The Southern herald., 1912-11-08

ana the term desert gem
orally conveys the idea Of large sand
plains devoid OF all plant growth to those who
have not seen them. But this is quite a wrong
impression, for there is hardly a 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 were not provided with spe-
cial means OF obtaining and storing water, 1t
could not survive All the trees and plants are
perennials and have enormously long roots The
mesquite tree (Prosopis julihora) and the palo
verde (Parkinsonia torreyana) are the most COM
mon, and the former bears a kind Of fruit or
beam which the Indians grind into corn. re-
member once when travelling in the "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
on these plains except for a very coarse variety
called "galleta" by the natives, which is some
times found In small patches. 1t says much for
the nutritive value of the mesquite bean that
lost none OF my animals, and only one mule
seemed to be suffering towards the end Of the
time Most Of the lowlying country is covered
with the sonoran grease-wood (Iarrea triden-
tata) a small green bush of no value at all; but
It is ubiquitous throughout Sonora, except in the
mountains But the really Characteristic plant
In Seriland is the cactus, which abounds In
variety Of forms. They all have very long roots
some Of which descend thirty feet to fifty feet
to reach water. The stem itself s formed Of
pulp, that grows round wooden core. and this
serves as storehouse for the water they obtain
while they are covered with kind Of glazed
epidermis to prevent evaporation, and are fur
nished with thorns, which efectually prevent
animals from feeding on them. The ''saguarro"
or giant castus (Cereus giganteus) is the most
imposing, rising often to height Of fifty or sixty
feet It may be seen in vast numbers over the
plains and on the lower part Of the mountain
slopes, and 1t 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 a remarkable sight, especially when
they are in flower, for at the end OF each branch
they bear a wreath or crown Of fragrant yellow,
rose or purple flowers No less unusual are the
organ-pige cactus, or "pithahaya" (Cereus shot
ti). They grow in clumps of eighteen or twenty
stems and reach height Of fifteen feet to
twenty feet. A rarer cactus is the bisnaga, q
smaller form Of the saguarro; but It has one pc
culiar quality, which makes It 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
on the top and to crush the pulp within with 9
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 Ex
cept for rather sickIy taste. the water IL moi
unpleasant
There Is another unusual plant also found in
this regicn--the "ocotiilo" (Fouquiera splen
dens) This remarkable shrub, which sometimes
attains a height Of fifteen feet, is composed oi
q number OF long thin branches. covered with
thcrns, and bears the most brilliant scarlet
flowers.
Once each year, Just after the short summer
rains, the country wakes from its long drought
to belated spring Cay-colored flowers not
among the rocks, and the cactus blossoms relieve
the otherwise somber landscape. But this chang.
IN the face Of the country Il as transient sz It Il