CACTUS CULTUREFOR AMATEURS:

BEING

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS CACTUSESGROWN IN THIS COUNTRY. 

with

FULL AND PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FORTHEIR SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION. 

By W. WATSON, Assistant Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 

PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. 

LONDON:L. UPCOTT GILL, 170, STRAND, W. C. 

1889. 

[Illustration: FIG. 1. --A COLLECTION OF CACTUSES. Frontispiece. ]

PREFACE

The idea that Cactuses were seldom seen in English gardens, because solittle was known about their cultivation and management, suggested tothe Publisher of this book that a series of chapters on the best kinds, and how to grow them successfully, would be useful. These chapters werewritten for and published in The Bazaar, in 1885 and following years. Some alterations and additions have been made, and the whole is nowoffered as a thoroughly practical and descriptive work on the subject. 

The descriptions are as simple and complete as they could be made; thenames here used are those adopted at Kew; and the cultural directionsare as full and detailed as is necessary. No species or variety isomitted which is known to be in cultivation, or of sufficient interestto be introduced. The many excellent figures of Cactuses in theBotanical Magazine (Bot. Mag. ) are referred to under each speciesdescribed, except in those cases where a complete figure is given inthis book. My claims to be heard as a teacher in this department arebased on an experience of ten years in the care and cultivation of thelarge collection of Cactuses at Kew. 

Whatever the shortcomings of my share of the work may be, I feel certainthat the numerous and excellent illustrations which the Publisher hasobtained for this book cannot fail to render it attractive, and, let usalso hope, contribute something towards bringing Cactuses into favourwith horticulturists, professional as well as amateur. 

W. WATSON. 

CONTENTS. 

INTRODUCTION

BOTANICAL CHARACTERS

CULTIVATION

PROPAGATION

THE GENUS EPIPHYLLUM

THE GENUS PHYLLOCACTUS

THE GENUS CEREUS

THE GENUS ECHINOCACTUS

THE GENUS ECHINOPSIS

THE GENUS MELOCACTUS

THE GENUS PILOCEREUS

THE GENUS MAMILLARIA

THE GENUS LEUCHTENBERGIA

THE GENUS PELECYPHORA

THE GENUS OPUNTIA

THE GENUS PERESKIA

THE GENUS RHIPSALIS

TEMPERATURES

DEALERS IN CACTUSES

INDEX OF SPECIES

CACTUS CULTUREFOR AMATEURS

CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The Cactus family is not popular among English horticulturists in thesedays, scarcely half a dozen species out of about a thousand known beingconsidered good enough to be included among favourite garden plants. Probably five hundred kinds have been, or are, in cultivation in thegardens of the few specialists who take an interest in Cactuses; butthese are practically unknown in English horticulture. It is not, however, very many years ago that there was something like a Cactusmania, when rich amateurs vied with each other in procuring and growinglarge collections of the rarest and newest kinds. 

"About the year 1830, Cacti began to be specially patronised by severalrich plant amateurs, of whom may be mentioned the Duke of Bedford, whoformed a fine collection at Woburn Abbey, the Duke of Devonshire, andMr. Harris, of Kingsbury. Mr. Palmer, of Shakelwell, had becomepossessed of Mr. Haworth's collection, to which he greatly added bypurchases; he, however, found his rival in the Rev. H. Williams, ofHendon, who formed a fine and select collection, and, on account of theeagerness of growers to obtain the new and rare plants, high prices weregiven for them, ten, twelve, and even twenty and thirty guineas oftenbeing given for single plants of the Echinocactus. Thus privatecollectors were induced to forward from their native countries--chieflyfrom Mexico and Chili--extensive collections of Cacti. " (quoting J. Smith. A. L. S. , ex-Curator of the Royal Gardens. Kew). 

This reads like what might be written of the position held now inEngland by the Orchid family, and what has been written of Tulips andother plants whose popularity has been great at some time or other. Whyhave Cactuses gone out of favour? It is impossible to give anysatisfactory answer to this question. No doubt they belong to that classof objects which is only popular whilst it pleases the eye or ticklesthe fancy; and the eye and the fancy having tired of it, look tosomething different. 

The general belief with respect to Cactuses is that they are all wantingin beauty, that they are remarkable only in that they are exceedinglycurious in form, and as a rule very ugly. It is true that none of thempossess any claims to gracefulness of habit or elegance of foliage, suchas are usual in popular plants, and, when not in flower, very few of theCactuses would answer to our present ideas of beauty with respect to theplants we cultivate. Nevertheless, the stems of many of them (seeFrontispiece, Fig. 1) are peculiarly attractive on account of theirstrange, even fantastic, forms, their spiny clothing, the absence ofleaves, except in very few cases, and their singular manner of growth. To the few who care for Cactuses there is a great deal of beauty, evenin these characters, although perhaps the eye has to be educated up toit. 

If the stems are more curious than beautiful, the flowers of themajority of the species of Cactuses are unsurpassed, as regards size andform, and brilliancy and variety in colour, by any other family ofplants, not even excluding Orchids. In size some of the flowers equalthose of the Queen of Water Lilies (Victoria regia), whilst the coloursvary from the purest white to brilliant crimson and deep yellow. Some ofthem are also deliciously fragrant. Those kinds which expand their hugeblossoms only at night are particularly interesting; and in the earlydays of Cactus culture the flowering of one of these was a great eventin English gardens. 

Of the many collections of Cactuses formed many years ago in England, that at Kew is the only one that still exists. This collection hasalways been rich in the number of species it contained; at the presenttime the number of kinds cultivated there is about 500. Mr. Peacock, ofHammersmith, also has a large collection of Cactuses, many of which hehas at various times exhibited in public places, such as the CrystalPalace, and the large conservatory attached to the Royal HorticulturalSociety's Gardens at South Kensington. Other smaller collections arecultivated in the Botanic Gardens at Oxford, Cambridge, Glasnevin, andEdinburgh. 

A great point in favour of the plants of the Cactus family for gardensof small size, and even for window gardening--a modest phase of plantculture which has made much progress in recent years--is the simplenessof their requirements under cultivation. No plants give so much pleasurein return for so small an amount of attention as do these. Theirpeculiarly tough-skinned succulent stems enable them to go for anextraordinary length of time without water; indeed, it may be said thatthe treatment most suitable for many of them during the greater portionof the year is such as would be fatal to most other plants. Cactuses arechildren of the dry barren plains and mountain sides, living wherescarcely any other form of vegetation could find nourishment, andthriving with the scorching heat of the sun over their heads, and theirroots buried in the dry, hungry soil, or rocks which afford themanchorage and food. 

In beauty and variety of flowers, in the remarkable forms of theirstems, in the simple nature of their requirements, and in the otherpoints of special interest which characterise this family, and whichsupply the cultivator and student with an unfailing source of pleasureand instruction, the Cactus family is peculiarly rich. 

CHAPTER II. 

BOTANICAL CHARACTERS. 

Although strictly botanical information may be considered as fallingoutside the limits of a treatise intended only for the cultivator, yet ashort account of the principal characters by which Cactuses are groupedand classified may not be without interest. 

From the singular form and succulent nature of the whole of the Cactusfamily, it might be inferred that, in these characters alone, we havereliable marks of relationship, and that it would be safe to call allthose plants Cactuses in which such characters are manifest. A glance atsome members of other families will, however, soon show how easily onemight thus be mistaken. In the Euphorbias we find a number of kinds, especially amongst those which inhabit the dry, sandy plains of SouthAfrica, which bear a striking resemblance to many of the Cactuses, particularly the columnar ones and the Rhipsalis. (The Euphorbias allhave milk-like sap, which, on pricking their stems or leaves, at onceexudes and thus reveals their true character. The sap of the Cactuses iswatery). Amongst Stapelias, too, we meet with plants which mimic thestem characters of some of the smaller kinds of Cactus. Again, in theCactuses themselves we have curious cases of plant mimicry; as, forinstance, the Rhipsalis, which looks like a bunch of Mistletoe, and thePereskia, the leaves and habit of which are more like what belong to, say, the Gooseberry family than to a form of Cactus. From this it willbe seen that although these plants are almost all succulent, andcuriously formed, they are by no means singular in this respect. 

The characters of the order are thus defined by botanists: Cactuses areeither herbs, shrubs, or trees, with soft flesh and copious wateryjuice. Root woody, branching, with soft bark. Stem branching or simple, round, angular, channelled, winged, flattened, or cylindrical; sometimesclothed with numerous tufts of spines which vary in texture, size, andform very considerably; or, when spineless, the stems bear numerousdot-like scars, termed areoles. Leaves very minute, or entirely absent, falling off very early, except in the Pereskia and several of theOpuntias, in which they are large, fleshy, and persistent. Flowerssolitary, except in the Pereskia, and borne on the top or side of thestem; they are composed of numerous parts or segments; the sepals andpetals are not easily distinguished from each other; the calyx tube isjoined to, or combined, with the ovary, and is often covered withscale-like sepals and hairs or spines; the calyx is sometimes partlyunited so as to form a tube, and the petals are spread in regularwhorls, except in the Epiphyllum. Stamens many, springing from the sideof the tube or throat of the calyx, sometimes joined to the petals, generally equal in length; anthers small and oblong. Ovary smooth, orcovered with scales and spines, or woolly, one-celled; style simple, filiform or cylindrical, with a stigma of two or more spreading rays, upon which are small papillae. Fruit pulpy, smooth, scaly, or spiny, thepulp soft and juicy, sweet or acid, and full of numerous small, usuallyblack, seeds. 

Tribe I. --Calyx tube produced beyond the Ovary. Stem covered withTubercles, or Ribs, bearing Spines. 

1. MELOCACTUS. Stem globose; flowers in a dense cap-like head, composedof layers of bristly wool and slender spines, amongst which the smallflowers are developed. The cap is persistent, and increases annuallywith the stem. 

2. MAMILLARIA. Stems short, usually globose, and covered with tuberclesor mammae, rarely ridged, the apex bearing spiny cushions; flowersmostly in rings round the stem. 

3. PELECYPHORA. Stem small, club-shaped; tubercles in spiral rows, andflattened on the top, where are two rows of short scale-like spines. 

4. LEUCHTENBERGIA. Stem naked at the base; tubercles on the upper partlarge, fleshy, elongated, three-angled, bearing at the apex a tuft oflong, thin, gristle-like spines. 

5. ECHINOCACTUS. Stem short, ridged, spiny; calyx tube of the flowerlarge, bell-shaped; ovary and fruit scaly. 

6. DISCOCACTUS. Stem short; calyx tube thin, the throat filled by thestamens; ovary and fruit smooth. 

7. CEREUS. Stem often long and erect, sometimes scandent, branching, ridged or angular; flowers from the sides of the stem; calyx tubeelongated and regular; stamens free. 

8. PHYLLOCACTUS. Stem flattened, jointed, and notched; flowers from thesides, large, having long, thin tubes and a regular arrangement of thepetals. 

9. EPIPHYLLUM. Stem flattened, jointed; joints short; flowers from theapices of the joints; calyx tube short; petals irregular, almostbilabiate. 

Tribe II. --Calyx-tube not produced beyond the Ovary. Stem branching, jointed. 

10. RHIPSALIS. Stem thin and rounded, angular, or flattened, bearingtufts of hair when young; flowers small; petals spreading; ovary smooth;fruit a small pea-like berry. 

11. OPUNTIA. Stem jointed, joints broad and fleshy, or rounded; spinesbarbed; flowers large; fruit spinous, large, pear-like. 

12. PERESKIA. Stem woody, spiny, branching freely; leaves fleshy, large, persistent; flowers medium in size, in panicles on the ends of thebranches. 

The above is a key to the genera on the plan of the most recentbotanical arrangement, but for horticultural purposes it is necessarythat the two genera Echinopsis and Pilocereus should be kept up. Theycome next to Cereus, and are distinguished as follows:

ECHINOPSIS. Stem as in Echinocactus, but the flowers are produced lowdown from the side of the stem, and the flower tube is long and curved. 

PILOCEREUS. Stem tall, columnar, bearing long silky hairs as well asspines; flowers in a head on the top of the stem, rarely produced. 

With the aid of this key anyone ought to be able to make out to whatgenus a particular Cactus belongs, and by referring to the descriptionsof the species, he may succeed in making out what the plant is. 

For the classification of Cactuses, botanists rely mainly on theirfloral organs and fruit. We may, therefore, take a plant ofPhyllocactus, with which most of us are familiar, and, by observing thestructure of its flowers, obtain some idea of the botanical charactersof the whole order. 

Phyllocactus has thin woody stems and branches composed of numerous longleaf-like joints, growing out of one another, and resembling thickleaves joined by their ends. Along the sides of these joints there arenumerous notches, springing from which are the large handsome flowers. On looking carefully, we perceive that the long stalk-like expansion isnot a stalk, because it is above the seed vessel, which is, of course, aportion of the flower itself. It is a hollow tube, and contains the longstyle or connection between the seed vessel and the stigma, a (Fig. 2). This tube, then, must be the calyx, and the small scattered scale-likebodies, b (Fig. 2), which clothe the outside, are really calyx lobes. 

[Illustration: FIG. 2. --FLOWER OF PHYLLOCACTUS, CUT LENGTHWISE. 

a, Calyx Tube. B, Calyx Lobes. C, Ditto, assuming the form of Petals. D, Stamens. E, Style. F, Ovary or Seed Vessel. ]

Nearer the top of the flower, these calyx lobes are better developed, until, surrounding the corolla, we find them assuming the form andappearance of petals, c (Fig. 2). The corolla is composed of a largenumber of long strap-shaped pointed petals, very thin and delicate, often beautifully coloured, and generally spreading outwards. Springingfrom the bases of these petals, we find the stamens, d (Fig. 2), a greatnumber of them, forming a bunch of threads unequal in length, andbearing on their tips the hay-seed-like anthers, which are attached tothe threads by one of their points. The style is a long cylindricalbody, e (Fig. 2), which stretches from the ovary to the top of theflower, where it splits into a head of spreading linear rays, ½ in. Inlength. When the flower withers, the seed vessel, f (Fig. 2), remains onthe plant and expands into a large succulent fruit, inside which is amass of pulpy matter, inclosing the numerous, small, black, bony seeds. 

It must not be supposed that all the genera into which Cactuses aredivided are characterised by large flowers such as would render theirstudy as easy as the genus taken as an illustration. In some, such forinstance as the Rhipsalis, the flowers are small, and therefore lesseasy to dissect than those of Phyllocactus. 

The stems of Cactuses show a very wide range of variation in size, inform, and in structure. In size, we have the colossal Cereus giganteus, whose straight stems when old are as firm as iron, and rise with manyascending arms or rear their tall leafless trunks like ships' masts to aheight of 60 ft. Or 70 ft. From this we descend through a multitude ofvarious shapes and sizes to the tiny tufted Mamillarias, no larger thana lady's thimble, or the creeping Rhipsalis, which lies along the hardground on which it grows, and looks like hairy caterpillars. In form, the variety is very remarkable. We have the Mistletoe Cactus, with theappearance of a bunch of Mistletoe, berries and all; the Thimble Cactus;the Dumpling Cactus; the Melon Cactus; the Turk's cap Cactus; theRat's-tail Cactus; the Hedgehog Cactus; all having a resemblance to thethings whose names they bear. Then there is the Indian Fig, withbranches like battledores, joined by their ends; the Epiphyllum andPhyllocactus, with flattened leaf-like stems; the columnar spiny Cereus, with deeply channelled stems and the appearance of immense candelabra. Totally devoid of leaves, and often skeleton-like in appearance, theseplants have a strange look about them, which is suggestive of somefossilised forms of vegetation belonging to the past ages of themastodon, the elk, and the dodo, rather than to the living things ofto-day. 

By far the greater part of the species of Cactuses belong to the groupwith tall or elongated stems. "It is worthy of remark that as the stemsadvance in age the angles fill up, or the articulations disappear, inconsequence of the slow growth of the woody axis and the gradualdevelopment of the cellular substance; so that, at the end of a numberof years, all the branches of Cactuses, however angular or compressedthey originally may have been, become trunks that are either perfectlycylindrical, or which have scarcely any visible angles. "

A second large group is that of which the Melon and Hedgehog Cactusesare good representatives, which have sphere-shaped stems, covered withstout spines. We have hitherto spoken of the Cactuses as being withoutleaves, but this is only true of them when in an old or fully-developedstate. On many of the stems we find upon their surface, or angles, smalltubercles, which, when young, bear tiny scale-like leaves. These, however, soon wither and fall off, so that, to all appearance, leavesare never present on these plants. There is one exception, however, inthe Barbadoes Gooseberry (Pereskia), which bears true and persistentleaves; but these may be considered anomalous in the order. 

The term "succulent" is applied to Cactuses because of the largeproportion of cellular tissue, i. E. , flesh, of their stems, as comparedwith the woody portion. In some of them, when young, the woody systemappears to be altogether absent, and they have the appearance of a massof fleshy matter, like a vegetable marrow. This succulent mass isprotected by a tough skin, often of leather-like firmness, and almostwithout the little perforations called breathing and evaporating pores, which in other plants are very numerous. This enables the Cactuses tosustain without suffering the full ardour of the burning sun andparched-up nature of the soil peculiar to the countries where they arenative. Nature has endowed Cactuses with a skin similar to what sheclothes many succulent fruits with, such as the Apple, Plum, Peach, &c. , to which the sun's powerful rays are necessary for their growth andripening. 

The spiny coat of the majority of Cactuses is no doubt intended to serveas a protection from the wild animals inhabiting with them the sterileplains of America, and to whom the cool watery flesh of the Cactus wouldotherwise fall a prey. Indeed, these spines are not sufficient toprevent some animals from obtaining the watery insides of these plants, for we read that mules and wild horses kick them open and greedilydevour their succulent flesh. It has also been suggested that the spinesare intended to serve the plants as a sort of shade from the powerfulsunshine, as they often spread over and interlace about the stems. 

CHAPTER III. 

CULTIVATION. 

By noting the conditions in which plants are found growing in a naturalstate, we obtain some clue to their successful management, when placedunder conditions more or less artificial; and, in the case of Cactuses, knowledge of this kind is of more than ordinary importance. In theknowledge that, with only one or two exceptions, they will not exist inany but sunny lands, where, during the greater part of the year, dryweather prevails, we perceive what conditions are likely to suit themwhen under cultivation in our plant-houses. 

Cactuses are all American (using this term for the whole of the NewWorld) with only one or two exceptions (several species of Rhipsalishave been found wild in Africa, Madagascar, and Ceylon), and, broadlyspeaking, they are mostly tropical plants, not-withstanding the fact oftheir extending to the snow-line on some of the Andean Mountains ofChili, where several species of the Hedgehog Cactus were found byHumboldt on the summit of rocks whose bases were planted in snow. InCalifornia, in Mexico and Texas, in the provinces of Central and SouthAmerica, as far south as Chili, and in many of the islands contiguous tothe mainland, the Cactus family has become established wherever warmthand drought, such as its members delight in, allowed them to getestablished. In many of the coast lands, they occur in very largenumbers, forming forests of strange aspect, and giving to the landscapea weird, picturesque appearance. Humboldt, in his "Views of Nature, "says: "There is hardly any physiognomical character of exotic vegetationthat produces a more singular and ineffaceable impression on the mind ofthe traveller than an arid plain, densely covered with columnar orcandelabra-like stems of Cactuses, similar to those near Cumana, NewBarcelona, Cora. And in the province of Jaen de Bracamoros. " Thisapplies also to some of the small islands of the West Indies, the hillsor mountains of which are crowned with these curious-looking plants, whose singular shapes are alone sufficient to remind the traveller thathe has reached an American coast; for these Cactuses are as peculiar afeature of the New World as the Heaths are in the Old, or as Eucalyptiare in Australia. 

Although the Cactus order is, in its distribution by Nature, limited tothe regions of America, yet it is now represented in various parts ofthe Old World by plants which are apparently as wild and as much at homeas when in their native countries. 

The Indian Figs are, perhaps, the most widely distributed of Cactuses inthe Old World-a circumstance due to their having been introduced for thesake of their edible fruits, and more especially for the cultivation ofthe cochineal insect. In various places along the shores of theMediterranean, and in South Africa, and even in Australia, the Opuntiashave become naturalised, and appear like aboriginal inhabitants. It is, however, only in warm sunny regions that the naturalisation of theseplants is possible. 

From these facts, we are able to form some general idea of theconditions suitable for Cactuses when cultivated in our greenhouses;for, although we seldom have, or care to have, any but diminutivespecimens of many of these plants as compared with their appearance whenwild, yet we know that the same conditions as regards heat, light, andmoisture are necessary for small Cactuses as for full-grown ones. 

Although the places in which Cactuses naturally abound are, for thegreater portion of the year, very dry and warm, heavy rains are more orless frequent during certain periods, and these, often accompanied byextreme warmth and bright sunshine, have an invigorating and almostforcing effect on the growth of Cactuses. It is during this rainy periodthat the whole of the growth is made, and new life is, as it were, givento the plant, its reservoir-like structure enabling it to store up alarge amount of food and moisture, so that on the return of dry weatherthe safety of the plant is insured. 

It is to the management of Cactuses in a small state, such as is mostconvenient for our plant-houses, and not to the cultivation of thosecolossal species referred to above, that the instructions given herewill be for the most part devoted; but, as in the case of almost everyone of our cultivated plants, it is important to the cultivator to knowsomething of the conditions which Nature has provided for Cactuses inthose lands where they are native. 

