by the
Mexicans in search of the treasures said to have been left
by the Jesuits when they were expelled by the Indians. In
one of these excavations I found a large quantity of human
bones, including a skull. From the formation of the latter,
and its thickness, it was undoubtedly that of an Indian.

"The questions that arise in contemplating these ruins are,
how was it possible for such a number of people not only to
exist, but to build a town of such superior construction at
a point which is now entirely destitute of water, and to
which water cannot be brought from any present source, the
nearest water being fifteen miles distant? what was their
occupation? and what has become of them?

"That this town was the abode of Jesuit [Franciscan?]
priests, and a tribe of Indians under their control, the
architecture of the buildings conclusively shows.

"That they were there for agricultural and pastoral purposes
I consider certain, from the fact that there are no
evidences of mines, or any mineral indications of any kind
in the surrounding country, and that the country, with the
single exception of the absence of water, is well adapted to
the mode of cultivation pursued and crops raised by the
Indians.

"That water was brought there from some distant point--and
distant it would have been--cannot be the case, as the face
of the country would have required the construction of
numerous aqueducts for its conveyance, remains of which
would be found at the present time; and why would a people
bring water a long distance for the purpose of working lands
no more valuable than such as could have been had at the
water?

"Where, then, did the inhabitants get the water necessary
for their subsistence? There are two arroyos between the
ruins and the Mesa Jumanes, within a mile of the town,
having well-defined watercourses, which might have
contained permanent water at the time that the town was
inhabited. Even at the present time, the drainage from these
arroyos furnishes water for a laguna some five miles below
that lasts during about one half the year. Again, springs
may have existed around the rise upon which the town is
situated that, from natural causes, have become dry.

"The phenomenon of the failures of water is no uncommon one
in this region, as is evidenced by the numerous vents where
the surrounding rocks show the action of runnin