* 
e ~ pige) 
in motion by three yoke of oxen, and carrying @ load, which on a better 
vehicle one animal could transport much faster and easier, and you will 
have an idea of this primitive i only known vehicle used i 
ern Mexico. ‘The present carrétas were loaded with maize, for which 
r. Speyer had sent to the nearest settlements; and our animals, somewhat 
pees by the journey, enjoyed for several days a teicose ston dinner, 
which the poor Mexican soldiers, whose only food was beans, seemed to 
envy them. A Ns and good road led us ee the afeciiben through moun- 
tains to our right and left, covered wit 
oil, grass, and water, are excellent; the surrounding moun 
an abemiied of pine, and wast the valley at the same time ff 
cold in the winter. Stock increases ne ey se nevertheless, t 
constantly exposed to the depredations of Aodintes We s tiie a sho 
time at the first settlement, belonging to Messrs. Smith and Wells. The 
house (quite a new sight to us since we had left Missouri) was built in the 
Mexican fashion of sun-dried Ione s-or adobes, and with a flat roof. Deli- 
eacies of milk, butter, and pie ote red to us, and of course not re- 
used. We marched about six yaslaw beyond Rio Mora, and encamped in 
the piain. 
we 25.—Made in the morning 12 miles as faras Gallinas creek. Half 
why? we had a beautiful view over the whole chain of mountains through 
which we have now to travel.. The descent on the left bank of the creek 
very steep. The bluffs here consist of a dark-bluish, shistose limestone, 
with fossils belonging fe ne cretaceous ssneseen About a mile from the’ 
creek the small town of las Vegas, or Gallinas, a village of 109 and 
odd houses, and poor’ au dirty: looking ‘aisbionil who cultivate some 
fields around town by means of irrigation, and raise some stock. The 
valley of Vegas is not so fertile as that of Mora, and more exposed to to the 
rigor of the winter. In the afternoon we passed through town and turned 
mediately into the mountains. Instead of overa high plain, we shall now- 
vel mostly in narrow valleys, and, through mountainous passes, sur- 
rounded by high precipitous rocks, so ca alled canons. Through such acafion 
we on that same afternoon. 'The steep rocks overtowering our 
bs aothetimes; consisted of a and silicious sandstone, red , white a 
grayish. ‘I'wo species of pine grow o ae Hagin 2 both of them wade 
scribed yet. ‘The one (Pinus brachypte Eng.) is the most common pine 
of New Mexico, andt t useful for immed ; the other (Pin edulis, King.) 
or so-called piton, oe in the cones seed of small nuts, that are roast 
and eaten. We encamped at the end of the cafion, ina cael valley, about 
five was from las egies our camp was on all sides sttrrounded by rocks. 
‘The grass brought out by the late rains is very fresh and tender, but had 
a disigealet bluish green color, probably the effect of light reflected from 
pine timber. Our night camp, as I understood afterwards, is the place 
where General Armija, in his late memorable campaign, had at first col 
lected his troops, with the intention to attack the Americans in the cafton. _ 
June 26.—Travelled in the morning through a mountainous and tim- 
bered country to Tecolote Abajo, a smatl At village of ae 30 houses, and 
‘some miles beyond it nall A coarse, con- 
glomerate sandstone prevailed hate: and pine and cedar fo all around. 
2 
