Opuntia Fp ml as an Article of Food. 6-/ 



tusks thrown upwards the i^osition natural to a quadruped when 

 sinking in the mire. In the place wliere the stomach lay, and par- 

 tially enclosed by the ribs were found about se\'en bushels of veget- 

 able matter--i.e., bruised and choi)ped twigsand leaves— which, with 

 out doubt, represented the food last eaten by the animal Some 

 of these twigs, subjected to microscopical examination proved to 

 be those of a coniferous tree, probably the white cedar. This 

 skeleton was purchased by the late Dr. John C. Warren of Boston 

 and is now preserved in that city. Its dimensions are as follows: 

 Length, twenty-five feet; height twelve feet; length of tusks, ten 

 feet. The total weight of the bones is two thousand pounds, and 

 so slightly changed are they that they still retain a large pro- 

 portion of tluMr animal matter. In some instances there have 

 been found in connection with the skeletons of the American 

 mastodon, tufts of hair of a dun-brown color, varying in length 

 from two to seven inches — thus indicating that the animal, like 

 the Siberian mammoth, might have been fitted to endure a clim- 

 ate considerably colder than that in which the ])resent elephant 

 lives. G. D. Story. 



OPUNTIA FRUIT AS AN ARTICLF OF FOOD. 



One of the most attractive fruits in the markets of Mexico and 

 one that is always in demand is the fruit of the Opuntia, or Tuna 

 as it is known to the Mexicans. Both the foreign and native 

 inhabitants consume it. and with many, it forms the principal 

 article of food for months in ihe year. 



The seeds of some of the choicest varieties sold in the markets 

 of Mexico were obtained and grown by the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture for distribution in localities suited to their culti\ation. 

 The Tuna of the Mexicans must not be confounded with 

 Opuntias found in Arizona, New Mexico and Southern California 

 the fruit of which is not utilized. 



What is know^n as the cactus belt of Mexico furnishes many 

 very fine species of Opuntia adapted to cultivation. When 

 brought together, and each variety receives a name, as other 

 cultivated fruils are distinguished, they will severally be sold and 

 esteemed for their respective merits. Then especial growers of 

 this cactus will appear and new varieties be produced by cross- 

 fertilization and other means as in our northern fruits. 



The potato and tomato when first introduced were little valued 

 because their cjualities were unknown; now the world would not 

 care to do without them. The Opuntia fruit will be prized 

 wherever knf)wn. 



CUr.TIVATION. 



Scarcely a plant known to man requires so little care in its 

 cultivation as the cactus. It will grow in nearly any soil, but best 

 in light sandy or gravelly combinations. The Opuntia reaches 



