THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 103 



prairie" of the high ranges, but from Spring until 

 Fall this term is a misnomer. Miles on miles, acres 

 on acres, of gay flowers, painted every tint the brush 

 of Nature can produce, nod in the mountain wind, 

 and spread a brave carpet beneath the passing hors- 

 es' feet. From whence the tiny roots of these flower- 

 ets draw their life-giving moisture no man knows. 

 At this height above the valley, and on the western 

 slope of the range, few trees are found. But the 

 flowers we have with us all the same long before 

 the summer storms arrive to submerge them in bil- 

 lows of verdure. Our Arid Belt affords an endless 

 variety of surprises, and in all portions of it can 

 change from desert to oasis and back again with 

 unexampled abruptness. 



Amongst the botanical curiosities the chiote, to 

 which allusion has been made, must surely be rec- 

 koned. From its spiny leaves the Mexican obtains 

 the tough twine with which he binds his shocks of 

 corn ; and he who desires to wash can find in the roots 

 of the Amole soap galore. In more recent davs suc- 

 cessful experiments have been made with Soap 

 Weed, chopped by machinery for cattle feed. Its 

 near kinsfolk the Spanish Dagger and the Bear 

 Grass are also found equally valuable when proper- 

 ly prepared. All the way across the high ranges, or 

 along the lonely mesa, men set fire to the great 

 torches of the chiote to light them on their home- 

 ward way, and morning dawns upon many a charred 

 and tottering giant. 



A business man from an eastern city visits our 

 country from time to time, and when he does so 