There is nothing in the nature or the requirements of Cactuses thatshould render their successful management beyond the means of anyone whopossesses a small, heated greenhouse, or even a window recess to whichsunlight can be admitted during some portion of the day. In largeestablishments, such as Kew, it is possible to provide a spacious housespecially for the cultivation of an extensive collection, where many ofthem may attain a good size before becoming too big. And it will beevident that where a house such as that at Kew can be afforded, muchmore satisfactory results may generally be obtained, than if plants haveto be provided for in a house containing various other plants, or in thewindow of a dwelling-room. Apart altogether from size, it is, however, possible to grow a collection of Cactuses, and to grow them well, in ahouse of small dimensions--given the amount of sunlight and heat whichare required by these plants. We sometimes see Cactuses--specimens, too, of choice and rare kinds--which have been reared in a cottager'swindow or in a small greenhouse, and which in health and beauty have atleast equalled what has been accomplished in the most elaboratelyprepared houses. It may be said that these successes, under conditionsof the most limited kind, are accidental rather than the result ofproperly understood treatment; but however they have been brought about, these instances of good cultivation are sufficient to show that successis possible, even where the means are of the simplest or most restrictedkind. Whether it be in a large house, fitted with the best arrangements, or in the window of the cottager, the conditions essential to thesuccessful cultivation of Cactuses are practically the same. 

In Wardian Cases. --Many of our readers will be acquainted with the neatlittle glass cases, like greenhouses in shape, and fitted up in much thesame way, which are sometimes to be seen in our markets, filled with acollection of miniature Cactuses. To the professional gardener, thesecases are playthings, and are looked upon by him as bearing about thesame relation to gardening as a child's doll's house does tohousekeeping. Not-withstanding this, they are the source of muchinterest, and even of instruction, to many of the millions to whom agreenhouse or serious gardening is an impossibility. In these littlecases--for which we are indebted to Mr. Boller, a dealer in Cactaceousplants--it is possible to grow a collection of tiny Cactuses for years, if only the operations of watering, potting, ventilating, and othermatters connected with ordinary plant growing, are properly attended to. 

In Window Recesses. --In the window recess larger specimens may begrown, and here it is possible to grow and flower successfully many ofthe plants of the Cactus family. In a window with a south aspect, andwhich lights a room where fires are kept, at least during cold weather, specimens of Phyllocactus, Cereus flagelliformis, Epiphyllum, and, infact, of almost every kind of Cactus, are sometimes to be met with evenin England; whilst in Germany they are as popular among the poorerclasses as the Fuchsia, the Pelargonium, and the Musk are with us. Oneof the commonest of Cactuses in the latter country is the Rat's-tailCactus (Cereus flagelliformis), and it is no unusual thing to see alarge window of a cottager's dwelling thickly draped on the inside withthe long, tail-like growths and handsome rose-coloured flowers of thisplant. This is only one among dozens of species, all equally useful forwindow gardening, and all as interesting and beautiful as those abovedescribed. 

In Greenhouses. --For the greenhouse proper, Cactuses are well adapted, either as the sole occupants or as suitable for such positions as areafforded by shelves or baskets placed near the roof glass. If thegreenhouse is not fitted with heating arrangements, then, by selectingonly those species of Cactus that are known to thrive in a positionwhere, during winter, they are kept safe out of the reach of frost (ofwhich a large number are known) a good collection of these plants may begrown. In heated structures the selection of kinds may be made accordingto the space available, and to the conditions under which they will beexpected to grow. Fig. 3 represents a section of a house for Cactuses, which will afford a good idea of the kind of structure best suited forthem. The aspect is due south. 

[Illustration: FIG. 3. SECTION OF HOUSE FOR CACTUSES--A, A, Hot-waterPipes; B, B, Ventilators. ]

When grown on their own roots, the Epiphyllums, as well as thependent-growing kinds of Rhipsalis, and several species of Cereus, maybe placed in baskets and suspended from the roof. The baskets should belined with thin slices of fibrous peat, and the whole of the middlefilled with the compost recommended for these plants under "Soil". Whenwell managed, some very pretty objects are formed by the Epiphyllumsgrown as basket plants. The climbing Cactuses are usually planted in alittle mound composed of loam and brick rubble, and their stems eithertrained along rafters or allowed to run up the back wall of agreenhouse, against which they root freely, and are generally capable oftaking care of themselves with very little attention from the gardener. 

In Frames. --For cultivation in frames, the conditions are the same asfor greenhouses. Even when grown in the latter, it will be foundconducive to the health and flowering of the plants if, during thesummer months, they can be placed in a frame with a south aspect, removing them back to the house again on the decline of summer weather. Wherever the place selected for Cactuses may be, whether in a largeplant-house, or a frame, or a window, it is of vital importance to theplants that the position should be exposed to bright sunshine duringmost of the day. Without sunlight, they can no more thrive than aPelargonium could without water. In Germany, many growers of almost allthe kinds of Cactuses place their young plants in frames, which areprepared as follows: In April or May a hot-bed of manure and leaves isprepared, and a frame placed upon it, looking south. Six inches of soilis put on the top of the bed, and in this, as soon as the temperature ofthe bed has fallen to about 70 deg. , the young plants are placed inrows. The frames are kept close even in bright weather, except whenthere is too much moisture inside, and the plants are syringed twicedaily in dry, hot weather. The growth they make under this treatment isastonishing. By the autumn the plants are ready to be ripened byexposure to sun and air, and in September they are lifted, planted inpots, and sent to market for sale. This method may be adopted inEngland, and if carefully managed, the growth the plants would makewould far exceed anything ever accomplished when they are keptpermanently in pots. 

Out-of-doors. --There are some kinds which may be grown out of doorsaltogether, if planted on a sunny, sheltered position, on a rockery. Themost successful plan is that followed at Kew, where a collection of thehardier species is planted in a rockery composed of brick rubble andstones. During summer the plants are exposed; but when cold weather andrains come, lights are placed permanently over the rockery, and in thisway it is kept comparatively dry. No fire-heat or protection of anyother kind is used, and the vigorous growth, robust health, andfloriferousness of the several species are proofs of the fitness of thetreatment for this class of plants. 

In any garden where a few square yards in a sunny, well-drained positioncan be afforded for a raised rockery, the hardy Cactuses may be easilymanaged. To make a suitable rockery, proceed as follows: Find a positionagainst the south wall of a house, greenhouse, or shed, and against thiswall construct a raised rockery of brick rubble, lime rubbish, stones(soft sandstone, if possible), and fibrous loam. The rockery whenfinished should be, say, 4 ft. Wide, and reach along the wall as far asrequired; the back of the rockery would extend about 2 ft. Above theground level, and fall towards the front. Fix in the wall, 1 ft. Or soabove the rockery, a number of hooks at intervals all along, to hold inposition lights sufficiently long to cover the rockery from the wall tothe front, where they could be supported by short posts driven in theground. The lights should be removed during summer to some shed, andbrought out for use on the approach of winter. Treated in this manner, the following hardy species could not fail to be a success:

Opuntia Rafinesquii and var. Arkansana, O. Vulgaris, O. Brachyarthra, O. Picolominiana, O. Missouriensis, O. Humilis, Cereus Fendleri, C. Engelmanni, C. Gonacanthus, C. Phoeniceus, Echinocactus Simpsoni, E. Pentlandii, Mamillaria vivipara. 

Having briefly pointed out the various positions in which Cactuses maybe cultivated successfully, we will now proceed to treat in detail thevarious operations which are considered as being of more or lessimportance in their management. These are potting, watering, andtemperatures, after which propagation by means of seeds, cuttings, andgrafting, hybridisation, seed saving, &c. , and diseases and noxiousinsects will be treated upon. 

Soil. --The conditions in which plants grow naturally, are what weusually try to imitate for their cultivation artificially. At allevents, such is supposed to be theoretically right, however difficult wemay often find it to be in practice. Soil in some form or other isnecessary to the healthy existence of all plants; and we know that thenature of the soil varies with that of the plants growing in it, or, inother words, certain soils are necessary to certain plants, whether in astate of nature or cultivated in gardens. But, whilst admitting thatNature, when intelligently followed, would not lead us far astray, wemust be careful not to follow her too strictly when dealing with themanagement of plants in gardens. There are other circumstances besidesthe nature of the soil by which plants are influenced. Soil is only oneof the conditions on which plants depend, and where the other conditionsare not exactly the same in our gardens as in nature, it is often foundnecessary to employ a different soil from that in which the plants growwhen wild. 

It has been stated that plants do not grow naturally in the soil bestsuited for them, and that the reason why many plants are found inpeculiar places is not at all because they prefer them, but because theyalone are capable of existing there, or because they take refuge therefrom the inroads of stouter neighbours who would destroy them or crowdthem out. There are, as every gardener knows, numerous plants thatsucceed equally well in widely different soils, and a soil which may besuitable for a plant in one place, may prove totally unsuited inanother. Hence it is why we find one gardener recommending one kind ofsoil, and another a different one, for the same plant, both answeringequally well because of other conditions fitting better with each soil. This helps us to understand how it is that many garden subjects growmuch better when planted in composts often quite different from thosethe plants are found in when wild. Few plants have a particularpredilection for soil, and some have what we may call the power to adaptthemselves to conditions often widely different. 

In Cactuses we have a family of plants for which special conditions arenecessary; and, as regards soil, whether we are guided by nature or bygardening experience, we are led to conclude that almost all of themthrive only when planted in one kind, that soil being principally loam. Plants which are limited in nature to sandy, sun-scorched plains or theglaring sides of rocky hills and mountains, where scarcely any otherform of vegetation can exist, are not likely to require much decayedvegetable humus, but must obtain their food from inorganic substances, such as loam, sand, or lime. So it is with them when grown in ourhouses. They are healthiest and longest-lived when planted in a loamysoil; and although they may be grown fairly well for a time when placedin a compost of loam and leaf mould, or loam and peat, yet the growththey make is generally too sappy and weak; it is simply fat withoutbone, which, when the necessary resting period comes round, either rotsor gradually dries up. In preparing soil, therefore, for all Cactuses(except Epiphyllum and Rhipsalis, which will be treated separately) agood, rather stiff loam, with plenty of grass fibre in it, should formthe principal ingredient, sand and, if obtainable, small brick rubblebeing added--one part of each of the latter to six parts of the former. The brick rubble should be pounded up so that the largest pieces areabout the size of hazel nuts. Lime rubbish, i. E. , old plaster frombuildings, &c. , is sometimes recommended for Cactuses, but it does notappear to be of any use except as drainage. At Kew its use has beendiscontinued, and it is now generally condemned by all good cultivators. Of course, the idea that lime was beneficial to Cactuses sprang from theknowledge that it existed in large quantities in the soil in which theplants grew naturally, and it is often found in abundance, in the formof oxalate of lime, in the old stems of the plants. But in good loam, lime, in the state of chalk, is always present, and this, together withthe lime contained in the brick rubble, is sufficient to supply theplants with as much as they require. 

For Epiphyllums and Rhipsalis, both of which are epiphytal naturally, but which are found to thrive best in pots in our houses, a mixture ofequal parts of peat and loam with sand and brick rubble in the sameproportion as before recommended, will be found most suitable. Leafmould is sometimes used for these plants; but unless really good it isbest left out of the soil. The finest Epiphyllums have been grown in asoil which consists almost wholly of a light fibry loam, with theaddition of a little crushed bones. 

Potting. --Cactuses, when healthy, are injuriously affected by frequentdisturbance at the roots. On the arrival of the potting season, whichfor these plants is in April and May, established plants should beexamined at the root, and if the roots are found to be in a healthycondition, and the soil sweet, they should be replaced in the same potsto continue in them another year. If the roots are decayed, or the soilhas become sour, it should be shaken away from the roots, which must beexamined, cutting away all decayed portions, and shortening the longestroots to within a few inches of the base of the plant. Cactuses are sotenacious of life, and appear to rely so little on their roots, that itwill be found the wisest plan, when repotting them, to cut the rootsthoroughly. 

The size of pots most suitable is what would be considered small incomparison with other plants, Cactuses preferring to be somewhat crampedin this respect. This, indeed, is how they are found when wild, theroots generally fixing themselves in the crevices of the rocks or stonesabout which the plants grow, so that a large specimen is often found tohave only a few inches of space in the cleft of a rock for the whole ofits roots. When thus limited, growth is firmer and the flowers areproduced in much greater profusion than when a liberal amount of rootspace is afforded. The pots should be well drained-about one-fifth oftheir depth filled with drainage when intended for large, strong-growingkinds, and one-third for the smaller ones, such as Mamillarias. A layerof rough fibry material should be placed over the crocks to prevent thefiner soil from stopping the drainage. When filling in the soil, pressit down firmly, spreading the roots well amongst it, and keeping thebase of the plant only an inch or so below the surface. 

For plants with weak stems, stakes will be necessary, and evenstout-stemmed kinds, when their roots are not sufficient to hold themfirmly, will do best if fastened to one or two strong stakes till theyhave made new roots and got firm hold of the soil. Epiphyllums, whengrown as standards, should be tied to strong wire supports, those withthree short, prong-like legs being most desirable, as, owing to theweight of the head of the plant, a single stake is not sufficient tohold the whole firmly. After potting, no water should be given for a fewweeks. In fact, if the atmosphere in which the plants are placed be kepta little moist, it will not be necessary to water them till signs offresh growth are perceived. For Epiphyllums and Rhipsalis, water will berequired earlier than this; but even they are best left for a few dayswithout water, after they have been repotted. As soon as fresh growth isperceived, the plants may be well watered, and from this time water maybe supplied as often as the soil approaches dryness. Newly-importedplants, which on arrival are usually much shrivelled and rootless, should be potted in rather dry soil and small pots, and treated asrecommended above. Cactuses, we must remember, contain an abundance ofnourishment stored up in their stems, and upon this they will continueto exist for a considerable time without suffering; and, when theirgrowing season comes round, root action commences whether the soil iswet or dry, the latter being the most favourable. 

Plants altogether exposed to the air will push roots in due time. Aremarkable instance of this has been recorded by Mr. J. R. Jackson, curator of the museums at Kew. A plant of Pilocereus senilis, which hadgrown too tall for the house, was cut off at the base, and placed in themuseum as a specimen. Here it gradually dried up to within 2 ft. Of thetop, where a fracture across the stem had been made. Above this the stemremained fresh and healthy, and, on examining it some months afterwards, it was found that not only had the top of the stem remained green, butit had formed roots of its own, which had grown down the dead lowerportion of the stem, and were in a perfectly healthy state. When it isremembered that all this happened in the dry atmosphere of a museum, itwill be apparent how exceptional Cactuses are in their manner of growth, and in the wonderful tenacity of life they exhibit under conditionswhich would destroy the majority of plants in a very short time. Wesometimes find, when examining the bases of Cactus stems, that decay hascommenced; this is carefully cut out with a sharp knife, and the woundexposed to the action of the air till it is perfectly dry, or, as weterm it, "callused. "

Watering. --It will have peen gathered from what has been previouslysaid in relation to the conditions under which the majority of theplants of the Cactus family grow when wild, that during their season ofgrowth they require a good supply of moisture, both at the root andoverhead; and afterwards a somewhat lengthened period of rest, that is, almost total dryness, accompanied by all the sunlight possible, andgenerally a somewhat high temperature. The growing season for all thosekinds which require to be kept dry when at rest is from the end of Aprilto the middle of August, and during this time they should be keptmoderately moist, but not constantly saturated, which, however, is notlikely to occur if the water is not carelessly supplied, and thedrainage and soil are perfect. This treatment corresponds with whathappens to Cactuses in a wild state, the frequent and heavy rains whichoccur in the earlier part of the summer in the American plains supplyingthe amount of moisture necessary to enable these plants to make freshgrowth, and produce their beautiful flowers and spine-clothed fruits. After August, little or no rain falls, and the Cactuses assume a rathershrivelled appearance, which gives them an unhealthy look, but which isreally a sign of ripeness, promising a plentiful crop of flowers whenthe rainy season again returns. 

As the sun in England is not nearly so powerful as in the hot plains ofCentral America and the Southern States of North America, where Cactusesare found in greatest abundance, it will be evident that, if flowers areto be produced, we must see that our plants have a sufficiency of waterin early summer, and little or none during the autumn and winter, whilstthe whole year round they should be exposed to all the sunlightpossible, the temperature, of course, varying with the requirements ofthe species, whether it is a native of tropical or of temperate regions. It is important that the cultivator should understand that if water isliberally supplied all through the summer, the plants cannot obtain therest which is necessary to their ripening and producing flowers, asdryness at the root alone is not sufficient to provide this, but must beaccompanied by exposure to bright sunlight, which is not possible inEngland during winter, so that the ripening process must begin beforethe summer is over. 

It is possible to preserve most Cactuses alive by keeping themconstantly growing; but, with very few exceptions, such treatmentprevents the plants from flowering. The following is what is practisedin the gardens where Cactuses are successfully cultivated. For thegenera Cereus, Echinopsis, Echinocactus, Mamillaria, Opuntia, andMelocactus, a moist tropical house is provided, and in April the plantsare freely watered at the root, and syringed overhead both morning andafternoon on all bright days. This treatment is continued till the endof July, when syringing is suspended, and the water supplied to theroots gradually reduced. By the end of August, the plants are placed ina large light frame with a south aspect, except the tall-growing kinds, which are too bulky to remove. In this frame the plants are kept tillthe summer is over, and are watered only about once a week should thesun be very powerful. The lights are removed on all bright sunny days, but are kept on during wet or dull weather, and at night. Under thistreatment, many of the species assume a reddish appearance, and thethick fleshy-stemmed kinds generally shrivel somewhat. There is nooccasion for alarm in the coloured and shrivelled appearance of theplants: on the contrary, it may be hailed as a good sign for flowers. 

A common complaint in relation to Cacti as flowering plants is that theygrow all right but rarely or never flower. The explanation of this isshown by the fact that the plants must be properly ripened and restedbefore they can produce flowers. On the approach of cold weather theplants which were removed to a frame to be ripened should be broughtback into the house for the winter, and kept quite dry at the roots tillthe return of spring, when their flowers will be developed either beforeor soon after the watering season again commences. 

Hitherto we have been dealing with those genera which have thick fleshystems; but there still remain the genera Rhipsalis, Epiphyllum, andPhyllocactus, which are not capable of bearing the long period ofdrought advised for the former. The last-mentioned genus should, however, be kept almost dry at the root during winter, and, if placed ina light, airy house till the turn of the year, the branches will ripen, and set their flower buds much more readily than when they are winteredin a moist, partially-shaded house. During summer all the Phyllocactusesdelight in plenty of water, and, when growing freely, a weak solution ofmanure affords them good food. Epiphyllums must be kept always more orless moist at the root, though, of course, when growing freely, theyrequire more water than when growth has ceased for the year, whichhappens late in autumn. The same rule applies to Rhipsalis, none of thespecies of which are happy when kept long dry. For the several speciesof Opuntia and Echinopsis, which are sufficiently hardy to be cultivatedon a sunny rockery out of doors, it will be found a wise precaution toplace either a pane of glass or a handlight over the plants in wetautumns and during winter, not so much to serve as protection from coldas to shield them from an excess of moisture at a time when it wouldprove injurious. 

Temperature. --As the amount of heat required by the different speciesof Cactus varies very considerably, and as the difference between thesummer and winter temperatures for them is often as great as it isimportant, it will be as well if we mention the temperature required byeach when describing the species. It is true that the majority ofCactuses may be kept alive in one house where all would be subjected tothe same temperature, but many of the plants would merely exist, andcould not possibly flower. It would be easy to point to severalinstances of this unsatisfactory state of things. At Kew, for example, owing to the arrangements necessary for the public, it is foundconvenient to have the majority of the large collection of Cactuses inone house, where the plants present an imposing appearance, but where, as might be expected, a good number of the species very rarely produceflowers. The Cactuses which inhabit the plains of the Southern UnitedStates are subjected to a very high summer temperature, and a winter ofintense cold; whilst on the other hand the species found in Central andSouth America do not undergo nearly so wide an extreme, the differencebetween the summer and winter temperatures of these countries beinggenerally much less marked. A word will be said under each species as towhether it is tropical, temperate, or hardy, a tropical temperature forCacti being in summer 70 degs. , rising to 90 degs. With sun heat, nighttemperature 60 degs. To 70 degs. , in winter 60 degs. To 65 degs. Temperate:in summer 60 degs. , rising to 75 degs. With sun heat, night 60 degs. To65 degs. , in winter 50 degs. To 55 degs. The hardy species will, of course, bear the ordinary temperatures of this country; but, to enable them towithstand a very cold winter, they must be kept as dry as possible. Inthe colder parts of England it is not advisable to leave any of theseplants outside during winter. 

