188 FORT YUMA 
vated about forty feet above it. The vegetation con- 
sisted of mezquit and palo verde. 
After journeying about six miles, we overtook Lieu- 
tenant Whipple with the surveying party, and agreed 
to encamp together six miles further ahead. We pro- 
ceeded to the point fixed on, which we reached at 11 
o’clock and pitched our tents, having made but twelve 
miles. The bottom-land continued narrow, the desert 
approaching quite near on both sides of the river. 
There was no grass; but with cane and mezquit, our 
mules did very well. 
On the northern side of the river, arose a mountain 
chain about twelve miles distant, presenting a con 
tinuation of fantastic summits, among which were three 
resembling the tops of Hindu pagodas. I took a sketch 
of these singular mountains; although at sucha dis- 
tance, but little more than the outlines could be dis- 
cerned. 
‘To-day, for the first time since leaving Fort Yuma, 
we again encountered our friend the petahaya, or Giant 
Cereus, which we had met with the preceding Septem 
ber in Sonora; and much to our delight, we foundit in 
bloom. The fruit, too, appeared in various stages of 
perfection. As no full and correct description has y et 
been given to the world of this extraordinary produc: 
tion of the vegetable kingdom, and as I had the advan 
tage of seeing it at different periods of the year, in flowe 
as well as in fruit, I shall endeavor to give a popwa 
account of it. The buds, flowers, fruit, seed, &c., were 
collected by Mr. George Thurber, Botanist to the Co™ 
mission ; and by him a scientific description of it will 
be prepared, with the aid of a distinguished botanist 
