FOURTH STREET, SAN RAFAEL.

   The first adobe has long since disappeared, the last mention found of it being a remark of General Vallejo's when, some thirty years ago, on passing the Olompali Rancho and pointing to a crumbling adobe he remarked to a companion, "That is over a hundred Years old."
   But the adobe that concerns us, the long, low, rambling adobe, is still standing in good condition and occupied by Dr. Burdell's

ENTRANCE TO HOTEL RAFAEL.

family. This was supposedly the second built and is accredited to have been constructed by the last chief of the tribe, Camillo Ynitia.
   Camillo, after obtaining three successive patents for the Rancho, first from Spain, then from Mexico, and lastly from the United States, sold it for five thousand dollars, which be was believed to have buried in the vicinity. Refusing to divide the proceeds of the Rancho, and furthermore to disclose the spot where the gold was buried, Camillo was subsequently murdered by his brother.
   The Olompali Rancho is beautifully situated, lying as it does

HOTEL RAFAEL.

THE LATE OWNER OF THE OLOMPALI.

at the base of Mt. Olompali which is believed to be an extinct volcano.
   Mortars found five feet under ground in the river bed, together with sand, mud, gravel, pebbles, and cement strata on the mountain side, testify to volcanic action.
   From this mountain which formerly, in unknown ages emitted hot, sulphuric gases from its bosom, now runs a clear and limpid stream, a perpetual penance to nature for the havoc it once wrought.
   When the Spaniards first visited the County, there were said to be thirty distinct tribes of Indians, each with its separate chief; while their language or dialect differed materially.
   That they lived on mussels, sturgeon, and game from the marshes, is evidenced by the remains found in the huge shell mounds distributed throughout the County.
   What these mounds are and how they became so, is merely a matter of conjecture, although the scientists of the University