- remains of former settlements in br 
but muck fewer in number than above. ine miles from camp 
- a spur of mountains of an altered silicious sand-stone came in from 
es ay 
mounted to the table land, and at 123 o’clock .stopped to graze 
our horses at alittle patch of dried spear grass. Leaving this, the 
ground, as far as the eye could reach, was strewed with the black, 
shining, well rounded pebbles. The larrea even was scarcely seen, 
and dreariness seemed to mantle the earth. The arroyo by which 
we descended to the river was cut from a bed of reddish pebbles 20 
or 30 feet deep, and as we neared the river they were soldered to- 
gether in a conglomerate of which lime was the cement. 
_ We saw to-day on the rocks, other rude carvings of the Indians, 
but their modern date was apparent. 
To-day there was a dead calm, about meridian intensely hot, and 
the dust rose in volumes as our party advanced. 
We found the river spread over a greater surface, about 100 
yards wide, and flowing gently along over a sandy bottom, the 
banks fringed With cane, willow, and myrtle. 
Last night I took an involuntary plunge into it, for my mule 
sunk in a quick sand, while I was searching fora place to cross my 
party. To-night I took a swim, but found the waters disagreeably 
cold. 
The chain of broken hills still continued on the north side, and 
when near our camp of this date, circled in-an amphitheatre, with - 
its arch to the north. The basaltic columns, rising into the shape 
of spires, domes, and towers, gave it the apperanée, as we ap- 
proached, of a vast city on the hills. The distance of the crown 
of this amphitheatre, determined by angulation, is 
Francisco informs me, that against its north base the Colorado 
strikes. So at this point, which is about six miles below our camp 
of this date, the Gila and Colorado must be near together. The 
hills and mountains appeared entirely destitute of vegetation, and 
on the plains could be seen, only at long intervals, a. few stunte 
tufts of larrea Mexicana, and wild wormwood, artemisia cana. 
November 19.—The table lands were the same as those des- 
_cribed yesterday, but the valley widens gradually, and for most of 
the way is six or eight miles wide, and the soil excellent. Some 
Men pottery, corn grinders, &c.3 
The pools in the old bed 
and all night the swan, 
ell bis 
en, Mel 
miles, and” 
