Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-06-05
The Geysers of California.

The following account of these mysterious
phenomena Of nature is from a correspondent
of the San Francisco Picayune 1t is stated
that within the circuit of half mile are 10 be
found all the different descriptions of mineral
springs known in the world;
Last week the writer had an opportunity of
accompanying Prof S. TO most romantic and
beautiful valley, probably one thousand feet or
more in depth, and formed, no doubt, by the
rending of mountains asunder, when al once
bursts upon the eyes of the aslonshed specta-
tor one of the most extraordinary scenes ever
presented To the contemplation of man. 1t
seemed as il the worlds great workhouse was
laid open, and Natures hidden enginery ex-
posed To view. About sunrise you could count
from fifty TO one hundred columns Of steam
rushing and shooting up rapidly, from the size
of our ocean steamers down TO engines of one
or two horse power. This is the view from
the overhanging peaks. But as you approach
the Geysers, the interest increases until il
reaches the highest pitch of sublimity Con-
nected with some of the steam pipes are jets of
steam and showers of scalding wafer, thrown
out to distance of some twenty or thirty feet
Prof. S. was once badly scalded by coming in
contact with one of these extra elected show
ers. While you are gazing with your back to
the sun, you see your own shadow embodied in
the new formed cloud, and a beautiful rainbow
around your head. As you then advance to-
wards some of the other Geysers, you hear the
rushing of boiling whirlpools under your feet,
and yon hesitate to go forward lest the next
step you break through into the fiery abyss
In the meantime the ground sinks under you,
and you fall PROSTATE on the heated crust, or
grasp the branch of tree, or stone, or any
thing, 10 save yourself from the certain des-
truclon that awaits you, provided you sink be-
meath. One Of these places, terrific in its APP
pearance, is called Agassis Maelstrom. Anoth-
er. that boils up with violence above the sur
face, and is naturally surrounded with beauti-
ful basin, with powerful stream at It's side, is
called Silliman's Fountain; another Pluto s
Cauldron, &c. Great numbers of grizzly bears
make their beds upon the warm earth also
panthers deer, hares and squirrels, make their
habitatIon in the immediate vicinity.
One of the Geysers is called Panther Geyser,
from the circumstance that Prof. 5. reused up
a huge panther that was comfortably warming
himself thereby, and seemed quite unwilling
TO yield the territory TO scientific investigation.
Vegetation exists In the greatest exuberance IN
this extraordinary spot, except where mineral
salts are found in great profuslon. Fure and
crystal streams of hot water, as well as those
angry and turbid, are flowing from the seat of
action 10 the river Pluton, which is an eastern
branch of Russian river. The finest baths, of
all temperatures, are TO be had here; also
shower and vapor baths, hot and cold, as many
of the springs have fall of fifty to one hun
dred feet. In the opinion of Prof. s., tropical
fruits and trees may be grown here on The
grounds irrigated by the warm water; and he
is already preparing to plant seeds from the
1slhmus. One thing remarkable is the change
upon the rocks. Granite is made soft, so that
you can cut ii as easily as a loaf of bread. The
hardest flint is either moulded to powder, or
melted into new conglOmarated rock. The
serpentine rocks are consumed like wood
The action on wood is also extraordinary
Prot. s. has many specimens of wood of differ
ent kinds imbedded, and carefully watches the
action upon it. In some banks you may find
wood entirely petri6ed, and in others changed
to lignette or charcoal. ........
In the space of thirty-six hours green tree,
which we put in, was so dlshgured as not 10 be
known, except by the part exposed outside, aud
beautiful crystals of sulphur formed at the point
of contact, with the external cold air. 1t is i'm
possible TO describe fully the Intense interest
this spot awakens, To be appreciated it must
be visited. The route lies through the beantl-
full valley of Napa, either by Benecia or Vale
10, along past the extraordinary thermal springs
of Col. Richie Mount ST. Helena, through
Beyreasa valley, to Mr. VIM. Mcdonnell S,
where MIR. b. F. Briggs will conduct visitors
to this region of wonders. ...- .'.
Yours, truly, c. l.. r.
P. Sit may be interesting to the public to
know ,ha, Prof. S. has, with great care, selec-
ted the best route, and employed men to cut
road to the Geysers-,he road TO be completed
by the 10th of April next. Arrangements are
also made for erecting house for the accom-
modalion OF visitors. .... Z. l.. Il.