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Author: Whitney, Josiah Dwight
Title: The Auriferous Gravels of the Sierra Nevada of California
Place Published: Cambridge
Publisher:University Press, John Wilson & Son
Date Published: 1879 & 1880
Description:

Two parts bound together. [iii]-viii, 288; xiv, [2], [289]-569 pp. With 24 plates from photographs, lithographs, maps, sections and diagrams (many are double-page or folding, some color); plus 2 large folding maps bound in that were, in the regular issue, loose in rear pocket - one of the maps was printed on two sheets, but one sheet is not present, likely never bound in. (4to) 28.7x22 cm (11¼x8¾"), half red leather & cloth, spine ruled & lettered in gilt.

Apparently a pre-publication issue of the two parts of Whitney's comprehensive analysis, as published in the Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, at Cambridge Massachusetts. Each part with printed slip "With the compliments of J.D. Whitney"; errata slip bound in before part one. Printed note regarding the pending publication of the second part bound in at front of first part, along with preliminary table of contents on which is penciled "Cancelled." - the revised table is bound in with part two.

Whitney was the State Geologist for California from 1860-74, during which time he directed the geologic survey of the state. The highest peak in California - Mt. Whitney - is named after him. He published his "The Yosemite Book" in 1869 and engaged in a rancorous dispute with John Muir regarding the geologic history of the Yosemite Valley - maintaining that the valley floor had sunken from ancient heights, while John Muir correctly argued for glacial action as the creative agent of Yosemite. Plates include three heliotypes from photographs of Carleton E. Watkins of hydraulic mining, and a double-page lithograph by P. Roetter and J. Bien of the Calavaras Skull, believed by Whitney to be from the Pliocene era but later determined to be at most about 1000 years old. The two large maps bound into in the present volume (but in rear pocket of regular issue) are:

• 
  Map showing the Extent of the Hydraulic Mining Operations near Gold run, Dutch Flat, Little York, You Bet, Chalk Buffs, Red Dog, Hunt's Hill, and Quaker Hill, on Bear River and Ca-on, Steep Hollow and Greenhorn Creeks


• 
  Map of the Tertiary Auriferous Gravel Deposits lying between the Middle Fork of the American and the Middle Yuba Rivers, including the Principal Hydraulic Mining Region of the State (this map was printed on two sheets - only the right-hand sheet is present - the title was on the left-hand sheet).

Rubbing to corners, a few tiny nicks to spine, edges of endpapers darkened; light marginal stains to frontispiece photograph; very good.