DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. 
49 
mountains ; and, from one hundred and fifty-five observations, had a mean temperature of 
41°.4, with a maximum of 73°.3, and a minimum of 15°.* 
Upon the first of January we were at the highest point of our route, and during the month 
travelled to White Cliff creek. One hundred and twenty-six observations give for the mean 
temperature of January, in this region, 40° ; the maximum being 73°.9, and the minimum 21°. 
During the month of February observations were taken between White Cliff cr^ek and the 
Mojave villages, in the valley of Rio Colorado. The mean temperature, from one hundred and 
seven observations, is 57°.4 ; the maximum is 80°, and the minimum 31°. 
Although, as may he perceived, a few of the early morning observations indicated a consid¬ 
erable degree of cold, the sun was always warm, creating a visible effect upon the snow whenever 
it appeared. 
In relation to this subject, I would refer to the hygrometrical tables of Appendix H, and also 
to the accompanying climatological map, with remarks prepared by L. Blodget, esq., from 
observations collected by the Smithsonian Institute, in connexion with those made during the 
survey. It will he perceived that the parallel of 35° is particularly favored by rain. The 
valley of the Canadian, the Zuni region, the vicinity of the San Francisco mountains, and the 
Aquarius range have evidently a large supply of precipitated moisture. The arid regions between 
the Mississippi and the Pacific are here contracted to their narrowest limit. 
Rough estimate of the amount of woodland, f prairie , arable soil, dec., upon the belt of country 15 
miles in width upon each side of the line from Fort Smith to Rio Mojave. 
Section. 
Distance in 
No. of sq. miles 
Character. 
miles. 
in belt 30 miles 
wide. 
From Fort Smith to Shawn eetown _ 
125 
3, 750 
Woodland, § _ 
3, 000 
sq. miles, 
do. 
Cultivable soil, -fa _ 
— 
2, 250 
Prairie and pasture land, fa 
= 
’ 937 
do. 
Rocky hills, fa _ 
= 
375 
do. 
From Shawneetown to head of Washita 
185 
5,550 
Woodland, ^ _ 
_ 
2, 220 
do. 
river. 
Cultivable soil, §- _ 
_ 
1, 220 
do. 
Rocky hills, - 4 -\j_ 
— 
138 
do. 
Barren, -fa _ 
— 
138 
do. 
Prairie and pasture land, 
3,052 
do. 
From head of Washita river to mouth of 
210 
6, 300 
Woodland, fa _ 
— 
70 
do. 
Tucumcari creek. 
Cultivable soil, fa . 
— 
420 
do. 
Rocky hills, fa _ 
210 
do. 
Barren, fa .. 
—: 
210 
do. 
Prairie and pasture land, 
= 
5, 460 
do. 
From mouth of Tucumcari to head of 
70 
2, 100 
Woodland, r _ 
420 
do. 
Pajarito creek. 
Cultivable soil, 4 _ 
— 
420 
do. 
Rocky hills, iV- 
= 
210 
do. 
Prairie and pasture land, fa 
= 
1,470 
do. 
From head of Pajarito creek to Anton 
35 
1,050 
Woodland, ^. -. 
105 
do. 
Chico. 
Cultivable soil, fa. . 
—: 
35 
do. 
Rockv hills, t. 
— 
210 
do. 
Prairie and pasture land, fa 
735 
do. 
° Upon one of the reconnoissances a lower temperature was noted. I have not the observations before me, but I think 
near the San Francisco mountains the thermometer read as low as 8° Fahrenheit. 
fin the term “woodland” are included all those portions of the country covered with trees useful for timber or fuel. 
‘ 1 Prairie and pasture land’ ’ refers to plains, and slopes, and valleys, which are generally covered with grass. 
7 n 
