Annual report upon explorations and surveys in the department of the Missouri . ng rapidly in width to 2,000 and 2,500 yards, which is exceeded be-low toward its mouth, making it a most valuable agricultural section. The highgrowth and abundance of sage and cacti are full proof of the fertility of the the immediate bottoms, the luxuriance of willow and a large variety of un-dergrowth, including wild oats and varied grasses between the cottonwoods fringingthe river, attest its richness. The bounding rocky walls of the valley have decreased in size but have becomevery attractive, a
Annual report upon explorations and surveys in the department of the Missouri . ng rapidly in width to 2,000 and 2,500 yards, which is exceeded be-low toward its mouth, making it a most valuable agricultural section. The highgrowth and abundance of sage and cacti are full proof of the fertility of the the immediate bottoms, the luxuriance of willow and a large variety of un-dergrowth, including wild oats and varied grasses between the cottonwoods fringingthe river, attest its richness. The bounding rocky walls of the valley have decreased in size but have becomevery attractive, and for some distance, chiefly upon the west side, they possess a sin-gular beauty. With funnel-shaped portions of the sides eroded, the rest of the outerwalls stand forth the frusta of huge pyramids and beautiful bas-reliefs from thewater-sculpture adorn the valley sides. The huge masses of the Upper Cretaceoushave disappeared, and underlying strata of shales, and lime, and sandstones are seen.(See figure.) Instead of the bright yellow above, beautiful bands stretch over the. Ou the Lower Animas. fronts of the pyramids, vari-colored and perfectly parallel, of yellow, bluish-gray, andother attractive hues. This lower valley of the Animas can be easily irrigated. It will produce immense?crops, and affords room for a large population. From its altitude and situation, itswinter climate is undoubtedly very fine; and but little snow, if any, can lie in thisvalley. Of all the land lying in the Lower Animas and Florida, the most barren and desolatesections are contained within the boundaries of the Indian reservation. The settlers were much scattered, and few had accomplished inore than the buildingof their cabins. In the aggregate were found upon the river about 250 head of horses,the cattle amounting to about 1,900, passing en route a herd of 700 sheep, belongingto Mexicans, here temporarily only. THE LA PLATA. The Rio de la Plata, or the River of Silver, derives its name from the mo
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