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Show 131 tip the stream should here be nowhere visible. A few settlers are found along the river, groves of cotton wood, and a little grazing, but the soil is too sandy to be productive, and the difficulty of obtaining water for irrigation, except in early spring, is almost insurmountable. Water for drinking purposes is obtained from wells. From the Mohave we cross a low divide into a valley, in which is Black's ranch; the soil of the valley incapable of cultivation, but sand- grass and a coarse grass somewhat used for hay in the country are found, and afford sustenance for several hundred head of cattle. Good water is obtained from wells. July 7 we reached Granite Springs, near the southwestern base of Pilot Knob, and this peak was ascended for triangulation and topographical purposes. In our last day's march to this camp, marching northward, we came obliquely upon a line of volcanic rock, that could be clearly traced in a slightly northeast direction, having completely shattered the group of hills forming the Cosco Mountains, and, in the southern extension of Owens River Valley, showing a probable elevation of the land, now a low divide, to the south of what now forms Owens Lake and the cutting off of the river, for there are indications of an old river- bed south of this divide; an immense old crater and lava- flow is found again just south of Cerro Gordo Peak, and in the same general direction, in the northern part of Owens River Valley, is a great group of old craters, extending into the foot- hills of the Sierras. The earthquake of 1872 took place along this line, and slight shocks, not felt at any great distance to the east or west of it, are of frequent occurrence. From Granite Springs the party moved westerly, by way of Surveyors' Well and Willow- Tree Spring, to Panamint Station, ( a station of the Cerro Gordo Freighting Company, about 75 miles from Panamint,) over an old and little- used wagon- road, passing also by the £ 1 Paso ( silver) mines, that have not been worked for several years. From Panamint Station a small party ascended Owen's Peak, in the Sierra jNevada range, near by, and then made its way northward through the mountains, principally along the south branch of the Kern River, to Olancha Peak, and after ascending it, met the remainder of the party at Olancha post- office, ( near the eastern base of the peak and the southern end of Owens Lake as well,) whence they had come by the direct wagon- road along the base of the Sierras from Panamiift Station. In the great longitudinal basin in the Sierras, through which flows the Kern River and its south fork, the two streams only being separated by a subsidiary ridge, and especially about the headwaters of the streams, fine meadows abound and excellent pasturage- ground extending up the mountain- slopes. These are utilized in the pasturage of cattle and sheep, principally the latter, thousands of head being brought in the warm season from the settled country of the valleys nearer the sea- coast, the pasture- grounds there being insufficient to sustain them. Many of these lovely meadows are entirely laid bare and their sod almost ground into the dust, and nearly to the tops of the highest peaks these flocks of sheep find their way. The party remained in camp at Olancha two days, and then proceeded, skirting the foot- bills of the Coso Mountains on the north by way of Arab Spring to Darwin, anew mining- town, only established in the early part of 1875. A topographical station was made near at hatid, and the town and some of the principal miues located in position. [ For a report of the mineral resources, & c, of this mining- district, see report of Dr. Loew, who visited this place in October, 1875.] The town was found in arrowing and most flourishing condition. Water had been conducted by pipes from springs distant about 7 miles, and in sufficient quantity for the use of the town and furnaces. The party camped on the night of the 23d of July in Darwin Canon, about 7 miles from the town, where a magnificent spring bursts from the side of the canon. Its waters, however, sink after flowing a few miles and before reaching the valley ; and such is found to be the case with all the other little streams of this range ( the Argus) and those of the Panamint and Aniargosa ranges to the east of it. Returning through Darwin, we moved a short distance westerly to Coso, an old but now abandoned ^ gold- quartz mining- town ( except by a few Mexicans) in the Coso Mountains. From these hills at preseut is obtained the supply of wood and charcoal for Darwin; this supply, with any great demand, as seems probable, will, however, soon be exhausted. From Coso, following a wagon- road, we crossed the Argus range iuto Shepperd's Canon, and thence directly across Panamint Valley to Canon Station, ( of the Cerro Gordo Freighting Company,) in Panamint or Surprise Cauon, ou the eastern slope of the range, a few miles from the valley. We remained in this camp about a mouth, ( until August 28,) occupied in'anieasuring a check base- line in Panamint Valley; the ascent of Telescope Peak; a trip to Lookout and Rose Spring mining- districts; another to Panamint; and another to Borax Lake and factory, in which the Slate range was crossed ; Argus Peak occupied for topography, a route meandered from this peak northward to develop the topography of the angle formed by the junction of the Argus and Slate ranges, ( Borax Lake lviug between these ranges,) and to occupy Matu-rango Peak of the Argus range. Panamint Valley, a li ttle more than 1,000 feet above the sea- level, is exceedingly desert and alkaliue, and, together with the other low and desert valleys in this country, very |