A DESERT GRAVEYARD 171 



long, which rotate like the spokes of a wheel. The central 

 spines, of which there are only one or two, are less than 

 one inch long and erect. All of the spines have thickened 

 bases, are a dull light rose-purple, and are covered with a 

 fine gray scurf. The flowers form at the tops of the stems 

 and are about two inches in length and breadth, white suf- 

 fused with pink or lavender, and have a delicate fragrance. 

 The flower is composed of twenty petals which are ob- 

 lanceolate. The fruit is quite small, less than an inch, and is 

 oblong, yellowish green, thin-walled; it dries very soon after 

 maturity in June. These plants thrive best in rocky or 

 limestone ridges and slopes. They are a handsome species, 

 and are easily seen in the distance when coming into blossom 

 in April and May. 



How to grow 



Transplant early in spring in rocky or gravelly soil, using 

 care not to injure the roots and watering m.onthly to keep 

 the soil moist. The seeds grow readily if planted in May 

 or June in sandy loam In flats in part shade with enough water 

 to keep the soil slightly moist. The plants grow Indoors 

 and out and are not injured by zero temperatures. 



Traveler's Friend; Traveler's Compass (Echino- 

 cactus Covillei — Ferocactus Covillei) 



(Named In honor of Dr. F. V. Covllle, curator of the 

 National Herbarium, Washington, D. C.) 



How to identify and how it grows 



The Traveler's Compass has a peculiarity which helps to 

 identify it, usually leaning tow^ard the southwest, and this 

 gives it the common name. The plants grow as solitary 

 stems to the height of about five feet and the diameter of a 

 foot and a half. The plants are globose when young, grad- 



