The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-08

ton on either side OF the ravine, and looking ove
the tiny sheet of water at our feet, every, ides
that had ever conceived of a primevaI forest
was more than realized. Here, In the form of an
elhpse, 10 an immense basin, extending towards
The north, as we have since ascertained, the dis
lance OF three miles, its longest diameter, while
from east to west 1t is hardly two miles, and SO per-
feet in its form, one can hardly believe that its
banks were not cut and carved 10 geometncal
line. The elevation that surrounds this vast am
phitheatIe is but thinly numbered, and Its green
and shining banks are plainly dscemible through
out its whole circumference, except where the
view is obstructed by number of conlcal hills,
that Use out OF the midst of this forest Jungle.
There are seven of these conical hills, visible
or left Of the ravine, five of them covered with
verdure to their SUBMITS, the other two ap.
pearing like barren rocks And the fact that
the five first named lie in direct line, and
first led us TO conjecture that possibly they
might be artificial structures. Our suspicion
was fully confirmed on finding that the two
barren ones, with the centre one of the
line of five, were also in line, and crossing the
other at right angles. AS we neared the point
that brought us IN range our curiosity was turned
to engagement at finding the nearest OF these bar
rem hills, though fourth OF a mile distant, TO be a
pyramid of stone, and the first ever seen in Ame-
RIGA, bearing in every respect the outline and ge-
neral appearance OF the Egyptian pyramid. Fully
satisfied Of the extent of the field now open before
US, we lost no time in returning TO our canoe and
transferring our eHtctS 10 the DoIueI OF the IOIest
lake, near where its outlet enters the gorge. A
description of tie singular beauties and peculiari
ties Of this little gem OF a lake, together with 4
thousand startling incidents that have occurred
during our passage hther, our meeting with nli-
merous bands of Apaches and Tejuas, with some
reflections on their utter barrenness Of all tradition
in relation to these records OF forgotten people,
together with numerous drawings and sketches,
illustrative OF events and objects, shall reserve
claim tor itself much Of superior dcton, will at
least possess the merit of truthful descriptions and
dellneations. This forest valley is hemmed In on
all sides by nearly level plain, that barely over
far and wide towards the north and east, (having
traversed it for miles in different dlrections), is
dotted here and there, with the traces Of edices,
in every conceivable shape and state Of preserva,
ton, from the massive front Of solid stone, some Of
them fifteen feet high, and pierced with openings
that were undoubtedly either windows or doors or
both, down TO the same unmeaning ridges OF loose
stones, that characterize the PLAIN already de.
scribed on the Island of Ignacio. Our first at
tempt to penetrate the forest, opposite one Of
the barren pyramids Descending into the valley
with axe and saw In hand, we cut our way through
tangled underbIush and fallen trees, and the tor
tucus trunks OF massive grape vines, which hav-
ing reared themselves aloft, and overtopped the
trees that gave them their support, had fallen with
them, only TO rear themselves again upon their
progeny, In this way forming network of vine
and verdure, that nothing but the edge of steel
could penetrate so that for yards together. we
barely made an opening sufficient TO admit the
passage of person in STOPPING posltion-at
length we reached the base OF this, not Egyptian,
but truly American pyramid.
Having personally visited, and being familiar
with the construction OF the Egyptian pyramid, l
can speak positively OF their almost exact SINH
larity- CT imposed Of large blocks of stone, nearly
three feet thick at the base OF the pyramid, and
from six to ten feet in length, placed one upon
another, and each successive lay er receding about
fifteen incbes-the only marked difference be-
ing. the apparent great age OF this, as compared
with those on the banks Of the Nile; many VI the
crtvices between the blocks OF the same layer
or course. beng more than foot wide; and
so generally are the upper edges worn away,
presenting round, rather than an angular corner,
that il is with difficulty their ascent made.
Examining tie other barren pyramid, we ind II
differing III only one respect from this; II Is evil
DENLY OF much later origin, for though the mate
rial and construction Is the same, neither the
edges Of the stones, nor the crevices between
them, present that time worn appearance as does
the one first described. Before attempting any exa-
mination OF the interior OF these pyramids, we de-
teImned on penetrating 10 the hill, or mountain,
in the centre Of the Forest for the nearer APP
preached, the more like mountain ii appeared
Two days Of incessant toll brought US to the foot
Of mighty temple, called by the Indians, Of every
tnbe In the vicinity, "Na-kago;" though IL seems
TO be applied by them TO the whole valley alike,
with every structure an IT, the meaning OF which,
In our language, is best conveyed by the word
mystery" OF, If more words than one be used,
ana applied 10 Inc WnOlc Naucy, tnen = dIlcy VI
Mystery" But when the Indian is called upon to
explain Its meaning, with great vehemence he In
varIably answers, Ma ha CO." or The place we
know nothing about." Ii would be in vain to at
tempt description, by language alone, OF this stu
pendous monument Of human labor; for, whether
viewed as a structure entirely the wsrk mems
hands, or as a natural mountain, terraced from
bottom 10 top, in either case, the grandeur of the
FL The beholder with establishment and admiration;
for not only does il cover more ground than any
IyrsmId in the known world, but IL Is incompara-
by higher, and being in the form Of cone, with
a spiral terrace winding around II from bottom to
tep, and covered II now is, and pro baby always
war, TO some extent, with verdure TO Its very sum
NIT, is far more beautiful than any square-based
plismid OF barren rock can be. IL must not be
supposed however, that II still stands In all It's orr
ginsl beauty, unscaihed by the bitngs Of time and
the couosion OF centuries; on the contrary, Its
prImeval beauties, like It's builders, are all gone,
but Its kullen grandeur and wild msenihcence re-
main and though time may often whet his scythe,
10 NOW this structure down, unless he changes
work with, calls 10 bis aid an earthquake, he
will find something for ages yet, In the valley OF
mystery, that will Turn its edge, An accurate
description Of IFS construction and dimensions VIII
be given when we shal have made more minute
examination Of this most remarkable and colossal
structure. Having visited the four other most
pr,mnent objects IN the valley, two on The north,
end two on the south Of this, we lind he open
before us, extensive, that It's very magnitude Is
almost discouTsgng. For, in addition TO the seven
in m.nse structures that form the principal feature
OF The valley, when viewed from the surrounding
heights or summit Of the plain, there are number
less objects OF startling interest to be met with
IN almost any direction we choose to cut
our way-broken columns Of stone, obehsks,
with monuments OF evev conceivable shape, many
OF ih,m covered with hieroglyphics, some almost
totally obliterated, while many remain as perfect
as could be desired, oil this vale wiih such a COM
plcaiion Of wonders. that TO a mind DESTROYS OF
knowing the whole history Of Its rise, its mighty
and unparalleled msgnificence, tie hna decline and
total ruin, il presents so vast held Tor study and
were not half so numerous they really are.
emitting everything like further description,
without the accompanying drawings, shall briefly
cay few words IN reference TO the time IN the
early history Of the world when this people had an
existence. No one will dispute the existence OF
the Egyptian pyrsmids no one will deny that,
through the interchangeable labors Of Champolon,
the hIeIoebp hics they present have been most
accurately decphered, and that what was once a
my seiy is now no longer such. Here, then, 10 the
come ciIng link heiMet the time of the final De.