56 



of both, hemispheres. Some of the fruits of the numerous 

 varieties are of doubtful quality^ hut others may be eaten 

 freely. Heekel states that the pulp surrounding the seeds is 

 poisonous and the juice violently purgative. In Japan the 

 gourd is used as food after being thoroughly dried, the ends of 

 the fruit are cut off, the seeds and pulp taken out, the outer 

 or fleshy part cut into very thin slices and dried by hanging 

 on sticks, in which condition it keeps for a considerable time. 

 A sample of this "sliced and dried fruit " is in the Museum at 

 Kew, from the Japan-British Exhibition, 1910. The gourd is 



cultivated in Japan for the purpose. 



T elf aura occidentalism Hook, f., of West Africa, and T. 

 pcdata, Hook, of East Africa are perennial climbing plants, 

 cultivated for the seeds by the natives for food. The "Was 

 Gourd " (Benincasa cerifera, Savi.), cultivated in many warm 

 countries, including Africa, India, China, Japan, Philippines, 

 &c. ; the fruit is commonly eaten like the vegetable marrow, 

 used in curry or made into sweet-meat. The fruits of Cepha- 

 lavdra indie a, Naud., of India, Java, Africa, &c, are eaten both 

 raw and cooked, fresh when ripe and in curries, and as a 



x 



egetable when green 



la. ix. 2 (1911), "Cucurbitaceae," pp. 329-340. 



Cactaceae. 



Opuntia spp. ; Prickly Pear. 



Succulent shrubs, 3 to 6 ft. high, native of the dry regions of 

 Tropical America; grown in Texas, California, Arizona, and 

 Kew Mexico. Various species have been introduced to 



Southern Europe, North and South Africa, Canary Islands, 

 Madeira, India, and many other hot countries for the fruit. 



There are several species that are esteemed for their excellent 

 fruit in Mexico, where they are cultivated, distinguished as 

 "white," "yellow/' and "crimson," and one called ""Xoco- 

 nestle" — the fruit of which makes a most delicious preserve 

 (K.B. 1892. p. 147). Various species, especially those that are 

 nearly spineless, are used for feeding stock; hut, although the 

 yield is heavy, 20 tons and upwards, the feeding value is given 



as low, since from 80 to 90 per cent, of the plant is water. They 



are of importance as forage in regions so hot and dry that little 

 else will grow there, and one has to remember in any movement 



to distribute them, that in maiw countries, South Africa, 

 Australia, &c 9 where the "Prickly Pear ■"• has been introduced, 



nieasui 



the plant or to keep it under control. The " Pelona," with 

 yellow and crimson fruit, is by reason of itfl almost spinelesa 

 character of special value in "Mexico as a forage plant. 



Cerent giganteus, Engl., and C. Thurberi, Engl., have edible 

 fruits much esteemed l>v the Indians of Xev Mexic i and Arizona. 



I. 1888, "PnYkly Pear in South Africa/ 1 pp. 165-173; 1800. 

 ibid., j}j). 186-188, including extract from the Minutes of the 

 Committee on the Eradication of the Prickly Pear; 1892: 

 "Prk-klv Pear in Mexico/? pp. 144-148: 1012, "Opuntiaa in the 

 Canarv Islands/ 1 pp. 395-396. 



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in 



