AND VISIT TO CASAS GRANDES. 363 
a 
The Casas Grandes River rises about a hundred 
miles N. W. from the city of Chihuahua, whence it 
flows in a course nearly north by the town and ruins 
of the same name, the towns of Barranca, Colorada, 
Correlitos, and Janos, and, after a course of 624 leagues, 
is discharged into Lake Guzman. It receives a tribu- 
tary nine miles north of Janos; a second one at that 
town, which bears its name; and a third about ten 
miles below the ruins called Temeivaca. Yet not- 
withstanding these tributaries and the large volume of 
water, it often dries up, and remains only in pools 
barely sufficient for the population and the herds of 
cattle which graze upon its banks. 
The valley here is about two miles in width, 
covered with luxuriant fields of grass, wheat, and 
corn. The river passing through its centre is marked 
by a line of gigantic cotton-woods, while in various 
detached spots are groups of the same. The acequias 
Which intersect the valley in every direction, are, 
like the river, lined with a thick growth of shrubbery. 
eyond the valley rises the plateau, which has a 
gradual ascent to a low range of hills about eight 
miles distant ; beyond which, with some miles of inter- 
their edifices on this plan, as every mark of a fortress is to be observed 
about it, being defended on one side by a lofty mountain, and the rest 
of it being defended by awall about seven feet thick; the foundations 
are still existing. In this fortress are stones as large as a mill-stone, to 
be seen: the beams of the roof are of pine, and well finished. In the 
centre of this vast fabric is a little mount, made on purpose, by what 
‘ppears, to keep guard on, and observe the enemy. There have been some 
ditches found in this place, and a variety of domestic utensils, earthen 
Pans, pots, jars, and little looking-glasses of it2/z (obsidian).— Clavige- : 
70's Mexico, P 
