98 



THE FANTASTIC CLAN 



discus In the marvelous Olympiad Games to be held this 

 summer, here in the giant amphitheater of the sun. The 

 beautiful plants grow in large clumps about five feet high 

 and five to ten feet across, standing forth as most striking 

 figures on the desert canvas with their erect spreading pear- 

 like arms and the vivid harmony of color in their large and 

 brilliant blooms; glossy lemon-yellow shading into deep 

 orange, then the yellow-green tints of the sepals and the 



cream-white suf- 

 fused with a deli- 

 cate pinkish cast of 

 the club-like styles. 

 There is a little ani- 

 mal living on the 

 desert known as the 

 trade rat or pack 

 rat which Invaria- 

 bly seeks the Opun- 

 tia discata for 

 building his home; 

 If the habitat of 

 this little rat is 

 investigated 

 about five bushels 

 of debris will be 

 found including 

 cactus joints, 

 stems, sticks, and 

 even stones, all 

 carefully piled 

 away in and un- 

 der these plants. 



DISCUS PRICKLY PEAR (Opuntia discata) 



This Is a sure sign of the pack rat's nest, for In such a home 

 his needs are all taken care of; the discata gives him protec- 



