18 TILLEES OF THE GEOUND CHAP. 



of moisture ; they do not grow much, but, like 

 gorse, they often have a wealth of flowers, arid they 

 have a great development of roots. For instance, 

 in the Arizona desert there is a plant related to 

 the acacia, called mesquite by the Spaniards, which 

 in the desert is never more than a few feet high, 

 but may have roots 50 feet long. These roots 

 are used for fuel, and the people say that Arizona 

 is topsy-turvy land, for they have to dig for wood 

 and climb for water the only drinkable water 

 being in the pools on the tops of the hills. 



There are other acacia-like plants, such as one 

 which is called cat's claw a suggestive name 

 when we think how common spines are in desert 

 plants. But the most curious plants of the desert 

 are the cactuses. There are giant " candle " cactuses, 

 which grow stiffly up in the air, in some places 

 reaching a height of 45 feet, and have a few 

 pokery branches. One of these candle cactuses has 

 such prickly fruits that the natives use them as 

 hair brushes. Then there are the barrel cactuses, 

 shaped just like a barrel, and very convenient for 

 thirsty travellers. They grow to a height of 5 feet, 

 and the Indians cut off the top as one might 

 take the top off a huge egg. The inside is pulpy 

 and full of water. The native takes a stake and 

 pounds this soft pulp, then squeezes it to get all 

 the fluid out, digs out the squeezed pulp, and in 