Insect Pests. --Notwithstanding the thickness of skin characteristic ofalmost every one of the Cactuses, they are frequently attacked byvarious kinds of garden pests when under cultivation, and moreespecially by mealy bug. There is, of course, no difficulty in removingsuch insects from the species with few or no spines upon their stems;but when the plants are thickly covered with clusters of spines andhairs, the insects are not easily got rid of. For Cactuses, as well asfor other plants subject to this most troublesome insect, various kindsof insecticide have been recommended; but the best, cheapest, and mosteffectual with which we are acquainted is paraffin, its only drawbackbeing the injury it does to the plants when applied carelessly, or whennot sufficiently diluted. A wineglassful of the oil, added to a gallonof soft water, and about 2oz. Of soft soap, the whole to be keptthoroughly mixed by frequently stirring it, forms a solution strongenough to destroy mealy bug. In applying this mixture, a syringe shouldbe used, or, if the plants are to be dipped overhead, care must be takento have the oil thoroughly diffused through the water, or the plant, when lifted out, will be covered with pure paraffin, which does not mixproperly with water, but swims upon the surface if allowed to stand fora few moments. The plants should be laid on their sides to be syringedwith the mixture, and after they have been thoroughly wetted, they maybe allowed to stand for a few minutes before being syringed with purewater. Plants that are badly infested with mealy bug should be syringedwith the paraffin mixture once a day, for about a week. It is easy to doserious harm to these plants by using a stronger solution than is hererecommended, and also by not properly mixing the oil with the soap andwater; and the amateur cannot, therefore, be too careful in his use ofthis excellent insecticide. It would be easy to recommend otherinsecticides, so called, for Cactuses; but whilst they are lessdangerous to the plants, they are often as harmless as pure water to theinsects. 

For scale, which sometimes infests these plants, and which is sometimesfound upon them when wild, the paraffin may be used with good effect. 

Thrips attack Phyllocactus, Rhipsalis, and Epiphyllum, especially whenthe plants are grown in less shade, or in a higher temperature, than isgood for them. Fumigation with tobacco, dipping in a strong solution oftobacco, or sponging with a mixture of soap and water, are either ofthem effectual when applied to plants infested with thrips. The same maybe said of green-fly, which sometimes attacks the Epiphyllums. 

A blight, something similar to mealy bug, now and again appears on theroots of some of the varieties of Echinocactus and Cereus. This may bedestroyed by dipping the whole of the roots in the mixture recommendedfor the stems when infested by mealy bug, and afterwards allowing themto stand for a few minutes immersed in pure water. They may then beplaced where they will dry quickly, and finally, in a day or two, repotted into new compost, first removing every particle of the old soilfrom the roots. 

Diseases. --When wild and favourably situated as regards heat andmoisture, the larger kinds of Cactus are said to live to a great age, some of the tree kinds, according to Humboldt, bearing about them signsof having existed several hundred years. The same remarkable longevity, most likely, is found in the smaller kinds when wild. Under artificialcultivation there are, however, many conditions more or lessunfavourable to the health of plants, and, in the case of Cactuses, verylarge specimens, when imported from their native haunts to be placed inour glass houses, soon perish. At Kew, there have been, at varioustimes, very fine specimens of some of the largest-growing ones, but theyhave never lived longer than a year or so, always gradually shrinking insize till, finally, owing to the absence of proper nourishment, and toother untoward conditions, they have broken down and rotted. Thisrotting of the tissue, or flesh, of these plants is the great enemy totheir cultivation in England. When it appears, it should be carefullycut out with a sharp knife, and exposed to the influence of a perfectlydry atmosphere for a few days till the wound has dried, when the plantshould be potted in a sandy compost and treated as for cuttings. Sometimes the decay begins in the side of the stem of the plant, inwhich case it should be cut away, and the wound exposed to a dry air. The cause of this decay at the base or in the side of the stems ofCactuses is no doubt debility, which is the result of the absence ofsome necessary condition when the plants are cultivated in houses orwindows in this country. 

Grafted plants, especially Epiphyllums, when worked on to Pereskiastocks, are apt to grow weak and flabby through the stem wearing out, orthrough the presence of mealy bug or insects in the crevices of the partwhere the stock and scion join, in which case it is best to preparefresh stocks of Pereskia, and graft on to them the best of the pieces ofEpiphyllum from the old, debilitated plant. It is no use trying to getsuch plants to recover, as, when once this disease or weakness begins, it cannot easily be stopped. 

CHAPTER IV. 

PROPAGATION. 

Cactuses may be multiplied from cuttings of the stems, from seeds, andalso by means of grafting; this last method being adopted for thosespecies which, under cultivation, are not easily kept in health whengrowing upon their own roots, or, as in the case of Epiphyllums, when itoffers a means of speedily forming large and shapely specimens. Fromseeds the plants are generally freer in growth than when cuttings areused, although the seedlings are longer in growing into floweringspecimens than large cuttings would be. To the amateur, the process ofgermination and development from the seedling to the mature stage, isfull of interest and attraction, the changes from one form to another asthe plant develops being very marked in most of the genera. 

Seeds. --Good fresh seeds of Cactaceous plants germinate in from two tofour weeks after sowing, if placed in a warm house or on a hotbed with atemperature of 80 degs. If sown in a lower temperature, the time theytake to vegetate is longer; but, unless in a very low degree of heat, the seeds, if good, and if properly managed as regards soil and water, rarely fail to germinate. For all the kinds, pots or pans containingdrainage to within 2 in. Of the top, and then filled up with finelysifted loam and sand, three parts of the former to one of the latter, and pressed down moderately firm, will be found to answer. If the soilbe moist at the time of sowing the seeds, it will not be necessary towater it for a day or two. The seeds should be scattered thinly over thesurface of the soil, and then covered with about 1/8 in. Of soil. Overthis, a pane of glass may be placed, and should remain till theseedlings appear above the soil. Should the position where the seeds areto be raised be in a room window, this pane of glass will be found veryuseful in preventing the dry air of the room from absorbing all themoisture from the soil about the seeds. For the germination of Cactus, and indeed of all seeds, a certain amount of moisture must be constantlypresent in the soil; and after a seed has commenced to grow, to allow itto get dry is to run the risk of killing it. 

[Illustration: FIG. 4. --SEEDLINGS OF CEREUS. A, One month after germination. B, Two months after germination. C, Three months after germination. (Magnified six times, ). ]

The seeds of Cactuses may be sown at anytime in the year; but it is bestto sow in spring, as, after germinating, the young plants have thesummer before them in which to attain sufficient strength to enable themto pass through the winter without suffering; whereas plants raised fromautumn-sown seeds have often a poor chance of surviving through thewinter, unless treated with great care. The seeds of all Cactuses aresmall, and therefore the seedlings are at first tiny globular masses ofwatery flesh, very different from what we find in the seedlings ofordinary garden plants. The form of the seedling of a species of Cereusis shown at Fig. 4, and its transition from a small globule-like mass offlesh to the spine-clothed stem, which characterises this genus, is alsorepresented. At a we see the young plant after it has emerged from theseed, the outer shell of which was attached to one of the sides of theaperture at the top till about a week before the drawing was made. At b, the further swelling and opening out, as it were, of what, in botanicallanguage, is known as the cotyledon stage of development, will be seen;a month afterwards, this will have assumed the shape of a very smallCereus. It is interesting to note how the soft fleshy mass which firstgrows out of the seed is nothing more than a little bag of food with atiny growing point fixed in its top, and that, as the growing pointincreases, the food bag decreases, till finally the whole of the latterbecomes absorbed into the young stem, which is now capable of obtainingnourishment by means of its newly-formed roots. 

[Illustration: FIG. 5. --SEEDLINGS OF OPUNTIA, SHOWING MODE OFGERMINATION. (Magnified three times). ]

In the genus Opuntia, the cotyledon stage (see Fig. 5) of the plant isdifferent from that of the Cereus, and is more like that of a cucumber. Still, though the form is different, the purpose of the two cotyledonsand the juicy stem in the seedling Opuntia is the same as in the Cereus;and, as the growing point develops, the cotyledons shrivel up and falloff, the plant food they contained having passed into that part of theyoung seedling which was to be permanent. The seedlings of these twogenera serve as an illustration of the process of germination from seedof all the Cactuses; and it must be evident that there is much that issingular and full of interest in raising these plants from seeds. Assoon as the seedlings are large enough to be handled, they may beplanted separately in small pots, using a compost similar to, butslightly coarser than, that in which the seeds were sown. The soilshould be kept moist till the summer is over; and after that, till thereturn of warm sunny weather, it will be found safest to keep theseedlings on the dry side, a little water only to be given at intervalsof a week, and only when the sun is shining upon the plants. 

To obtain seeds from cultivated plants, it is necessary, in order toinsure fertilisation that the top of the stigma (see Fig. 2) should bedusted over with the dust-like pollen from the anthers. This may be doneby means of a small camel-hair brush, which should be moistened in themouth and then pushed among the anthers till covered with pollen, whichmay then be gently rubbed on to the stigma. A warm, sunny morning is themost suitable time for this operation, as fertilisation takes place muchmore readily under the influence of bright sunshine than at any othertime. Some of the kinds have their floral organs so arranged as to becapable of self-fertilisation; still, it is always as well to give themsome assistance. The night-flowering species must, of course, befertilised either at night or very early in the morning. By using thepollen from one kind for dusting on to the stigma of another, hybridsmay be obtained, and it is owing to the readiness with which the plantsof this family cross with each other, that so many hybrids and forms ofthe genera Epiphyllum and Phyllocactus have been raised. It would beuseless to attempt such a cross as Epiphyllum with Cereus giganteus, because of their widely different natures; but such crosses asEpiphyllum with Phyllocactus, and Cereus flagelliformis with C. Speciosissimus, have been brought about. To an enthusiast, the wholeorder offers a very good field for operations with a view to theproduction of new sorts, as the different kinds cross freely with eachother, and the beautiful colours of the flowers would most likelycombine so as to present some new and distinct varieties. 

Cuttings. --No plants are more readily increased from stem-cuttings thanCactuses; for, be the cutting 20 ft. High, or only as large as a thimble, it strikes root readily if placed in a warm temperature and keptslightly moist. We have already seen how, even in the dry atmosphere ofa museum, a stem of Cereus, instead of perishing, emitted roots andremained healthy for a considerable time, and it would be easy to add tothis numerous other instances of the remarkable tenacity of lifepossessed by these plants. At Kew, it is the common practice, when thelarge-growing specimens get too tall for the house in which they aregrown, to cut off the top of the stem to a length of 6 ft. Or 8 ft. , andplant it in a pot of soil to form a new plant. The old base is kept forstock, as it often happens that just below the point where the stem wassevered, lateral buds are developed, and these, when grown intobranches, are removed and used as cuttings. Large Opuntias are treatedin the same way, with the almost invariable result that even the largestbranches root freely, and are in no way injured by what appears to beexceedingly rough treatment. Large cuttings striking root so freely, itmust follow that small cuttings will likewise soon form roots, and, sofar as our experience--which consists of some years with a very largecollection of Cactuses--goes, there is not one species in cultivationwhich may not be easily multiplied by means of cuttings. The nature of aCactus stem is so very different from the stems of most other plants, that no comparison can be made between them in respect of theirroot-developing power; the rooting of a Cactus cutting being as certainas the rooting of a bulb. The very soft, fleshy stems of some of thekinds such as the Echinocactus, should be exposed to the air for a time, so that the cut at the base may dry before it is buried in the soil. Ifthe base of a plant decays, all that is necessary is the removal of thedecayed portion, exposure of the wound to the air for two or three days, and then the planting of the cutting in a dry, sandy soil, and placingit in a warm moist house till rooted. All cuttings of Cactuses may betreated in this way. If anything proves destructive to these cuttings, it is excessive moisture in the soil, which must always be carefullyguarded against. 

Grafting. --The object of grafting is generally either to effect certainchanges in the nature of the scion, by uniting it with a stock of acharacter different from its own, which usually results in the betterproduction of flowers, fruit, &c. , or to multiply those plants which arenot readily increased by the more ordinary methods of cuttings or seeds. In the case of Cactuses, however, we resort to grafting, not because ofany difficulty in obtaining the kinds thus treated from either cuttingsor seeds, as we have already seen that all the species of Cactuses growfreely from seed, or are easily raised from cuttings of their stems, noryet to effect any change in the characters of the plants thus treated, but because some of the more delicate kinds, and especially the smallerones, are apt to rot at the base during the damp, foggy weather of ourwinters; and, to prevent this, it is found a good and safe plan to graftthem on to stocks formed of more robust kinds, or even on to plants ofother genera, such as Cereus or Echinocactus. By this means, thedelicate plants are raised above the soil whence the injury in winterusually arises, and they are also kept well supplied with food by themore robust and active nature of the roots of the plant upon which theyare grafted. Grafting is also adopted for some of the Cactuses to add tothe grotesqueness of their appearance; a spherical Echinocactus orMamillaria being united to the columnar stem of another kind, so as toproduce the appearance of a drum stick; or a large round-growing speciesgrafted on to three such stems, which may then be likened to a globesupported upon three columns. As the species and genera unite freelywith each other, it is possible to produce, by means of grafting, somevery extraordinary-looking plants, and to a lover of the incongruous and"queer, " these plants will afford much interest and amusement. Besidesthe above, we graft Epiphyllums, and the long drooping Cereuses, such asC. Flagelliformis, because of their pendent habit, and which, therefore, are seen to better advantage when growing from the tall erect stem ofsome stouter kind, than if allowed to grow on their own roots. Bygrowing a Pereskia on into a large plant, and then cutting it into anyshape desired, we may, by grafting upon its spurs or branches a numberof pieces of Epiphyllum, obtain large flowering specimens of variousshapes in a comparatively short time. For general purposes, it is usualto graft Epiphyllums on to stems, about 1 ft. High, of Pereskia aculeata;pretty little standard plants being in this way formed in about a yearfrom the time of grafting, As an instance of how easily some kinds maybe grafted, we may note what was done with a large head of theRat's-tail Cactus which had been grown for some years on the stem ofCereus rostratus, but which last year rotted off just below the point ofunion. On re-grafting this head on to the Cereus a little lower down, itfailed to unite, and, attributing the failure to possible ill-health inthe stock, we determined to transfer the Rat's-tail Cactus to a largestem of Pereskia aculeata, the result being a quick union and rapid, healthy growth since. Upon the same stock some grafts of Epiphyllum hadpreviously been worked, so that it is probable these two aliens willform on their nurse-stem, the Pereskia, an attractive combination. InFig. 6 we have a fine example of this kind of grafting. It represents astem of Pereskia Bleo upon which the Rat's-tail Cactus and an Epiphyllumhave been grafted. 

[Illustration: FIG. 6. PERESKIA BLEO, WITH EPIPHYLLUM AND CEREUSFLAGELLIFORMIS GRAFTED UPON IT. ]

For most plants the operation of grafting must be carefully andskilfully performed, but in the case of Cactuses very little skill isnecessary if one or two rules, which apply to all kinds of grafting, areobserved. The period of vigorous growth, and while the sap of both thestock and the scion is in motion, is the most favourable time for theoperation. It is then only necessary, in order to bring about a speedyunion, that the parts grafted should be cut so as to fit each otherproperly, and then bound or in some way fastened together so that theywill remain in close contact with each other till a union is effected. Aclose atmosphere and, if possible, a little shade should be afforded theworked plants till the grafts have taken. The ligature used should notbe bound round the graft too tightly, or it will prevent the flow of thesap; if bound tightly enough to hold the parts together and to preventtheir slipping, that will be found quite sufficient. 

Epiphyllums are treated as follows: Cuttings of Pereskia are rooted andgrown on to the required size, and in the month of September they areheaded down, the tops being used as cuttings. Grafts of Epiphyllum arethen prepared by cutting them to the required length, usually about6 in. , and removing a thin slice of the fleshy stem on each side so as toform a flat wedge. The stem of Pereskia is then split down about 1 in. With a sharp knife, and into this the wedge of the graft is inserted, and fastened either by means of a small pin passed through the stem andgraft about half-way up the slit, or by binding round them a littleworsted or matting, the former being preferred. The worked plants arethen placed in a close handlight or propagating frame, having atemperature of about 75 degs. , where they are kept moist by sprinklingthem daily with water; they must be shaded from bright sunlight. As soonas a union has been effected, which will be seen by the grafts beginningto grow, the ligature and pin should be removed, and the plantsgradually hardened off by admitting air to the box, till finally theymay be removed to the house where it is intended to grow them. In acottage window this operation may be successfully performed if a boxwith a movable glass top, or a large bell glass, be used to keep thegrafts close till they have taken. 

For the spherical-stemmed kinds of Mamillaria, Cereus, Echinocactus, &c. , a different method is found to answer. Instead of cutting the baseof the graft to a wedge shape, it is simply cut across the basehorizontally, or, in other words, a portion of the bottom of the graftis sliced off, and a stock procured which, when cut across the top, willabout fit the wound at the base of the scion; the two sliced parts areplaced together, and secured either by passing a piece of matting a fewtimes over the top of the graft and under the pot containing the stock, or by placing three stakes around it in such a way that, when tiedtogether at the top, they will hold the graft firmly in position. Another method is that of cutting the base of the scion in the form of around wedge, and then scooping a hole out in the centre of the stocklarge enough to fit this wedge; the scion is pressed into this, and thensecured in the manner above mentioned. To graft one spherical-stemmedkind on to three columnar-stemmed ones, the latter must first beestablished in one pot and, when ready for grafting, cut at the top intorounded wedges, three holes to correspond being cut into the scion. Whenfixed, the top should be securely fastened by tying it to the pot, or bymeans of stakes. For this last operation, a little patience and care arenecessary to make the stocks and scions fit properly; but if the rulesthat apply to grafting are properly followed, there will be little fearof the operation failing. In the accompanying illustrations, we have asmall Mamillaria stem grafted on to the apex of the tallquadrangular-stemmed, night-flowering Cereus (Fig. 7), and also acylindrical-stemmed Opuntia worked on a branch of the flat, battledore-like Indian Fig (Fig. 8. )

[Illustration: FIG. 7. --GRAFT OF MAMILLARIA RECURVA ON CEREUSNYCTICALUS. ]

[Illustration: FIG. 8. --GRAFT OF OPUNTIA DECIPIENS ON O. FICUS-INDICA. ]

In the hands of a skilful cultivator, the different Cactuses may be madeto unite with one another almost as easily as clay under the moulder'shands; whilst even to the amateur, Cactuses afford the easiest ofsubjects for observing the results of grafting. 

CHAPTER V. 

THE GENUS EPIPHYLLUM. 

(From epi upon, and phyllon, a leaf). 

It is now about a century since some of the most beautiful of Cactaceousplants came into cultivation in this country, and amongst them was theplant now known as E. Truncatum, but then called Cactus Epiphyllum; thename Cactus being used in a generic sense, and not, as now, merely as ageneral term for the Natural Order. Introduced so early, and at oncefinding great favour as a curious and beautiful flowering plant, E. Truncatum has been, and is still, extensively cultivated, and numerousvarieties of it have, as a consequence, originated in English gardens. We do not use the seeds of these plants for their propagation, unlessnew varieties are desired, when we must begin by fertilising theflowers, and thus obtain seeds, which should be sown and grown on tillthe plants flower. 

Epiphyllums have already "broken" from their original or wildcharacters, and are, therefore, likely to yield distinct varieties fromthe first sowing. In the forests which clothe the slopes of the OrganMountains, in Brazil, the Epiphyllums are found in great abundance, growing upon the trunks and branches of large trees, and occasionally onthe ground or upon rocks, up to an elevation of 6000 ft. It was here thatGardner, when travelling in South America, found E. Truncatum growing ingreat luxuriance, and along with it the species known as E. Russellianum, which he sent to the Duke of Bedford's garden, at Woburn, in 1839. These two species are the only ones now recognised bybotanists, all the other cultivated kinds being either varieties of, orcrosses raised from, them. The character by which Epiphyllums aredistinguished from other Cactuses, is their flattened, long, slenderbranches, which are formed of succulent, green, leaf-like branchlets, growing out of the ends of each other, to a length of from 3 ft. To 4 ft. As in the majority of Cactuses, the stems of Epiphyllum become woody andalmost cylindrical with age, the axes of the branchlets swell out, andthe edges either disappear or remain attached, like a pair of wings. 

Cultivation. --Epiphyllums require the temperature of an intermediatehouse in winter, whilst, in summer, any position where they can be kepta little close and moist, and be shaded from bright sunshine, will suitthem. Remembering that their habit, when wild, is to grow upon thetrunks of trees, where they would be afforded considerable shade by theoverhanging branches, we cannot be wrong in shading them from directsunshine during summer. Some growers recommend placing these plants in ahot, dry house; but we have never seen good specimens cultivated undersuch conditions. All through the summer months, the plants should besyringed both morning and evening; but by the end of August they willhave completed their growth, and should, therefore, be gradually exposedto sunshine and air. 

It is advisable to discontinue the use of the syringe from Septembertill the return of spring, but the plants should always be kept suppliedwith a little moisture at the root and in the air about them during thewinter months. In this respect, these plants and the Rhipsalis areexceptions among Cactuses, as all the others are safest when kept dryduring the cold, dull weather between September and April. The soil mostsuitable for them is a mixture of peat, loam, and sand, unless a lightand fibrous loam be obtainable, which is, perhaps, the best of all soilsfor these plants, requiring only the addition of a little rotted manureor leaf-mould, silver sand, and some small brick rubble. The Pereskiastock is not a stout-rooted plant, and does not, therefore, require muchroot-room, although, by putting in plenty of broken crocks as drainage, the soil space in the pots may be reduced to what is consideredsufficient for the plant. If small pots are used, the head of the plantis apt to overbalance the whole. The stems should be secured to stoutstakes, and, if large, umbrella-like specimens are wanted, a frameshould be made in the form of an umbrella, and the stem and branchesfastened to it. Smaller plants may be kept in position by means of asingle upright stake, which should be long enough to stand an inch ortwo above the head of the plant, so that the stoutest branches may besupported by attaching a piece of matting to them, and fastening it tothe top of the stake. In the remarks upon grafting we mentioned thelarge pyramidal specimens of Epiphyllum which are grown by somecultivators for exhibition purposes; and, although these plants are muchrarer at exhibitions now than they were a few years ago, yet they dosometimes appear, especially in the northern towns, such as Liverpooland Manchester. 

