TO HORSE-HEAD CROSSING. 
75 
The mezquit {Algarobia glandulosd) is an important 
tree in this region, and is mentioned by various tra- 
vellers as mezkeet, musquit, muckeet, &c.; it belongs to 
the same natural family as our locust, which it very 
much resembles in appearance. The foliage is more 
delicate than that of the locust. The wood is hard, 
fine-grained, and susceptible of a high polish; and 
were it not difficult to obtain it sufficiently large and 
straight, it would be much sought after for cabinet 
making purposes. The tree seems to suffer from the 
attacks of insects in a similar manner with the locust. 
The mezquit bears a long and narrow pod, which, 
when ripe, is filled with a highly saccharine pulp. 
Horses and mules are exceedingly fond of these, and 
will often leave their corn for a feed of the mezquit 
beans. Its great value is for fuel, for which purpose 
it is not surpassed by any of our northern woods. 
Where the prairies are frequently burned over, the tree 
is reduced to a shrubby state, a great number of small 
branches proceeding from one root, which goes on 
developing and attains a great size, though the portion 
above ground may not be more than four or five feet 
high. These roots, dug up and dried, are highly 
prized for fire-wood, and form, when thoroughly ignited, 
a bed of lasting coals, much like those from the hickory 
of the North. 
The water of Antelope Creek is clear and sweet. 
Large oaks and pecans grow upon its banks, from the 
latter of which we gathered a quantity of its excellent 
nuts. To the north, saw ranges of mountains far 
beyond the Concho, a broad plain intervening. To 
the south were hills within a few miles, quite barren in 
