CHAPTER III.
The Grand Canyon--Character of the Colorado River--The Water-Gods; Erosion and Corrosion--The Natives and their Highways--The "Green River Valley" of the Old Trappers--The Strange Vegetation and Some Singular Animals.
The stupendous chasm known as the Grand Canyon, discovered by Cardenas in the autumn of 1540, is the most remarkable feature of this extraordinary river, and at the same time is one of the marvels of the world.

Though discovered so long ago that we make friends with the conquistadores when we approach its history, it remained, with the other canyons of the river, a problem for 329 years thereafter, that is, till 1869.

Discovery does not mean knowledge, and knowledge does not mean publicity.

In the case of this gorge, with its immense length and countless tributary chasms, the view Cardenas obtained was akin to a dog's discovery of the moon.

It has practically been several times re-discovered.