66 
Iv^SL-V 1 
surrounding earth with our knives, we were fortunate 
enough to secure every bone belonging to this skeleton, 
and it has already arrived at Washington in good order 
and been presented to the Aimy Medical Museum. 
A further search in both “ arroyas” revealed more 
bodies, similarly buried, and we secured several; but 
in some cases the crania were wanting. Three or four 
skeletons of children were also discovered, but the 
bones were in such fragile condition as to crumble on 
exposure to the air, consequently we were unable to 
preserve them. 
In examining the anatomical peculiarities of the 
bones, we were struck with the very large capacity of 
the cranial vault as compared with the crania of the 
present Pueblo and other Indians, and the narrowness 
of the cheek bones, and the peculiarly attenuated and 
pointed chin. In two of the skulls the occiput was 
markedly flattened, whether artificially or not we 
could not surmise, and in some of the tibiae the spines 
were somewhat flatter than those of more recent In- 
dians. In all the skulls found the “ ossa triquetra” 
were numerous. This occurrence is common in most 
crania of Indians and Negroes which 1 have examined. 
The size and stature of the individuals during life was 
probably greater than that o^ the average aborigine or 
white of the present day, although the bones, though 
longer, were much slighter. 
We in vain endeavored to find out from the Indians 
living in the vicinity of Abiquin if they had any know- 
ledge or tradition regarding the town or burial places, 
but none of them seemed to know anything positive, 
saying, when questioned, that such towns had been 
built during the time of Moctezuma, and that even the 
oldest people never remember to have heard from their 
ancestors that living people had ever been seen there. 
There seems but little doubt that at one time this 
part of New Mexico was densely populated, as in the 
valley of the Chama we have undoubted evidence of the 
existence of the ruins of at least six or eight towns, 
which must have been sufficiently large from present 
indications to have contained a total population of 
two or three thousand. Gen. Simpson, in his valu- 
able report already noted, baa made mention of his dis- 
covery of quite a number of these ruins south of the 
Jemez range on the Rio Chama, a tributary of the Rio 
San Juan, the most interesting being called the Pueblo 
Pintado. This town, unlike those visited by our 
parties in the valley of the Chama, was built of com- 
pact reddish grey sandstone in tabular pieces. This 
town is stated by Hosta, Chief of the Pueblo of Jemez, 
to have been built by Montezuma and his people when 
they were on their way from the North towards the 
South; that after living here for a while they dispersed, 
some of them going east and settling on the Rio Grande, 
and others south into Old Mexico. It appears that the 
people must have been very numerous, if we consider 
how many of these towns they were able to build. A 
number of others were seen by Gen. Simpson, and our 
own parties have also visited a great number heretofore 
undisturbed, particularly those in the Rio San Juan, 
south and westward of Tierra Amanila. 
From none of the accounts given of these ruins have 
I have been able to discover that any human remains 
were found; in fact, it is not certain they have been 
sought for, and it is hoped that interesting discoveries in 
this regard may prove an incentive to further explora- 
tory work. It may be mentioned that we also excavated 
a number of pits in the vicinity of an ancient Pueblo 
near San Ildefonso, New Mexico, but failed to find any- 
thing to interest. This town had been built in a mesa 
overlooking the Rio Grande, and was somewhat similar 
in character to the one already disintei red. ‘ 
I should fail in showing my appreciation of favors 
conferred during the prosecution of this interesting ex- 
ploration, did I neglect to mention that I first heard of 
the Pueblo from Dr. Oscar Lowe, the chemist of Lieut. 
"Wheeler’s Expedition, who very kindly placed at my 
service the information he had acquired from Padre 
Salazar; and I should also state how ably and enthu- 
siastically I was seconded in my efloits to obtain the 
■keletonby Prof. E. D. Cope and Mr. R. H. Ainsworth, 
which latter gentleman unfortunately lost his life only 
three. days after he made the excavations, by the acciden- 
tal discharge of a revolver in his own hands. This fact 
is simply stated to show a curious concidence with the 
superstition of the Mexicans and Indians. At the 
Pueblo near San Ildefonso Mr. Ainsworth made the 
excavation for skeletons, I, myself, not being able to 
assist — being ill— and at this time he was warned by his 
Indian guide that those who disturbed the bones of the 
dead usually suffeied from ill luck, or perished 
violently. How truthfully this prediction was fulfilled 
is exemplified in his case. 
