340 
tons used to be imported annually into Britain alone, and a 
good deal also to other countries, valued at about £400 for 
the ton. The precious Carmin-pigment is prepared from 
Cochineal. 
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 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 20 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 inflammable, thus par- 
ticularly valuable along Eailway-lines. The fruit almost 
smooth, also eatable. A dye can also be prepared from its 
pulp and that of allied species. Numerous other species 
are here industrially eligible for hedging purposes. 
Origanum Dictamnus, L- 
Candia. Like the following a scent-plant of somewhat 
shrubby growth. 
Origanum Majorana, L. 
North Africa, Middle Asia, Arabia. A perennial herb, used 
for condiment, also for the distillation of its essential oil. 
Origanum Maru, L. 
Palestine. Perennial and very odorous. 
