FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



149 



0. mnltiflora (Dalzell), besides species of Exacum and Andro- 

 grapliis. All come from the cooler uplands. 



Opuntia coccinellifera, Miller. 



Mexico and West India. Tlie Cochineal Cactus. On this 

 and 0. Tuna, O. Hernandezii and perhaps a few others 

 subsists the Coccus, which offers the costly Cochineal dye. 

 Three gatherings can be effected in the year. About 1200 

 tons used to be imported annually into Britain alone, and a 

 good deal also to other countries, valued at about .£4:00 for 

 the ton. The precious Carmin-pigment is prepared from 

 Cochineal. 



Opuntia Dillenii, Candolle. 



Central America. A Tuna-like Cactus, serving for unin- 

 flammable hedges, and perhaps also for the rearing of the 

 Coccus Cacti. It is particularly eligible for barren land. 



Opuntia elatior, Miller. 



Central America. A hedge-plant with formidable thorns. 



Opuntia Ficus Indica, Miller. 



Central America, north as far as Florida. Serves for hedges. 

 Pulp of fruit edible. 



Opuntia Hernandezii, Candolle. 



Mexico. Affords also food for the Coccus Cacti. 



Opuntia Missouriensis, Candolle. 



From Nebraska to New Mexico. Mr. Meehan found this 

 Cactus covered with the Cochineal Coccus, and points to the 

 fact that this insect will live through the intense cold, which 

 characterises the rocky mountains of the Colorado regions. 



Opuntia Rafinesquii, Engelmann. 



North America. The most northern of all species, extending 

 to Lake Michigan. 



Opuntia spinosissima, Miller. 



Mexico and West India. Stem columnar with pendant 

 branches. Also a good hedge-plant. 



Opuntia Tuna, Miller. 



West India, Ecuador, New Granada, Mexico. Irrespective 

 of its value as the principal Cochineal-plant, this Cactus is 

 also of use for hedges. It will attain a height of twenty 

 feet. The pulp of the fruit is edible. With the other 

 species hardy at least in our lowlands. 



Opuntia vulgaris, Miller. 



Central America, northward to Georgia, southward to Peru.' 

 Adapted for hedges and like the rest not inflammable, thus par- 

 ticularly valuable along railway lines. The fruit almost 

 smooth, also eatable. A dye can also be prepared from its 



