92 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



Islands, although if the trade restrictions imposed by the 

 European war continues indefinitely, the lack of aniline dyes 

 in many countries will necessitate the utilization of the cochineal 

 insect once more. These insects are also found on other cacti, 

 of the genus Opuntia, but not in abundance. In parts of New 

 Mexico the juice of Opuntia fruits is used in coloring ice cream, 

 confectionery, beverages, etc., producing a beautiful magenta. 



Fertilizer. Bois claims that the penetrating roots of 

 Opuntia ficus-indica Mill, broke up the lava-covered ground 

 around Mt. Vesuvius and Mt. Etna, and the subsequent de- 

 caying of the joints rendered the soil very fertile. In Ceylon, 

 India, and in South Africa the prickly pear is employed as a 

 fertilizer, according to Johnston and Tryon. 



Fiber. According to Watt, a kind of coarse fiber has been 

 obtained in India from Opuntia dillcnii Haworth, and were it 

 not for the plentifulness of other material, this fiber could be 

 used for paper pulp. In an article of Diguet's, he says that 

 the sides and tops of Piloccrcus alensis Weber are covered with 

 vegetable wool, which was formerly much used in Jalisco, 

 Mexico, for stuffing cushions, pillows, etc. It did not break 

 or settle as easily as other fibers, for example that of bamboo, 

 and when mixed with a quarter of ordinary wool, was made 

 into very good felt for hats. Furthermore, this vegetable wool 

 was not attacked by insects as is animal wool. 



Fishhooks. Dr. Edward Palmer, the well-known collector 

 of Mexican plants, tells in his notes how cactus spines have 

 been made into fishhooks by the Mohave Indians of the Colo- 

 rado River, and cactus spine fishhooks have been found in 

 prehistoric graves at Arica, on the coast of Chile. 



Food. Both the vegetative portion and the fruit of the 

 cacti are used as human food wherever these plants make up 

 a large part of the flora. The Indians of the western part of 

 the United States are said bo roast joints of various Opuntias 

 in the cinders, the spines burning off and the flesh becoming 



