134 
THE PRICKLY PEAR. 
The readiness with which the prickly pear grows in these 
islands is a frequent reminder of the use to which this plant 
is put in other countries. The Barbary Fig. Prickly Pear or 
Tuna is the fruit of a species of cactus which is much esteemed 
in southern Europe and in Mexico, where many cultivated 
varieties exist and are eaten in large quantities. It is a matter 
of regret that this fruit is so despised in Hawaii, but it is safe 
to predict that before long it will find among our edible fruits 
a place at least as important as that given to the guava. In 
the northeastern markets of the United States the Prickly 
Pear is to be found in the fall, being imported from southern 
Europe. If it is found profitable to pay ocean freight on this 
fruit, and to go to the trouble and expense of introducing it 
in a market where it was hitherto unknown, it surely would 
be Avorth while to devote some attention to the cultivation 
of select varieties in Hawaii, where producers would have no 
freight rate to contend with and would not be put to the dif- 
ficulty of making its merits known to a people unfamiliar at 
least with its growth and appearance. 
The fruit of the Prickly Pear is, as most readers know, ovoid 
in shape and of a green, red or purple color, although both its 
shape and color varies considerably in cultivated varieties. 
The "Figs," as they are sometimes called, are from one to 
three inches long and vary from an ounce in weight to upwards 
of half a pound. They are covered with minute sharp spicules, 
arranged in clusters over the surface, which are far more 
sparse upon the better varieties. When the fruit is fully ripe 
the spines as a rule drop off, but their presence is at all times 
an annoyance to the unwary gatherer, and great care requires 
to be exercised not to permit their penetrating the skin, as 
many a rash experimenter has discovered. The fruit itself con- 
sists of a rind enclosing a pulp. The former varies in thick- 
ness from one-eighth to one-half inch, bears tufts of minute 
spines, and is removed before eating. The pulp or edible por- 
tion in selected varieties is refreshing, juicy, delicately-flav- 
ored, sub-acid and of a very agreeable consistency. The peel 
is removed easily by slitting the fruit across the top and right 
down one side, when the pulp is readily picked out. 
In Mexico, both wild and cultivated Prickly Pears are mar- 
keted and are held in some importance. During the season 
numbers of women are to be seen in the markets with large 
baskets of fruit, which is displayed invitingly impeded. Each 
customer is supplied with the long pointed spine of a magney 
leaf, or some similar implement with which to eat the refresh- 
ing pulp. 
The ripe fruit is very easily bruised, and great care is re- 
quired in handling to prevent its deterioration. With care, 
