BOTANY. 
3 
The whole of this region from Fort Smith to Valley river is eminently calculated to sustain 
a large population. Although the soil itself, probably, is not as rich as that of Arkansas, yet 
the ease of raising stock, for which few other countries are better adapted, and the exemption 
from sickness, will greatly counterbalance this difference. Water, in most places, will be found 
abundant for all agricultural purposes. In some places, however, especially on the head-waters 
of the Washita and Red rivers, it is quite brackish, being impregnated with the salts of 
lime and magnesia, but not sufficiently so to prevent it from being used for domestic purposes. 
Should a purer kind be required for railroad uses, I presume it can be obtained from the Canadian, 
which appears to be much more free from mineral impregnation. 
Section III. Llano Estacado. —It would seem proper to include in this region the space on 
our route between Valley river and Fossil creek, near Tucumcari hills. This is a dry, and 
generally timberless tract of country, extending over a distance of about one hundred and ninety 
miles. Over this region, and the western portions of the last, immense herds of buffaloes 
range at certain seasons of the year, but they evidently make no prolonged stay here ; passing 
from the waters of the Arkansas and Canadian rivers, south, to those of Red river and its trib-‘ 
utaries, and thence back again. If not in these days, they formerly ranged south as far as the 
waters of the Brazos, Colorado, and other Texan rivers, where there are vast hunting grounds 
for the great Comanche and Kioway tribes of Indians. The noble wild animal upon which 
these red men of the plains mainly subsist is already becoming greatly diminished in num¬ 
bers, by the restraints of the settlements, and by the military occupancy of their grounds. 
Certainly the manifest destiny of the Indian is to disappear from the face of the earth, and 
become extinct, unless he conform to the usages and habits of civilized life, which at present 
seems quite improbable. 
Along the banks of arroyos, or dry creeks, may be found a few alamos ; and under the 
northern and eastern bluffs of the Llano Estacado, and detached surrounding hills, may be found 
Pihon pine, (Pinus edulis,) and two kinds of cedars. They are, probably, too much stunted and 
shattered by the prevailing winds to form very useful timbers. It is to be remarked, that the 
wind blows with tremendous force over these immense denuded plains, and this, we have reason 
to believe, is one great cause of the destitution of timber in this region. In confirmation of 
this opinion is the fact, that wherever the least shelter by a bluff or rock is afforded, the modest 
cedar will rear its head, thankful, as it were, for this partial protection. The stature of the 
tree appears to be limited to the height and amount of shelter it thus receives. The timber 
that may be needed for railroad purposes here, will have to be supplied from other districts 
each way, probably from the Indian territory on the east, and the mountains of the Pecos and 
Rio Grande on the west, where timber of excellent quality abounds, and from whence it can 
be easily procured. 
Although grass is abundant, yet the scarcity of water will greatly lessen its value as an agri¬ 
cultural district. Very little of this indispensable element is to be found, except along the 
course of the larger rivers. However, during the more moist seasons of the year, sheep can be 
grazed, without doubt, over large tracts of this district; as in New Mexico they are driven, 
herded, and grazed, hundreds of miles from their usual places of abode. Sheep can be grazed 
a much greater distance from water than cattle or horses. So that when the country between the 
Eastern States and New Mexico comes to be settled, the difficulties from the depredation of 
Indians obviated, and security established, this country may prove highly valuable for grazing 
purposes. 
This is more emphatically the region of cacti than the one just left on the east. The singular 
and rather pretty, but formidable Opuntia arborescens, described by Dr. Engelmann, is first 
found here. It extends west as far as Zuhi, and in southern Texas as low as Presidio del Norte. 
In this region were found several new and undescribed species, which will be described in 
another and more appropriate form. The pihon, or nut pine of New Mexico, here first makes 
its appearance, and is presumed to be its eastern limit, extending west as far as the Sierra 
