SANTA CRUZ. 297 
among the rocks; for scarcely a particle of soil could 
be seen. Below was the valley, its fields and acequias 
defined by the long lines of shrubbery and trees. The 
town is seen on the border of the plateau, where the 
desert begins, and stretches off to the east, to a high 
range of mountains about fifteen miles distant. In these 
mountains isa singular cliff of rocks resembling a huge 
castle. Like other mountain ranges, these take a 
south-easterly direction and extend nearly to the San 
Pedro. Directly south lies the valley of Santa Cruz, 
. presenting to the eye an agreeable contrast to the bar- 
ren mountains and the long line of desert on either 
side. 2 
The two men left on the desert to hunt up the 
missing animals arrived to-day. They went back to 
the Pimo villages, and found the pack-mules following 
the emigrants that we had met. . 
July 18th. I went out this morning and completed 
my sketch of the valley and town from the hill visited 
yesterday. The men were still at work on the wagons, 
to be completed by evening. I bought some sheep 
here at three dollars ahead, as our live stock was 
getting low. 
In the afternoon I called to take leave of General — 
Blanco, and at the same time examine a remarkable 
meteorite, which is used for an anvil in the blacksmith’s - 
shop. This mass resembles native iron, and weighs 
about six hundred pounds. -Its greatest length is five . 
feet. Its exterior is quite smooth, while the lower part 
Which projects from the larger leg is very jagged and 
rough. It was found about twenty miles distant 
towards Tubae, and about eight miles from the road, 
