OCR Text |
Show 248 TEAVELS AND ADVENTUEES IN THE FAE WEST. On this rancho, towards San Pedro, is a salt lake, which was being worked by a company of gentlemen. The salt is of superior quality, and brings a good price in Los Angeles. On this same place, near the shores of the Pacific Ocean, there is a lake of bitumen or asphaltum, used almost altogether in Los Angeles, as covering for the roofs of houses. In winter it does very well, but the dropping of hot pitch from the eaves of the houses in hot weather, is not agreeable. Large quantities of it are, in consequence, on the side-walks, which, in warm wea. ther, acts like bird-lime ; for if you meet a friend, and stop accidentally on it, there you both are fixed for the moment. Gentlemen's clothing is frequently spoiled by this material. It is highly inflammable ; an excellent gas might be obtained from it. I have seen it used on steamboats, to get up steam quickly. The mission of San Juan de Campestrano is not far from this rancho. Near it are the celebrated hot springs of that name. For the following analysis, I am indebted to Dr. Wm. P. Reynolds, whom I met on the steamer to San Francisco :- Sulphur 40 Nitre, 11 Ammonia, . 7.5 Potassa, 9.S Lime, 7.2 Phosphorus, fi Iron, 13 Soda, 6 100 These hot springs of San Juan de Campestrano excel all others in the neighborhood (and there are many), in regard to their medicinal virtues, both from their chemi- |