Peyote is a spineless cactus found in northern Mexico and Texas.  When
eaten, usually in a ritual ceremony, the plant produces intense
hallucinogenic effects. The peyote has been in use since before the
sixteenth century, but the ceremony surrounding it was developed later, by
the Kiowas and Comanches on their Oklahoma reservation in 1885.  The
ceremony lasted all night long, from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday, and
included prayer, song, eating the peyote, and meditation.  After 1891, the
peyote cult s spread swiftly throughout the reservations.  In 1918, the
Native American Church was chartered.  It incorporated certain Christian
beliefs and practices with the ceremonial use of peyote.  A peyote
ceremony is pictured above; one participants holds a ritual rattle and
wand.