— 1888. ] BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 263 
century in attaining its maximum size. It is sometimes en- 
tirely unbranched, but often with a few, two or three, or even 
up to nine branches, which, almost immediately after leaving 
the trunk, turn upward and grow parallel with the main stem, 
presenting sometimes the appearance of an immense candel- 
abrum. The trunk of the older trees is often two feet in diam- 
eter. It begins to flower when ten to twelve feet high. The 
flowers are borne near the summit of the stem and branches, 
and are succeeded by a roundish or pear-shaped fleshy fruit 
two to three inches long by one and one-half to two inches 
thick. The interior of this fruit is of a crimson color when 
Tipe, of the consistency of a fig, and of a sweet, but rather 
insipid taste. They are eaten by the Indians of the country, 
who reach and detach them by means of a long pointe 
reed. Cereus Thurberi is a smaller species, found in south- 
ern Arizona and thence into Mexico. It grows in clusters 
of five to ten stems from one root, and rises to the height of 
ten or fifteen feet. The fruit is said to be delicious. Many 
Artemisia, Perezia, Lygodesmia, etc. Many species, also, of 
uous. A Bignoniaceous shrub (Chilopsis saligna), with 
handsome corymbs of flowers, sometimes enlivens the dreary 
stretches of land, especially in the vicinity of water, and, on 
account of its narrow, willow-like leaves, is known as the 
desert willow. The orders Amarantacee, henopienee 
and Euphorbiacez are represented by many species. ex 
the Cactacez, the most striking features of the yegcian 
are the various species of Agave and Yucca. Yucca Dac- 
refracted dead leaves, and bearing at the apex a large pani- 
ie of lily-like white flowers, which are succee ed by S 
, aten by both seme an 
Ndians, and cured by the Indians for winter food. hey 
