The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-10-18


orally conveys the idea of large sand
plains devoid of all plant growth to those who
have not seen them. But this is quite 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 if 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 juliiora) and the palo-
verde (Parkinsonia torreyana) are the most COM
mon and the former bears kind of fruit or
beam which the Indians grind into corn. re-
member once when travelling in the sMalpais' Of
Sonora / 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 very coarse variety
called "galleta' by the natives, which is some
times found in small patches 1t says much for
the nutritive value or 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 low-ying country is covered
with the Sonoran grease-wood Q4arrea trden-
tata), a small green bush of no value at all; but
1t 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 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
epidermis to prevent evaporation and are fur
nished with thorns, which effectually prevent
animals from feeding on them The "saguarro'
or giant castus (Cereus giganteus) is the most
imposing, rising often to height of fifty sixty
feet 1t may be In vast numbers the
plains and on the lower part of the mountain
slopes and it assumes an endless variety of
cha pfu sin afr sfov To
when they in flower. for at the end of each
those containing fifteen twenty arms. To
those who see them for the nrst time they GER
tainly present remarkable sight, especially when
they are in flower. for at the end of each branch
they bear wreath crown of fragrant yellow,
rose or purple flowers. No less unusual are the
organpige cactus "pithahaya" (Cereus shot
til. They grow in cldmps OF eighteen or twenty
stems. and reach height of fifteen feet to
twenty feet. A rarer cactus is the Ssnaga, a
smaller form of the saguarro; but 1t has one pc
cuiar 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
on the top and to crush the pulp within with
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' (F'ouqulera SPLEEN
dens) This remarkable shrub, which sometimes
attains a height OF fifteen feet, is composed Of
number Of long. thin branches. covered with
thorns, 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. Gay-colored flowers nod
among the rocks, and the cactus blossoms relieve
the otherwise somber landscape. But this change
in the face or the countrs Is transient as It Is