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Show 114 nar^ lino Range, flows across the valley, and disappears in the sand near the base of the San Jacinto Peak. Green " gallete " grass was found in the washes near Mule Spring Station. These washes also contain a plentiful supply of niesquite trees and a few willows. At Dos Palmas there is a little salt grass. Los Torros and Martinez are fertile spots in the desert. Here the water rises near the surface aud the soil remains moist the whole year, hence vegetation flourishes and the ground is eminently fit for cultivation. At these places and at Agua Caliente are found numerous Indian rancherias, occupied by the Coahuila Indians. These Indians cultivate small garden- plats and raise some grain and vegetables.' The temperature was high when we passed through the valley, and in the lower portions of it the heat was excessive, being about - the same as had been experienced on the Colorado River, although it was now the latter part of September. The atmosphere was also very dry, and the same hot, desiccating winds were encountered here. Portions of this valley bear unmistakable evidence of having been covered with water. The beach- line is very distinct just before reaching Dos Palmas, and also in the vicinity of Los Torros. Great quantities of shells are seen in a good state of preservation near this beach- line, which would seem to indicate that the time the lake existed was not very remote. After attaining the first summit from Ehrenberg a valley of considerable extent is seen to the west, which apparently has no outlet. This basin is not as low as that of the Coahuila Valley. ( On passing this summit on my second trip I ascended a high peak near the road. The view obtained from that point leads me to believe that toe valley referred to has a drainage to the river through a wide wash several miles above the Lagura.) SECOND EXPEDITION. By letter of instructions dated United States Engineer Office, Geographical Surveys West of the One Hundredth Meridian, Washingtou, D. C, January 19, 1876,1 wasdi* 1 rected to organize a party and proceed to Ehrenberg, on the Colorado River, thence down the western bank to the boundary, for the purpose of continuing tne investigation as to the feasibility of the diversion of the river for purposes of irrigation, and also to determine, if practicable, the approximate area of tne depression below the level of the sea. The middle route, via Temecula, was specified as the inward route from Fort Yuma to Los Angeles. ORGANIZATION. The party was organized as follows: 1 executive officer and field astronomer; 1 topographer; 1 assistant topographer; 1 meteorologist; 1 odometer recorder; 2 packers ; 1 cook ; 1 teamster; 2 enlisted men. Total, 11. Means of transportation were: 10 riding- mules; 7 pack- mules; 3 extra mules; 6teaoi-mules. Total, 26. One enlisted man, Sergeant Eugene Farnham, Company G, Twelfth Infantry, was left at Los Angeles as barometer observer duriug my absence. I will take occasion to remark here that he performed his specified duties to my entire satisfaction, recording the observations carefully and accurately. DESCRIPTION OP ROUTE. From Los Angeles City to Ehrenberg, Camp 14.- The party left Los Angeles February 13, and reached the Colorado River opposite Ehrenberg, Ariz., March 3. The outward route was the same as the inward route of last trip. Several changes had taken place since we previously passed over it. The Southern Pacific Railroad was no* finished as far as Whitewater Station, and the grading completed to a point opposite Indian Wells. Two stage- lines were running from the terminus of the railroad to / Ehrenberg, and thence through Arizona and New Mexico. Consequently the stations had been fitted up and wells and springs cleaned out, so that the supply of water was abundant. A few new wells had been dug and stations established by the new stag*' line, ( Wells'sExpress Company,) as at a point about half- way between Torros and Do* Palmas, and another 6 miles east of Mule Spring Station. A well was being dug<> a • the Chuckawalla Bench, between Canon Springs and Chuckawalla, with but little chance of striking water. The coup try appeared rather more sterile and forbidding than before, as the m**" quite trees had lost their leaves, and not a spear of green grass was to be seen between Whitewater and Ehrenberg. The temperature was. however, tolerably cool daring day, and the nightB were sometimes quite cold. Ice formed during the night at Whitewater, Chuckawalla, and one nigbt at Ehrenberg. The day we went from Canon Springs to Chuckawalla we had a drizzling rain, and this was accompanied by a co10-' pierciug wind on the high mesa near the divide. At Ehrenberg the river was found i be about 2 feet lower than it was at the time of our first visit. A long saod- bar was exposed between the ferry- landings, which rendered it necessary to tow the ferry- w** half a mile up stream before a crossing could be effected.) |