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Show 144 and a herd of goats is driven round and round nntil the surface is as firmly packed as possible; a circle of posts is then driven into the ground, and the whole is inclosed with ropes, on which are hung old bags or rags. Into the inclosure ten or fifteen marcs are introduced and driven around in a circle, the straw containing the grain having previously been spread out. In a very short time the grain is beaten out by their hoofs and is gathered into a heap, being afterward winnowed from the chaff when a sufficiently strong wind will admit of it. These thrashing- floors are called by the New Mexicans " era." Left Plaza del Alcalde August 14 for San Ildefonso, passing en route several small settlements. At Santa Cruz, left the main road and struck otf to the right, passing more settlements and a curiously isolated hill of volcanic origin. Saw very few birds on the road; but snakes and lizards were very abundant. After leaving the hill to the right we had our first view of the " bad lands" proper of San Ildefonso, crossed the Rio Grande, and camped in a small grove on the river near the Indian meadow. Professor Cope, who had preceded us, arrived during the evening, and reported valuable discoveries of fossils in our immediate vicinity. At this point the work of pale-ontological investigation commenced in good earnest. The bad lands of the neighborhood lie northeast from the village, some five or six miles distant, aud extend over a considerable area. The different deposits seem to lie in strata of several colors, the violet- green one affording most of the specimens. It is not necessary to recapitulate in this place the various interesting discoveries made here, as it has already been done by Professor Cope in his report. A great mauy specimens of fish were secured from the Rio Grande and adjoining pools, ( many of them new to science,) as well as large numbers of butterflies, beetles, and other insects, and reptiles were especially numerous, particularly E. marciana and E. ornata. A few mammals were taken, and humming- birds also. At this point we found undoubted evidence of the occurrence of the " Gila monster/' ( Helo derma suapectum,) although, owing to the negligence of one of our men, a very fine individual was permitted to escape. Much attention was paid here, as at Taos, to the habits, & c, of the Indians, and a vocabulary was obtained, as well as articles of clothing, pottery, and stone implements. Au ancient pueblo, situated on a mesa to the westward of the town, was visited, and excavations made to discover crania aud skeletons, but without success. Having received information of the existence of caves in the curious volcanic hill already alhided to, a visit was made, but nothing of interest was developed. Three caves were found, two of which had probably been excavated by persons digging for precious metals, and the other apparently was the veut- holo of an extinct volcano. The entrance to the latter is situated on the eastern side of the hill, probably 2,000 or 3,000 feet above the surrounding plain, and is a semicircular opening 10 feet high and 12 or 15 broad; it extends as a converging tunnel some 60 feet within the hill, descending by a slow gradient, the opening beiug finally closed by masses of stone and earth. It is said by the Indians to have been an ancient mine, but this statement is considered doubtful. It is to be regretted that time and limited means would not admit of a careful excavation. This hill appears to be formed entirely of basaltic lava, which fact would lead to the supposition that no precious metals could have been fouud. The Indians of this neighborhood were exceedingly friendly and generous, and our somewhat limited larder received many valuable additions in the shape of green corn, watermelons, and other edibles. While in the vicinity of San Ildefonso, Mr. Ainsworth, topographer, was engaged in the surrounding country, paying particular attention to the courses of the rivers Nam be, Tesnque, and Rio Grande, as well as of a number of smaller streams. In addition, the two roads leading to Santa F6 were both carefully meandered and measured. From our camp in this locality, Professor Cope and myself proceeded to Santa F « S, and through the kindness of Gen. Irvin J. Gregg, Eighth United States Cavalry, an arrangement was made by which Professor Cope could pay a visit to Algadones, some forty- live miles distant, for the purpose of viewing certain fossil remains. Nothing of sufficient value, however, was found to justify our moving camp from San Ildefonso to that place. At Santa Fe" we received every possible kindness from all the officers stationed there, as well as from citizens, and after securing a supply of rations a return to camp was made. The dmatinn of onr stay at San Ildefonso lasted until August 30, when we started for Abiqnin, in the valley of the Cbama, passing, en route, the Indian pueblo of Santa Clara and the towns of Cbama and Cuchilla, arriving at Abiquiu September 1. At this point a careful investigation was instituted to discover some beds of vertebrate fossils said to exist in the vicinity of Abiqniu Peak, but none were found. Having learned of the existence of a most interesting deposit in the vicinity of Gal-linas Creek, Mr. Shedd was dispatched to the town of El Rito to procure guides, with orders to join the party at Tierra Amarilla. Some interesting fish were fouud at Abiqniu, but birds and insects were very scarce. However, a most interesting discovery |