THE THORNLESS EDIBLE CACTUS 



the cactus, even in its wild and defiant shape, 

 had certain unquestioned excellencies. It 

 was undeniably hardy; it would grow and 

 thrive where nothing else would, welcoming 

 the blistering heat of the desert and growing 

 powerful where rain seldom falls. It had much 

 that was nutritious, both in its thick thalli, or 

 leaves, and in its golden or crimson fruit. 

 Wherever it had been given a chance away 

 from its desert home and under more favor- 

 able conditions, it had shown phenomenal 

 thrift. It was not one of those plants which 

 will not bear transplanting from a wild to a 

 civilized state. 



Two main obstacles had first to be removed 

 the countless thorns upon the cactus, cover- 

 ing branch and leaves and fruit, and the 

 spicules of the leaves, the woody fibrous skele- 

 tons of the thalli which made them more or less 

 indigestible. These overcome, there remained 

 the development of the fruit and the fitting of 

 the leaves to be a food, food even for man as 

 well as beast. 



All this he has accomplished, nothing 

 more marvelous has ever been done in plant 

 life. It would be exceedingly difficult to say 



149 



