Arizona republican., 1895-12-12
ARIZOUA'S Ds SBRP FLORA The Various Varieties
 of Cactus.
PriCk!y and Forbidding, Yet
 Often Useful.
The Great SaGuaro. the Prickly Pear and Others of Their
 Class.
Dr. J. A. Munk in the Califor-

LII. J. t1 III iUllC SdlIUl- nia Medical Journal: Much of the vegetation that is indigenous to the southwest is unique and in the aggregate, can be seen at it's best in the Gila valley of southern Arzona. The locality designated is in the arid belt, and is exceptionally hot and dry. Under such conditions it is only natural to infer that all plant life must neces- sarily be scant and stunted in growth; but such is not the fact On the con trary plam,s that are native to the so:i and adapted to the climate thrive lux uriantly, are remarkably succulent and perenially green. How they acquire so much sap amidst the surrounding siccity is ineXplicable, unless it be that they possess the function of condens- ing and absorbing moisture in an un- usual degree. It is, however, wise provision of nature to guard against famine in droughty land, by furnish ing in an acceptable form, Ie reshiIg juice and nutritious pulp to supply the pressing wants of hungry and thirsty man and beast in time of need.
 Another peculiarity of these plants is that they are acanaceous- covered with thorns and prick!es Spikes of all sorts and sizes bris.le everywhere and silently admonish the uninitiated tel- derfoot to beware Guarded by sn i'm penetrable armor they defy encroach- mant, and successfully repe. a undue fam 'liarity. To be mpaled on some Of these daggers would mt on'y mean pa nful but serious injury. But how ever formidable and f01b dding their appearance they are nevertheless at tractive, and possess some value, either med cinal, commerc al Or Ornamen al.
 The Maguey (Agave Amer;can9 is is the most abundant and wid dely dis | tributed Of the native plants It is commonly known 2s mescal, but IS sometimes called 'ENe Century plant from the mistaken no ion that t blos- sons on,y once in a hundred years. Its average life under normal c2ndit.ols is about ten years and i. d e5 immed : ately Ter blossomirg.
 1 It attains its grla Sza m the in ter.or of Mexico where it is extensively cultivated. It yields large amount of sap which by a process of fermentation is converted into liquor called pulque that tastes best while rew, and is c n- l lace PulQue trains are run daily from the mescal plantat;ons, into the cities to supply the ,biOulous :nhab. tan W tn their customary beverage. In strength and effect it resembles beer, and $ he popular drink with a.. classes through out Mexico, where it has been in vOgua for centuries, and $ esteemed 9s ''ile only drink fit for thirsty angels and men,
 The Agave has many uses end under the old dispensation of Indian suprem- acy furn shed the natives With the'r principal subsistence. Its juice is vnr- iously prepared ard IS served 9s milk, honey, vinegar, b:er and brandy From it's tough fiber are made shoes, clothes, rope, thread and paper. The strong flower stalk is used in bu ld:ng houses and the l ayes for covering them
 The root is rich in nutriment and re- semb,es baked pumpkin when roes ed. It is greatly prized by the Apaches who use it extensively for food, and usually, constitutes the bulk of their commis- sary when out on the warpa+h. A mes cal bake is an important event with the Apache tribes as it is an occas.on for the gathering Of the c,ars, and time of much leasing and festivity. Old abandoned mescal pits are mum arous in some secluded corners of the Apache country that were once the scenes of noisy activity but are at present for saken and silent.
 The fiery mescal 8 distilled liquor that is known to ;he trade as aguar- diente or Mexican brandy, is much stronger than pu.que and fortunately, also less used. Both liquors are reput- ed to be medicinal and possess stimuli ant and tonic properties.
 A rare variety of the plant called Button Mescal" is found in the Ro Grsnde valley which is a powerful mar cotic, and is now being investigated by the agricultural department at WasI- i- gton, D. e.
 Next 10 the mescal in abundance is the Yucca, of which there are several varieties. The palm Yucca Yucca an- gutifolia) is the most common, ard un- der favorable conditions attains he prop0rt' ons of a good S d tree.
 The finest specimens lrow on the Mojave desert in California where they are sufficiently large and numerous to form a struggling forest. The stem consists Of a light, spongy wool that either grows single CT divides into two or mora branches. Each branch is crowned by tuft of long slender leaves that oToW in pnDfpn re cira1pc