20 BOTANY. 



restraining force was required. It is known to be especially adapted to 

 this end, as is shown by actual trial on a large scale in an area further 

 north, but almost as dry. From Albuquerque across to Fort Wingate, 

 which is about one hundred miles and north of west, the face of the country 

 hardly improves. It is in the main a poorly watered, poorly timbered 

 region, with an altitude ranging between 5,100 feet and 7,000 feet. Here 

 and there a good spring occurs, or an occasional small stream puts in a 

 hesitating appearance — to rise to the surface, or sink below it, no one can 

 tell how often, before it strikes a larger main channel Until we reach 

 McArthy's ranch, west of Cuero, agriculture is out of the question. Small 

 bands of sheep may, and do find a living in the country adjacent the springs 

 and water-courses. From McArthy's ranch on to Wingate, the country 

 slowly improves, and in many places along the road, ground under culti- 

 vation testified to the capacity of the soil for production of the cereals. 

 The water is more or less alkaline, and some of the strongest springs are 

 notably so. In many of the spots (where in certain seasons the ground is 

 wet and then dries up), we found the usual saline efflorescences covering 

 the surface. Such places always had a more or less dense covering of the 

 so-called salt-grass of the West (Brizopyrum spicatum). This was eaten 

 by the burros, but neither horses nor mules could be induced to touch it, 

 except in instances of absolute want, and then it appeared to be not only 

 innutritious, but after a time absolutely hurtful. 



The western slope of the Valley of the Rio Grande from the northern 

 end of the Black Mesa leads upward into an elevated region, the lower por- 

 tions of which are cut up into tableland, i. e. mesas, separated by almost 

 impassable canons. Over these mesas, grass in moderate quantity is found. 

 Gaining elevation, however, as one goes west, the surface of the country 

 changes ; at 7,000 feet, it becomes mountainous. The timbered ridges have 

 well watered and grassy valleys between them. This continues southward 

 as far as Nacimiento. Here a change comes over the landscape, and thence 

 south to San Mateo we have to all intents and purposes a desert country. 

 At San Mateo, this more western strip joins on to the somewhat improved 

 belt of country I have described as commencing at McArthy's ranch, 

 and the two proceed southward, gradually improving, until at about 7,000 



