38 



nearly all of a jet black color, and some poultry. The women wear 

 a long black gown of their own weaving, and the men variegated 

 blankets, also of home manufacture. They are a shambling, ill- 

 made race, with pleasant though homely faces, and are perfectly 

 peaceful and inoffensive. They seem to suffer little molestation from 

 more warlike tribes, which is due less to their own prowess than to 

 the natural defences of their towns, whose commanding position and 

 difficult approach afford security against both surprise and assault. 

 The progress they have made in agriculture and manufactures helps 

 to maintain their peaceful relations, Indians from all parts of New 

 Mexico and from Utah having recourse to them for blankets, and in 

 time of scarcity for provisions. Their unruly and powerful neigh- 

 bors, the Navajoes, sometimes commit depredations upon them, but 

 even with these an appearance of friendly intercourse is preserved. 

 A curious fact was noticed, and illustrative of certain peculiarities of 

 the Indian race, that the whole tribe do not speak the same language; 

 the individuals in some of the towns absolutely professing to be 

 unable to understand what is said by the residents of others. 



A large portion of the Navajo territory was traversed, but its in- 

 habitants have become so well known since the establishment of a 

 military post in their midst as to require no particular description. 



AGRICULTURAL VALUE OF THE COUNTRY EXPLORED. 



A discussion of the agricultural value of the region explored, or its 

 capability of sustaining a population would involve many considera- 

 tions — some of an intricate character, a fair exposition of which 

 would require a degree of detail much beyond the limits of the 

 present communication. A few general facts and conclusions only 

 can be stated. 



During the explorations all of the lands upon the Colorado, from 

 its mouth to the 36th parallel, and the greater portion of the region 

 along both the 35tli and 36th parallels, between the Colorado and 

 the Rio Grande, was traversed. Much of the country had been pre- 

 viously explored, and a considerable portion of it — particularly some 

 of the open valleys of the Great and Little Colorado rivers, and the 

 Navajo country, pronounced by excellent authorities a good agri- 

 cultural region — capable of a high degree of cultivation. Many facts 

 were noticed during the examinations that tended to confirm this 

 view, but certain unfavorable features were also apparent. Of the 

 valleys upon the Colorado that of the Mojave Indians, which borders 

 the 35th parallel, is by far the finest, and is perhaps the most pro- 

 mising looking region in the portion of New Mexico west of the Rio 

 Grande. It was visited in the season of spring, which in that cli- 

 mate is during the month t)f February. The atmosphere Avas inde- 

 scribably balmy and delicious. A pale transparent haze, of a pecu- 

 liar delicate blue, which all must have noticed who have bisen in this 

 valley, enveloped it with a softened glow. In brilliant contrast to 

 the dark and frowning mountains on either side were groves of trees, 

 with fresh and beautiful foliago. dotting the whole expanse of the 



