{ 26] 34 
éations the whole cultivated ground with the means of irrigation. ie 
quick this sandy, apparently sterile soil in the valley of the Rio del Norte 
is by affluence of water changed into the most fertile, is astonishing; and 
the granitic character of the surrounding mountains, whose decom 
parts are carried into the valley and form a portion of its soil, may have 
me influence upon it, as it is well known how pt decomposed granite, 
: and pinay Poconipoped feldspar, ne be tion; Aah oe its complete 
rai 
f 
cseratin for ‘levation above the sea since my excursion to the gold 
mines. The place at which I made the first observation again was about 
three a caites! north of Albuquerque, in a level plain about one mile east of 
the Rio del Norte, and it resulted in 4,813 feet elevation above the sea. 
Santa Fe I had found to be aidiated 7,047 feet. The usual road from 
there, by Agua Fria and Algodones, to Albuquerque , does not amount to 
more than 63 miles.’ In about two thirds of this distance the road descends 
towards: the fiver, and in the last third it leads along the river, through its 
é descent, therefore, from Santa Fe to the Rio del Norte (a dis- 
uae of about 40 miles on this road) must be very Fapid, as it amounts to 
t 2 
Sie. 17. —Weather and a amnproved to-day. We passed Albuquerque 
this morning and halted two miles beyond, at Sandival’s hacienda. We 
had taken the aprer eastern toad, which was very sandy, but drier. From 
here, advised so by Mexicans, we intended also to take a higher road, 
leading over the hills; but when we arrived in the evening at the height 
of the pute, after a good deal of trouble, the road some distance ahead was 
, racticable. We had to camp here in a eae plain, covered 
with artemis and similar shrubbery, but without gra 
18.—Commenced this morning with g retreat “ Saris val ’s hacien- 
das ‘and: travelled then on the usual road along the river three miles further 
before Se cups Some of the bil sew got again mired, and e 
ung any further. mp was close to the river, and on 4 
‘Some caravans erate to cross the river at Albuquerque, and 
recross it gain n ar Socorro, but we thought it best to continue alw: 
along the. left bank. The Rio del Norte is here about 100 yards wi 4 
sual, sandy, shallow, everywhere fordable and nowhere naviga- 
ne r canoes. In the river we saw an abundance of geese, 
KS, and velans the latter bird is very common all along the water. 
s and shells appear to be very searee. On = Leap er the in 
ind, as 
neretofore quite onally a few trees are seen 
West of the river rise » light hills, while a of it, i in Sn xhe distance of 10 
pte Tug! often of: granitic mountains ¢ confines the valley. Veg 
; water course, is poor, the soil ce cs saily and « 
recgies i ca of New Mexico most various kin 
but the swiftness 1 rakes t very difficult to eek 
