ON USEFUL SUBSTANCES IN CACTUS 



variation is not surprising, but it is sufficient to 

 show that there are possibilities of selection 

 through which the Opuntia is given additional 

 food value. 



Even at the present time, however, the slabs of 

 the Opuntias furnish fodder of highly nutritional 

 character. That there is also a high water content 

 is no disadvantage in a plant growing in arid 

 regions. On the contrary, we have seen that this 

 is to be regarded as one of the greatest merits of 

 the plant, inasmuch as it enables animals to secure 

 their water supply by eating the slabs, thus main- 

 taining health and growth even when no drinking 

 water is available for months together. 



The qualities of the cactus fruit have been dealt 

 with in an earlier chapter. 



It will be recalled that there are numerous vari- 

 eties of fruit, differing almost as widely as the 

 varieties of apples. The essential character of all 

 the fruits of the improved varieties, however, is 

 a peculiar juiciness of pulp, combined with indi- 

 viduality of flavor and in some cases a slight trace 

 of acid. The fruit of the wild Opuntias has some- 

 times been characterized as lacking flavor. But 

 constant attention has been paid to the bettering 

 of the fruit and the fruit of the new varieties is 

 popular with all those who are acquainted with it. 



On my grounds the choicest varieties of fruits 



[243] 