It would not be easy to find a more beautiful object during winter thanan Epiphyllum, 5 ft. Or 6 ft. High, and nearly the same in width at thebase, forming a dense pyramid of drooping, strap-like branches bearingseveral hundreds of their bright and delicate coloured blossoms all atone time, and lasting in beauty for several weeks. With a little skilland patience, plants of this size may be grown by any amateur whopossesses a warm greenhouse; and, although it is not easy to manage suchlarge plants in a room window, handsome little specimens of the sameform may be grown if the window is favourably situated and the room keptwarm in winter. Mr. J. Wallis, gardener to G. Tomline, Esq. , of Ipswich, has become famous for the size and health of the specimens he hasproduced. Writing on the cultivation of Epiphyllums, Mr. Wallis givesthe following details, which are especially valuable as coming from oneof the most successful cultivators of these beautiful plants:

"The Epiphyllums here are grown for flowering in the conservatory, andare usually gay from the first week in November till February. Duringthe remainder of the year, they occupy a three-quarter span-roof house, in which an intermediate temperature is maintained. All our Epiphyllumsare grafted on the Pereskia aculeata. We graft a few at intervals of twoor three years, so, if any of the older plants become sickly or shabby, they are thrown away, and the younger ones grown on. Some of the stocksare worked to form pyramids, and some to form standards. The height ofthe pyramids is 6 ft. , and, to form these, six or eight scions areinserted. The heads of the standards are on stems ranging in height from4½ ft. Down to 1½ ft. To form these heads, only one scion is put on thestock. Some of our oldest pyramids are 4 ft. Or 5 ft. Through at the base, and the heads of the standards quite as much. When in flower, the headsof the latter droop almost to the pots. The pyramids occupy No. 2 andNo. 4 sized pots, the standards 8's and 12's. Each plant is secured to astrong iron stake, with three prongs fitting the inside of the pot, andthe Epiphyllum is kept well supported to the stake by ties of stoutwire. After the plants are well established, they are easily managed, and go many years without repotting; but, of course, we top-dress themannually, previously removing as much of the old soil as will come awayeasily. We grow these plants with plenty of ventilation on allfavourable occasions, and they are seldom shaded. During active growth, water is given freely, occasionally liquid manure; they are alsosyringed daily. After the season's growth is completed, water is givenmore sparingly, and syringing is dispensed with. "

When grown on their own roots, Epiphyllums are useful for planting inwire baskets intended to hang near the glass; large and very handsomespecimens form in a few years, if young rooted plants are placed ratherthickly round the sides of the baskets, and grown in a warm house. Epiphyllums are employed with good effect for covering walls, which arefirst covered with peaty soil by means of wire netting, and thencuttings of the Epiphyllums are stuck in at intervals of about 1 ft. Theeffect of a wall of the drooping branches of these plants is attractiveeven when without their beautiful flowers; but when seen in winter, clothed with hundreds of sparkling blossoms, they present a mostbeautiful picture. Large plants of Pereskia may be trained over pillarsin conservatories and afterwards grafted with Epiphyllums; in fact, there are many ways in which these plants may be effectively employed ingardens. 

SPECIES. 

E. Truncatum (jagged); Bot. Mag. 2562. --Branchlets from 1 in. To 3 in. Long, and 1 in. Wide, with two or three distinct teeth along the edges, and a toothed or jagged apex (hence the specific name). The flowers are3 in. Long, curved above and below, not unlike the letter S; the petalsand sepals reflexed, and exposing the numerous yellow anthers, throughwhich the club-headed stigma protrudes; colour, a deep rose-red, thebase of the petals slightly paler. The varieties differ in havingcolours which vary from almost pure white, with purplish tips, to auniform rich purple, whilst such colours as salmon, rose, orange, andscarlet, are conspicuous among them. 

[Illustration: FIG. 9. --EPIPHYLLUM RUSSELLIANUM. ]

E. Russellianum (Russell's); Fig. 9. --This has smaller branchlets thanthe type plant (E. Truncatum), and is thus easily distinguished; they donot exceed 1 in. In length and ½ in. In width, whilst the edges areirregularly and faintly notched, not distinctly toothed, as in E. Truncatum. The flowers are a little larger than in the older kind, andare not curved, whilst the petals are narrower; their colour is brightrosy-red. This species flowers rather later in the year than E. Truncatum, and may be had in blossom so late as the month of May orJune. There are several varieties of it which have either larger anddarker, or smaller and variously tinted flowers. Both the species willcross with each other, and probably many of the varieties enumerated bynurserymen have been obtained in this way. 

VARIETIES. 

The following is a selection of the best varieties, with a shortdescription of the flowers of each:

E. Bicolor (two-coloured). --Tube of flower white; petals purple, becoming almost white towards the base. 

E. Bridgesii (Bridges'). --Tube violet; petals dark purple. 

E. Coccineum (scarlet). --Bright scarlet, paler at the base of thepetals. 

E. Cruentum (bloody). --Tube purplish-scarlet; petals bright scarlet. 

E. Gaertneri (Gaertner's). --This is an interesting and beautifulhybrid, raised from Epiphyllum and a Cereus of some kind. The branchletsare exactly the same as those of E. Truncatum, but the flowers are notlike Epiphyllum at all, resembling rather those of Cereus orPhyllocactus. They are brilliant scarlet in colour, shaded with violet. 

E. Magnificum (magnificent). --Tube rosy-violet; petals dark red. 

E. Salmoneum (salmon-coloured). --Tube and base of petals white, restsalmon-red, shaded with purple. 

E. Spectabile (remarkable). --Tube and base of petals white; tips ofpetals carmine. 

E. Tricolor (three-coloured). --Tube salmon-red; petals red, centrepurplish. 

E. Violaceum (violet). --Tube white; petals carmine, margined withviolet-purple. 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE GENUS PHYLLOCACTUS. 

(From phyllon, a leaf, and Cactus). 

As in the case of the Epiphyllums, the principal character by which thePhyllocactus is distinguished is well described by the name, thedifference between it and Epiphyllum being that in the former theflowers are produced along the margins of the flattened branches, whereas in the latter they are borne on the apices of the short, truncate divisions. If we compare any of the Phyllocactuses with Cereustriangularis, or with C. Speciosissimus, we shall find that the flowersare precisely similar both in form and colour, and sometimes also insize. 

In all the kinds the stem is compressed laterally, so as to look as ifit had been hammered out flat; or sometimes it is three-angled, and themargins are deeply notched or serrated. These notches are really thedivisions between one leaf and another, for the flat, fleshy portions orwings of the stems of these plants are simply modified leaves--notproperly separated from each other and from the stem, but still to allintents and purposes leaves--which, as the plant increases and matures, gradually wither away, leaving the central or woody portion to assumethe cylindrical stem which we find in all old Phyllocactuses. It is fromthese notches that the large, showy flowers are developed, just as inplants the flowers of which are borne from the axils of the leaves. 

Under the names "Spleenwort-leaved Indian Figs, " and "WingedTorch-thistles, " as well as those here adopted, the most beautifulperhaps of all Cactuses, and certainly the most useful in a gardensense, have been cultivated in English gardens for more than 150 years;for it was in 1710 that the flowering of E. Phyllanthus was firstrecorded in English horticulture. Philip Miller grew it with many otherCactuses in the botanical garden at Chelsea which was founded by SirHans Sloane, in 1673, to be maintained "for the manifestation of thepower, wisdom, and glory of God in the works of creation, " and whichstill exists as the botanical emporium of the Apothecaries' Society. Themajority of the gorgeous Phyllocactuses which we now possess are of onlyrecent introduction, or are the result of cultivation and crossing. 

The species are natives of various parts of tropical America, chieflyMexico and Central America, where they are found generally growing, incompany with Bromeliads and Orchids, upon the trunks of giganticforest-trees. Phyllocactuses are therefore epiphytes when in a wildstate, but under cultivation with us, they thrive best when planted inpots or in baskets--the latter method being adapted for one or twosmaller kinds. It is easy to imagine the gorgeousness of a group ofthese plants when seen enveloping a large tree-trunk, clothing it, as itwere, with balls of brilliant or pure white flowers. We are told bytravellers of the splendours of a Cactus haunt during the floweringseason, and those who have seen a well-managed pot specimen ofPhyllocactus when covered with large, dazzling flowers, can form someidea of what wild plants are like when seen by hundreds together, andsurrounded by the green foliage and festooning climbers which associatewith them in the forests where they abound. 

Cultivation. --For the following cultural notes we are indebted to amost successful grower of Cactuses in Germany, whose collection ofPhyllocactuses is exceptionally rich and well managed: The growingseason for these plants is from about the end of April, or after theflowers are over, till the end of August. As soon as growth commences, the plants should be repotted. A light, rich soil should be used, amixture of loam, peat, and leaf-mould, or rotten manure with a littlesand, being suitable. Small plants should have a fair shift; larger onesonly into a size of pot which just admits of a thin layer of fresh soil. When pot-bound, the plants flower most freely, and it is not necessaryto repot large specimens more often than about once every three years. When potted they should be placed in a sunny position in a close houseor frame, and be kept freely watered. In bright weather they may besyringed overhead twice a day. For the first few days after repotting itis advisable to shade the plants from bright sunshine. A stovetemperature is required until growth is finished. After this they shouldbe gradually ripened by admitting more air and exposing to all thesunlight possible. During winter very little water is needed, justsufficient to prevent shrivelling being safest. Excess of moisture inwinter is ruinous, as it often kills the roots, and sometimes causes theplant to rot off at the collar. The lowest temperature in winter shouldbe 50 degs. , lower than this being unsafe, whilst in mild weather itmight be 5 degs. Higher. 

It is a bad plan to turn these plants round, in order, as some think, toripen the growths properly. As a matter of fact, it does no good, butoften does harm, by suddenly exposing the tender parts to the full forceof sunlight. 

The stems may be trained either in the form of a fan or as a bush. Oldbranches which have flowered and are shrivelling may be cut away in thespring. 

Some fine specimens have been grown in pockets on old walls insidelean-to greenhouses, where the conditions have been favourable to thehealthy growth and flowering of most of the species. When grown in thisway, water must be supplied exactly as advised for plants grown in pots;if the pockets are not within easy reach of the watering pot, the plantscan be watered by means of a heavy syringing. 

Propagation. --For the propagation of the Phyllocactus either the wholeplant may be divided at the base, or cuttings of the branches may beused; the latter, after having dried by remaining with their basesexposed to the air for a day or two, should be planted in small potsfilled with very sandy soil; they may be placed on a dry, sunny shelfnear the glass, and be slightly sprinkled overhead daily till rooted. Seeds, which sometimes ripen on cultivated plants, should be gathered assoon as the fleshy fruits have turned to a purplish colour, dried for aday or so, then sown in a light, porous soil, and placed in a warm frameor house to germinate. 

SPECIES. 

P. Akermanni (named after a Mr. Akermann, who introduced it from Mexicoin 1829); Fig. 10. --Stem becoming cylindrical at an early age, andclothed with little clusters of spiny hairs; the branches are flattenedout, and form broad, rather thin, blade-like growths, with the marginssinuately lobed (waved and notched). The flowers are large--over 6 in. In diameter--the petals, very acutely pointed and undulated along theedges; flower tube 2 in. Long, with a few small scales scattered over itssurface; stamens curved, clustered around the stigma, and almost hidingit. Colour of whole flower a rich scarlet, with a satin-like lustre. Flowers in June and July. 

[Illustration: FIG. 10. PHYLLOCACTUS AKERMANNI. ]

This is one of the best-known kinds, having been extensively cultivatedas an ornamental greenhouse plant till within the last few years. It wasgrown by several nurserymen for Covent Garden Market about eight yearsago; small plants, about 1 ft. High, and bearing each from two to sixflowers, finding much favour among the costermongers, as the plantscould be bought at a low price, and, owing to their large, brilliantflowers, always sold well at a good profit. This species has beenemployed by the hybridists for the obtaining of new kinds, and some veryhandsome and distinct varieties have consequently been raised. As wellas crossing with other species of Phyllocactus, P. Akermanni has beenused in combination with several species of Cereus, good hybrids havingbeen the result. As a compact-growing and free-flowering species, thismay be specially recommended. 

P. Anguliger (angle-stemmed); Fig. 11. --The branches of this kind aredistinguished by having the notches along their margins more like theteeth of a saw than the others. The habit is rather stiff and erect. Theflowers are produced near the apex of the branches, and are composed ofa curved tube 6 in. Long, spreading out at the top to a width of 6 in. , and surmounted by a whorl of pure white petals, in the centre of whichare the stamens, rather few in number, and the large, ten-rayed stigma. The flowers are developed in December and January, and have a powerfuland delicious odour. Introduced, in 1837, from West Mexico, where it issaid to grow in oak forests. 

[Illustration: FIG. 11. --PHYLLOCACTUS ANGULIGER. ]

P. (Disocactus) biformis (two-formed); Fig. 12. --This is a small plant, and is intermediate between this genus and the Epiphyllums. It possessesno particular beauty or distinctive character such as would render it ofmuch value for garden purposes. The branches are short, rather narrowand drooping, the margins notched and tinged with red. The flowers areborne generally on the ends of the branches, and are drooping in habit;in form they are more like the Epiphyllums than the ordinaryPhyllocactuses, as they have their petals arranged in a sort of tubeabout 3 in. Long. The fruit is a red berry as large as a gooseberry. Honduras, 1839. 

[Illustration: FIG. 12. --PHYLLOCACTUS BIFORMIS. ]

P. Crenatus (toothed); Bot. Reg. 3031. --A large-flowered and verybeautiful species, rivalling, in the size and fragrance of its blossoms, the gigantic night-flowering Cereus grandiflorus. It grows to a heightof about 2 ft. , with round-based branches, the upper portion flattenedout and the margins serrated. The flower tube is 4 in. Long, brownish-green, as also are the sepals; petals 4 in. Long, in a whorl, the points curving inwards; stamens and pistil erect, forming along withthe petals a large star of a pale cream-colour. The beauty and fragranceof these flowers, which open in June, render them specially valuable forcutting and placing in rooms, where, notwithstanding their shortduration, they never fail to win much admiration. Introduced fromHonduras, in 1839. This fine species is one of the parents of thehybrids which have been raised both in this country and in America, where Mr. Hovey succeeded in obtaining some of the choicest as regardscolour and size. Some of these latter were exhibited in London two orthree years ago, and were much admired. 

P. Grandis (large-flowered). --The large, creamy-white flowers of thisplant are like those of the night-flowering Cereus; and, in addition tothe similarity in form and size between these two, there is a furtherone in the time when the flowers expand, this species, along with one ortwo others, opening its flowers after sunset; and although they remainin good condition till late on in the day following, and sometimes evenlonger, we may suppose that the proper flowering time is at night. Thedelicious almond scent of the flowers of this fine Cactus is so strong, that during the flowering period the atmosphere of the largeCactus-house at Kew Gardens is permeated with it, the large specimensthere having usually a score or more flowers open together, the effectof which is truly grand. Even this number of flowers is, for thisspecies, by no means extraordinary, specimens having been grownelsewhere, in pots only 8 in. Across, with as many flowers open on each. From this it will be seen that P. Grandis is one of the most usefulkinds, its large, sweet-scented flowers, and its free-growing nature, rendering it of exceptional value as a decorative plant. Its branchesare broad and notched along the margins, and the flowers are 1 ft. Inlength, including the tube, whilst across the broad, spreading petalsthey measure almost as much. Honduras. Introduced 1837 (?). Time offlowering, summer and autumn. 

P. Hookeri (Hooker's); Bot. Mag. 2692, under Cactus Phyllanthus. --Arobust-growing kind, often attaining to the size of a good shrub. Itsflowers expand in the evening, and are sweet-scented. They are producedalong the margins of the broad, flat, deeply-notched branches, theserratures being rounded instead of angled, as in some of the kinds. Thetube of the flower is long and slender, no thicker than a goose quill, and covered with reddish scales; the petals are spreading, and form acup 6 in. Across; they are narrow, pointed, and pure white, the outerwhorl, as well as the sepals, being tinged on the under side with atawny colour. The stamens form a large cluster in the centre, and arebright yellow, the style being red and yellow. It is probable that thisplant has been in cultivation for many years, as it was figured in thework quoted above under the name of one of the first introduced kinds ofPhyllocactus, from which, however, it is abundantly distinct, as will beseen by a comparison of the descriptions of the two. There are, in theKew collection, several large plants of P. Hookeri that flower annuallyduring the summer and autumn. Brazil. 

P. Latifrons (broad-stemmed); Bot. Mag. 3813. --This is anotherlarge-growing species, as large at least as P. Hookeri, to which, indeed, it bears a close resemblance, both in flowers and in habit. Likethat species, too, its date of introduction is not known, though itappears to have been cultivated in England at an early period. It may begrown so as to form a large shrub in a few years; or by cutting it backannually, or growing on young plants from cuttings every two years, nicelittle pot plants may be obtained; and as the plant produces flowersfreely when in a small state, it is available for small greenhouses aswell as for large ones. A fine specimen, such, for instance, as that atKew, which is over 8 ft. In height, and well furnished with branches, isan attractive object when clothed with numerous creamy-white flowers, here and there tinged with red. The branches are from 4 in. To 5 in. Broad, and deeply notched; the flowers are about 8 in. In length, and thesame across the spreading petals. Mexico. Spring. 

P. Phyllanthus (leaf-flowering). --This species is now rarely seen incultivation. As the oldest of the garden kinds it is, however, deservingof a little notice. Philip Miller grew it in his collection in 1710. Thebranches are broad and flat, the edges waved, not notched, and theflowers are composed of a thin tortuous tube, 9 in. In length, bearing atthe top a whorl of recurved greenish petals, 1 in. Long, with a clusterof whitish stamens and a green, club-shaped style and stigma. Brazil. 

P. Phyllanthoides (phyllanthus-like); Bot. Mag. 2092. --For theintroduction of this handsome-flowered kind we are indebted to the greattravellers and naturalists, Humboldt and Bonpland, who discovered itgrowing in the woods upon the trunks of old trees around Cartagena inSouth America. Plants of it were forwarded by them to France, where theyflowered for the first time in 1811. From that time till now thisspecies has been in favour as a garden plant, though it is, at thepresent time, much less common in English gardens than it deserves tobe. The branches are broad, triangular when young, flat when old, about1 ft. Long by 2 in. Wide, with shallow incisions, the serrations rathersharply angled. The height of the plant is from 2 ft. To 3 ft. The flowersare produced on the margins of the young branches, and are composed of ashort, thick tube, not more than 2 in. In length, and short, dark, recurved scales; the petals are broad, pointed, and form a stellatecluster about 4 in. Across; they are of a bright rose-colour, streakedwith white, and shaded here and there with a darker colour of red. Thestamens are numerous and pure white. The flowers open in the day-time, and are scentless; they last in perfection for two or three days, andmay, therefore, be employed as cut flowers for vases, &c. Early summer. 

HYBRIDS AND VARIETIES. 

In addition to the cultivated species of Phyllocactus there are numeroushybrids and varieties, many of which are beautiful and distinct eitherin colour or in size of blossom. 

The following is a selection of the best of them:

P. Albus superbus (superb white). --The most beautiful of white-floweredkinds. Flowers fragrant, 6 in. Across, resembling those of thenight-blossoming Cereus grandiflorus; sepals greenish-white, petals purewhite. 

P. Aurantiacus superbus (superb orange). --A compact plant, withnumerous large, brick-red flowers, 5 in. To 6 in. In diameter. 

P. Conway's Giant. --Flowers full, deep scarlet, about 8 in. In diameter. 

P. Cooperi (Cooper's). --An English hybrid, remarkable for its large, beautiful yellow flowers. 

P. Franzi (Franz's). --Flowers 3 in. To 4 in. Across; petals numerous, outer ones scarlet, inner violet. 

P. General Garibaldi. --Flowers very large, scarlet, tinged with orangeon the reflex side. 

P. Grandiflorus (large-flowered). --Flowers bell-shaped, 4 in. Across;sepals narrow, scarlet; petals incurved and of a fiery orange-scarletcolour. 

P. Haagei (Haage's); Fig. 13. --Flowers about 5 in. Across, flesh-coloured when first expanded, becoming carmine before fading. 

[Illustration: FIG. 13. --PHYLLOCACTUS HAAGEI. ]

P. Ignescens (fiery). --Flowers 8 in. Across, almost flat when expanded;petals numerous, deep brilliant scarlet. 

P. Jenkinsoni (Jenkinson's). --Flowers medium in size, colourcherry-red. 

P. Johnstonei (Johnstone's). --Flowers large, with broad scarlet petals. 

P. Kaufmanni (Kaufmann's). --Flowers purplish-red, very large. 

P. Kermesina magnus (large scarlet). --An enormous-flowered kind, havingproduced blossoms which measured 10 in. Across; petals vivid orange witha tip and central stripe of red; sepals blood-red. 

