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at widely separated points. There are several small ranges of sand hills and in some portions of the breaks the North Concho, Colorado and Brazos rivers a few detached peaks which serve as landmarks for the guidance of the traveller, but the general appearance of the country indicates an extensive plateau covered with a growth of dwarf mesquite bushes, considerable Spanish bayonet, and some grass.

(West of the Pecos) The same character of country observed on the Staked Plain extends beyond the Pecos river in a general northwesterly direction to the boundary line of unclear, west of the Guadaloupe mountains The surface is undulating with occasional alkali plains containing extensive Salt lakes having on this unclear inexhaustible deposits of pure rock salt chichis carted away by the mexicans in large quantities ands forms an article of considerable traffic among them. The soil for the most part over this region is composed of sand so strongly impregnated with alkali as to almost prohibit vegetation. There is good grazing for stock along the Pecos river but over the greater portion of the country, grass is poor and timber scarce. Water is formed here and there in pools, but as it is the result of surface drainage partakes?more or less of the constituents of the surrounding soil making it unpalatable and decidedly cathartic? in its action.

Fort Stockton is located on Commanche creek, a body