In giving a description of the discovery I have made 
no attempt to generalize, but trust that as experience 
accrues and further explorations are made, something 
may be found to throw additional light on the habits 
and customs of the New Mexican lost races. 
SNOW COVERED MOUNTAINS OF SOUTH 
DAGHESTAN'. 
For the Bod and Gun. 
BY L. L. MIR.VBEAU EBERLE. 
[COKCLCDED.] 
Ill every village, Becker had to give medical attend- 
ance. In Lesac he was solicited to cure diseases of 
the eye, in Krys, felons, and here they brought to him 
those affiicted with blindness, measles, cancer and all 
manner of maladies. He followed a man to the bed- 
side of his wife, whom he found covered with a beauti- 
fully-worked quilt. One man who wushed him to re- 
move a cancer from his lip, offered him as payment a 
large parti-colored, woolen covering, worth 15 roubles. 
A girl to whom he had given some peppermint, brought 
as the interpreter afterward related, a pair of woolen 
stockings; but the servants sent her away; telling her 
that the present was much too small for the “doctor.” 
During the night there was a terrible thunder-.storm. 
According to agreement they were to be furnished with 
horses early next morning, in order to continue their 
journey; but the Lesghiens tried to retard them, by not 
furnishing the requisite number of horses and saddles, 
expecting the interpreter to ride without a saddle. By 
friendly parley the travellers made no progress and so 
they were compelled to use threats and even to draw 
their weapons. They later learned in Kewush that the 
Chinaluches were deemed a treacherous tribe, who 
spoke a dialect not understood by the Lesghiens of 
other villages. At last at eleven o’clock, they pro- 
ceeded on their journey, without guide, through the 
same valley, which they had before traversed in order 
to reach Chinaluch. "tThile going through this part of 
it, the horses were nearly submerged in the mud, at 
times. Upon gaining high ground, they had an excit- 
ing fox-chase up the mountain. Striking a foot path, 
they followed it to ttie summit, then descending into 
beautiful, green pastures, where numerous oxen, sheep, 
asses, and horses found abundant pasturage and finally 
pulled up before a large, low hut on the foot of the 
Schach-Dagh, this being the only habitation in the 
neighborhood. Soon after the guide arrived on foot, 
wishing to return with his horses. Becker could not, 
of course, grant his wish, as it was impossible to pro- 
cure horses at the Schach-Dagh. He now reminded his 
interpreter of the 35 wersts, which they had expected 
to accomplish in a few hours from Kussarri to the 
Schach-Dagh; for which, instead, they consumed five 
days. During the two hours, which they spent here 
in order to give the horses rest and nourishment, Becker 
collected a great many plants and caught several butter- 
flies, among which was Arotit anocfierata. At four 
o’clock p M., they continued on over snow covered 
mountains, the cold wind from the summit, blowing in 
their faces and compelling Becker to put on more cloth- 
ing, and often to dismount, in order to warm his feet 
and hands, which had got benumbed with the cold. 
At 8 o’clock in the evening they reached Durush. This 
village lies 8,775 feet above the level of the sea and con- 
sists of more than 500 houses, built up along the base of 
the southern side of the Schalbus Dagh, (13,679 ft.) 
Opposite towers the Basardjusi, (14,722 ft.) which is also 
called Tsbasdalish Dagh, by the Kurushians. Several 
pieces of lead were b. ought to Becker here; which were 
said to have been found on the mountains in the vicinity. 
A wild mountain sheep with large horns (Steinbock?) 
called Tur by the Lesghiens, was said to frequent the 
mountains along with the chamois and the roe. M. 
Becker found several interesting beetles under stones, 
as Carabus Hollbergi, C. Staehlini, etc. The chief (Us- 
basha) whose guests they were, pointed out to them 
several varieties. Among the people we saw were two 
very old men. He found one of these patriarchs sitting 
in the centre of the room who received them very 
politely. He was said to be 150 years old, and Becker 
expressing doubts of the veracity of this statement, 
his children averred positively that he was over 140. 
"When Becker paid a visit to the other patriarch, he 
found him sitting in the same position as the former. 
He maintained that he was still older than the first, but 
he looked much younger. He was very lively in his 
conversation and his mind was perfectly clear. Becker 
asked him if he still retained any teeth, to which he re- 
plied “ No, I have lost all my teeth a great many years 
ago; but last year, one grew here in front,” showing the 
tooth, which had a healthy appearance. 
