428 Bihliographical Notice. 



obtained from this remarkable formation," and which comprises 

 some rare Aralite, Sequoise, and Menispermites. 



Not the least interesting chapter in the book is one by Mr, W. 

 H. Jackson, on the curious traces of ancient human occupation 

 that are found along the cliff-sides and escarpments in the extreme 

 south-western portion of the Territory. Grouped or singly along 

 these slopes, some near the highest flood-level of the stream, others 

 at considerable elevations above it, are ruins of stone buildings of 

 various sizes and in various stages of decay. They are constructed 

 of stones about 4 inches square by 7 and 12 inches wide, cemented 

 with clay, and divided into rooms 8 or 10 feet square. Some were 

 of two stories, castle-like in form, and provided with squared win- 

 dows ; but, except abundant fragments of coarse pottery, no other 

 relics of these bygone races could be discovered among the ruins. 

 Their chief peculiarity is their situation. Generally high up on the 

 cliff-side, at the base of the more vertical portions, these buildings, 

 often enclosing the entrances to caves and fissures, though at other 

 times quite separated from the rock, are always difficult of access. 

 The inhabitants had evidently much to fear from hostile tribes ; and 

 the position of the buildings, coupled with the fact that they can be 

 at times with difficulty distinguished from the natural stone, indi- 

 cates that the ancient tribes had selected this inhospitable site for 

 the sake of security. But historj^ tells us that even this effort was 

 vain. Mr. Ingersoll, writing about the aboriginal races of Colorado, 

 asserts that originally they inhabited all the country as far west as 

 the head-waters of ihe 8an Juan, and lived peacefully, cultivating 

 with rude implements of stone and wood the fertile valleys of the 

 streams, where they pastured their flocks and herds. Eut about 

 1000 years ago their neighbours, the Utes, broke up these peaceful 

 encampments. Driven by slaughter and forays, they retired to the 

 more inaccessible fastnesses of South-west Colorado, and there dug 

 reservoirs and built the watch-towers, of which the relics only re- 

 main. And here they stood at bay ; but " their foes came, and 

 for one long month fought and were beaten back, and returned day 

 after day to the attack as merciless and inevitable as the tide. 

 Meanwhile the families of the defenders were evacuating and moving- 

 south ; and bravely did their protectors shield them till they were 

 all safely a hundred miles away. The besiegers were beaten back 

 and went away ; but the narrative tells us that the hollows of the 

 rocks were fllled to the brim with the mingled blood of conquerors 

 and conquered, and red veins of it ran down into the canon." The 

 Moquis of Arizona are their descendants. Even these desolate 

 •wilds tell a tale of human suffering and aggression that can 

 unfortunately find its parallel in every nation's history. 



A special Eeport on the Mollusca of the region, and Eeports on the 

 Topography and Geography, and a good index are also given. The 

 completeness of the volume, and the painstaking care with which a 

 work presenting no ordinary difficulties has been so successfully 

 performed, reflect the highest credit both on the Government that 

 directed its execution, and the able body of scientists to whom its 

 carryiiig out was intrusted. 



