122 



LIEUTENANT MICIILER's REPORT. 



chapparal cock^ siirronncls his antagonist^ while asleep, with a chain of cactus thorns; when the 

 preparations are all made the hird flutters over the head of the snate to arouse it to action ; the 

 latter, in its vain efforts to escape, is irritated to such a degree, hy running against the barrier 

 encompassing it_, that it ends its existence hy burying its fangs in its o\Yn body. 



From Sierra del Pozo Verde we moved on to Monument XIV, on the '' Sierra de la Union," 

 sixteen miles and a half from the last. The country between the two sierras was, as usual, a 

 broad plain ; but there is a great contrast betw^een the east and west portions ; the first seven 

 miles were exceedingly rich, and covered with a fine growth of mezijuitc grass and underbrush, 

 but the remainder of the distance was entirely bare of any kind of vegetation until we reached 

 the base of the mountains, where we found the usual growth of palo verde, palo de fierro, cacti, 

 &c. The bleached appearance of the soil, together with the excessive heat of the sun, reminded 

 us of the Colorado desert. 



The sierra is of igneous origin, with a considerable mixture of lime. Its western slope, 

 instead of having the arid and desolate appearance of the eastern one, was fresh and green. 

 Crossing it, we encamped at its base, near " Los Ojos de Yestas." 



The next monument, XIII, is placed at the point of intersection of the line and the road 

 made by the few wagons previously sent to Sonoyta, and not far distant from the " Papago 

 Ranchcria de Cobota." It is 11.8 miles from Monument XIV, and stands in a valley, limited 

 by the Sierra de la Union and the '' Cerritos de los Linderos." The boundary runs a few feet 

 south of a high peak of the former, and between two prominent horns of the latter, both posi- 

 tions making good natural points of reference. This valley resembles the last in every respect. 

 A deep gap in the mountain, near the Cerritos, affords a good pass, and the trail then goes out 

 upon a broad plain, bounded on the west by the "Sierra de la Xariz," (Mountain of the Xose.) 

 This plain is nearly level, and covered with low mezquite, and a few withered plants; its white 

 surface, perfectly destitute of grass or of any verdure, gives it a dismal appearance. There is 

 no water except in charcos, or ponds, filled by drainage after heavy rains. The same description 

 answers for the country west of the Sierra de la Nariz, in the prolongation of the line, until you 



strike the valley of Sonoyta. Monuments were erected along tliis portion of the boundary, as 

 follows : 



No. XII, on the east ridge of Sierra de la Nariz ; No. X, on the west ridge; and No. XI, on 

 the wagon road made by our supply train, passing along the narrow vallev between the two ; 

 from XllI to XII is 27.70 miles ; X'll to X, 4.3 miles. 



Tliese mountains are masses of black igneous rock, and difScult to clamber up. The eastern 

 slopes are gradual, but the western are perpendicular ledges. 



and a half north from the town of Sonovta. 



We found enramnpr] nf^Siv RnnnxrfQ +TiQ c-n 



X 



Their road 



had been a circuitous and a hard one. The sierras had proved disconnected, and running in 

 parallel ridges from northwest to southeast, with small valleys between them. Not being able 

 to pass wdth wagons through the rough gaps frequently occurring in the mountains, they 

 managed to wind round the bases, which are short and abrupt. A westerly course was pre- 

 served as much as the nature of tlie country would permit. Only a few small springs were 

 discovered, and but one large well, regularly walled in by the Indians at Cobota. Had it not 

 been for the heavy showers which fell almost every day, it would have been impossible for the 



