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Show 141 On Ute Creek, near the post, a number of fine specimens of trout ( Salmo pleuriticus) were obtained, and on the contiguous plain some lew lizards were found, among them the six- lined lizard, ( Cnemidophorus sex- lineatus,) and the Holbrookia maculaia. The line of march from Fort Garland was nearly due south to Taos, passing en route the flourishing settlements of Culebra, or " Snaketown," as it is commonly called, and Costilla, near which is the boundary- line between Colorado and New Mexico. South of Culebra, on the plains, were seen afew antelope, too wary, however, to be approached, and at different points numbers of prairie- dog villages were passed. Iostead of following the ordinary road, which turns westward from Culebra, one more to the eastward and seldom traveled was chosen, in order that the paleontologist might examine certain localities of geological interest. This road leads through an extremely fertile valley, bounded on the west by a mesa apparently of volcanic origin, over which we were obliged to pass to reach Costilla. A number of water- fowl were seen in the ponds of the valley, and hundreds of little squirrels ( Tamia quadrivittatus) had their homes in the broken and irregular fragments of black basaltic lava which covered the hill- sides. A large fox was also seen in this neighborhood, and on the mesa road the first rattlesnake ( Crolalus confluentus) was noticed. Costilla was reached July 31, and some exceedingly valuable fish of new species secured in a small pond near the town. Time did not admit of any stay at this point, and the march was continued to the southward, passing the villages of Lama, Colorado, and San Cristobal and Rito Houda, reaching Taos August 3. In advancing to the south the reptile fauna increased, and many valuable specimens were added to the collection, among them the collared lizard, ( Crotaphytus collaris,) Marey's garter- snake, ( Eniwnia marciana,) and E. radix, while the Phrynosoma were noticeable in large numbers. Birds were very scarce, only a few horned larks ( Ernw-phila cornuta) and ravens ( Corrus americanus) being seen. Iu the vicinity of Taos a stay of several days was made. Some little difficulty was here experienced in the selection of a camp, as the only available point affording pasture and water for the animals wax very near to the Indian pueblo, called San Fernando de Taos. However, through the friendly offices of Mr. Miiller, who deals largely with these Indians, we were finally permitted to select a desirable spot not far from the town. At no place, during the entire trip, were more valuable results attained thau here. The day following our arrival, Mr. Ainsworth, the topographer of the party, was dispatched on a side- trip to Laguna Negra, or Black Lake, erroneously marked as Elk Lake on most of the maps. He was directed to ascend the highest peak near the lake and fix its position accurately by triangulation. Witbin two days this task was accomplished, and the remainder of his time was spent in gathering topographical details in the Taos Creek basin. At the same time the other members of the party were not idle. Professor Cope, assisted by Mr. Shedd, made frequent excursions to the hills and mountains in the vicinity, examining the Pliocene deposits of fossils, and mauy interesting, if not new, species were discovered. These deposits are familiarly known as the " Santa Fc" marls," and are said to extend from the northward of Taos to at least fifty miles south of Santa Fo\ Particular attention was paid by myself to a study of the peculiarities of the Taos Indians, their customs, habits, language,' and habitations. A vocabulary of nseful words was secured, and many stone implements, supposed to be extremely old, were obtained, although apparently much valued as relics, the Indians stating that they have been handed down from generation to generation, and were made, as they believe, or at least imagine, during tlie time of Mootezuma. So much has already been written in regard to the construction of the Pueblo dwellings that a repetition is unnecessary ; but it may be mentioned that this village is typical of the better class of houses used by these interesting aborigines. We were surprised to find that in this pueblo, in lieu* of a single estufa or council- chamber only, as is usual in other pueblos, each headman had a private one of his own, there being five in all. For a small sum of money we were permitted to view the one appertaining to the capitan de la guerra or war- chief of the tribe. It was found to be a large circular chamber under ground, the entrance beiug through a small trap- door on top, surrounded by a circular stockade, containing numerous antlers of deer, and having a narrow opening which could readily be defended by a single warrior. Descending to the chamber by a ladder, it was found probably 25 or 30 feet in diameter, arched above, and about 20 feet high; around the wall, at a height of 2 feet from the ground, was a hard earthen bench. On the floor in the center was an oblong pit, 2 feet deep and nearly 3 feet long. In this, it JB said, the sacred fire is kept burning, and we were shown some live emtiers beneath the ashes. Behind the fire- pit is a sort of altar constructed of clay, in shape similar to the accompanying figure r- J~ l- I J the use of this it was impossible to ascertain. From a peculiarly sweet aromatic odor, which seemed to fill the atmosphere of the room, we inferred that probably in their rites sweet- smelling grasses or wood are nsed as incense. The war- chief informed ns that it should be considered a great favor to have been permitted to view the interior of this estufa, as such a favor was seldom shown to an American, and never to Mexicans. The government of these Indians, who appear to be ruled by no single individual, is |
