66 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



chilled and stopped in its course. In some 

 parts, it seemed as if the lava and scoria had 

 been in part decomposed; and in these, se- 

 veral species of aloes, yucca, dracinse, and 

 other strange and picturesque plants, were 

 thriving luxuriantly. In other places, thou- 

 sands of trunks of huge trees dead and 

 crumbling into dust, added still greater wild- 

 ness to this scene of desolation. 



Still farther on the left, the mountain of 

 Pines, of extraordinary size, and other moun- 

 tains covered with stunted oaks, served by 

 contrast to exhibit the picture of this tre- 

 mendous looking and savage region with 

 greater force. 



After travelling about four miles over this 

 bed of eruptive matter, which was constantly 

 varying in its features, we came suddenly 

 upon a clay and sandy soil, and soon after, to 

 the Indian village of Las Vegas, built with 

 planks and logs of wood, and covered with 



