PREFACE. 
I sii piitian gs to the public an account of my explora- 
tions during the several years that I filled the place 
of Commissioner on the part of the United States, for 
the Survey of the Boundary between the United 
States and Mexico, I have endeavored as far as pos- 
sible to confine myself strictly to what is embraced in 
the title, viz., a Personal Narrative of Explorations 
and Incidents. 
: _ Having this idea constantly before me, I have | 
admitted only such digressions as seemed absolutely — 
| necessary for a full understanding of the subject. 
Short descriptions of the towns visited have been 
given, as well as general remarks on the country from 
time to time. So of the botany and zoology, I have 
-» endeavored to keep before the reader a correct idea 
of the character of the country throughout which oe 
