The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-10-22
A VEGETAL WONDERLAND EE
TIE RIO GRANDE RIVER.
Cacti Of Every Observation-Disclosures
Bile Uses Found for These Mon-
trosities of Plant Life-SoIne
Contain q Water Supply.


chappsral," its extent being from the
Nueces River of Texas to the nortA
front OF the eastern Sierra Madres OF
Mexico, and from the mouth Of the
Pecos or both sides Of the Rio Grande
nearly to the Gulf. It has been under
examination BY the geological survey
for the purpose OF finding water, and
many suitable localities for arteslao
wells have been discovered.
sThe region is unique" said MIR.
Robert T. Hill of the expedition. 'It
is wide, low-lying plain, through
which meanders in a sipaous course
the muddy Rio Grande. The country
is covered with o dusty desert soil, on
which grows the remarkable yegeta-
ton known as 'chappara'.' This vege.
tation embraces many species Of plants
that are known elsewhere il the world,
and each one Of them is armed with a
kind OF thorn appropriate for its pro-
tectioD. Hero those vegetal freaks,
the cscti, assume an astonishing var
iety of strange forms, every ore OF
them bristling with defensive weapons,
that run all the way from needles up
to the size Of bayonets. The cactus,
you know, is new type of plant on
the face Of the earth. There is reason
to believe that it did not exist an
ciently at all-anciently, that is to say,
from the geological point Of view.
The tendency to gradual drying up
OF the land surfaces of the globe hay
ing brought about desert conditions in
places, certain plants have adopted
modes Of growth suitable for the stor-
ing of water, At the same time their
leaves have become modified into
thorns, fer their protection against
animals. Though some Of them look
as if scarcely alive, they are found to
be Juicy enough when cut into, and
many Of them aye useful to man.
s'The chapparal, IN 3 general vey,
may be described as dense shrubby
vegetation, growing just about high
enough to obstruct the view of nan
on horseback. It might be said to be
made up Of series of thorny layers,
which combined render travel through
it extremely arduous and even pain
Iul. Under foot, close to the ground,
are innumerable cacti Of the 'pincush-
ion and Turks head species. They
bristle with keen and sharp thorns,
which easily penetrate the uppers of
o2es shoes. It you are thirsty, how
ever, you have only to batter in the
crown of one Of the Turks heads, and
inside Of it you will find a delicious
draught Of water cool and fresh.
Just above the piucushions, and
high enough to stick into the calves
Of the legs, come the needle-like
points of the Spanish dagger or
'ixtie.' This, too, has its usefulness,
being the great fiber-producing plant
Of Mexico. It is . small species of
aloe, its thick hlade.li|Se leaves termi-
mating n curved needles. Higher
again, so as to reach any point be-
tween the knee and shoulder Of the
traveller, IS the famous 'nopal.' Thi>
huge variety OF prickly pear is the
National plant Of Mexico, figuring in
the coat of arms of that country. The
design on one side OF the Mexican sill
YER dollar represents an eagle with q
snake in its break rising out Of no.
PAL bush. The fruit of this plant IS
pearshaped and nearly as big rs a
Bartlett pear, having deep oocbi.
neal color. In fact, it was from this
kind of cactus that the insects furnish
ing the cocnineal OF commerce used to
be obtained, before that product wu:
driven out of the market BY q coal.
tar substitute.
''Woe 10 the weary wayfarer who
on a bot summer day yields to temp.
tation and eats this inviting fruit. lie
will quickly find himself in q high
fever, which, though not lasting, is
unpleasant. The fiat leaves are III,
covered with long and keen needles,
while at the base Of each leaf is a
group Of smaller aud almost invisible
needles. The latter, however, ina1ct
wounds which are to be felt for days.
Higher yet, and above the shoulder
reaches the Spanish bayonet, a kind
of yucca. Standing in flower pot in
garden, this plant is handsome and
innocent ornament, but in the chap
paral its danger-ike points stab
through the clothing into the flesh.
f:Above, forming a dense mat over
the head Of the traveller, are the
thorny shrubs Of many species chief
ly the mesquite and its allies, such as
the 'huishache,' the 'guaxillo' and the