and scenery, a salubrious climate, productive soil, rich
mineral deposits and rare archaeological remains. It also has a
diversified fauna and flora. The peccary, Gila monster, tarantula,
centipede, scorpion and horned toad are specimens of its strange animal
life; and, the numerous species of cacti, yucca, maguey, palo verde and
mistletoe are samples of its curious vegetation. It is, indeed, the
scientist's Paradise where much valuable material can be found to
enrich almost every branch of natural science.

Hitherto its growth has been greatly retarded by its remote position in
Uncle Sam's domain; but, with the comparatively recent advent of the
railroad, the influx of capital and population, and the suppression of
the once dreaded and troublesome Apache, a new life has been awakened
that is destined to redeem the country from its ancient lethargy and
make it a land of promise to many home seekers and settlers.

When the Spaniards under Coronado first entered the land more than
three hundred and fifty years ago in search of the seven cities of
Cibola, they found upon the desert sufficient evidence of an extinct
race to prove that the land was once densely populated by an
agricultural and prosperous people. When or how the inhabitants
disappeared is unknown and may never be known. It is even in doubt who
they were, but, presumably, they were of the Aztec or Toltec race; or,
perhaps, of some civilization even more remote.

The Pueblo Indians are supposed to be their descendants, but, if so,
they were, when first found, as ignorant of their ancestors as they
were of their discoverers. When questioned as to the past they could
give no intelligent answer as to their antecedents, but claimed that
what the white man saw was the work of Montezuma. All that is known of
this ancient people is what the ruins show, as they left no written
record or even tradition of their life, unless it be some inscriptions
consisting of various hieroglyphics and pictographs that are found
painted upon the rocks, which undoubtedly have a meaning, but for lack
of interpretation remain a sealed book. The deep mystery in which they
are shrouded makes their history all the more interesting and gives
unlimited scope for speculation.

Arizona is a land that is full of history as well as mystery and
invites investigation. It has a fascination that every one feels who
crosses its border. Paradoxical as it may seem it is both the oldest
and