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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



Pico Tbiea fbom Tanque de la Piedad. Photo by F. E. Lloyd. 



are destined to bear the small triangular fruits that often remain the 

 following winter on the stalk that bore them. 



This plant, besides being one of the most attractive of the whole 

 desert flora, is not without its uses, both legitimate and otherwise. 

 From the leaves of sotol the natives weave mats and various other 

 articles of utility. They split the long leaves into narrow strips which 

 they weave into hats. But this plant, like the maguey, also furnishes 

 food and drink. The central cabbage-like bud is cooked and eaten. 

 This central bud, and the thick top of the stem below it, are used much 

 in the manufacture of a fiery liquor called Sotol, of rank intoxicating 

 power. 



While the plants above cited are striking and characteristic fea- 

 tures of this desert vegetation, yet even more common and more char- 

 acteristic of deserts in general are the cacti, which abound in species 

 and individuals. Cactus, Echino cactus, Cereus, Echinocereus, Mamil- 

 laria and Opuntias of both divisions are everywhere. Down on the open 

 plain the nopals (Platopuntias) abound, as one soon discovers who 

 tries to ride across country. The broad flat joints of these plants are 

 everywhere. Here and there a cluster of bisnaga colorada (Echino- 

 cactus pilosus) shows the top of its cylindrical body bristling with red. 

 spines above the low bushes, for this bisnaga, as the native calls it, does 

 not grow very tall, five feet being about its maximum. It blooms in 

 June and successions of yellow fruits follow the flowers. These lemon- 

 yellow fruits about the size of a lime are possessed also of the lime's acid 



