The Geysers of California

The Geysers of California are situated in lateral ravines of Pluton River, a tributary of Russian River. In gaining a clear idea of the California Geysers, it will be necessary to forget the geysers of Iceland, with their columns of water and capitals of cloud. Upon approaching those upon Pluton River, your first impression is that there has been a great conflagration, and that the fire engines are blowing off steam preparatory to going home. The gorge is lined with masses of smouldering ashes, from which hot steam is being drifted, by the wind, and, in some places, you can imagine that the embers are ready to relight. In the bottom of the canon, turbid and blackened water, from which vapor slowly lifts, is running among the discolored rocks. Here and there, escaping steam hisses, and, in some places, roars like the “exhaust ” of an engine.