Chap. V. SAN XAVIER DEL BAC. 499 
the sap is boiled to a syrup, known throughout Sonora 
by the name of " Miel de Saguarro ;" and a flour is pre- 
pared of the cleaned and dried seeds, which have some re- 
semblance in appearance and taste to poppy-seeds, and are 
contained in the fruit in great quantities. This flour is 
made partly into bread and partly into a chocolate-like 
drink, called Atole. 
The fruit of the Pitaya is said to be far better than that 
of the Saguarro. Both are of great importance to the 
population of Sonora. In some bad harvests, occasioned 
by the want of rain, shortly before my journey through 
this state, a large portion of the inhabitants were obliged 
to live on these and other wild cactus fruits. 
I can scarcely recal any surprise greater than I expe- 
rienced at the sight of the buildings of the old and cele- 
brated mission of San Xavier del Bac, standing in a re- 
gion of sublime and simple grandeur, a monument of the 
wonderful activity and energy of the old Catholic mission- 
aries. A broad plain, mostly in a wild state of nature, 
covered with grass, bushes, and groves of algarobbia, is 
encompassed by imposing mountains and masses of rock. 
The fields of wheat, regularly divided, are the property of 
the Christian Pimas who were formerly settled here. 
Grand natural features are here united with important 
conditions of civilization. From its situation, the place is 
destined to become the capital of this central region, — a 
region of charming oases, and rich mineral wealth. 
The stately church is in good preservation, and is 
considered one of the most beautiful in the State of 
Sonora : in it, by the side of tasteless carvings and barbar- 
ous decorations, is an altar richly overlaid with gold. Near 
this edifice stand the low mud huts of the few Pimas still 
residing here. They are proud of being Christians, and 
2 K 2 
