The Candy Cactus, also, goes under the name of “Traveler’s Friend” or “Compass Cactus,” and like _Covillei_ it invariably leans toward the southwest and will direct aright a lost traveler who is versed in desert lore and can read the signs of the land. Then too, if the top of stem or trunk is removed with a sharp knife or machete and the fleshy part is crushed, or pommeled into a pulp, a considerable amount of water can be secured for drinking from this friendly cactus, which though a little saline and not very palatable is a life-saver in time of stress. _Wislizeni_ grows well in the sandy loamy clay soils of the desert _bajadas_ and along the foothills. The name of the species honors Dr. A. Wislizenus, who was in charge of a botanical expedition to the Southwest in 1848. Nigger Head (_Echinocactus Le Contei_) _Western Arizona, Southern Utah, Southern Nevada, Southern California, Lower California, and Sonora_ This species, also, is given the name “Nigger Head” because the spines and bristles are curled and bent down closely against its trunk like a “nigger’s head” with coarse curly hair. To be sure, one never has seen a negro with pink hair, but this Nigger Head Cactus has a coat of interlocking densely fine hairy spines of lovely pink and mottled rose shades, some pointing upward, some downward, some laterally, and a fringe of ten to fourteen grayish threadlike radial bristles; such an impenetrable coat affords much-needed protection against heat and cold, and hungry rodents or range animals. _Echinocactus Le Contei_ is among the most attractive of the Barrel group with its bright roseate spines, and its deep yellow blossoms with purple-red centers, creating the impression of a purple bloom within an orange-red flower. The flowers come forth in April and May, the fruit matures in July. The plant grows nearly always on a single stem, rarely two or more in a clump, from one to seven feet tall and about eighteen inches in diameter, with twenty to twenty-four ridges encircling trunk and stems. The latter are utilized by Mexicans and Indians for the making of cactus candy. [Illustration: CANDY BARREL CACTUS; FISHHOOK CACTUS (Echinocactus Wislizeni)] The stems of this peculiar growth are used in making the famed “cactus candy,” the fleshy part sliced and soaked in water over night, then cooked until tender and allowed to harden and crystallize, a most delicious delicacy. [Illustration: PINK FLOWERED VISNAGITA (Echinocactus Johnsonii)] [Illustration: MEXICAN FRUIT CACTUS (Echinocactus hamatacanthus)] The dried fruit of this cactus, sweet and very sugary, is considered a rare delicacy by hundreds of thousands of tourists. [Illustration: GIANT VISNAGA; GIANT BARREL CACTUS (Echinocactus Visnaga). (Baby specimen)]