P. Pfersdorffii. (Pfersdorff's). --Flowers as in Cereus grandiflorus, 8 in. To 10 in. Across, very fragrant; petals white; sepals yellow, brownish outside. 

P. Rempleri (Rempler's). --Branches three-angled; flowers with short, linear, incurved sepals; petals long, broad, arranged like a tube, colour salmon-red. 

P. Roseus grandiflorus (large rose-flowered); Fig. 14. --Flowers 6 in. Long and broad, nodding, white. 

[Illustration: FIG. 14. --PHYLLOCACTUS ROSEUS GRANDIFLORUS. ]

P. Schlimii (Schlim's). --Branches three-angled; flowers large, sepalsbright purple; petals broad, purple, tinged with scarlet. 

P. Splendens (splendid). --Flowers 8 in. Across, purple-pink. 

P. Wrayi (Wray's). --Flowers 5 in. Long by 8 in. In diameter; sepals brownon the outside, yellow inside; petals yellowish-white, fragrant whenfirst expanded. 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE GENUS CEREUS. 

(From cereus, pliant; in reference to the stems of some species. )

Over 200 distinct species of Cereus are, according to botanists, distributed over the tropical and temperate regions of America and theWest Indies, extending to the Galapagos, or "Tortoise" Islands, 200miles off the coast of Peru. It was in these islands that the lateCharles Darwin found several small kinds of Cereus, some of them growingnear the snow-line in exposed situations on the highest mountains. InMexico, C. Giganteus, the most colossal of all Cacti, is found rearingits tall, straight, columnar stems to a height of 60 ft. , and branchingnear the top, "like petrified giants stretching out their arms inspeechless pain, whilst others stand like lonely sentinels keeping theirdreary watch on the edge of precipices. " In the West Indies most of thenight-flowering kinds are common, their long, creeping stems clinging bymeans of aerial roots to rocks, or to the exposed trunks of trees, wheretheir enormous, often fragrant, flowers are produced in great abundance, expanding only after the sun has set. Between these three distinctgroups we find among the plants of this elegant genus great variety bothin size and form of the stem and in the flower characters of thedifferent species. A large proportion of the 200 kinds known are notcultivated in European gardens, and perhaps for many of them it is notpossible for us to provide in our houses the peculiar conditions theyrequire for their healthy existence. But there are a good many speciesof Cereus represented in gardens, even in this country, and among themwe shall have no difficulty in finding many useful and beautiful kinds, such as may be cultivated with success in an ordinary greenhouse orstove. Lemaire, a French writer on Cactuses, groups a number of speciesunder the generic name of Echinocereus; but as this name is not adoptedin England, it is omitted here, all the kinds being included underCereus. 

THE NIGHT-FLOWERING SPECIES. 

The most interesting group is that of the climbing night-floweringkinds, on account of their singular habit of expanding their flowers inthe dark and of the very large size and brilliant colours of theirflowers. In habit the plants of this set are trailers or climbers, theirstems are either round or angled, and grow to a length of many feet, branching freely as they extend. By means of their roots, which arefreely formed upon the stems, and which have the power of attachingthemselves to stones or wood in the same way as ivy does, these kindssoon spread over and cover a large space; they are, therefore, usefulfor training over the back walls in lean-to houses, or for growingagainst rafters or pillars--in fact, in any position exposed to brightsunlight and where there is a good circulation of air. Soil does notappear to play an important part with these plants, as they will growanywhere where there is a little brick rubble, gravel, or cinders fortheir basal roots to nestle in. They have been grown in the greatestluxuriance and have produced flowers in abundance with nothing more thantheir roots buried in the crumbling foundations of an old wall, uponwhich the stems were clinging. The chief consideration is drainage, as, unless the roots are kept clear of anything like stagnation, they soonperish through rot. During the summer, the stems should be syringedmorning and evening on all bright days, whilst in winter little or nowater will be required. 

Like all other Cactuses, these plants may be propagated by means oflarge branches, which, if placed in a porous soil, will strike root in afew weeks. We saw a very large specimen of C. Triangularis, which lastautumn suddenly rotted at the base, from some cause or other, and tosave the specimen, a mound was built up of brick rubble and soil, highenough to surround the base of the plant above the rotted part. In a fewweeks there was a good crop of new roots formed, and the plant has sinceflowered most satisfactorily. With almost any other plant, this coursewould have proved futile; but Cactuses are singularly tenacious of life, the largest and oldest stems being capable of forming roots as freelyand as quickly as the young ones. 

C. Extensus (long-stemmed); Bot. Mag. 4066. --This has long rope-likestems, bluntly triangular, less than 1 in. Thick, with very short spines, arranged in pairs or threes, about 1 in. Apart along the angles, andaerial roots. The flowers are developed all along the stems, and arecomposed of a thick, green, scale-clothed tube, about 3 in. Long; thelarger scales yellow and green, tipped with red, and a spreading cupformed of the long-pointed sepals and petals, the former yellow, green, and red, the latter white, tinted with rose. The flower is about 9 in. Across. When in blossom, this plant equals in beauty the finest of theclimbing Cactuses, but, unfortunately, it does not flower as freely asmost of its kind. It is cultivated at Kew, where it has flowered onceduring the last five years. A native of Trinidad, whence it wasintroduced, and first flowered in August, 1843. Judging by theconditions under which it grows and blossoms in its native haunts, nodoubt its shy-flowering nature under cultivation here is owing to theabsence of a long continuance of bright sunshine and moisture, followedby one of drought and sunlight. If placed in a favourable condition asregards light, and carefully treated in respect of water, it ought toflower. 

C. Fulgidus (glittering); Bot. Mag. 5856. --In the brilliant deepscarlet of its large buds, and the bright orange-scarlet of the expandedflowers, this species stands quite alone among the night-flowering, scandent-stemmed Cereuses. Its one drawback is its shy-flowering nature, as it is rarely seen in blossom even when liberally treated, and alongwith the other kinds which flower so freely. The history of this plantis not known; but it is supposed to be a hybrid between C. Pitajayi orvariabilis and one of the scarlet-flowered Phyllocactuses, or, possibly, C. Speciosissimus. It first flowered at Kew, in July, 1870. Stems brightgreen, slow-growing, three or four-angled, about 2 in. Wide; angles muchcompressed, so that a section of the stem shows a cross; marginsnotched, with clusters of short, hair-like spines at each notch. Flowers6 in. Long, and about the same across the top; tube covered with softhairs and short deep-red scales, which are enlarged towards the top, where they spread out, and form, along with the petals, a large rosetteof several whorls, arranged as in a semi-double rose, the centre beingoccupied by a brush-like cluster of greenish stamens, with the radiatingstigma standing erect in the middle. It is to be regretted that theflowers are not more freely produced by cultivated plants. 

C. Grandiflorus (large-flowered); Bot. Mag. 3381. --There is scarcelyany plant that makes a more magnificent appearance when in full blossomthan this. A strong plant will produce many flowers together, but theydo not remain long expanded, opening at seven or eight o'clock in theevening, and fading at sunrise the next morning; nor do they ever openagain, even when cut and placed in warm water in a dark place. Theclosing of the flowers may, however, be retarded for a whole day byremoving the bud before it is fully open and placing it in water. Thestems are almost cylindrical, with four to seven slight ridges, orangles, which bear numerous tufts of wool and short stiff spines. Rootsare thrown out from all parts of the stem, even when not in contact withanything. The flowers are developed on the sides of the stems, principally the younger, shorter ones; the flower tube is about 4 in. Long by 1 in. In diameter, and is covered with short brown scales andwhitish hairs; the calyx is 1 ft. Across, and is composed of a largenumber of narrow sepals of a bright yellow colour inside, brown on theoutside; the petals are broad, pure white, and arranged in a sort of cupinclosing the numerous yellow stamens and the club-shaped stigma. Theflower has a delicious vanilla-like odour, which perfumes the air to aconsiderable distance. Flowers in July. Native of the West Indies. Introduced 1700, at which time it is said to have been cultivated in theRoyal Gardens at Hampton Court. 

C. Lemairii (Lemaire's); Bot. Mag. 4814. --In the size and fragrance ofits blossoms, and also in the brilliancy of its colours, this speciesrivals C. Grandiflorus; differing in the following particulars: the tubeis covered with large green, crimson-edged scales instead of small brownscales and white hairs; the sepals do not spread out in a star-likemanner, as in C. Grandiflorus, and they are tinged with crimson; thestem of the plant shows a bluntly triangular section, and the angles aremarked with a row of distant spines instead of the clusters of spinesand wool in C. Grandiflorus. In all other particulars, these two speciesare almost identical, so that where space is limited either the one orthe other will be sufficient to represent both. C. Lemairii wasintroduced into England through Kew, whither a plant was sent in 1854from the Royal Botanical Garden of Hanover, under the name of C. Rostratus. It blossoms in the Kew collection every June, the flowerslasting for several hours after sunrise. Seeds are freely ripened bythis plant. Native of Antigua (?)

C. Macdonaldiae (Mrs. MacDonald's); Bot. Mag. 4707. --A magnificentCactus, producing flowers often 14 in. In diameter, with the samebrilliant colours as are described under C. Lemairii. The stems areslender, cylindrical, not ridged or angled, bearing at irregularintervals rather fleshy tubercles instead of spines, and branchingfreely. Its flowers are produced on both young and old stems, severalcrops appearing in the course of the summer when the treatment isfavourable. Roots are not so freely thrown out from the stems of thiskind, and as the latter are slender and very pliant, they may be trainedround a balloon trellis, so as to form handsome pot specimens, which, when in flower, may be carried into the house, where their large, beautiful flowers may be enjoyed. Writing of this species over thirtyyears ago, Sir Wm. Hooker said: "Certainly, of the many floralspectacles that have gratified lovers of horticulture at the RoyalGardens, Kew, of late years, few have been more striking than this tothose who were privileged to see the blossoms in bud and fully expanded. The plant was received from Honduras through the favour of Mrs. MacDonald, and was planted at the back of the old Cactus-house, andtrained against a wall. It first showed symptoms of blossoming in July, 1851. A casual observer might have passed the plant as an unusuallylarge form of the 'night-blooming Cereus' (C. Grandiflorus), but theslightest inspection of the stems and flowers, the latter 14 in. Indiameter by 14 in. Long, shows this to be a most distinct species. "

C. Napoleonis (Napoleon's); Bot. Mag. 3458. --This is very like C. Grandiflorus, and is slightly and not very agreeably perfumed. Theflowers sometimes open very early in the morning and fade in theafternoon, so that they may be enjoyed during the day-time. The flowertube is 6 in. Long, curved upwards, and clothed with rose-tinted scales, which become gradually larger towards the top, where they widen out intoa whorl of greenish-yellow sepals, above which are the white petalsforming a broad shallow cup, 8 in. Across, with a cluster of yellowstamens in the centre. The stems are three-angled, light green, and bearclusters of short stiff spines along the angles at intervals of 2 in. Flowers in autumn. Mexico (?), 1835. 

C. Nycticalus (flowering at night); Fig. 15. --Stems four to six-angled, 2 in. Wide, dark green, bearing little tufts of hair and thin whitespines along the angles, and a profusion of aerial roots. Flowers aslarge as those of C. Grandiflorus; tube covered with tufts of whitehairs; sepals or outer whorl of segments bright orange, the inner purewhite, and arranged like a cup. They open at about seven o'clock in theevening, and fade at seven on the following morning. This plant maystill be met with in some old-fashioned gardens, but only rarely ascompared with its popularity a generation ago, when it was to be foundin almost every collection of stove plants. At that time, the floweringof this Cactus was looked upon as an event, and it was customary for theowner to invite his friends to meet and watch the development of theflowers, and enjoy to the full their almost over-powering but deliciousfragrance. So bright are the colours of the flowers, that a sort ofluminosity seems to surround them when at their best. Flowers in autumn. Mexico, 1834. 

[Illustration: FIG. 15. --CEREUS NYCTICALUS. ]

C. Triangularis (three-angled); Bot. Mag. 1884. --This plant is easilyrecognised because of its stout triangular stems, which increase at arapid rate and bear roots freely; by means of these roots they cling toalmost any substance with which they come in contact. There are largeexamples of it in the Kew collection, where it bears numerous flowersannually, which open in the evening and close at about eight o'clocknext morning. The flowers measure 1 ft. In length by about the same inwidth of cup, and are composed of a whorl of long narrow green sepals, with pale brown points, a cluster of pure white petals, bright yellowstamens, and a large club-like stigma; they appear in autumn. Mexico. This species was cultivated at Hampton Court in 1690. 

C. Speciosissimus (most beautiful). --Although not a night-floweringkind, nor yet a climber, yet this species resembles in habit the aboverather than the columnar-stemmed ones. It is certainly the species bestadapted for cultivation in small greenhouses or in the windows ofdwelling-houses, as it grows quickly, remains healthy under ordinarytreatment, is dwarf in habit, and flowers freely--characters which, along with the vivid colours and large size of the blossoms, render itof exceptional value as a garden plant. Its stems are slender, and itmay be grown satisfactorily when treated as a wall plant. For itscultivation, the treatment advised for Phyllocactuses will be foundsuitable. When well grown and flowered it surpasses in brilliancy ofcolours almost every other plant known. Specimens with thirty stems each6 ft. High, and bearing from sixty to eighty buds and flowers upon themat one time, may be grown by anyone possessing a warm greenhouse. Thestems are three to five angled, spiny, the tufts of spines set in littledisks of whitish wool. The flowers are as large as tea saucers, withtubes about 4 in. Long, the colour being an intense crimson or violet, sointense and bright as to dazzle the eyes when looked at in brightsunlight. When cut and placed in water they will last three or fourdays. April and May. Mexico, 1820. "Numberless varieties have beenraised from this Cereus, as it seeds freely and crosses readily withother species. Many years ago, Mr. D. Beaton raised scores of seedlingsfrom crosses between this and C. Flagelliformis, and has stated that henever found a barren seedling. Much attention was given to these plantsabout fifty years ago, for Sir E. Antrobus is said to have exhibitedspecimens with from 200 to 300 flowers each. I have been informed thatan extremely large plant of this Cereus, producing hundreds of flowersevery season, is grown on the back wall of a vinery at the Grange, Barnet, the residence of Sir Charles Nicholson, Bart. " (L. Castle). 

THE SEMI-SCANDENT SPECIES. 

These are characterised by a thin, drooping or trailing stem, and, though not strictly climbers, they may most fittingly be considered in agroup by themselves. Some botanists have made a separate genus for them, viz. , Cleistocactus, but for all practical purposes they may be groupedunder the above heading, whilst popularly they are known as theRat's-tail or Whipcord Cactuses. Two of them--viz. , C. Flagelliformisand C. Mallisoni--are generally grafted on the stem of some erect, slender Cereus or Pereskia, or they may be worked on to the stem of aclimbing Cereus, such as C. Triangularis, in such a way as to hang fromthe roof of a house. A large specimen of C. Flagelliformis, growing fromthe climbing stem of C. Rostratus, was, for a long time, conspicuousamong the Cactuses at Kew, but owing to the decay of the "stock" plant, this fine specimen no longer exists. A large Pereskia, trained along theroof in the Cactus-house at Kew, has recently been grafted with a numberof pieces of C. Flagelliformis, which in a few years will, no doubt, form a handsome specimen. In the same establishment a specimen of C. Mallisoni is grafted on the stem of another kind, and is very attractivewhen in flower. C. Serpentinus thrives well upon its own roots. For thecultivation of this little group, the instructions given for theclimbing and other kinds may be followed. 

C. Flagelliformis (whip-formed). --Stems prostrate, or, when grafted ona tall stem, pendent, ½ in. In diameter, round, with numerous ridgesalmost hidden by the many clusters of fine bristle-like hairs. Flowers2 in. Long and 1 in. Wide; colour bright rosy-red. In some parts ofGermany this plant is one of the commonest of window ornaments, and itis so well grown by the peasants there, that the whole window space iscompletely screened by the numerous long, tail-like stems, 4 ft. Or 6 ft. Long, which hang from baskets. It is sometimes cultivated by cottagersin England, and we have seen a very fine specimen in a cottager's windowin Gunnersbury. Without its pretty bright-coloured flowers, this Cactushas the charm of novelty in the form and habit of its stems, and as itis easily cultivated in a window through which the sun shines duringmost of the day, it is just the plant to grow for the double purpose ofa screen and a curiosity. If planted in baskets, it should be potted ina porous loamy soil, and kept moist in the summer and perfectly dry inwinter. Summer. Peru. Introduced 1690. 

C. Mallisoni ( Mallison's); Bot. Mag. 3822. --This is supposed to be ofhybrid origin, a Mr. Mallison having sent it to Dr. Lindley to be named, and stating that he obtained it by fertilising flowers of C. Speciosissimus with pollen from C. Flagelliformis. Whatever its origin, it is a distinct kind, with stems similar to those of the last-named, but thicker and slightly less spiny, and flowers 4 in. Long by 4 in. Across the spreading petals, the whole being bright red with a clusterof pale yellow stamens protruding 1 in. Beyond the throat. The flowersare produced from the sides of the stems, a few inches from the apex, and as they are borne in abundance and last three or four days each, alarge specimen makes a very attractive display for several weeks in thesummer. The plant at Kew, a large one, is grafted on the stem of C. Macdonaldiae, which is trained along a rafter, so that the stems of C. Mallisoni hang conspicuously from the roof. 

C. Serpentinus (serpent-like); Fig. 16. --When young, the stems of thisplant are erect and stout enough to support themselves; but as theylengthen they fall over and grow along the ground, unless supported by astake or wire; they have numerous ridges, with clusters of hair-likespines, which are usually purplish. Flowers large, handsome, fragrant;tube 6in, long, green; petals and sepals spreading and forming a star3 in. In diameter, the petals purplish on the outside, and pinkish-whiteinside; stamens arranged in a sort of cup 1 in. Deep. This plant rarelyproduces aerial roots. Small specimens are ornamental even when not inflower, the bright green, regularly ridged stem, with its numerouslittle clusters of fine spines, at the base of which are short tufts ofa white woolly substance, being both curious and pretty. It flowersfreely every summer. South America, 1814. 

[Illustration: FIG. 16. --CEREUS SERPENTINUS. ]

THE GLOBOSE AND COLUMNAR STEMMED SPECIES. 

Many of these are unsuited for culture in ordinary plant-houses, whilstothers are so rare that, although cultivated in botanical collections, they are not available for ordinary gardens, not being known in thetrade. There are, however, a good many species that may be obtained fromdealers in Cactuses, and to these we shall confine ourselves here. AtKew, the collection of Cereuses is large and diversified, some of thespecimens being as tall as the house they are in will allow them to be, and the appearance they present is, to some eyes at least, a veryattractive one. Such plants are: C. Candicans, which is acluster-stemmed kind, very thick and fleshy, and in shape like an Indianclub; C. Chilensis;--with tall hedgehog-skinned stems, the numerousridges being thickly clothed with clusters of yellowish spines, whichbecome dark brown with age; C. Dyckii, 10 ft. High, the stems thick andfleshy, with ridges 1½ in. Deep; C. Gemmatus, a hexagonal, almostnaked-stemmed species 10 ft. High; C. Strictus, C. Peruvianus, C. Geometrizans, and C. Jamacaru, which are tall, weird-looking plants, 10 ft. Or more high, some of them freely branched. The following is aselection of the largest-flowered and handsomest kinds:

C. Berlandieri (Berlandier's); Fig. 17. --A distinct and beautifulplant, of dwarf, creeping habit, forming a tuft of short branchletsspringing from the main procumbent stems, none of which exceed 6 in. Inlength by ¾ in. In thickness. They are almost round when old, the youngerones being slightly angled, and bearing, along the ridges, littletubercles, crowned with short spines. Even old stems are very soft andwatery, and, on this account, it is necessary for the safety of theplant, in winter, that it should be kept absolutely dry. The flowers areproduced on the young upright stems, and they are as much as 4 in. Across. They are composed of a regular ring of strap-shaped, brightpurple petals, springing from the erect bristly tube, and in the centrea disk-like cluster of rose-coloured stamens, the stigma standing wellabove them. In form the flowers are not unlike some of the Sunflowers orMutisia decurrens. They are developed in summer, and on well-grownplants the display of blossom is exceptionally fine. This species issometimes known as C. Repens and C. Deppii. It is a native of SouthTexas and Mexico, where it is found growing in sandy or gravelly soils, on dry, sunny hill-sides. It should be grown in a cool greenhouse orframe, in a position where it would get plenty of sunshine to ripen itsgrowth and induce it to flower. In winter it should be placed close tothe glass, where the sun can shine full on it, and where it will be safefrom frost. It will not thrive if wintered in a warm house. In April, itshould be examined, repotted if the soil is sour, and kept watered asgrowth commences. 

[Illustration: FIG. 17. --CEREUS BERLANDIERI. ]

C. Blankii (Blank's); Fig. 18. --This is very similar to the C. Berlandieri in habit and stem characters, differing only in havinglonger, broader, less spreading petals, a club-shaped stigma, and in thecolour, which is a deep rose, flushed in the throat with crimson. Acomparison of the figures here given will show the differences betterthan any description. C. Blankii comes from Mexico at high elevations, and thrives under cultivation with the same treatment as the preceding. It is very common in Continental gardens, where it is grownout-of-doors, being protected from cold in winter by a handlight andstraw. It flowers in summer. 

