CACTI 11 



It is maintained by reputable physicians that the poorer classes 

 of Mexico, while subsisting for some weeks on a diet largely made up 

 of the tuna (fruit of the prickly pear) receive in addition to its food 

 principles a valuable conditioning of the digestive system. After 

 living the greater part of the year on such concentrated foods as 

 tortillas, frijoles, black coffee, and little meat they receive great 

 benefit from the diet of tunas, including always the large, angular, 

 and bulky seeds which seem to exercise a beneficial effect on their 

 digestive systems. 



The diuretic influence of the fruit was early recognized, especially 

 by Rafmesque {18). Whether there is a medicinal principle further 

 than one of coloration has not been seriously investigated so far as the 

 writers are aware, 



The tender, succulent joints are split in two or macerated and 

 then heated for use as poultices. They are admirably adapted for 

 this purpose on account of the heat-holding quality of the mucilagi- 

 nous mass. 



GARDEN VEGETABLE 



Among the poorer classes of Mexico the tender young shoots of 

 cacti, especially the prickly pear, are made into a sort of salad and 

 eaten raw, or they are cooked in various ways. 



A sharp knife is run parallel to the sides of the joint, taking off 

 the tubercles and spines. The young growth is then cut into strips 

 or cubes, boiled in several changes of water to remove the mucilage, 

 and then seasoned to taste. The material is also fried in batter in 

 much the same way as eggplant. 



CACTUS CANDY 



For the manufacture of cactus candy the barrel cactus or Visnaga 

 (Ferocuctus wislizeni) and related species (pi. 6, A) are mostly 

 employed, on account of the large bulk of soft tissue which the 

 forms contain. 



The exterior of the plant, together with the woody ribs, is all 

 cut off. The soft, pulpy interior is then cut into strips or cubes, 

 boiled in several changes of water to remove the mucilage, and then 

 processed in cane sugar, flavoring, and coloring materials. The cac- 

 tus, therefore, is mainly a matrix and furnishes the touch and pos- 

 sibly a little flavor to the finished product. 



FRUITS 



The fruits of a great many species of cacti are very agreeable to 

 the taste, as well as refreshing and nourishing. This is especially 

 true of those of many species of Opuntia known as tunas. (Pis. 6, B ; 

 7, A and B ; and 8, A.) In certain parts of Mexico the tuna forms a 

 considerable part of the diet of the poorer natives. In many places 

 it is grown for the market and finds ready sale among all classes. 

 The inner pulp, containing the seeds, not only possesses a pleasant 

 flavor but it also creates the impression of being cool even in the 

 hottest weather. Forms of tuna have as wide a range in color, flavor, 

 and size as many of our northern fruits. 



These opuntias are grown in small orchards (pi. 7, B) with a 

 minimum of attention and add materially to the food supply. In the 



