WILD PLUMS. 389 



and the C. speciosslssimus. The first is the prickly 

 pear, having fruit about the size of figs, and inter- 

 nally of a red colour ; but varying in quality with the 

 variety and the climate in which it is produced. The 

 strawberry-pear belongs to the creeping class ; the 

 fruit is small, but it is the finest flavoured of any, 

 and is much relished in some of the West India 

 islands. The C. speciossissimus has fruit twice as 

 large as a large gooseberry, green, and exceedingly 

 delicious. 



The species denominated " Cochinellifer," is gene- 

 rally understood to be that which feeds the cochineal 

 insect ; but probably that insect feeds upon various 

 sorts of cactus and other succulent plants, though 

 its efficiency and brilliance as a dye may vary with 

 the plant. 



Strawberry Pear. 



