Grease
in mineralogy, a term used in relation to luster; fat quartz has a greasy luster. In farriery, a swelling and inflammation of the legs of a horse, attended with the secretion of oily matter and cracks in the skin. a GREAT AMERICAN DESERT, term formerly used to designate the arid parts of the West. It is now used only in historical reference. A large part of the region which formerly bore this designation has been reclaimed through the construction of railroads, the development of its abundant mineral resources, the foundation of permanent agricultural communities, and the irrigation of vast stretches of waste land.
The topography, scenery, and geolog ical structures are extremely varied .
The climate, though excessively hot in many parts, is, generally speaking , healthful and enjoyable, as the excessive heat is much tempered by the dry atmosphere. the The boundaries of the Great American Desert, of course, can be indicated only in a general way. They are the Rockies, and the mountain ranges continuing from the Rockies in New Mexico and Texas on the east, and the Sierra Nevadas and Cascade ranges on the west. Roughly speaking, the country included between these, some 700 miles across at its greatest width, and extending from British Columbia in the north to the Mexican border in the south, forms the Great American Desert, although a region of similar aspect is to be found south of the Mexican frontr. However, only a part of the region thus indicated actually consists of arid country, and the total area is estimated at about 550,000 square miles within the United States, and a somewhat smaller area in Mexico. The considering its vast extent. Such resources, however, as are available, have been extensively developed for irrigation, especially in recent years. Vegetation is comparatively limited. Various kinds of grasses known as bunch grass, as a result of their habit of growing in tufts, are to be found in most of the deserts.
Numerous members of the cactus family are abundant, especially the prickly pear.
In the south the giant cactus abounds, frequently reaching a height of 30 to 40 feet. feet. Sagebrush, yucca, and mesquite cigand mesquite are other characteristic desert forms.