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Show 38 THE SHORTEST ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. massive and lofty. The lengths of the ranges in some instances were at least one hundred and twenty miles, and they then extended into unknown regions beyond the field of Captain Simpson's explorations. These ranges attain in the case of Union Peak ( so called by Captain Simpson), the highest point of the Tots- arr or Goshoot Range, an altitude above the plain of from five thousand to six thousand feet, or of from ten thousand to eleven thousand feet above the sea. In the case of the 0- quirr Range, the highest point ( Camp Floyd Peak), according to Lieutenant Putman's meas-urement, by theodolite, was found to be four thousand two hundred and fourteen feet above the camp at its foot; and as this locality, by barometric measurement, is four thousand eight hundred and sixty feet above the sea, the peak referred to is nine thousand and seventy- four feet above the sea. The highest pass was on Captain Simpson's return route, and through the Un- go- we- ha Range. By barometric measure-ment it was eight thousand one hundred and forty feet above the sea. The passes are all, with but little difficulty, surmountable by wagons; but their baro-metrical profiles show that they are too steep for rail-road purposes. These barometrical profiles of Captain Simpson, to which the Union Pacific Railroad Com-pany have had access, have already been of very material service in obviating the great expense of another survey, to which the company would other-wise have been obliged to resort. The chief agricultural characteristic of ( lie country traversed is desert, the exceptions being as follows: On Captain Simpson's more northern route, in the |