The record-union., 1895-09-28
A TH0RNY WONDERLAND.
Plant Freaks With Bayonets in d
Texas Desert.
Cactus Monstrosities I'm q Land o.
Snakes, Bugs and a New Kind
of Game Animal.

turned from the exploration of q vegetal
wonderland. 1t is region totally unlike
any other part of the United States-the
home Of those monstrosities of plant life
called cacti. The country is known as
the desert Of the Chaparral," its extent
being from the Nueces River of Texas TO
the north front of the Eastern Sierra
Madres of Mexico, and from the mouth
of the Pecos on both sides of the Rio
Grande nearly to the Gulf.
The region is unique" said Robert T.
Hill. member of the expedition. ut is
wide. low-lying plain, through which
meanders in sinuous course the muddy
Rio Grande. The country is covered
with dusty desert soil in which grows
the remarkable vegetation known as
'chaparral.' This vegetation embraces
many species of plants that are unknown
elsewhere in the world, and each of them
is armed with kind of thorn appropri-
ate for its protection. Here those vegetal
freaks, the cacti, assume an astonishing
variety OF strange 1orms-every one of
them bristllng 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 1t did not exist
anclently at all-anciently, that is TO say,
from the geological point of view. The
tendency TO a gradual drying up of the
land surfaces or the globe having brought
about desert conditions in places, certain
plants have adopted modes Of growth
suitable for the storing of water At the
same time their leaves have become
modified into thorns for 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 are useful to man.
THE chaparral in a general way may
be described as a dense shrubby vegeta-
ton growing just about high enough 10
obStruct the view of a man on horse back.
1t might be said to be made up OF a series
OF thorny layers. which com Dined render
travel through it extremely arduous and
even painful. Under foot, close 10 the
ground, are innumerable cacti of the
'pincushion' and Turks head species.
They bristle with keen and sharp thorns
which easily penetrate the uppers of ones
shoes. If you are thirsty, however, you
have only to batter in the crown of one
OF the Turks heads, AMI inside of it you
will find delicious draught of water,
cool and fresh.
Just above the pincushions, and high
enough to stick into the calves OF the
legs, come the needle-like points of the
Spanish dagger or 'ixtle,' This, too,
has its usefulness, being the great ii ber-
producing plant OF Mexico. 1t is a small
species OF aloe, its thick, blade-like leaves
terminating in curved needles.
Higher again, so as to reach any point
between the knee and shoulder OF the
traveller, is the famous 'nopaI.' This
huge variety of prickly pear is the ma
tional plant of Mexico, figuring in the
coat-of-arms of that country. The fruit
of this plant is pear shaped and nearly as
big as Bartlett pear, but woe to the
weary wayfarer VINO, on hot summer
day, yields to temptation and eats this
inviting fruit. He will quickly find
himself in a high fever which, though
not lasting, is unpleasant.
Higher yet and above the shoulder
reaches the Spanish bayonet,' kind of
yucca. Standing in flower pot in a
garden this plant is a handsome and in
nocent ornament. but in the chaparral its
dagger-like points stab through the cloth
ing into the flesh.
above, forming dense mat over the
head OF the traveller, are thOrny shrubs
of many species, chiefly the mesquite and
its allies, such as the 'huishacne' and
'guaxlllo' and the cats claw Beneath
the beautiful and finely cut leaves of
these shrubs are innum berabie thorns
The 'guaxillo' is sensitive plant If YOU
shrink and shrivel up for the moment. If
you attempt to handle the plant roughly,
however, the sharp, curved claws con-
cealed beneath the leaves will make you
sorry. The 'guaxillo' bears huge bean,
which, when dry, makes rafting like
that OF a rattlesnake.
"Ihe native Indians from these strange
plants obtain soap hair tonic tootn-
brushes, hair-brushes and even medi-
cines. Along the lower Rio Grande the
mesquite beans are made into bread.
Horses are exceedingly fond of these
beans, and for them will abandon the
choicest oats at any time. The mesquite
leaves are masticated as an antiGote for
fever. 1t is said that a traveller can live
in that country without water for con-
siders BILE time by chewing the pulp of
the thick leaves OF the 'nopal.' The latter
is utilized as food for CATTLE and baby
food made from the juicy pulp has re-
Gently been placed on the market.
The fauna OF this region are also pecu-
liar Here you find the 'javelina'-a
native would not know what you meant
if you said peccary'-in immense num-
bers. This animal is considered the
gamiest game that can be found any
where. 1t fights to the death, and when
one Of them Is wounded its companions
usually come to its assistance. With their
razor-like tusks they will tear the hunter
literally TO pieces. In the Y nlted States
the armadillo is practically restricted to
this region.
"Rattlesnakes are plenty, lizards of
great variety of species innumerable and
there is no end ofcentipedes, ,tarantulas and
scorpions. The sting of one species of
scorpion known as The 'vinegaroon' is
said TO be sure death. ella monsters are
reported to be found in the chaparral, but
l saw none.
Most of the region is entirely devoid
OF surface water. The stream beds are all
'arroyos,' the Spanish name for waterless
gullies. The ranches commonly depend