He related that 140 years previous, three Russian sol- 
diers (probably deserters) who belonged to the army of 
Peter the Great, came to Kurush, lived and died there. 
Becker inquired, “You treated them bad, no doubt?” 
“No,” he responded, “they showed us how to cut wheat 
at the roots, which we had always before cut at the 
heads; for that we would not treat them bad.” "With 
the cool, dry air, the regular way of living, without in- 
toxicating beverages, the exercise involved in the con- 
tinual ascending and descending of the mountains, and 
the exemplary morals, an old age, as above, seems quite 
possible. Morality is enforced by severe laws — both 
sexes paying the penalty of irregular conduct. A L«s- 
ghien in Kurush received a fearful caning because he 
had allowed his horses to stray over his boundary. In 
all the villages the men wear fur caps and a coat made 
of sheepskin, the sleeves of which reach to the ground. 
Everywhere, except at Kurush, they said that there had 
never been a “doctor” like him (Becker) with them. 
No other nation mixes with them; even the Jews, who 
are numerous on the foot of the Caucasus, do not settle 
in the mountains. Only a few traders they found in 
Krys, to which the interpreter called Becker’s attention 
with the words, “Even as far as this the accursed come.” 
The 13th of July, at 9 o’clock a. m., they left Ku- 
rush, descending continually. It was a clear day and 
they collected a great many plants. At 1 o’clock they 
reached Migrash ; where M. Becker dried and pressed 
the collected plants. At 6 p. m., they left Migrash, 
arriving at Mickindish at 8; where they passed the 
night. This place is situated on the Northern side of 
the Schalbus Dagh, and is said to contain 5,000 houses. 
A tax of 1 1-2 rubles (5 shillings English) must be paid 
by the owner of a house to the Russian government. 
The villagers had collected the blossoms of Pyrethrum 
carneum in large pots. The blossoms were very wet 
from long-continued exposure to the dew. As the well- 
known “Persian Insect Powder” is made from them, it 
is singular, that the poisonous properties are not des- 
troyed by the dampness. At 9 o’clock, on the morn- 
ing of the 14th, they mounted and rode to Achty. The 
heat here seemed intense and yet the thermometer enly 
stood 19° Reaumur in the shade. "While Becker was 
with the chief in Achty, a dwarf of about 40 years of 
age, came there, and complained that his two brothers 
only wanted to give him a very small part of his de- 
ceased father’s property; their only reason being that 
he was himself so very small I He naively remarked, 
that his small stature could not possibly make his heir- 
loom small. Becker dismissed his interpreter here, 
engaging instead a Lesghien, who contracted to take 
him to Kabir, next day, by the shortest road. He 
asked four rubles for two horses, (including the one 
he himself rode,) he did not, however, select the short- 
est route, directly across the mountains, but took a 
southerly course along the Samur, which they crossed 
by a fine bridge, lately built, to the left shore of the 
Samur, thence ascending by a very narrow path, which 
was sometimes cut in the rock and on which they con- 
tinued to ascend for hours. This path was so narrow 
that some Lesghiens who were descending the moun- 
tain, had to wait for over an hour after seeing them, at 
a wider spot, in order to let them pass. They had left 
Achty at nine o’clock, and would have reached Kabir 
by '"our p. m., had the guide taken the shortest road. 
At that time, the horses were climbing a steep mountain 
to the "W"e3t, toward the village of Guchar. At length 
at 8 p. M., they reached Kabir. At 6 p. m., of the 17th 
of July, Becker started on his final ride to Kasum 
Kent. On the same day at five p. m., he was again in 
the post-chaise, bowling along, with a fast team, over 
the road before traversed, reaching Derbend the follow- 
ing morning. 
Mb. Chables 8. Abill, of BsUimore, who has been hunting and 
fishing in Florida during the past winter, has sent word of the cap- 
ture alive, after an exciting chase of four hours, of a rattlesnake, 
eight feet long, with sixteen rattles, which would be equivalent to 
a growth of twenty years, and weighing twenty-five pounds. Mr. 
Abell had chloroform administered to his snakesbip, after which 
operation he was boxed in whisky, the object being to preserve him 
in a good state for presentation to the Maryland Academy ef Science 
at Baltimore. 
i 
