13. SISKIYOU SUMMIT. (On the Shasta Route.) This is the crossing of the Siskiyou Mountains, a geographical barrier between California and Oregon, a transverse ridge that marks the dividing line between the Sierra and the Cascades. The length of tunnel No. 13, at the summit, is 3108 feet; its elevation, 4134 feet. The grade over these mountains is about the steepest railroad climbing in the United States, reaching the 3.3 figure in some instances, or 174 feet to the mile. From near the south portal of tunnel No. 13 a very grand view is obtained of Pilot Knob,—the Sierra, Shasta, Scott Mountains, and the coast ranges.
14 & 38. MUIR'S PEAK. (On the Shasta Route.) Muir's Peak, named in honor of Mr. John Muir, Californian scientist, stands guard at the northern end of Strawberry Valley. Its elevation is about 6500 feet; it looks like a little brother of Shasta, and, but for its huge parent, would be thought an object of great interest in itself. There are five well-defined volcanic cones on and around it, and the railroad winds about its base, affording fine views of its symmetrical pine slopes.
8 & 15. CHINESE BUILDINGS. Chinatown as a whole (sometimes spelled without a w), is doubtless a rather deep-stained blot on the fair escutcheon of San Francisco. But there are some redeeming features of interest in it — one in particular being the queer things sold and eaten, which look like neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, and yet a combination of all three. Travellers should take a walk -through the stores, and notice among other things the stolid and highly philosophical way the Celestials have of dispensing groceries and other strange-looking and questionable edibles; but if they want a really good cup of tea, or a splendid dinner, don't go to a Chinese restaurant!