Perhaps there is no part of my whole subject so difficult to be described as the climate of California. One cause of this is, that it is so different in various parts of the state, and in the same part during the various seasons. In general there are two seasons--a wet and a dry. The first commences about the middle of October, and continues to the first or middle of April. It must not be supposed that there is rain continually during this season. My journal exhibits the following statistical results: In October, 1849, it rained two days--the 9th and 10th. In November, 1849, it rained fourteen days--cloudy three days. In December, 1849, it rained eight days--cloudy three days, and snow one day. In January, 1850, it rained seventeen days--cloudy one day, and snow three days. In February, 1850, it rained four days--cloudy three days, and snow three days. In March, 1850, it rained nine days--cloudy three days, and snow one day. In April, 1850, it rained one day--April 5th. During the months of October, November, and December, 1849, and of January, 1850, the mean average temperature indicated by the thermometer was as follows: At sunrise, 36°. At noon, 50°. Lowest at sunrise, 23°. Highest at sunrise, 48°. Lowest at noon, 40°. Highest at noon, 50°. In February, 1850, in the morning, 36°. In February, 1850, at noon, 62°. In March, at morning, 39°. In March, at noon, 58°. The Hon. T. Butler King estimates, in his report to government, that the soil west of the Sierra Nevada covers an area of between fifty and sixty thousand square miles, and is capable of supporting a population equal to that of Ohio or New York at the present time. A large portion of this land, although fertile, can not be cultivated, owing to the drought. The portion of the soil capable of irrigation is comparatively small, and lies upon the rivers and streams. The products of this state are various. The climate and soil are well suited to the cultivation of wheat, rye, barley, and oats, the last of which grows spontaneously over the whole length of the sea-coast, and for many miles into the interior. Irish potatoes, turnips, onions, and beets are produced in great perfection. The various fruits are cultivated with facility. It is not the design of this work to give a history of California previous to the discovery of its gold. But it may be proper, in connection with the geography of the country, to present a brief history of the mines and the operations of the miners.