ACROSS PAPACn.RIA. 



129 



ing as it does a vegetation widely different from that of the 

 surrounding desert and affording conditions for the cultiva- 

 tion of food-plants for the human animal. The oasis of 

 Sonoyta has doubtless been the site of a cluster of habitations 

 since the beginning of agriculture, and it has been known to 



FIG. 3 — Great bisnaga (Echinoc actus grande) of southern Mexico. 



the Papagoes for a thousand years by this name, meaning 

 the place where corn (sonot) will grow. Very naturally 

 the upper part of the oasis has the surest supply of water 

 and the steady population of about 150 people have shifted 

 along the sides of this in accordance with the changes in 

 the stream and alterations in the irrigation systems. The 



