(R. Davis) (1980)

Discusses animal life of California, including domestic and wild animals, birds, some insects, sea creatures, and plant life, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, trees. Also remarks on minerals. Generic, rather than scientific names are used. The author frequently made distinctions between species and described the qualities and use of almost all species listed. (J. Grusin) (1976)

Part of book five focuses on Ofm missionary activity in Texas. Includes its development, contacts with the Indians, Indian customs, religious practices, political system, conversions plus success of missionary activity. Also, remarks on animals, plants, and climate of the mission region. (J. Grusin) (1976)

Traces his journey northward to inspect presidios and local conditions. Some remarks on geography, Indians, and forts, as well as on plant and animal life, agriculture. He frequently listed which Indians lived in certain towns. Document is valuable for its placement of the tribes and bands. (J. Grusin) (1976)

Appears to be identical but incomplete copy of Altamira's lengthy description of Texas- its history, state of presidios, French-Spanish relations, etc. Precised already from Nacogdoches archives- See DRSW serial 4685. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Detailed description of geography of Texas (and north America in general, from Canada to isthmus of Panama) and its history including- discussion of French colonies, French-Indian relations; location/number of troops of Texas presidios; brief description Texas found, Flora; first explorers; Frenchmen in Texas; Spanish responses to French, military activities, including founding of missions, presidios; fertility of land and possibilities of trade with Vera Cruz via Bahia del Espiritu Santo; quality of presidial soldiers; French-Spanish relations. See also DRSW serial 4633. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Diario of marques de Aguayo expedition to Texas, including- preparations for trip and troops involved; wildlife, including turkeys, quail, rabbits, jackrabbits, deer, berrendos, o Cabras monteras; Indian exploitation of slat beds; recommendation that Bahia del Espiritu Santo be settled; exploitation of Mesquite by Indians; Flora of area, especially trees; characterization of Apache country as Lomeria; encounters with various Indian groups; reestablishment of missions; establishment Adaes presidio; destructive effect of storms on horseherd; establishment Bahia de Espiritu Santo (presidio), (bachiller) Juan de la Pena. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Review of colonization, missionization of Provincia de Texas from time of Alonso de Leon to 1716. Texas, Caodaches Indians described as mas politica in province, sowing many crops. Population of area estimated to be un million. Indian groups between Coahuila and the land of Texas Indians listed (See 201). Texas Indians belief in afterlife briefly described. Missionaries claimes that early soldiers set bad example for Texas Indians, mistreating them and stealing their women. Franciscan missionary efforts delineated. Texas disatisfaction with Spaniards, abandonment of missions in 1693 noted. French trade with Indians mentioned. Texas Indians had 11 pueblos, chocta (choctaw) Indians outside of Movila had 32, Nache Indians had 11. Flora, fauna, agriculture of eastern Texas described, where Indians caultibando la tierra con las quixadas de los benados. Indians live in wooden houses, sleep on raised beds and farm en Comun. Indian enemies of Texas- Apaches, Yojuanes, Cubipanes, Canas- noted. Absence of pulgue, otras bebidas, but presnece of Peyote among Texas Indians mentioned. Province continually described as very fertile. Indian use of wild fruits, walnuts, acorns noted. Lead mines near Texas Indians mentioned. Force of 60 soldiers needed for conquest, colonization of Texas, to be gathered from other presidios of Nueva Vizcaya. Apparently, fiscal doesn't think much of idea. Excellent summary of early Texas history, including Leon, Ramon entradas. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Documents concerning Ramon's entrada into Provincia de Texas to establish missions among Texas Indians. Included are both Ramon's diario and Franciscans' diario of expedition. Indians groups, agricultural products, geography, Flora, fauna of province noted. Numerous buffalo hunts mentioned. Ramon and Franciscans also both write informes to virrey concerning reasons for establishment of missions. Indian enemies as well as allies of Texas Indians mentioned. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Franciscans request at least 10 soldiers be sent to Bahia del Espiritu Santo, noting that Indians in area enemies of Europeans, and had killed French, English, Spanish and Dutch without ever being punished (7/19/1691). Military officials discuss whether expedition should press on to territory of Texas Indians or remain at Bahia (7/21/1691). Franciscan diario of trip from San Salvador mission in Coahuila to mission San Francisco de los Texas (5/16-8/20, 1691), noting- encounter with Indian groups- Mescales, Yoricas, Chomes, Machomes, Parachacas, Pamanes- living between Rio Grande, Rio Sabinos, all of who rely on buffalo, wild food gathering, none of whom hunt; difficulties traveling with livestock- cattle, goats, sheep- because of rivers in flood, poor pasturage, etc; Flora, fauna, geography, often giving Indian names for places; resources of Rio Nueces area, including many walnuts, buffalo, fish; arrival Indians, many different naciones to trade for tobacco, knives, rosaries, etc. (See 201); visit to Rancheria of payay Indians, nacion Muy grande, choma, Cibola, caynaaya Indians live along Rio Grande and are enemies of Apaches, who fight everyone except Salineros, Apaches described mui-Guerreros who fight with armed horses; chomas described as yndios que en el parraly y Nueva Mexico llaman jumanes, who hunt buffalo from source of Rio Guadalupe to land of Texas during warm time of year, returning to riverine homes during winter; arrival of ships from Veracruz at Espiritu Santo; friendly greeting by Texas Indians, who mourned death of one missionary, many others from unnamed enfermedad. Excellent information on Indians of southern, central, eastern Texas. (T. Sheridan) (1977)