190 CHAPTER XXV. 



mistake is universal. The Aloe (Figs. 70 and 72) is 

 of a different habit, and does not perish after 

 flowering. Having a superior ovary, it is classed 

 with the Liliacese, whereas the Agave is placed near 

 the Amaryllis. Of the two plants the Agave is very 

 much commoner in Nice. 



The Opuntia (Figs. 68 and 69), sometimes called 

 " Prickly Pear" or " Indian Fig," is (like the Agave) 

 an American plant but completely established on this 

 coast. It is very abundant on the rocks of Monaco. 

 On this Cactus the cochineal insect is cultivated in 

 Mexico and the Canaries. The fruit is edible, but here 

 at any rate worth little. Dr. Bennet showed me in his 

 garden at Mentone an abnormal plant on which the 

 fruits grew one above another. The effect was very 

 curious. At Naples I saw a field covered with the 

 leaf -like lobes of this Cactus or a very similar species, 

 but I was unable to ascertain for what purpose they 

 were thus laid upon the ground. 



The Candle Cactus (Cereus) grows well here : 

 some of the species reach a height of fifteen to 

 eighteen feet. When hard pressed by thirst, the 

 Mexican mules lash out at the base of these great 

 leafless pillars, and, wounding the Cactus with their 

 iron-shod hoofs, they obtain some of the water which 

 is stored in the stem. The spines are so threatening 

 that no other animal, however thirsty, will defy 

 them. 



Mesembryanthemum is admirably adapted to this 

 climate. Not far from a hundred species are grown. 

 The commonest, a coarse plant, I think it is M. edule, 

 spreads rapidly and hangs down everywhere on walls 

 and terraces. The leaf is triangular in section. The 



