ON USEFUL SUBSTANCES IN CACTUS 



their popularity as foodstuffs. This is the fact 

 that the leaves contain a mucilaginous substance, 

 the quantity of which, however, varies widely with 

 the different varieties. 



The varieties that contain less of the mucilage 

 are used by the Mexicans for the making of con- 

 fectionery. Some of the finest confections of 

 Mexico are candied cactus leaves. 



The leaves also make excellent pickles, the only 

 drawback to which is the presence of the mucilage 

 in the case of some varieties. Those that lack the 

 mucilage make pickles as fine in flavor as the best 

 cucumber pickles. 



On the other hand, the mucilage, while unde- 

 sirable from one standpoint, is not without its 

 value. It may be extracted by cutting the leaves 

 in thin slices, and placing them in water. One or 

 two slabs will .make a gallon of good, thick, per- 

 fectly transparent mucilage. When this substance 

 dries slowly, it produces a gum that is generally 

 white or of a pearly color, and not easily dissolved 

 in water. 



The mucilage is often used locally to mix with 

 whitewash, to which it gives something of the 

 permanency of a paint. It is also used at times 

 for stiffening sleazy cotton goodSj and for water- 

 proofing cloth. 



Beyond this the economic uses of mucilage 



[251] 



