Be gg 
DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. 49 
mountains ; and, from one hundred and fifty-five observations, had a mean temperature of 
41°.4, with a maximum of 73°.3, and a minimum of 15°.* 
Upon the first of January we were at the highest point of our route, and during the month 
travelled to White Cliff creek. One hundred and twenty- six observations give for the mean 
temperature of January, in this region, 40° ; the maximum being 73°.9, and the minimum 21°, 
During the month of February clinicas were taken between White Cliff creek and the 
Mojave villages, in the valley of Rio Colorado. The mean temperature, from one hundred and 
seven observations, is 57°.4; the maximum is 80°, and the minimum 31°. 
Although, as may be perceived, a few of the early morning observations indicated a consid- 
erable degree of cold, the sun was always warm, creating a visible effect upon the snow whenever 
it appeared, 
In relation to this subject, I would refer to the hygrometrical tables of Appendix H, and also 
to the accompanying climatological map, with remarks prepared by L. Blodget, esq., from 
observations collected by the Smithsonian Institute, in connexion with those made during the 
survey. It will be perceived that the parallel of 35° is particularly favored by rain. The 
valley of the Canadian, the Zuñi region, the vicinity of the San Francisco mountains, and the 
Aquarius range have evidently a large supply of precipitated moisture. The arid regions between 
the Mississippi and the Pacific are here contracted to their narrowest limit. 
Rough estimate of the amount of woodland,t prairie, arable soil, &c., upon the belt of country 15 
miles in width upon each side of the line from Fort Smith to Rio Mojave. 
| | 
Section.. | Distance in 2 of sq. mile es | Character. 
| miles. n belt 30 miles | 
| wide | 
| | 
| | 
From Fort Smith to Shawneetown...... | 125 3,750 | Woodland, # — 3, 000 sq. miles. 
| | Cultivable soil, A ee 22,950 de. 
| | Prairie an =A pasture land, 1. — 937 do. 
| | Bodky Ils, dps dense cese c 5 do. 
From Shawneetown to head of Washita 185 5,550 | Woodland, 2 == 2,220 do. 
river. Cultivable soil, E. uisu == 2,220 do. 
Rocky h pm eu me nece uen 2 IS 06. 
rren, ATS de, 
Prairie d pasture land, 33 — 3,052 do. 
From head of pu river to mouth of 210 6, 300 Woodland, gy------------ > m do 
Tucumcari cree Cultivable soil, A = 420 do. 
Kë hills, * EE => XI0 do. 
= 2 do. 
aie and pasture land, $3 — 5,460 do. 
From mouth of Tucumcari to head of 70 2,100 Woodland, + zx 3420 de, 
Pajarito creek. Cultivable soil, 1........- = 420 do. 
; Rocky hills, TV uiua 210 do. 
Prairie and pasture land, 4, = Al 470 do. 
From head of Pajarito creek to Anton 35 1,050 Nondiand, AN = 105 do. 
Chico. Cultivable soil, 45.......- <= HK 
Rocky hills; 1............ ==. 3105 dö. 
Prairie and ‘pasture land, Ae — 735 do. 
* Upon one of the reconnoissances a lower temperature was noted. I have not the observations before me, but I think 
near the San Francisco mountains the thermometer read as low as 8° Fahrenhcit 
t In the term ““woodland'” are included all those portions of the country covered with trees useful for timber or fuel, 
** Prairie and pasture land” refers to plains, and slopes, and valleys, which are generally covered with grass, 
n 
