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The Cactus (Ficus Opuntia) will be recollected by the Italian traveller as a frequent accompaniment of fortified places, especially along the coasts, where the temperature and soil are both favourable to this uncouth plant.

stinted of a rude magnificence, His massy fins the Cactus huge expands Beneath the Fortress:—doth he spread his hands, In supplication crouching, or defence? Huddled in fear, or in a grim pretence? Scarred, thorny, with a tigrine stoop he stands, Briarean dwarf!—and every way commands A thousand armless palms against offence. Fit warder he—he, in his ugly might, For Custom-guards that never ought to be!— But for the beauteous bastions of the Right, Of Independence, and Home-Liberty, Some other porter seek, or let the light Unbroken gild them, planted on the sea!