30 CEREUS. 120. CEREUS GIGANTEUS. In the lower part of the valley of Santa Cruz, the gigantic columnar Cactus, Cereus Giganteus, is first seen upon the road. The inhabitants of the country call it Saguarro. The Saguarro presents a thick, fluted column, the size of a man’s body, and 30, 40, even 50 feet high, with sometimes three or four branches at its top, the whole looking like a gigantic candelabrum. The fig-shaped edible fruit grows at the edge on the top of the columns ; and from the great height of the latter it would be difficult to get at them did not this remarkable plant itself afford the means of reaching it. The old stems, when decayed, split into a number of thin poles, standing in a circle the height of the entire column, enveloped in a loose network ; and by the aid of these the traveller is enabled to knock down the fruit. These poles form an article of export from the port of Guaymas, and in Europe are made into walking sticks, and sold under the name of Spanish canes. The Pimas, at the old Mission of San Xavier del Bac had a large store of Saguarro fruit, which is used as food in various ways. It is eaten fresh ; the sap is boiled to a syrup, known throughout the Sonora by the name of Miel de Saguarro ; and a flower is prepared of the cleaned and dried seeds, which have some resemblance 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, portions of the inhabitants are obliged to live on these and other wild Cactus fruits. Young plants are remarkably stout and heavy and when tall enough form valuable specimens for the lawn or conservatory, making a rapid growth when well established. Plants 1 to 3 feet high, $3 to $15 ; these plants are very heavy and must be sent by express. Larger plants at from $15 to $30. Seed at 15 cents per packet.