[Illustration: FIG. 18. --CEREUS BLANKII. ]

C. Caerulescens (blue-stemmed); Bot. Mag. 3922. --An erect-growing, tallCactus, rarely branching unless made to do so by cutting off the top ofthe stem; furrows and ridges about eight, the ridges prominent, waved, and bearing tufts of blackish wool, in which are set about a dozen blackspines, ½ in. Long; the stem when young and in good health is bluish incolour. Flowers springing from the ridges, about 8 in. Long, the tubecovered with reddish-grey scales, which pass upwards into the sepals;petals spreading, white, the margins toothed, and forming a spreadingtop, not unlike a large white single Camellia; the stamens are arrangedin a sort of cup, and are yellow-anthered, with a large rayed yellowstigma in the middle. In the Botanical Magazine it is stated that theflowers of this species are equal and even superior to those of C. Grandiflorus; but we have not seen flowers such as would bear out thatstatement. This species is too tall-stemmed to be recommended forwindows or small greenhouses; but where room can be afforded it, theattractive colour of its stems, together with the size and beauty of itsflowers, should win it favour. It blossoms in summer, generally aboutJuly, and is a native of Mexico. Introduced in 1841. 

C. Caespitosus (tufted); Fig. 19. --A dwarf species, the stem not morethan 8 in. High by about 4 in. In diameter, sometimes branched, or bearingabout its base a number of lateral growths, which ultimately form acluster of stems--hence the name. The bark or skin of the stem isgreyish-green, and the ribs, of which there are from a dozen toeighteen, are thickly covered with clusters of whitish wool and spines, the latter rose-tinted, and radiating in all directions. The flowers areproduced on the top of the stems, and are short-tubed, the tube clothedwith little bundles of spines; spread of the petals (from thirty toforty in each flower), 4 in. ; colour deep rose; anthers and stigmaforming an eye-like cluster, the former yellow, and the latter brightgreen. Flowered at Kew for the first time in 1882, but, although new tocultivation, it is becoming plentiful. Native of New Mexico and Texas. For windows or small greenhouses this is a most suitable plant, as itflowers freely and keeps in good health in an ordinary greenhousetemperature, always, however, requiring plenty of sunlight and restduring winter. By placing it upon a shelf near the glass from October toMarch, allowing it to remain perfectly dry, and afterwards watering itfreely, the flowers should make their appearance early in summer. Aplant with several stems, each bearing a large bright rose blossom, sometimes two, presents an attractive appearance. 

[Illustration: FIG. 19. --CEREUS CAESPITOSUS. ]

C. Cirrhiferus (tendril-bearing). --A prostrate, branching-stemmed, small-growing kind, very proliferous, with roots along the main stems;branchlets upright, five-angled, with slightly raised points, ortubercles, upon which are ten short hair-like spines, arranged in astar, and surrounding three or four central erect spines, all whitishand transparent. Flowering branches erect, 4 in. High, by about 1 in. Indiameter, bearing, near the apex, the large bright red flowers, nearly4 in. In diameter, regular as a Sunflower, and lasting about a week. Thisspecies was introduced from Mexico in 1847. It is one of the best-knownand handsomest of this group. It requires similar treatment to C. Berlandieri. 

C. Ctenoides (comb-like); Fig. 20. --Stem 3 in. To 5 in. High, and about3 in. In diameter, egg-shaped, unbranched, rarely producing offsets atthe base. Ribs fifteen or sixteen, spiral, with closely-set cushions ofstiff, whitish spines, which interlace and almost hide the stem; thereare from fourteen to twenty-two spines to each cushion, and they are¼ in. Long. Flowers produced on the ridges near the top of the stem; tubeshort, spiny; petals spreading, like a Convolvulus, 3 in. To 4 in. Across, bright yellow; stamens yellow, pistil white. The flowers expand at about9 a. M. , and close again soon after noon. They are developed in June orJuly. This species is a native of Texas, and is rare in cultivation. When not in flower it might easily be mistaken for Echinocactuspectinatus. It should be grown in a sunny position, in a warm house orpit, all summer, and wintered on a shelf, near the glass, in atemperature of from 45 degs. To 50 degs. During winter. Under cultivationit is apt to rot suddenly at the base, more especially when old. Shouldthis happen, the rotten parts must be cut away, and the wound exposed tothe air in a dry house for a week or two. 

[Illustration: FIG. 20. --CEREUS CTENOIDES. ]

C. Enneacanthus (eight-spined); Fig. 21. --Stem seldom more than 6 in. High by less than 2 in. In diameter, cylindrical in shape, bright green, simple when young, tufted in old specimens. Ribs shallow, broad, irregular on the top, with spine-cushions on the projecting parts;spines straight, yellowish-white, semi-transparent, variable in length, longest about 1 in. There are frequently as many as twelve spines in atuft, although the specific name implies eight spines only. Flowers onthe ridges near the top of the stem, with spiny tubes, spreading petalsof a deep purple colour, and yellow stamens and pistil. They aredeveloped freely in June and July. This is a soft-fleshed species, fromTexas; it is not easily kept in health, and is therefore rarely seen. Itshould be treated as advised for C. Ctenoides. Neither of these plantswill flower unless it is grown in a sunny position as near to theroof-glass as is possible. 

[Illustration: FIG. 21. --CEREUS ENNEACANTHUS. ]

C. Fendleri (Fendler's). --One of the best of the dwarf-stemmed kinds. It has a pale green stem, about 6 in. High, rarely branching at the base, but often found growing in clusters. Ridges nine to twelve, runningspirally round the stem, and bearing clusters of brown spines, some ofthem nearly 2 in. In length. Flowers composed of a tube 1 in. Long, green, fleshy, and spiny, with a spreading cup-like arrangement of petals andsepals, 3 in. In diameter, and of a bright purple colour; stigma andanthers green. It produces its flowers in June. It was introduced fromthe mountainous region of New Mexico about five years ago, and hasblossomed freely in several collections, notably in that of Mr. Loder, of Northampton, who has cultivated this and several other species fromthe same region in a sunny sheltered position out of doors, where, forseveral years, they have withstood winter's cold with no otherprotection than that afforded by an over-hanging wall. Mr. Loder says ofC. Fendleri that it is the best of all Cactuses for cool treatment, asthe flowers last more than a week, closing at night, and opening only insunshine, when its rich purple colour is quite dazzling to the eye. Italso blossoms freely under glass; but the colour of the flowers is notso vivid as when they are produced in full sunshine out of doors. 

C. Giganteus (gigantic); Fig. 22. --This is the most colossal of allCactuses, in which respect it is chiefly interesting. Its stem, whenyoung, is very similar to that of other dwarfer species, whilst, so faras is known, its flowers have not been produced under cultivation. Itgrows very slowly, a plant 6 in. High being eight or ten years old, sothat, to attain its full development, a very long time indeed isnecessary. When young, the stems are globose, afterwards becomingclub-shaped or cylindrical. It flowers at the height of 10 ft. Or 12 ft. , but grows up to four or five times that height, when it develops lateralbranches, which curve upwards, and present the appearance of immensecandelabra. The flowers are 4 in. Or 5 in. Long, and about the same indiameter. There is a small specimen, about 3 ft. High, in the succulentcollection at Kew. The appearance of a number of tall specimens of thiswonderful Cactus, when seen towering high above the rocks and scrub withwhich it is associated, is described by travellers as being both weirdand grand. Judging by the slowness of its growth, the prospect of seeingfull-sized specimens of this species in English gardens is a very remoteone, unless full-grown stems are imported, and this is hardly possible. Native of Mexico and California. 

[Illustration: FIG. 22. --FLOWER OF CEREUS GIGANTEUS. ]

C. Leeanus (Lee's); Bot. Mag. 4417. --A dwarf plant, the stems not morethan 1 ft. In height, and about 5 in. In diameter at the base, taperinggradually towards the top, so that it forms a cone; the furrows numberabout a dozen, and the ridges are ½ in. High, the angles sharp, andclothed with clusters of pale brown spines, the central one 1 in. Long, the others much shorter. The flowers are produced on the top of thestem, four or five together, and are large, handsome, brick-red incolour, the tube 2 in. Long, clothed with yellowish, green-tipped scales, and little clusters of hair-like bristles. The arrangement of thepetals, and the cluster of yellow anthers in the centre, give theflowers the appearance of Camellias, if looked at from above. Introducedfrom Mexico by Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith, in 1848, and flowered soonafterwards at Kew, in summer. Being a native of the higher, morenortherly regions of Mexico, this species needs only to be protectedfrom severe frosts; it has been known to bear a little frost withoutinjury. For windows and greenhouses it is a very desirable plant. 

C. Leptacanthus (slender-spined); Fig. 23. --One of the most beautifulof all Cactuses, and one of the easiest to cultivate, the only drawbackbeing that it rarely flowers under cultivation. In habit it is similarto C. Berlandieri. A plant 8 in. Across bears about twenty shortbranches, each of which, under careful cultivation will produce severalflowers in the months of May and June, and these, when expanded, lastabout eight days before withering; they close every afternoon, openingabout ten o'clock in the morning. The petals are arranged in a singleseries, spreading so as to form a shallow cup, and are notched on theedges near the upper end. They are coloured a deep purple-lilac on theupper half, the lower part being white, like a large pied daisy. Thestamens are pure white; the anthers orange-coloured, as also is thestar-shaped stigma. The plant is a native of Mexico, and was introducedin 1860. It requires the same treatment as the preceding kinds. Theillustration is sufficient to show the beauty of this little creepingCactus, which, although so long known, is not grown in English gardens, though it is common enough in Continental collections. 

[Illustration: FIG. 23. --CEREUS LEPTACANTHUS. ]

C. Multiplex (proliferous); Fig. 24. --A globose-stemmed species, becoming pear-shaped with age; height 6 in. , by 4 in. In diameter; ridgesangled, clothed with clusters of about a dozen spines, the central onelongest. Flowers 6 in. To 8 in. Long, and about the same across thespreading petals; tube clothed with small, hairy scales; the sepals longand pointed; petals 2 in. Or more long, 1 in. Wide, spreading out quiteflat; stamens arranged in a ring, with the whitish-rayed stigma in themiddle. This species flowers in autumn. It is a native of South Brazil, and was introduced in 1840. It thrives best when kept in a warm, sunnyposition in a window or heated greenhouse. 

[Illustration: FIG. 24. --CEREUS MULTIPLEX. ]

At Fig. 25 is a curious variety of the above, the stem being fasciatedand divided into numerous crumpled, flattened branches. It is remarkableas a monster form of the type plant. So far as is known, neither thisnor any other of the monster Cactuses produces flowers. 

[Illustration: FIG. 25. --CEREUS MULTIPLEX CRISTATUS. ]

C. Paucispinus (few-spined); Bot. Mag. 6774. --A dwarf-stemmed speciesof recent introduction, and one which, owing to the beauty of itsflowers and the hardy nature of the plant, is certain to find muchfavour among growers of Cactuses. The stem is about 9 in. High, by 2 in. To 4 in. In diameter, the base much wider than the apex, the ridgesirregular, very thick and rounded, giving the stem a gouty or tumidappearance. Upon the prominent parts of these ridges are stellate tuftsof long, pale brown spines, some of them nearly 2 in. Long, and each tuftcontaining about eight spines. When young, the stems are more like someof the Mamillarias than the Cereuses. The flowers are developed near thetop of the stem, two or three opening together; they are composed of atube 2 in. Long, clothed with long spines and large, green, scaly sepalsbelow, the latter gradually enlarging till at the top they become aslarge as the petals, which are 2 in. Long, with a spread of nearly 3 in. , rounded at the tips, and coloured deep blood-red, tinged with orangeinside. The stamens are clustered together sheaf-like, with the darkgreen stigmas protruding through them. This is a native of New Mexico, whence it was introduced in 1883, and flowered in May. Mr. Loder, ofNorthampton, has successfully cultivated it in a cool frame in the openair, and it has also grown well in the Kew collection when treated in asimilar way. This suggests its hardiness and fitness for windowcultivation. Owing to the watery nature of the stems, it is necessarythat they should be kept quite dry during the winter. 

C. Pentalophus (five-winged); Bot. Mag. 3651. --As the name denotes, thestem of this erect-growing, somewhat slender species has five veryprominent sharp-edged ridges, along which are little clusters of smallspines about ½ in. Apart; the stem is 1 in. In diameter, and the anglesare wavy. The flowers are about 3 in. Wide, spreading, the petals, broadand overlapping, rose-coloured, except in the centre of the flower, where they become almost pure white; the anthers are yellow, whilst thecolour of the rayed stigma is purplish-blue. A native of Mexico, introduced and flowered in 1838. For its cultivation, the temperature ofa warm greenhouse is required, though during summer it may be placed ina sunny position in a frame out of doors. If grown in windows, it shouldbe kept through the winter in a room where there is a fire constantly. 

C. Peruvianus (Peruvian). --A tall-grower, the stems fleshy when young, and very spiny. The ridges on the stem number from five to eight, withstellate bundles, about 1 in. Apart, of small, stiff black spines. Theflowers appear upon the upper portion of the stem, and are 5 in. Across, the petals pure white above, tinged with red below, and forming a largesaucer, in the middle of which the numerous stamens, with yellowanthers, are arranged in a crown. There is something incongruous in thetall, spine-clothed, pole-like stem, upon which large, beautiful, water-lily-like flowers are developed, looking quite out of place onsuch a plant. Flowers in spring and early summer. It requires warmgreenhouse or stove treatment. There are some fine examples of thisspecies at Kew. A variety of this species, with a fasciated or monstroushabit, is sometimes cultivated. Introduced in 1830. 

C. Pleiogonus (twisted-angled); Fig. 26. --An erect cylindrical-stemmedspecies, from 6 in. To 1 ft. High by 4 in. In diameter, with from ten tofourteen angles or ridges; these are somewhat tumid, and marked withdepressions, from which the star-like clusters of spines spring, about adozen spines in each cluster, the central one much the largest. Theflowers are about 8 in. Long, the tube being rather thick andcylinder-like, expanding at the top, so as to form a sort of cup, inwhich the petals are arranged in several rows, with the middle filled bythe numerous stamens, surmounted by the club-like pistil. The colour ofthe flowers is purple-red. This species appears to have first found itsway into cultivation through some Continental garden, its native countrybeing unknown. It thrives only in a warm house, developing its flowersin summer. 

[Illustration: FIG. 26. --CEREUS PLEIOGONUS. ]

C. Polyacanthus (many-spined). --A newly-introduced species, from ElPaso, in Mexico, where it is common on the sand ridges and stony hills. Stem 10 in. High, 2 in. To 4 in. Wide, pale green or glaucous, with abouteight ridges, the spines being placed along the angles in clusters ofhalf a dozen or so, and about ½ in. Apart. The flowers are 2 in. To 3 in. Long; the tube spiny; the petals semi-erect and concave, rounded at thetip, and forming a shallow cup or wine-glass-like flower; the colour ofthe petals is deep blood-red. This beautiful Cactus is exceptional inthe length of time its flowers remain expanded and fresh, lasting a weekor more; and as the plant is very free flowering, there is usually abeautiful display of rich red blossoms for about six weeks. It may begrown in a cool greenhouse or window, requiring no artificial heatbeyond what would be necessary to insure its protection from frost. Itflowers in spring. 

C. Procumbens (trailing); Fig. 27. --This is a very pretty littleCactus, with spreading prostrate stems, from which upright branches growto a height of 3 in. Or 4 in. ; they are ½ in. Thick, generally onlyfour-angled or square, with small spines in tufts along the angles. Theflowers are developed on the ends of the branches, and are 3 in. Long andwide, the sepals spreading and recurved, as in a Paris daisy, theircolour being bright rose purple. The anthers form a corona-like ring, inclosing the upright, rayed stigma. A native of Mexico; flowers in Mayand June. In its native haunts we learn that this little Cactus is veryfree-flowering, but under cultivation in this country it flowers onlyrarely. It thrives best when grown in a dry, sunny greenhouse, and keptperfectly dry during autumn and winter. If allowed to get wet in thatseason, it is apt to rot, the stems being soft and watery. 

[Illustration: FIG. 27. --CEREUS PROCUMBENS. ]

C. Reductus (dingy); Bot. Mag. 4443. --Stem erect, sometimes 3 ft. High, and about 4 in. Wide, deeply furrowed, the furrows usually numberingabout fourteen; the ridges tumid and irregular, and coloured a dingyglaucous-green. Spines embedded in a tuft of grey wool, about a dozenspines in each cluster, 1 in. Long, a few of them only half that length. Flowers on the top of the stem, three or four opening together, eachbeing 3 in. Long and wide; the tube short and scaly, with overlappingsepals and saw-edged petals, which are white, slightly tinged with rose. Stamens filling the whole of the flower-cup, bright yellow. A native ofMexico, introduced in 1796, flowering in summer. This species wasevidently a favourite many years ago, but it is rare with us now. Itthrives in a house where the winter temperature does not fall below45 deg. , requiring no water at that time, but a liberal supply in thesummer when growth is being made, and all the sunlight possible. Whenwithout its star-shaped, handsome flowers, the stem is remarkablyferocious-looking, the spines upon it being quite as thick and as strongas on a hedgehog. 

C. Repandus (undulated); Fig. 28. --Stem erect, 10 ft. Or more high, unbranched, unless compelled to do so by the removal of the top. Ribseight or nine in number, rounded, somewhat undulated, and bearingspine-tufts nearly 1 in. Apart; each tuft contains about ten spines, which are almost equal in length, fine, stiff, brown, and persistent;there is a little cushion of white wool about the base of the spines. Flowers produced on the side, within a few inches of the top of thestem; they are composed of a scaly tube, 4 in. Long, a circular row ofspreading, incurved, pale brown sepals, and two rows of broad, overlapping, snow-white petals; stamens white, with yellow anthers;stigma yellow. The flowers, developed in summer, are very beautiful, but, unfortunately, each lasts only a few hours. A native of the WestIndies, and an old introduction to English gardens (1720), but rare incultivation now. It requires the treatment of a stove all the yearround. 

[Illustration: FIG. 28. --CEREUS REPANDUS. ]

C. Royeni (Royen's); Bot. Mag. 3125. --This plant is not one of thehandsomest as regards flowers; but its stems are ornamental, and theform of the flowers is such as would please those who admire thecurious. The stem is erect, several feet high, 2 in. In diameter, withabout ten acute ridges, along which are little tufts of white wool aboutthe base of the clustering spines, which are dark brown and 1 in. Long. The flower-tube is 2 in. Long, thick, spineless, scaly, the scalesbecoming large near the top of the flower, where they form a cup-likewhorl, enclosing the small rose-coloured petals, the stamens beingwhite. Introduced from New Grenada, in 1832. It flowers in spring andsummer. It should be grown in a stove. 

C. Variabilis (variable); Bot. Mag. 4084, under the name of C. Pitajaya. --A tall-growing plant, rather straggling in habit, branching freely, the stems usually four-winged, but sometimes with three, five, or more, constricted at intervals, as in Phyllocactus, the wings spiny along theedges; spines 1 in. Long. Flowers on the sides of the stems, rather lowdown, long-tubed; large, showy; tube 6 in. Long, smooth, fleshy, with afew scales near the top, and a whorl of greenish, strap-shaped, pointedsepals, the petals spreading, with toothed margins and a long acutepoint, white or cream-coloured; anthers yellow. A native of variousparts of South America and the West Indies, but always close to the sea. It flowers in July; the flowers, which open generally in the evening, remain expanded all night, and close before noon the day following. Thisspecies requires tropical or warm house treatment. There are some oldplants of it in the Kew collection, where it flowers annually. Exceptfor large houses, this species is not recommended for generalcultivation, as it blossoms only after attaining a good size, and thestems, when old, are not at all ornamental. 

CHAPTER VII. 

THE GENUS ECHINOCACTUS. 

(From echinos, a hedgehog, and Cactus. )

Many of the plants included in the genus Echinocactus are very similarin habit and stem-characters to the Cereus. Botanists find characters inthe seed vessel (ovary) and in the seeds by which the two genera aresupposed to be easily separable; but, so far as can be made out by acomparison of their more conspicuous characters, there is very littleindeed to enable one to distinguish the two genera from each other whennot in flower. A comparison of the figures given in these pages willshow that such is the case. 

The name Echinocactus was given to E. Tenuispinus, which was firstintroduced into English gardens in 1825. The spiny character of thisspecies is surpassed by that of many of the more recently introducedkinds; still it is sufficient to justify its being compared to ahedgehog. Some of the kinds have spines 4 in. Long, broad at the base, and hooked towards the point, the hooks being wonderfully strong, whilstin others the spines are long and needle-like, or short and fine as theprickles on a thistle. The stems vary much in size and form, beingglobose, or compressed, or ovate, a few only being cylindrical, andattaining a height of from 5 ft. To 10 ft. They are almost alwayssimple--that is, without branches, unless they are compelled to formsuch by cutting out or injuring the top of the stem; the ridges vary innumber from about five to ten times that number, and they are in somespecies very firm and prominent, in others reduced to mere undulations, whilst in a few, they are separated into numerous little tubercles ormammae. The species are nearly all possessed of spines, which arecollected in bundles along the ridges of the stem. Generally, theflowers are about as long as wide, and the ovary is covered with scalesor modified sepals. The fruit is succulent, or sometimes dry, and, whenripe, is covered with the persistent calyx scales, often surrounded withwool, and usually bearing upon the top the remains of the witheredflower. The position of the flowers is on the young part of the stem, usually being perched in the centre, never on the old part, as in someof the Cereuses. The flowers open only under the influence of brightsunlight, generally closing soon after it leaves them. 

