EXCESSIVE DRYNESS. 81 
tages. It is covered at all times of the year with a magnifi- 
cent growth of grama grass—one of the most nutritious 
grasses known to stock-raisers ; and at no season of the year 
do cattle need other shelter than that afforded by natural 
variations in the surface of the ground. 
Timber is scarce. In the Santa Catarina and Santa Rita 
Mountains pine is abundant, but elsewhere, and then only 
upon the immediate banks of the streams, cotton-wood and 
mezquit alone are found to supply either timber or fuel. The 
latter is a remarkably hard and durable leguminous wood, and 
grows in the Lower Gila valley and in the Colorado to a size 
large enough for cross-ties, and not unfrequently attains a 
diameter of from 18 to 30 inches. It makes the most highly- 
; prized pianoforte legs. ’ 
On the plains in the immediate vicinity of the valleys and 
west of the line referred to, bunch or gieta grass is abundant, 
and furnishes, in addition to the valley grasses, excellent 
| g azing. The Pima and Maricopa Indians, as also the white 
and Mexican settlers on the Upper Gila, have large herds of 
cattle. Farther west, grass becomes very scarce, and gives 
place to grease-wood, wild sage, artemisia, and the numerous 
family of cacti, of which the Cereus giganteus is the most 
worthy of notice. A story is current that an American in 
Central Arizona has been known to climb these terrible fruit 
t ees, but there are few who are credulots enough to put any 
faith in it ; hence the Far-Western phrase, ‘Up a cactus tree es 
The excessive dryness of the atmosphere during the 
greater portion of the year has made these otherwise fertile 
plains a barren waste. During the months of July and 
A ugust a few showers cool the heated traveller, and give 
a temporary freshness to the vegetation; and during the month 
of December one or two heavy rains may be expected, which 
; VOR. By : G ; 
