42

by the ancient trees and the luxuriant verdure that line the banks, and through the lapse of time they have assumed the character of natural drainage channels, so that it is almost impossible to believe that they were artificial works. The facts concerning the origin and present condition of these ditches were obtained mainly from Mr. Z. O.

Stocker, of San Antonio, who has made a thorough study of them, both from an interest in the subject and with a view to developing irrigation enterprises in the vicinity. A view of the river, illustrating its size and character, is given in Pl. IV.