Opuntia Fruit as an Article of Food. 67 
tusks thrown upwards the position natural to a quadruped when 
sinking in the mire. In the place where the stomach lay, and par- 
tially enclosed by the ribs were found about seven bushels of veget- 
ablematter—-1.e., bruised and chopped twigs and 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 their 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 present elephant 
lives. C.D Story: 

OPUNTIA FRUIT AS AN ARTICLE 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 Zuna 
as itis 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 the 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 cultivation. 
The Zuna 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 known 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 fruits 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 qualities were unknown; now the world would not 
care to do without them. The Opuntia fruit will be prized 
wherever known. 
CULTIVATION. 
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 
