundant supply of gunpowder.

The existence, in unlimited quantities, of borax in the county of Napa, adds another valuable mineral to the resources of California. The principal lake from which it is obtained, is thus described by the County Assessor:

"It is situated about half a mile north of the north shore of Clear Lake, and five miles from its foot. It presents a surface of over two hundred acres so highly impregnated with borax that it cannot be held in solution, and is found in crystalized particles. One and a quarter miles north, over a high chimese ridge, is found the sulphur bank, from twenty-five to thirty acres, supposed to be thirty feet thick, the steam below constantly bursting up crusts in a conical form, and forming new sulphur in the cavities, presenting a very beautiful appearance. The whole machinery is in such active operation, that if the sulphur should all be removed, it appears that it would soon form again. Eighty rods west of the sulphur spring, is a hot spring in the edge of an arm of Clear Lake, so highly impregnated with borax, that it is deposited in small particles on the surrounding gravel. This spring will afford 150 gallons of water per minute. A few miles west, on the south side

of Clear Lake, is another borax lake."

The present yield of the principal lake, is about two hundred pounds per day, which can be increased by the application of the necessary machinery.

It is said that a sufficient quantity can be produced to supply the demand of the entire Union for this important mineral.

19. COAL.

The explorations of the past few years have developed the existence of numerous and extensive beds of coal in the counties of Alameda, Butte, El Dorado, Plumas, Sacramento, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, etc. Several of these veins are now being thoroughly tested, with a view to render them of practical utility to the State. The Feather River Coal Fields, of Butte County, have been thoroughly explored and the coal obtained therefrom is represented to be of an excellent quality.

There are numerous and extensive ranges of almost every variety of marble existing in this State. "That portion between the Merced and American Rivers," says Dr. Trask, "is capable of producing varieties which are difficult of being excelled in any part of the world." The counties of El Dorado and Calaveras contain extensive quarries of this valuable material; that obtained from the vicinity of Ringgold is of great beauty and value. Considerable demand exists for it, both for artistic and building purposes. A valuable vein exists in Suisun Valley, Solano County, which has attracted considerable attention. The quality of the marble obtained therefrom is peculiarly adapted to the embellishment of household furniture, corresponding as it does perfectly with rich furniture material, such as rosewood and mahogany; and furthermore, it will not tarnish by ink, oil, or other substances, except acids. It is suitable for many ornamental household purposes, as well as those of utility, and deserves to be considered one of the most valuable, as it is certainly the most beautiful, product of our quarries or mines.

Numerous beds of granite are now being worked in the counties of Marin, Monterey and Sacramento. The quality of the stone obtained from the vicinity of Folsom, Sacramento County, and Monterey is unsurpassed for building purposes, and large quantities from both of these places have been used in the construction of the fortifications of San Francisco Harbor.

Considerable quantities of alabaster exist in the county of Monterey. Its quality is represented to be very superior, rivaling the finest Italian. This material is valuable for various purposes, and its discovery is a matter of considerable importance to our mechanics and to the State, as a large quantity is annually imported to supply the demand for home consumption.

* During the summer of 1857, a mountain of glass, or what was supposed to be one, was discovered in Napa County; as no movement has been made to test its practical value, we are inclined to believe that its existence is of little importance to the State.-[ED.

23. BUHR STONE.

"This rock abounds on the Pitt River in large quantities, and also on to the north of Goose Lake. Its admirable adaptation to milling, requires no comment. The value of this rock cannot be too highly esteemed in this State, where the prospective is so flattering of its becoming a grain growing country, equaled by few on the Atlantic slope. The heavy expenses that are now incurred, and the future wants of the State in this particular, will be obviated, and our dependent condition on foreign imports destroyed. These rocks have as yet attracted little notice, but the rapidly increasing wants of the State will ere long bring them into requisition,"-Dr. Trask, 1853.

24. LIME.

The manufacture of lime engages the attention of numerous persons in different parts of the State. The kilns of El Dorado and Santa Cruz manufacture a large quantity annually; number of barrels, estimated at sixty thousand.

V.-CANALS AND DITCHES.*

There are five thousand seven hundred and twenty-six miles of artificial water courses, for mining purposes, constructed in this State, at a cost of thirteen million five hundred and seventy-five thousand four hundred dollars. In addition to the length here stated, there are numerous subsidiary branches, the aggregate length of which, is estimated at over one thousand miles, and several hundred miles of new ditches in the course of construction.

There is no class of enterprise which is more essential to the development of the resources of California, than the construction of such works as will secure to the mining population, throughout the year, an adequate supply of water, to aid them in their operations.

There are thousands of miles of rich mineral land in this State, now lying almost valueless for the greater part of the year, which could, with the aid of enterprise and capital judiciously expended, be made valuable for mining purposes, and thereby secure an abundant return. The Mariposa district is a forcible illustration of this. It is estimated that a revenue of ten millions of dollars could be derived annually in this district, from the sale of water.

The progress already made in the construction of these works has been, with but few exceptions, accomplished by the miners themselves, and it is to be desired that a subject so intimately connected with the progress of the State, will no longer escape the attention of those capitalists who are qualified, both from experience and ability, to aid in so important a matter.

* In this list of canals, etc., no reference is made to various enterprises organized for the purpose of furnishing particular cities or towns of the State with a supply of water, viz: The Bensley Water Works and the Mountain Lake Co. of San Francisto; the Sacramento, Marysville and Oroville Water Works, etc. Capital employed, estimated, at $750,000. For a description of these Works, see the county (Part VII,) in which each is located.-[ED.

+ Mariposa Gazette.

TABLE

Of Water Ditches and Canals throughout the State, with the Owner or Company's Name, the Source of Water, the Length, and the Cost or Value of Each.

NOTE. (a) Cost of Construction; (b) Assessed Value; (c) Capital Stock; (d) Unfinished.

Mokelumne, N. F. 50
Sutter Creek...

Cosumnes Water Co. Cosumnes, S. F

Humbug...
Indian Gulch

Independence Killham's Upper. 66 Lower.

18

N. F.. 5

15

30

3

22

20

10

3

2,000 Duell & Co..

Lancha Plana.
Logan & Co..
Lorees..

Mokelumne River.

Sutter Creek, S. F.

Rancheria C., S. F.

1,000

Aggregate length in the County, 531 miles; cost of construction, $880,400. The County Assessor reports Number of ditches, 32; length, 475 miles; assessed value, $280,600.-[ED.

+ When the ditches now in the course of construction are completed, there will not be short of 400 miles in the county. Length completed, main trunks, 150 miles; branches, 150-total 300.-[Ed.

8

24

40

*The returns of the Assessor for 1858 exhibit the number of ditches at 49; aggregate length, 720 miles; cost of construction, $991,100; capacity, 12,019 inches; number included in the returns received

at the office of the Register, 54; aggregate length, 550 miles; cost of construction, $1,600,000.-[ED.