SAN BERNARDINO TO SANTA CRUZ. 17 



formation in other parts, not differing essentially from that of the Rio Bravo or Gila valleys, 

 and terminates by an abrupt bank, bounding the alluvial basin below. 



This basin, forming, as it is said, the head of the Yaqni river, here shows a wide flat plain, 

 extending from north to south, and having a breadth of three to five miles. On its western 

 edge is situated the deserted settlement of San Bernardino. Adjoining this rancho are numer- 

 ous springs, spreading out into rushy ponds, and giving issue to a small stream of running 

 water. The valley is covered thickly with a growth of coarse grass, showing in places a saline 

 character of soil. The timber growth is confined to a few lone cotton-wood trees scattered here 

 and there. 



Signs of previous cultivation are limited, this settlement having been engaged principally in 

 stock raising. The numerous bodies of wild cattle now running at large over this section of 

 country are the remains and offspring of domestic herds, now widely scattered and hunted by 

 Indians. 



The western side of the valley is precisely similar to its opposite, showing the same general 

 character of gravelly table-land. This leads by a gentle ascent to a low point in the dividing 

 ridge separating the valleys of San Bernardino and Aqua Prieto. 



A remarkable tower-shaped peak rises in the centre of this ridge, a short distance south of the 

 road, forming a conspicuous landmark. This ridge is seen to be composed of one or more of the 

 variable forms of volcanic products so often noticed heretofore ; the prevailing character is here 

 a reddish brown granitic mass. 



The descent on the opposite (western) side of the ridge to the alluvial bed of the Aqua Prieto 

 is over a long, tedious slope, the gravelly table-land giving place to extensive tracts of clay or 

 loam, supporting a patchy growth of coarse grass. The " Black Water" valley, at its lowest 

 depression at this point, contains no constant running stream, its course being mainly occupied 

 with low saline flats or rain-water pools. Extensive lagoons are said to occur in this valley a 

 short distance south of where the road crosses. 



The main tributary to this valley comes from the west, and is followed to its head on the line 

 of wagon-road. Its bed consists of a wide ravine, coursing through pebbly strata, variously 

 marked by the washings and drift deposits, caused by the occasional strong current derived 

 from local rains. At other times its bed is entirely dry. The timber growth along its borders 

 consists of hackberry and walnut. 



At its source there is a fine spring, issuing from ledges of stratified porphyritic rock, identical 

 in character with that noticed at the foot of the Guadalupe Pass. The stratification is inclined 

 to the northeast, and along the line of its tilted ledges the spring issue forms frequent pools of 

 limpid water. 



From this point we pass in a circuitous course to the southwest, winding among rocky spurs, 

 and thence passing up an upland valley, agreeably diversified with groves of live oak and 

 covered with luxuriant and nutritious mountain grasses. On this route we pass gradually to a 

 divide which leads, on its western aspect, to an eastern branch of the Upper San Pedro valley. 



The country here begins to assume most attractive features. To the north and west rise high 

 mountain ridges clothed with pine and oak groves ; the intervening country is everywhere car- 

 peted with fine grama grass, the nutritious quality of \\ hich is exhibited in the well-conditioned 

 character of the numerous wild horses and cattle that luxuriate over this favored region. Water 

 3 M 



