50 LETTER XXX. 



I have said that the fruit of the Cactus bears a 

 stroiiiT resemblance to a (iooseberrv : the similarity is 

 not confined to the appearance, but extends to the 

 flavour, texture, and quality. So wholesome, indeed, is 

 the Cactus fruit, that it is an important object of cul- 

 tivation in some countries. On ^tna, for example, the 

 large cooling fruits of the Indian Fig are sold in con- 

 siderable quantity, and some of the varieties are found 

 of gTcat excellence. In the West Indies, and South 

 America, Cactus fruit is often consumed as Goose- 

 berries. 



Perhaps there are few plants more resplendently beau- 

 tiful than the Showy Cactus^ when covered, as it often is, 

 with hundreds of its large rosy blossoms. But there 

 are many species far more magnificent in their indi- 

 vidual flowers ; as for instance, all those called night- 

 hlowing Cereuses (C. grandiflorus, triangularis, Lan- 

 ceanus, Napoleonis), with their large trumpet-shaped 

 tubes, cut at the border into starry segments of the 

 most dazzling white, the purity of which is increased 

 bv the tassel of pale yellow stamens that occupies 

 their centre, and also by the extraordinary contrast of 

 the beautiful flowers, and the misshapen, ding) % snake- 

 like, leafless stems from which they spring. Many of 

 the Porcupine thistles too, especially Echinocactus 

 Eyriesii, partake of the same noble features ; and as 

 they have the property of flowering by day, they are 

 the more valued as well as better known. 



These particulars will make you as familiar with the 

 Botanical history of Cactuses, as you perhaps already 

 are with their general properties. 



