IMPROVED AND WILD CACTI 

 STILL BEAR LEAVES 



In the days of the long past and 

 before the ardmals had begun their 

 work of devastation, the plant had 

 leaves like other plants. That this is 

 so is evidenced by the fact that cactus 

 slabs even now put forth these leaves in 

 rudimentary form, the evidence of an 

 old tendency which has not been entirely 

 obliterated. Shortly after the tiny leaves 

 come out, as shown in this color photo- 

 graph print, they fall away to be fol- 

 lowed by the spines which push out be- 

 hind them. On all varieties these rudi- 

 mentary leaves are soft arid tender — 

 not spiny. 



