Ex. Doc. No. 41. 445 



"Ojo Vernal," where, I was informed, the grass was very scanty. 

 I went some distance up the creek at " Tacalote," and encamped 

 in a fine meadow of grass, close to some corn fields. Some of the 

 inhabitants came out, and said that I must not camp there, as my 

 mules would get into their corn fields, but upon my promising to 

 keep good watch over them, they agreed to let me remain. 



At this place they have a great many sheep and goats, the latter 

 are kept for their milk. These animals are watched all day by 

 the " pastores," and driven into the " corral" at night. 



1 here purchased some " miel," or molasses manufactured from 

 corn stalks, this process is very laborious; all night and day one 

 hears the pounding of their mauls, with which they bruise the corn 

 stalks, - • . 



In the evening a lad brought me some "melones" and " sandias," 

 musk melons and water melons, but they were so unripe that none 

 of us could eat them. The New Mexicans have a habit of pullino- 

 their fruit before it is ripe. ^ 



September 25.— The plants that occur are but a repetition of 

 those found in the Raton; the mountains are clad with the pine, the 

 cedar, and the " pinon;'? the common thistle occurs in great abund- 

 ance, and in the cornfields we find the cockle burr, "xanthium 

 strumarium," the sage (salvia azurea,) the sand burr, and various 

 species of the sunflower tribe. 



After we had marched six miles, w- reached a celebrated sprinjj 

 "Ojo Vernal." It lies at the foot of a very high bluff with'a flat 

 top. The water was indeed delightful, but there was no good grass 

 in the neighborhood. 



We stopped here a little while to taste of this Vlightful spring 

 and then proceeded seven miles further, to the villacre of " San 

 Miguel. This town is* embosomed by high rocky ridges, that rise 

 up in succession, until lost in aerial mists of distance. In the 

 centre of the town there is a'large church, whose front is flanked 

 by square towers, each containing several bells, and crowned with 



crosses. 



On the north side of the town flows the beautiful " Rio Pecos." 

 As I passed the river I noticed the women passing and repassino- 

 -with immense ollas or jars for carrying water, these they balanced 

 upon their heads, and this custom causes them to walk with oreat 

 dignity. Many of the young women had their faces hidden u°nder 

 a thick coat of whitewash, and many had bedizened their faces 

 with the juice of the poke berry. 



At one place there was a group of women busy washing clothts. 

 They were most of them clad in a single under garment, and waded* 

 in and out of the water without regarding the presence of an 

 " Americano." 



The river is three feet in depth, and from 16 to. 20 in width; 

 there 'is a rude bridge constructed here for the convenience of foot 

 passengers. 



As there were no pasture grounds near the village, I was forced 

 to buy "zacate" for my mules. 



September 26. — This morning we passed through the village of 



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