Found this link

cactusbutt · Post by **cactusbutt** » Tue May 03, 2005 6:05 am

http://www.cactusmuseum.com/uses.asp

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 04, 2005 2:17 am

very interesting...

tillie · Post by **tillie** » Wed May 04, 2005 3:10 am

I want a cactus rainstick... I've been wanting a rainstick for years anyway but made of a cactus? How cool!

templegatejohn · Post by **templegatejohn** » Wed May 04, 2005 9:13 am

Hey Tillie,

I'm only a poor farm boy from the country, but what is a "Rainstick".

John

cactusbutt · Post by **cactusbutt** » Wed May 04, 2005 4:17 pm

Hey John
I didnt know what a rainstick was either

but I found this link http://www.andeannation.com/stick.html

Bob

Post by **daiv** » Wed May 04, 2005 8:35 pm

A rainstick is a section of cacti skeleton that is sealed off at both ends. Inside they put beads or some such thing. When you turn it over all the little beads bounce their way down the irregularities of the inside of the stick. This makes a schhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... type sound that sounds a bit like rain or clinking crystals.

They sell them all over the place in the southwest. Most particularily at gift shops or visitor's centers.

Although, as Bob's link suggests, they have nothing to do with the Southwest United states, most tourists don't know the difference. Similar to many people's belief that Saguaros grow in deserts of Sahara-like sands with nothing but the occasional tumbleweed passing by. Oh, and coyote's howling in the distance.