A Californian Wonder

The tratt of country known as the Shite Bange "Valley is probably one of tho most curious that southorn California can boast of. It. is there the immense deposits of borax were discovered something like a year ago, and at that time the whole lower or central part of the basin was covered with a white deposit, breaking awny in some places in largo soda reets in others resembling tho waves of the ocean, and in still others stretching out for miles in ono unkroken levol, from which tho smi reflected its rays with a glare almost unendurable. But one öf the most singular features in connection with tbis section was the absence of ram or moisture ; the days were ever sunny and hot, the nights without dew and generallv warm. For moro than flve years, ït is said, by thoso who claini to know, tnero had been no rain there, until some throe months sinco tho spell was broken. Suddenly, and with scarcoly any warning, rain commenced to fall, and for thirty hours camo down steadily and unoeasmg ly, unaccoinpanied by wind, btit yot a thoiough drenching rain. For two or three days it remained pleasant, when suddenly a water-spout was seen winding its way through tho valley. It carne iu a zigzag courso ucross the upper end of the lakc, striking the range ot hills on the east side, and coursing rapidly along tueni. The canyons and gorges wero soon filled with water, which pcured from thein in fearful volume, and spread ïtselt out upon the bottom. In a short time it was over, and denizens of tho place now look for another dry season of five yoars.