TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859
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The principal rivers in their country are the head-waters of the Brazos, Colorado, and Red Rivers; all emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. There are no lakes known, but there are large springs, affording great water-power on the heads of the prin- cipal rivers. The surface of the country is generally hilly, whiclt is sterile; but there are many beautiful valleys, abounding in vegetation, and susceptible of the highest cultivation. Wood is scarce, but a sufficiency for future settlers. The prairies are covered with a species of grass, called, by the whites and Mexi- cans, "musquite," which is highly nutritious. The constant firing of the prairies checks the increase of timber, and visibly impoverishes the soil. There are no marshes or swamps of any extent in the country, and the only obstacle to roads is the rocks, through which passes can be found with little difficulty. No volcanic eruptions exist at the present. time, and no signs of any at a former period, as far as has yet been discovered. The climate is usually very dry. The heat of the weather varies greatly; changing with a rapidity unknown in any other latitude, the thermometer frequently descending from 65" to 45° in the space of a few minutes. This is in consequence of a wind suddenly arising, termed, by the Texians, "Northers." The south and southwest winds generally prevail. The country is subject to severe thunder-storms, accompanied by violent rains, which fill the streams to overflowing. There are several valuable salt springs, from which salt can be easily manufactured. There are evidences of stone-coal and many valuable mineral produc- tions, but hitherto, the country being dangerous of access, no white person is acquainted with the exact localities or the prob- able richness of the mines. Some silver and lead mines, sup- posed to be exceedingly valuable, have lately been discovered. There are no Indian traditions or evidences of larger animals having previously lived in the world. Their old men are igno- rant, except from their imperfect traditions, of everything that transpired previous to their own generation. They cannot rec- ollect how long since they used utensils of stone, or, if they ever did, what was their shape or use. There are none remaining among them at present. They believe the earth is stationary, and that the stars are inhabited, but have no idea of their move- ments. When an eclipse occurs, they suppose that some planet has intervened between the earth and the sun. They have no computation of time _beyond the seasons. They count them by
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