Chap. III. EAGLE MOUNTAINS AND EAGLE SPRINGS. 467 
strata appears, consisting of micaceous slate, choritic slate, 
hornblende slate, and stratified serpentine, and covers the 
summit of the pass. In these strata are found masses 
of copper pyrites, malachite, and octahedric loadstone, 
and I believe a search for veins of ore might be well 
rewarded. 
At the point where the road descends to the lower plain, 
behind which the " Eagle Mountains" rise, the declivities 
of the hills are covered with a scattered forest of yucca- 
trees, which imparts a singular and interesting character to 
the landscape. The " Eagle Springs " lie not far from the 
road, at the foot of the mountains. A thin forest of very 
old yuccas grows around them, looking almost like a 
forest of palm-trees. I have nowhere seen larger or more 
numerous yucca-trees ; but this species is not remarkable 
for the size of its flower-stalks. At sunset, when the thick 
old stems and their radiating crowns were surrounded with 
a net of light, they formed a wonderful scene. A black 
pointed mountain stood out clearly among the foliage 
against the bright horizon. 
The " Eagle Springs " yield a sufficient quantity of water 
to satisfy the wants of several caravans, succeeding one 
another, even in the dry season ; but it is necessary always 
to husband carefully the supply of water. The locality is 
only a few miles distant from the Rio Grande, but the river 
appears to be inaccessible, the road running for thirty-three 
miles over a desert without water, until at length it reaches 
the shore of the river. Along this road we again passed 
hundreds of oxen perishing from thirst, which had been 
left behind by caravans and transports that had preceded 
us. Many died in sight of the river, which they were 
unable to reach ; and others in its waters, or in the quick- 
sands in its bed. 
2 h 2 
