Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-10-23

5Ez3F and the term desert gen
orally @ conveys the Idea q Of large sand
plains devoid OF all plant growth to those who
have not seen them. But this is quite q wrong
impression, for there is hardly square mile
anywhere In Seriland where some kind of tree or
cactus cannot be found though there may not be
any water for miles around This fact makes the
botany of this region most interesting study
for II the vegetation we're not provided with spe
cial means OF obtaining and storing water, It
could not survive. All the trees and plants are
perennials and have enormously long roots The
mesquite tree (Prosopis julifora) and the palo-,
verde 5Parkinsonta torreyana) are the most com
mon, and the former bears a kind OF fruit or
/ bean, which the Indians grind into corn. 4 re-
member once when travelling in thec""Malpais" OF
Sonora was Obliged to rely for whole month
on these mesquite beans alone to feed my horses
and pack animals for grass is practically absent
son these plains except for very coarse variety
called "galleta" by the natives. which Is some
times found in small patches. It says much for
the nutritive value OF the mesquite bean that 4
lost none OF my animals and only one mule
seemed to be suffering towards the end OF the
time. Most Of the low-lying country#is covered
with the Sonoran grease-wood (Larrea tr1den-5
fatal a small green bush Of no value at all but
it is ubiquitous throughout Sonora, except in the
mountains. N But the really characteristic plant
in seriland lis the cactus. which abounds in a
variety OF forms. They all have very long roots,
some Of which descend thirty feet to fifty feet
to reach water. The stem itself is formed OF
pulp, that grows round a wooden core and this
serves as storehouse for the water they obtain,
while they are covered with kind Of glazed
sepidermis to prevent evaporation and are fur
nished with thorns, which enectually prevent
animals from feeding on them. The "saguarro"
or giant castus (Cereus giganteus) is the most
imposing, rising often to height Of nifty or sixty
feet. It may be seen In vast numbers over the
plains and on the lower part Of the mountain
slopes and it assumes an endless variety of
shapes, ranging from the single straight stem to
when they are in flower, for at the end OF each
those containing fifteen or twenty arms To
those who see them for the first time they GER
tainly present remarkable sight, especially when
they are in flower. for at the end of each branch
they bear wreath or crown Of fragrant yellow
rose or purple flowers. No less unusual are the
organpige cactus, or ''pithahaya' (Cereus shot
gti). They grow In cumps Of eighteen or twenty
stems, and reach height Of fifteen feet to
twenty feet. "A rarer cactus is the bisnaga,
smaller form of the saguarro; but it has one PEI
culiar quality which makes 1t very valuable both
to the Indians and to travellers in the country,
for it is the only plant from which water fit to
drink may be obtained. The best way is to- cut
OF the top and to crush the pulp within with a
piece Of wood or stone. Two to four pints Of
water can then be scooped out with cup the
amount depending on the size OF the plant. Elk
cept for rather sickly taste, the water Is not
unpleasant.
There is another unusual plant also found in
this region-the "ocotillo" (Fouquiera splen-
dens). This remarkable shrub, which sometimes
attains a height Of fifteen feet, is composed Of
a number OF long. thin branches covered with
thorns, and bears the most brilliant scarlet 4
flowers. @1$ s544t
( Once each year, Just after the short summer
rains, the country wakes from its long drought
to0a belated spring Gay-colored flowers nod
among the rocks. and the cactus blossoms relieve
the otherwise somber landscape But this change F.
in the face of the country Is as transient as 1t Is