CACTUS

an order of curious, usually prickly, generally leafle plants, with fleshy; stems or bodies—a number of them bushy, some resembling telegraph poles in general appearance and conformation, others of round or oval shape suggesting huge spiny melons. Many are capable of extensive growth in regions so extremely arid as to be otherwise unproduetive. A majority of the most important edible-fruit varieties are included in the Opuntia genus, the fruits being best known in this country under the title of Pricxty Prar (which see). Among other interesting examples are the Bar- BADOS GoosEBERRY, Mexican Srrawserry, Sacuaro, and Srrawserry-Pear, and the fruit of the Mrton-Tutstie, all of which are deseribed in their alphabetical positions.