Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-11-01
IN THE CHAPPARAL.
A vEGErAL WONDERLAND BY
THE RIO GRANDE RIVER.
Cacti OF Every Observation-Disclosures
DC Uses Found for These Mon
trosities of Plant Lifc-Somo
Contain Water Supply.
GOVERNMENT

euotates-the homo OF those mon.
strosities of plant life called cacti. The
country is known rs tho "desert of the
chappnrai," its extent being from the
Nucces River of Texas to tho north
front of the eastern Sierra NIadres of
Mexico, and from the mouth of the
fecos on both sides OF tho Rio Grande
nearly to the Gulf II has been under
examination by the geological survey
Tor the purpose of finding water, and
many suitable localities for artesian
wells have heen discovered.
Tho region is unique" said Mr..
Robert L. Hill of the expedition. cit
lsa wide, low-lying plain, through
which moanders in n sinuous course
tho muddy Rio Grande. Tho country
is covered with dusty desort soil, on
which grows tho remarkable veSota-
ton known MS 'chapparal' This Sege.
tat'on embraces many species of plants
that arc known elsewhere i'll the world,
and each one of them is armed with n
KIND OF thorn appropriate for its pro-
lection. Hero those vegetal freaks,
the cacti, assume mn astonishing var.
Iety of strange forms, every ono of
them brlstling with defensive weapons,
that run all tho way from needles up
TO the size of bayoneis. Tho cactus,
you know, is new typo of plant on
the face OF the earth. There is reason
to believe that it did not exist an
GENTLY Mt all-anciently, that is to say,
from tho geological point OF Wow.
The tendency to n gradual driving up
OF Tho land surfaces of tho globe hay
ing brought about desert conditions in
plnces, certain plants have adopted
modes of growth suitable for the stor.
ing OF water. At tho same time their
leaves bavc become modified into
thorns, for their protection against
animals. Though some OF them look
as II scarcely alive, they are found to
be Juicy enough when cut into, and
many of them arc useful to man.
Tho chnpparal, IN n general way,
may DO described MS dense shrubby
vegetation, growing just about high
enough to obstruct the view of n nan
on horseback. 1t might be said to be
made up of series OF thorny layers,
which combined render travel through
1t extremely arduous and oven pain
1ul. Under foot, close to tho ground,
are lnnumerahle cncti of tho 'pincush-
ION and Turks head species. They
brlstlo with keen and sharp thorns.
which easily penetrate the uppcrs of
ones 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 delioi Gus
dranght of water cool and fresh.
Just above the piucushions, and
nigh enough TO stick into tho calves
OF the legs, como the ncedle.likc
points of the Spanish dagger or
'ixtie. This, too, has its usefulncss.
being the great fber-producing plant
of Mexico. 1t is small species of
aloe, its thick bladelilSe leaves termi-
mating i'll curved needlee. Higher
again, SO rs to reach any point be-
tween the l:nec and shoulder of the
traveller, is the famous 'nopnl. This
hugo variety of priclly pear is the
National plant of Mexico, figuring in
the coat of arms of That country. The
design on ono side of the Mexican sill.
yer dollar represents an eagle with n
snake in its break rising out of "no-
PAL bush. The fruit OF this plant is
pear.shapcd and nearly as big MS
Bartlett pear, having deep cochi.
neal color. In fact, it was from this
kind OF cactus that the insects furnish
ing the cochineal OF commerce used TO
be obtained, before that product was
driven out of the market by n conl-
tar substitute.
-"Woe to the weary wayfnrer who
on hot summer day yields to temp
tation and eats this inviting fruit. He
Will quickly find himself i'll n high
fever, which, though not lasting, is
unpleasant. The flat leaves arc I'M
covered with long and keen noodles.
whilo ut the base of each leaf is n
group of smaller and almost invisible
needles. The latter, however, ina,ct
wounds which are to be felt for days.
Higher yot, and above the shoulder
reaches the Spanish bayonet, kind
OF yucca. Standing in flower pot in
q garden, this plant is q handsome and
innocent ornament, but in the chap
paral its danger-like points stab
through the clothing into the flesh.
above, forming dense mat over
the head of the traveller, are the
thorny shrubs of many species-chief-
ly tho mesquite and its allies, such MS
tho 'huishache, the 'guaxillo' and the
cats claw Beneath the beautiful
and finely cut leaves of these shrubs
are innumerable thorns. The 'gnux-
lilo is sensitive plant. If you touch
one of its leaves gently it will shrink
and shrivel up for the moment. If
you attempt to handle the plant
roughly, however, the sharp curved
claws concealed beneath tho leaves
will make you sorry. The 'guaxillo"
bears huge bean, which, when dry,
makes a rafting so like that of rat
tlesnnke rs to brighton anybody who
is inexperienced.
''Tho native Indians, popularity
known rs 'Mexicans,' have use for
every ono Of these strange plants of
the chnpparal. From different species
they obtain soap, hair tonic, tooth
brushes, hairbrushes and even medi
oinPa LONE, fba lo,,o, d. 6..-