The geographical distribution of the species, of which over 200 havebeen described, extends from Texas and California to Peru and Brazil;they are in greatest abundance in Mexico, whence most of the gardenkinds have been introduced. The conditions under which they grownaturally vary considerably in regard to temperature and soil; but theyare all found in greatest numbers and most robust health where the soilis gravelly or sandy, and even where there is no proper soil at all, theroots finding nourishment in the clefts or crevices of the rocks. As arule, the temperature in the lands where they are native is very highduring summer, and falls to the other extreme in winter, some of thespecies being found even where frost and snow are frequent; the majorityof them, however, require what we would call stove treatment. 

Turning now to a consideration of those kinds known as garden plants, wefind that comparatively few of the species known to botanists arerepresented in English collections, though, perhaps, we may safely saythat not one of the kinds known would be considered unworthy ofcultivation except by those who despise Cactuses of whatever kind. Theirflowers are conspicuous both in size and brilliancy of colour; and inthe curious, grotesque, and even beautifully symmetrical shapes of theirstems, one finds attractions of no ordinary kind. The stem of E. Visnagashown at Fig. 48 may be taken as an instance of this--apart from thecluster of star-like, bright yellow flowers seen nestling upon the topof their spine-protected dwelling, the whole suggesting a nest of youngbirds. This plant is indeed one of the most remarkable of theEchinocactuses, owing to the size and number of its spines--which are3 in. Long, almost as firm as steel, and are used by the Mexicans astoothpicks--and to the gigantic size and great weight of the stem. Thefollowing account of a large specimen of this species introduced to Kewin 1845, is taken from an article from the pen of the late Sir Wm. Hooker in the Gardeners' Chronicle of that year. This gigantic plant waspresented to the nation, in other words to Kew, by F. Staines, Esq. , ofSan Luis Potosi. Such was its striking appearance, that it was statedthat, if exhibited in the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, some hundreds ofpounds might be realised by it. In a letter from Mr. Staines, herequoted, our readers will perceive how difficult it often is to obtainliving specimens of these plants from their native habitats. He writes:"I mean to have a large specimen of E. Visnaga deposited in a strongbox, sending the box first to the mountain where the monsters grow, andplacing it on the springs of a carriage which I shall despatch for thatpurpose. My monstrous friend cannot travel any other way, from hisstupendous size and immense ponderosity, which cannot be adequatelycalculated for here, where the largest machine for conveying weightsdoes not exceed sixteen arrobes, or 400lb. This enormous plant willrequire twenty men at least to place it upon the vehicle, with the aidof such levers as our Indians can invent. It grows in the deep ravinesof our loftiest mountains, amongst huge stones; the finest plants areinaccessible to wheeled vehicles, and even on horseback it is difficultto reach them. I shall pack him carefully in mats before applying to hisroots the crowbars destined to wrench him from his resting place ofunknown centuries. He will have to travel 300 leagues before he reachesVera Cruz. " Being too large to be packed in a box, it was firstsurrounded with a dense clothing of the Old Man's Beard or Spanish moss(Tillandsia usneoides)--and a better covering could not have beendevised--and well corded. Fifteen mats, each as large and as thick asan ordinary doormat, formed the exterior envelope. When unpacked on itsarrival at Kew, this monster Cactus was seen as perfect, as green, andas uninjured as if it had been that morning removed from its nativerocks, its long, rope-like roots arranged in coils like the cable of aship. When placed in scales it weighed 713lb. , its circumference at 1 ft. From the ground was 4½ ft. , and its total height, 8 ft. 7 in. ; the numberof ridges was forty-four, and on each ridge were fifty bundles ofspines, four spines to each bundle. Thus there were 8800 spines ortoothpicks, enough for the supply of an army. A still larger specimenwas a year or so later successfully brought to Kew, and which weighed 1ton; but this, as well as the smaller one, survived only a short time. There have been numerous other large specimens of this Cactus in Englishgardens lately, all of them, however, succumbing to the unfavourableconditions of our climate. Mr. Peacock, of Hammersmith, recentlypossessed two large plants of E. Visnaga, one of which weighed nearly5cwt. , and measured 8 ft. 6 in. In circumference. 

Cultivation. --The soil for Echinocactuses should be similar to thatrecommended for the Cereuses, as also should be the treatment as regardssunlight and rest. It cannot be too clearly understood that during theperiod between October and March these plants should be kept perfectlydry at the root, and in a dry house, where the temperature would notfall below 50 deg. There is no occasion for re-potting the Echinocactusesevery year, it being by far the safest plan to allow them to remain inthe same pots several years, should the soil be fresh and the drainageperfect. 

All the larger-stemmed kinds may be kept in health when grown on theirown roots; but for some of the smaller species it is a good plan tograft them upon the stem of some of the Cereuses, C. Tortuosus or C. Colubrinus being recommended for the smaller kinds, and for the largerC. Peruvianus, C. Gemmatus, or any one the stem of which is robust, andof the right dimensions to bear the species of Echinocactus intended tobe grafted. Some growers prefer to graft all the small Echinocactusesupon other kinds, find certainly, when properly grafted, they are saferthus treated than if grown on their own roots. In grafting, the twostems (stock and scion) must be cut so that their edges meet, and insecuring them two or three stakes must be placed in such a way as toafford support to the graft and hold it firmly in position. 

Propagation. --Besides grafting, cuttings of the stems may be utilisedfor the multiplication of Echinocactuses, first removing the upperportion of the stem and putting it into soil to root, and afterwards, aslateral stems develop on the old stock, they may be cut away with asharp knife, and treated in a similar manner. Should a plant becomesickly, and look shrivelled and cankered at the base, it is always bestto cut away the healthy part of the stem, and induce it to form freshroots, thus giving it a new lease of life. Seeds of these plants may beobtained from dealers, more especially Continental nurserymen, and towatch the gradual development of the plant from the seedling is bothinteresting and instructive. The seeds should be sown in soil, and keptmoist and warm; in about a month after sowing, the little pea-like, green balls will be seen pushing their way through the thin covering ofsoil, and gradually but slowly increasing in size, their spines alsoincreasing in number and strength, the ridges forming according to thecharacter of the species, till, finally, they assume the maturecharacters of the plant, both in stem and habit. The flowers, of course, appear according to the length of time it takes for the species to growto flowering size. 

SPECIES. 

E. Brevihamatus (short-hooked). --Several kinds of Echinocactus aredistinguished from the rest in having the ridges divided into tubercles, which are often globular and arranged in a spiral round the stem, as inthe genus Mamillaria; to this section the present species belongs. Thestem is almost sphere-shaped, from 4 in. To 6 in. High, the tuberculatedridges about ¼ in. Deep, and upon each tubercle is a tuft of about adozen brown, radiating spines, with a long central one hooked at thepoint. The flowers are borne in clusters on the top of the stem, threeor four opening together; they are 1 in. In length, and the same acrossthe spreading petals, which are pink, shaded with deep rose. A native ofthe mountainous regions of South Brazil; introduced about 1850. Flowersin summer. This pretty little plant will thrive if placed upon a shelfin a greenhouse where it will have full sunshine during the greater partof the day. It grows very slowly, especially when on its own roots, butsucceeds better when grafted on another kind. 

E. Centeterius (many-spined); Bot. Mag. 3974. --This has aconical-shaped stem, 6 in. High by 4 in. Wide, with about fourteen ridges, which are notched, and bear star-shaped clusters of pale brown spines, ½ in. Long. The blossoms are borne rather thickly on the summit of thestem, from six to nine flowers being sometimes open together; and asthey are each nearly 3 in. Across, and of good substance, they present anattractive appearance. The petals are of a deep straw-colour, with areddish streak down the centre, and 1½ in. Long, with the apex notched ortoothed. The stamens are spirally coiled round the stigma, which isclub-shaped and white. This species is probably a native of Mexico, andwas first flowered in England at Kew, in 1841. A cool, dry greenhousesuits it best; or it may be grown in a sunny room window where frostwould not be allowed to reach it in winter. Unless subjected to very drytreatment during the winter months, and also kept in a position whereall the sunlight possible would reach it--even when at rest--there isnot much chance of this plant producing its large flowers. It may bekept alive by giving it uniform treatment all the year round, but itwould never flower. 

E. Cinnabarinus (cinnabar-flowered); Bot. Mag. 4326. --This is anotherof the Mamillaria-like kinds, and is remarkable for the depressed formof its stem, which may be likened to a sea urchin, both in size andshape. Old plants are from 6 in. To 8 in. In diameter, and about 4 in. High; the spiral formed by the tubercles rises very gradually, and eachof the latter is surmounted by a tuft of strong, brown, radiatingspines, imbedded in a little cushion of wool. The flowers spring fromthe outside of the depressed top of the stem, two or three openingtogether and forming a beautiful picture, both as to size and colour. The tube is short and green, with a row of long green sepals at the top, and above these the petals, which are 2 in. Long, overlapping, recurved, the edges toothed, and the colour a brilliant cinnabar-red. The stamensare in two series, very numerous, and the anthers are bright yellow. Looking at the flattened, spiny stem, it seems impossible that suchlarge, handsome flowers should be produced by it. A native of Bolivia;introduced about 1846. It blossoms in July, and may be grown on a shelfin a cool greenhouse, as advised for the E. Centeterius. 

E. Concinnus (neat); Fig. 29. --A small species with a globose stem, 2 in. High and 3 in. Wide, and about twenty ridges, which are rounded, rather broad, each bearing about half-a-dozen little bunches of spinesarranged in a star. The flowers are numerous, as large as, or largerthan, the stem, being 3 in. Long and broad, the tube covered with brownhair-like spines, and having a few reddish scales, whilst the petals arein several rows, overlapping, with pointed tips, and are coloured darkyellow with a red streak down the centre. Several flowers are sometimesdeveloped together on a little stem, when they have the appearance ofbeing much too large for so small a plant to support. The pale green ofthe stem and its brown spines contrast prettily with the handsome yellowflowers, which are brightened by the streaks of red on the petals andthe clear red colour of the stigma. It is a native of Mexico, and wasintroduced about 1840, flowering early in summer. It requires a warmgreenhouse temperature all the year round, with, of course, plenty ofsunshine. It may be grafted on the stem of an erect-growing Cereus, suchas C. Serpentinus or C. Napoleonis, the stock to be not higher than6 in. , and about as wide as the plant of E. Concinnus is at the base. 

[Illustration: FIG. 29. --ECHINOCACTUS CONCINNUS. ]

E. Coptonogonus (wavy-ribbed); Fig. 30. --Stem globose, seldom more than5 in. In diameter, depressed on the top, with from ten to fourteenstrong, sharp-edged, wavy ribs, the furrows also being wavy. Spine tuftsset in little depressions along the margins of the ribs, five spines ineach tuft, the two upper 1 in. Long and four-angled, the two lowerflattened and shorter, the fifth, which is the longest, being placed inthe top of the cushion. Flowers 2 in. Across, daisy-like, produced inApril and May; tube very short; sepals and petals linear, spreading, white, with a purple stripe down the centre; stamens red, with yellowanthers; pistil purple, with an eight-rayed, yellow stigma. A native ofMexico. (Syn. E. Interruptus. )

[Illustration: FIG. 30. --ECHINOCACTUS COPTONOGONUS. ]

E. Cornigerus (horn-bearing). --This remarkable plant, of which aportion is represented at Fig. 31, has the stoutest spines of allcultivated Cactuses, and their arrangement on the ridges of the stem issuch as would withstand the attacks of all enemies. The broadtongue-like spine is purple in colour, and as strong as iron; the threeerect horn-like spines yellow, and as firm as the horns of an antelope, to which they bear a resemblance. The stem is sphere-shaped, grey-greenin colour, and is divided into from fourteen to twenty-one stout wavyribs, upon which the spine tufts occur at intervals of about 2 in. Thearrangement of the spines is shown in the illustration, as also is theposition of the flowers, which are small, with narrow purple petals andbrown-red sepals. The plant is a native of Mexico and Guatemala, andwould require stove treatment. We have seen only small living examples, but according to descriptions and figures, the most interestingcharacter it possesses is its spiny armament. It has been calledMelocactus latispinus and Echinocactus latispinus. 

[Illustration: FIG. 31. --ECHINOCACTUS CORNIGERUS. ]

E. Corynodes (club-like); Fig. 32. --The stem of this is about as largeas a Keswick Codlin apple, with the broad end uppermost, and the sidescut up into about a dozen and a half rather prominent sharp ridges, withbunches of stout yellow spines arranged, at intervals of about 1 in. , along the edges. The flowers, which are produced in a cluster on the topof the stem, form a crown of bright yellow petals, studded with scarleteye-like stigmas. Each flower is 2 in. In diameter when fully spread out, cup-shaped, and composed of two or three rows of over-lapping petals. Inthe middle of these nestle the short stamens, and projecting well beyondthem is the bright scarlet stigma, forming a beautiful contrast to thepetals. This plant is a native of Mexico, and was introduced about theyear 1837. It is also known in gardens under the names of E. Rosaceusand E. Sellowianus. There was a pretty little specimen of this floweringin the Kew collection last year, and the opening and closing of theflowers, as the sunlight reached or receded from them, was almost asrapid as that observed in the daisy. The whole plant is so small, and, when in flower, so charming, that no one could fail to admire it. Itrequires similar treatment to E. Concinnus. 

[Illustration: FIG. 32. --ECHINOCACTUS CORYNODES. ]

E. Crispatus (curled); Fig. 33. --The flattened, wavy or curled ridgesof this species are characteristic of several other kinds ofEchinocactus. Its long, stout, ferocious-looking spines, directedupwards, have a very forbidding aspect. The stem grows to a height ofabout 8 in. , and is said to produce its large, long-tubed, purple flowersin the summer months. It has been introduced by a Continentalnurseryman, but, so far as is known, has not yet flowered in any Englishcollection. It is apparently closely allied to E. Longihamatus. 

[Illustration: FIG. 33. --ECHINOCACTUS CRISPATUS. ]

E. Cummingii (Cumming's); Bot. Mag. 6097. --A pretty little species, with a globose stem about 3 in. In diameter, the ridges divided intotubercles, and running spirally round the stem. From each tuberclesprings a radiating cluster of yellowish, hair-like spines. The flowersare numerous, 1 in. Long and wide, the scales on the tube tipped withred, whilst the petals stamens, and stigma are an uniform brightochre-yellow; so that, looked at from above, they suggest the flowers ofthe common marigold. A well-managed plant produces as many ashalf-a-dozen of these flowers together, which open out widely under theinfluence of bright sunlight. It is one of the hardiest of the genus, thriving well in a frost-proof house or frame. During winter, theatmosphere surrounding it should be as dry as possible; but in summer itlikes plenty of moisture, and exposure to full sunshine. A variety of E. Cummingii was raised from seeds a few years ago by Mr. Daniel, of Epsom, the flowers of which were pale almost to whiteness. The type is said toattain a height of 8 in. In its native country, Bolivia, whence plantswere introduced to Kew in 1847, and flowered in July. 

E. Cylindraceus (cylindrical). --A large-growing kind, attaining aheight of several feet, very broad, and, as the name denotes, cylindrical in shape. When large, the stem often develops lateralbranches about its base. Cultivated plants of it are 6 in. High, thesides marked with about a score of ridges, upon which, arranged in adense cluster, are the stout, strong spines, the longest of them 3 in. Long, hooked, and projecting outwards, the shorter spreading andinterlacing so as to form a sort of spiny network all round the stem. The flowers are yellow, 2 in. Long, and are composed of a short, thicktube bearing from forty to fifty fringed sepals, and about half thatnumber of petals, which are also fringed. There are as many as a dozenflowers opened together on stout, aged plants; it is, however, morebecause of the densely spinous stems than the flowers that this specieshas found its way into cultivation. It cannot be recommended for anyexcept large collections, and where it can be grown in a stovetemperature. It is a native of the hot deserts of Colorado, and wasintroduced about ten years ago. There are several healthy youngspecimens of it in the Kew collection. 

E. Echidne (viper; probably in allusion to the fang-like spines). --Thisspecies is remarkable in having a stout cylindrical stem, 12 in. High by8 in. Wide, with about a dozen deep ridges; these are disposed spirally, and bear tufts of rigid, broad spines, 1 in. Or more long, spreading, soas to interlace and form a wire-like network all round the stem. It maybe mentioned here that an American naturalist has recently suggestedthat the object of these iron-like spines on the stems of many Cactuses, and more especially on the majority of the Hedgehog kinds, is not somuch to defend the fleshy stems from browsing animals as to affordprotection from the scorching rays of the sun, which would otherwisecause the stems to blister and shrivel; and the nature of the spinycovering of E. Echidne seems to support such a view. As in many others, the clusters of spines in this plant have their bases embedded in a tuftof whitish wool. The flowers are developed near the centre of the top ofthe stem, and are of medium size, bright yellow, with whitish stamens;they are produced two or three together, in summer. This species is anative of Mexico; it thrives in a greenhouse where frost is excluded, but only rarely flowers with us under cultivation. 

E. Emoryi (Emory's); Fig. 34. --This is a very large-stemmed kind, specimens having been found nearly 3 ft. In height and about 2 ft. Indiameter. Smaller plants, such as are in English collections, haveglobose stems 1 ft. Through, with about thirteen ribs, the ribstuberculated, the tubercles large, and rounded; the spines are borne onthe apex of the tubercles in star-shaped bundles of eight or nine, andare angled, often flat on the top side, articulated, with hooked points, whilst in length they vary from 1 in. To 4 in. The flowers are 3 in. Long, the tube clothed with heart-shaped scales or sepals; the petals are red, with yellowish margins, spreading so as to form a beautiful, large, cup-like flower, with a cluster of deep yellow stamens in the centre. The flowering period is in the autumn, and the plant is a native of theLower Colorado and California. Living plants of it have only recentlybeen introduced into English collections. At Kew, it is cultivated in awarm greenhouse, where it is in good health. From accounts of it in itsnative haunts, it will, however, probably prefer a cool house in winter, and as much sun and warmth as possible in spring and summer; for we aretold that during winter it is often subjected to severe frosts and heavysnowfalls, whilst in summer the fierce heat of the sun is such as toburn up all vegetation, except Cactuses and other similar plants. 

[Illustration: FIG. 34. --FLOWER AND SPINES OF ECHINOCACTUS EMORYI. ]

E. Gibbosus (humped). --A small apple-like plant, not more than 4 in. High, with a depressed top, the lower part being narrowed. It hassixteen ribs or ridges, composed of rows of thick fleshy tubercles, uponevery other of which are six or eight horny spines, 1 in. Long. Theflowers are pushed out from the edge of the depression on the top of thestem, and are large; the tube 1½ in. Long. The petals spread to a widthof 3 in. , and are arranged in several rows, overlapping each other, becoming smaller towards the centre of the flower, as in an aster; theyare pure white, except for a tinge of red on the tips of the outer ones, the stamens being bright yellow. Two flowers are usually developed on aplant, generally in June. This species was introduced from Jamaica about1808, by a nurseryman in Hammersmith; but as no Echinocactuses are wildin the West Indian Islands, it must have been introduced into Jamaicafrom some of the Central American States, or probably from Mexico. Itmay be grafted on to another free-growing kind with advantage, as itdoes not always keep healthy when on its own roots. It should be grownin a cool greenhouse, or in the window of a dwelling-room, always, however, in a position where it would get plenty of sunlight. 

E. Haynii (Hayne's); Fig. 35. --An upright cylindrical-stemmed species, very much like a Mamillaria in the form and position of the tuberclesand the numerous greyish hair-like spines arranged in a radiating ringon the top of each tubercle. The flowers are much longer than in any yetdescribed, the tube being 6 in. In length, clothed with large sepals onthe upper portion, and the petals are semi-erect with recurved points, and coloured a brilliant purple-red. A native of Peru, where it is foundat high elevations, growing in crevices of rocks and exposed to fullsunlight. With us it thrives in a warm greenhouse, producing itsbeautiful flowers in summer. Introduced about 1850. 

[Illustration: FIG. 35. --ECHINOCACTUS HAYNII. ]

E. Hexaedrophorus (tubercles six-sided); Fig. 36. --This plant isdistinguished by the gouty-looking tubercles into which its broad, spiral ridges are divided, and which look as if they would suddenlyburst like a blister if pricked with a pin. It grows about 4 in. Inheight, and is similar in form to what is shown in the accompanyingfigure, except that the top is usually flatter than here represented. The whole stem has a glaucous hue, and the spines are reddish-brown. Theflowers, which are produced freely in June and July, are short-tubed, spreading to a width of 2 in. ; the petals toothed at the tips, andarranged in several rows, overlapping each other, the colour beingwhite, tinted with rose, with a disk-like cluster of yellow stamens inthe centre, and a white-rayed stigma. A native of North Mexico, introduced about 1830. It is very slow-growing, attaining full size innot less than six years from seed; indeed, it is stated that in twelveyears a plant of it did not grow more than 2 in. Still, slow as it is, itremains in good health when kept in a sunny position on a shelf in agreenhouse or in a dwelling-room, so that it may be recommended forplaces where space is very limited. Like E. Gibbosus, it does best whengrafted on to another kind. We have seen perfect "drum-sticks" formed bygrafting a full-grown plant of this on the stem of a Cereus. 

