| Show USES OF THE CACTUS serve a a in a thirdly I inart also used or in the arid plains af israfil and mex aco where all i beems parched up for aix months in the year the cacti us reservoirs of moisture we lire told and not only the natives by wounding the fleshy steins with their long forest knives supply themselves with a cool and refreshing juice but even the cattle contrive to break through the skin with their hoofs then to anek the liquid they contain instinct teaching them to avoid wounding with the spines where the pear cactus prows to an immense size the branches are fed to cattle and sheep afat r alie are burned oil ilie truit is larg c and pear shaped blood red in color when ripe and very sweet the fruit is used in the fall to color preserves or jellies the fruit of all kinds is edible and some very palatable the leaves of the prickly pear are used for poultices for wounds or bruises and the root is rich in medicinal qualities the mexican indians are said to be very fond of the leaves of different of they fry them in batter like cakes A luscious beverage is afforded the thirsty traveler by some of the larger specimens the tops are cut oft in such a manner as to leave a basin like cavity which is filled with the aiice of tho plant it is said that beautiful furniture tables costing as much as four hundred dollars arc made from the large growing varieties and various ornaments napkin ring paper knives match afes safes s inkstands ink stands etc are made from the beautiful wood of alie candle cactus it occina strange says alie ladies lo that human habitation habl tation can be made from alisee queer succulent plants yet we are told that huts arc built the lumber of cereus gigante ous fences impenetrable to man or liebst are made of tuna and of various rapid growing circuses es and hedges from a variety known as alie barry |
