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Show THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 41 In relation to the propriety of the term, Great Basin, being applied to this region of country, we remark, that if by it the idea is conveyed that this great area is chiefly one of a hydrographic character, that is, filled with lakes and rivers, it is so far a misnomer. Erroneous also is the idea that because it is called a Basin it must, as a whole, present a generally con-cave surface. The truth is, it is only a Basin inas-much as the few lakes and streams that are found within it sink and have no outlet to the sea. It may also be considered as made up of several minor or subsidiary basins; and, regarding them in succession, not in the order of magnitude, we have 1st. Lake Sevier Basin. Elevation of lowest point above the sea, slightly less than 4690 feet. 2d. Great Salt Lake Basin. Elevation of lowest point above the sea, 4170 feet. 3d. Humboldt River Basin. Elevation of lowest point above the sea, near ( Beckworth) Lassen's Meadows, 4147 feet. 4th. Carson River Basin. Elevation of lowest point above the sea, at Carson Lake, 3840 feet. 5th. Walker's River Basin. Elevation of lowest point above the sea, seven miles above Walker's Lake, 4072 feet. ( Walker's Lake Basin, estimated at about same as Car-son), 3840 feet. 6th. Owen's Lake Basin. Altitude unknown. 7th. Mojave River Basin. Elevation of lowest point above the sea ( Williamson), 1111 feet. All these valleys or basins, it will be noticed, are on the outskirts of the Great Basin, just within its circumference; and as the valleys of the great central |