. Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean . o the basesof the ridges and peaks, which, from their peculiar and striking profiles, form pleasing andprominent landmarks, recognizable often from points one hundred miles distant. These j^lainsare smooth and unbroken by deep washes, and bare of timber, but yield a growth of rich grass,varieties of cactus, artemisia, larrea, and occasionally a dwarfish mesquite, with yucca and Spanishbayonet. Owing to their great extent, frequent and be
. Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean . o the basesof the ridges and peaks, which, from their peculiar and striking profiles, form pleasing andprominent landmarks, recognizable often from points one hundred miles distant. These j^lainsare smooth and unbroken by deep washes, and bare of timber, but yield a growth of rich grass,varieties of cactus, artemisia, larrea, and occasionally a dwarfish mesquite, with yucca and Spanishbayonet. Owing to their great extent, frequent and beautiful illustrations of mirage arewitnessed. Of the mountains, the most prominent are the Picacho de los Mimbres, Copper Mine andBurro mountains, on the north of the line, terminal spurs of the Rocky Mountains, whose foot-hills give out and are lost in the broad plains. On the south we have the Florida mountains—a distinct, lofty, prominent, and compact ridge,apparently on the prolongation of the axis of the Picacho de los Mimbres, but completely cut offfrom it by an open gaj) of eight miles. Beyond this mountain mass are several distinct peaks, and. -J < Q-,CD S< CD <; PSE- GO ^ FROM RIO GRANDE TO VALLE DEL SAUZ, 21 also a low chain of conical hills, Pyramid ridge, which is turned at its northern end by this lineof survey. Near the western limit of this division is found a continuous ridge of uniformmasses and sharp peaks, the most prominent of which has been styled El Peloncillo (sugar-loaf.)This rido-e forms the divide between the waters of the basin district from those of the Valle delSauz, which flow towards the Gila. Besides these several prominent features, there are othersless striking and secondary in their character. The Picacho of Mesilla, a sharp, conical peak,situated on the margin of the mesa, a short distance above the town of the same name. To thewest of this, and north of the line, are several low terraces, whose surfaces are generally coveredwith a
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