[Illustration: FIG. 36. --ECHINOCACTUS HEXAEDROPHORUS. ] E. Horizonthalonis (spreading-spined); Fig. 37. --Stem globose, usuallyflattened on the top, and divided into eight or nine large ribs orridges, grey-green in colour. Spines in crowded star-shaped clustersalong the apex of the ribs, seven spines in each cluster, all of themstrong, slightly curved, horn-like, and marked with numerous rings; theyare yellow, tipped with red when young, ash-coloured when old; thelongest are about 2 in. In length. Flowers terminal, springing from theyoung spine tufts, each 4 in. Across, with two rows of petals arrangedregularly in the form of a cup; colour deep rose, paler on the inside ofthe cup; stamens very numerous, with white filaments and yellow anthers. The flowers expand at sunrise and close again in the evening, each onelasting about a week; they are very agreeably scented. Flowering season, May and June. The plant is a native of Mexico, and was introduced in1838. (Syns. E. Equitans, E. Horizontalis. )

[Illustration: FIG. 37. --ECHINOCACTUS HORIZONTHALONIS. ]

E. Le Contei (Le Conte's); Fig. 38. --Another of the large-stemmedkinds, which have only recently found their way into English gardens, although long since discovered and described by American travellers. Theillustration represents a young plant. When full-grown, this species hasa stem 5 ft. High by 2 ft. Wide, with broad deep channels and ridges, wrinkled and covered with a thick network of stout spines, which are setin clusters in a cushion of whitish wool, the longest being about 3 in. In length, with curved or slightly hooked points, and distinctlyangular. The flowers are 2 in. Long, bell-shaped; the petals shininglemon-yellow, with a tinge of brown on the outside, whilst the sepalsare like a number of fish-scales, overlapping each other down theoutside of the campanulate tube. The stamens and pistil are almosthidden inside the flower. Flowers are borne by quite young plants, whilst upon full-grown specimens they are so numerous as to form a largeyellow cap to the immense, prickly, conical stems. They are developed inAugust and September. A native of Mexico, where it is found wild on therocky or gravelly plains and ravines, and often in crevices ofperpendicular rocks. It requires warm greenhouse treatment, and plentyof water during the summer, care being taken that the soil it is plantedin is perfectly drained. 

[Illustration: FIG. 38. --ECHINOCACTUS LE CONTEI. ]

E. Leeanus (Lee's); Bot. Mag. 4184. --This species has many charactersin common with E. Hexaedrophorus and E. Gibbosus, the stem being nolarger than a small orange, with plump globose tubercles, bearingstar-shaped clusters of short brown spines. The flowers are 1½ in. Longand wide, and are composed of a green fleshy tube, with a few whitishscales, which gradually enlarge till, with the white, rose-tippedpetals, they form a spreading cup, the large cluster of pale yellowstamens occupying the whole of the centre. This pretty little Cactus wasraised from seeds by Messrs. Lee, of the Hammersmith Nursery, in 1840. It is a native of the Argentine Provinces, and flowers in May. Thetreatment recommended for E. Gibbosus will be found suitable for this. It is happiest when grafted on to another kind. For the amateur whoseplants are grown in a room window or small plant-case, these tinyHedgehog Cactuses are much more suitable than larger kinds, as they keepin health under ordinary treatment, and flower annually; whereas, thelarger kinds, unless grown in properly-constructed houses, rarelyblossom. 

E. Longihamatus (long-hooked); Fig. 39. --We heartily wish all speciesof Cactaceous plants were as readily distinguished and as easily definedin words as in the present remarkably fine and handsome one--remarkablein the very prominent ridges, the large and regularly-arranged spines, the central one very long, flattened, and usually hooked at the end, andhandsome in the size and colouring of its flowers, both in the bud andwhen fully expanded. The stem is globose, 8 in. Or more high; it hasabout thirteen prominent rounded ridges with waved tumid edges, fromwhich, about 1½ in. Apart, spring clusters of spines, about a dozen ineach cluster, dark red when young, becoming brown with age. In length, these spines vary from 1 in. To 6 in. , the latter being the length of thecentral, hooked one, which is broad and flattened at the base. Theflowers are 4 in. Broad and long, the tube short, green, and bearingreddish scales, which gradually pass into bright yellow petals blotchedwith red on the outside, the inner ones spreading and forming a shallowcup, in the centre of which are the short yellow stamens and largepistil. Plants of this species have been grown with stems 20 in. High;but it takes a great number of years for the development of suchspecimens. The flowers are produced on the apex of the stem in July. This species was introduced from Mexico about 1850; it thrives only whengrown in a warm greenhouse, where the temperature in summer may beallowed to run up to 90 degs. With sun heat. For large collections it isone of the most desirable. 

[Illustration: FIG. 39. --PORTION OF PLANT OF ECHINOCACTUSLONGIHAMATUS. ]

E. Mackieanus (Mackie's); Bot. Mag. 3561. --A small plant, not more thanabout 5 in. High, and 2 in. Broad at the base, widening slightly upwards. The ridges are broken up into numerous fleshy, rounded, green tubercles, crowned with a tuft of thin brown spines from ½ in. To 1 in. Long, theirbases set in a small pad of yellow wool: As the stem gets older, itloses its tubercles at the base, which are changed into brown wrinkles. The flowers are developed on the top of the stem, generally two or threetogether, egg-shaped and scaly when in bud, 2½ in. Across when expanded;the petals white, tipped with brown; the stigma green, club-shaped. Thiscurious little Cactus is one of about a dozen species found in theChilian Andes. It was introduced in 1837 by the gentleman whose name itbears, and who, at that time, possessed a famous collection of Cacti. Like the rest of the Chilian kinds, it should be cultivated in a coolgreenhouse in full sunshine, where it will produce its flowers insummer. 

E. Mamillarioides (Mamillaria-like); Bot. Mag. 3558. --This is anothersmall, tubercled species, which, like the preceding, is a native ofChili. Its stem is very irregular in form, owing to the crowding of thetubercles, which look as if they were filled with water. The spines aresmall, in tufts of about half a dozen, set in a little cushion ofyellowish wool. In size, the whole plant is like E. Mackieanus, but itblossoms more freely, as many as sixteen flowers having been borne atone time by a plant at Kew. These were short-tubed, the calyx clothedwith green scales, and the petals 2 in. Long, recurved at the apex, forming a beautiful cup-like flower of a bright yellow colour, with aband of red down the centre of each petal; the stamens and pistilyellow. The number of flowers developed on the small stem formed by thisplant is quite extraordinary. It grows and flowers freely in an ordinarygreenhouse, and would thrive in a sunny window if kept dry during thewinter. 

E. Mamillosus (nipple-bearing). --A short, dumpy plant, with numeroustubercled ridges, bearing bunches of dark brown hair-like spines, whichform a close network about the stem. The flowers are developed on thetop of the stem, and are about 4 in. In diameter, with a thick tube; thepetals are spreading, bright yellow in colour, and arranged in aregular, bell-like whorl. Inside this bell is a circle of purplefilaments or stamens, forming a pretty contrast with the clear yellow ofthe petals. This is a recent introduction, which flowered in the Kewcollection for the first time in June, 1886. It is one of the mostbeautiful of the large-flowered kinds, and, as it thrives in a warmgreenhouse and is very free-flowering, it may be expected to become afavourite with Cactus growers. Owing to the lack of informationrespecting the conditions under which many of the Cactuses are foundwild, and to the fact that little in the way of experimental culture hasbeen done by growers of this family, cultivators are sometimes in thedark as regards the lowest temperature in which the rarer kinds can besafely grown. Many of the species of the present genus, for instance, were grown in stoves years ago but are now known to thrive in a coolgreenhouse where frost alone is excluded. 

E. Multiflorus (many-flowered); Bot. Mag. 4181. --A well-named Cactus, as its small stem (seldom more than 5 in. High, and the same in width)often bears a large cap-like cluster of beautiful white flowers, exceptfor a slight tinge of brown on the tips of the petals. Each flower iscomposed of a green, scaly tube, and several rows of reflexed petals, which form a shallow cup 2½ in. Across. The stamens are tipped withorange-coloured anthers, and the stigma is rayed and snow-white. Thestem is ridged with rows of fleshy mammae or tubercles, which arecuriously humped, and each bears a cluster of spreading, brown spines, 1 in. Long. The number of flowers this little plant annually producesseems more than could be possible without proving fatal to its health;but we have seen it blossom year after year, and in no way has itshealth appeared impaired. It may be grown on a shelf in a warmgreenhouse, or in the window of a heated dwelling-room. Introduced, probably from Mexico, in 1845. This, like all the small, globular-stemmed kinds, may be grafted on the stem of a Cereus ofsuitable thickness. Some cultivators believe that grafting causes theplants to flower more freely, but we have not observed any difference inthis respect between grafted and ungrafted plants. 

E. Myriostigma. (many-dotted); Fig. 40. --In the form of the stem ofthis species we have a good illustration of how widely a plant maydiffer from others of the same genus in certain of its characters, forthe spines are almost totally suppressed, and the ridges are regular, deep, and smooth. There are usually five or six ridges, a transversesection of the stem revealing a form exactly like the common star-fish(Astrophyton), a resemblance to which the name Astrophytum, sometimesapplied to this plant, owed its origin. The form of the stem is wellrepresented in the Figure. The white dots shown on the bark, and whichlook like scales, are composed of very fine interwoven hairs, which, under a microscope, are very pretty objects. This species was introducedfrom Mexico along with the large plant of E. Visnaga described at thebeginning of this chapter, and was first flowered at Kew, in July, 1845. Stems 1 ft. In length were received, along with shorter ones; but onlythe small ones were established. The flowers are daisy-like, 1½ in. Across, and are straw-coloured, the petals being tipped with black. Itthrives under warm greenhouse treatment. When without its flowers, itlooks more like a piece of chiselled stone than a living plant. 

[Illustration: FIG. 40. --ECHINOCACTUS MYRIOSTIGMA. ]

E. Obvallatus (fortified); Fig. 41. --The form of stem in this speciesis shown in the Figure. It grows very slowly plants 4 in. Through takingabout ten years to reach that size from seeds. The spines are stout, alldeflexed, and arranged along the edges of the numerous ribs into whichthe stem is divided. The flowers are developed from the centre of theplant, and are surrounded by the erect spines, which crown the, as yet, undeveloped tubercles. Two or three flowers are produced at about thesame time, each one being composed of a short, spiny tube, and a whorlof erect petals, which are pointed, purple-coloured, paler at themargin, the stamens being yellow. Native of Mexico. It requires a stovetemperature, and flowers in summer. 

[Illustration: FIG. 41. --ECHINOCACTUS OBVALLATUS. ]

E. Ottonis (Otto's); Bot. Mag. 3107. --A dwarf kind, with aballoon-shaped stem, rarely exceeding 4 in. In height, and divided into adozen wide ridges with sharp, regular edges, along which are clusters ofsmall, brown spines, set in little tufts of wool, and looking like anarray of spiders. The flowers are borne on the tops of the ridges, andare pale yellow in colour, with a band of red hair-like spinessurrounding the calyx just below the petals, which are narrow, spreading, and look not unlike the flowers of the yellow Marguerite; thestigma is bright red. The symmetrical form of the stem, with its rows ofspider-like spines, renders this plant attractive, even when without itsbright and pretty flowers. It thrives only in a warm stove. Introducedfrom Brazil in 1831, flowering in the month of July. As it producesyoung plants about its base, it may be easily propagated by removingthem and planting them in soil; or they may be grafted as advised forother of the small, globose-stemmed kinds. 

E. Pectiniferus (comb-bearing); Bot. Mag. 4190. --One of the moststriking of the plants of this genus, owing to the character of itsstem, and the large size and beauty of its flowers. The former resemblesa pear with the thin end downwards; its height is from 4 in. To 6 in. , andit has about twenty ridges, which are sharply defined and bear alongtheir angles little cushions of white wool ½ in. Apart, with a radiatingcluster of brown spines springing from each. The arrangement of thespines in rows is not unlike the teeth of a comb. The flowers are bornenear the top of the stem, and consist of a green, fleshy tube, clothedwith spines and little tufts of white wool; the sepals form a rowbeneath the petals, and are yellowish, tinged with purple; petals 2 in. Long, broad, with the upper margins toothed and the tip acute, theircolour being bright rose, tinged with greenish-white at the base;stamens yellow; stigma large, green. The form of the flowers is that ofa cup, nearly 3 in. Across. Introduced from Mexico in 1845. Floweringseason, April and May. It requires warm-house treatment. 

E. Polycephalus (many-headed); Fig. 42. --Stem globose when young, becoming cylindrical with age; number of ribs varying from twelve totwenty, sharply defined, and bearing, at intervals of 1 in. , clusters ofstout, reddish spines, somewhat flattened on the upper side, and markedwith raised rings, or, as it is termed, annulated, the central onesattaining a length of over 3 in. On old plants, and sometimes curved. Theflowers are enveloped at the base in a dense mass of white wool, whichhides the tube, its spines only showing through; petals narrow, 1 in. Long, spreading like a saucer, and coloured bright yellow; stamensnumerous, yellow, as also is the large rayed stigma. California andColorado, on stony and gravelly hills. Flowers in spring; introduced toKew in 1886. This new plant is remarkable in that it is often found wildwith as many as twenty to thirty stems or heads springing from the samebase, and even young plants show early a disposition to develop severalheads. The largest stems are from 1½ ft. To 2½ ft. High, and have asomewhat forbidding appearance, owing to the size and strength of theirnumerous spines. For its cultivation, a warm-house temperature appearsmost suitable; it bears a close resemblance to E. Texensis. 

[Illustration: FIG. 42. --RIDGE, WITH SPINES, OF ECHINOCACTUSPOLYCEPHALUS. ]

E. Pottsii (Potts'). --The stem of this is shown in Fig. 43. Full-sizedplants are 1½ ft. In diameter, and have about a dozen ridges with acutesinuses, the ridges being rounded and even. The spines are 1 in. Long, bristle-like, and are arranged in clusters of seven or nine, with acushion of white wool at the base of each cluster. Flowers short-tubed, about 2 in. Across, and coloured yellow; they are produced on the top ofthe stem in summer, several expanding together. The plant is a native ofCalifornia, and was introduced about 1840. Under cultivation thisspecies proves to be a shy-flowering Cactus, although in a warm house itgrows freely, and remains in good health. It is well adapted forgrafting on to the stem of some kind of Cereus, and in this way may bemade to look very singular, as was shown in Mr. Peacock's collection ofsucculents some years ago, when a fine specimen, over 1 ft. Across, wassuccessfully grafted on to three stems of C. Tortuosus, and had much theappearance of a melon elevated on a short tripod. 

[Illustration: FIG. 43. --ECHINOCACTUS POTTSII. ]

E. Rhodophthalmus (red-eyed); Bot. Mag. 4486, 4634. --Stem cone-shaped, 4 in. To 1 ft. High, deeply furrowed; ridges about nine, 1 in. High, theangles bearing closely-set clusters of radiating spines, with aprojecting one in the middle of each cluster, which contains nine spines1 in. Long, purple when young, becoming white when old. The flowers areproduced from the summit of the stem, and have a thick, green, scalycalyx tube, upon which the spreading, rose-coloured petals are arrangedin a regular series, and form a shallow bell nearly 3 in. Across. Thethroat of the flower is coloured a deep crimson, against which thelittle sheaf of white stamens and the star-shaped yellow stigma form apretty contrast. Three or more flowers are expanded together on a plant. It is a native of Mexico; introduced in 1845. It thrives in a house orframe where it is protected from frost, and during summer gets plenty ofsunlight and air. It flowers in August. During the months of April andMay, when it starts into growth, it should be kept close; but by the endof June, it should be exposed to the open air and allowed to ripen, sothat its flowers may be produced in the autumn. The plant called E. V. Ellipticus does not differ from the type, owing its name to the form ofthe stem of the first plant that flowered at Kew. 

E. Scopa. (brush-like); Fig. 44. --The stem of this species, when seencovered with numerous tufts of bristly spines, has been compared to abrush, a comparison not, however, applicable to the form represented inthe Figure. In height the stems sometimes reach l½ ft. , with from thirtyto forty ribs, bearing little discs of white wool at the bases of theclusters of spines. The flowers spring from the upper part of the stem(the nodules shown in the illustration represent the places whereflowers have been developed at an earlier stage of growth), from four tosix being borne in the same season; they are 1½ in. Long and wide, thetube short and brown, bristly; the petals are arranged in severaloverlapping series, rather wide for their length, toothed at the ends;their colour is a bright sulphur-yellow, as also are the stamens, whilstthe stigma, which is rayed, is bright crimson. Native of Brazil. Introduced about 1840; it is more like a Cereus, in the form of itsstem, than an Echinocactus. It flowers in June, and requires stovetreatment. The stems, when dried carefully and stuffed with wadding, form pretty ornaments. 

[Illustration: FIG. 44. --ECHINOCACTUS SCOPA. ]

E. Scopa cristata. (crested variety); Fig. 45. --This curiousmonstrosity owes its origin to fasciation similar to what occurs in theCelosias or Cockscombs, in some Echeverias, &c. These monster varietiesof Cactuses do not flower, but they are nevertheless interesting, andworth growing on account of their curious shapes. The plant shown inFig. 45 is grafted on the stem of a Cereus, and it is remarkable that aportion of the crest of the Echinocactus will, if grafted on to anotherplant, develop the abnormal form of its parent, proving that thevariation, whatever its cause, has become fixed. 

[Illustration: FIG. 45. --ECHINOCACTUS SCOPA CRISTATA. ]

E. Simpsoni (Simpson's). --One of the smallest plants in the genus, andone of the prettiest. It produces tufts of irregularly-formed stemsabout 4 in. High, and composed of numerous rounded tubercles over ½ in. Wide, bearing on the top of each a tuft of about twelve spines ½ in. Long. The flowers are borne from the apex of the young tubercles, andare 1 in. Wide and long, cup-shaped; petals pale purple, the stamensyellow. Native of Mexico and Colorado, where it is found at elevationsof 8000 ft. To 10, 000 ft. , in great abundance, forming large patches ongravelly morains, where the climate during the summer is dry, whilst inwinter a thick covering of snow protects the plants from severe frosts. In England, this species is said to have withstood 32 degs. Of frostwithout being injured. It has been grown out of doors in a garden atNorthampton, where it passed several winters planted in a raised borderat the foot of a south wall with a natural coping of ivy. In New York, where the frosts of winter are severer than in England, it is cultivatedout of doors. In this country it is apt to be injured by excessivemoisture and fogs; but by protecting it with a handlight from Novemberto March or April, this is overcome. If grown in pots, it should be keptin a position where it can enjoy all the sunlight possible. 

E. Sinuatus (undulated). --Stem about 8 in. Wide and long; globose, bearing fourteen to sixteen ridges, the edges of which are wavy orundulated, the prominent points crowned with tufts of thin, flexuous, yellow spines, the longest 1½ in. , and hooked, the shorter ¾ in. , andstraight. The stem of E. Longihamatus is very similar to this. Flowersdeveloped on the top of the stem; tube short, scaly, green; petalsyellow, spreading, and forming a cup 3 in. Across, which is greenishoutside. A native of Mexico, where it flowers in April. Arecently-introduced kind, not yet flowered in this country. It isdescribed as being a distinct, large-flowered, handsome species. 

E. Tenuispinus (thin-spined); Bot. Mag. 3963. --Stem globular, depressed, with ridges and spines similar to those of E. Ottonis;indeed, by some these two are considered forms of the same species. Inthe number and size of the flowers, their colour and form, and the timeof flowering, there is no difference between them. Native of Mexico (andBrazil ?). 

E. Texensis (Texan); Fig. 46. --A short-stemmed plant, with a thick, leathery skin and broad-based ridges of irregular form, crowned withtufts of stout horny spines, the central one much the longest, flattenedat the base, and strong as steel. The flowers are produced near thecentre of the top, from the tufts of whitish wool which accompany thespines on the young parts of the ridges. They are 2½ in. Long and wide;the tube short and woolly; the petals spreading, beautifully fringed, and rose-coloured. Native of North-east Mexico, where it grows on stonyhillsides in full exposure to sunshine, and where, during winter, it hasto endure weather verging on to frost. It thrives in a greenhouse undercultivation. Like several of the stout-spined, robust-stemmed kinds, this may find favour as a garden plant because of the character of itsstem, and the extraordinary strength of its large iron-like spines. 

[Illustration: FIG. 46. --ECHINOCACTUS TEXENSIS. ]

E. Turbiniformis (top-shaped). --A very distinct dwarf kind, withglobular stems 2 in. High and about 3 in. Wide, clothed withspirally-arranged rows or ridges of tubercles, similar to those shown inthe figure of E. Hexaedrophorus, except that, in the former, there areno spines on the mature tubercles, although, when young, they have eacha little cluster of fine spines. The flowers expand in June, severaltogether, from the top of the stem; they are round, 1 in. Across, thepetals being numerous, pale yellow in colour, tinged with red on theoutside. Introduced from Mexico, 1840. This curious little plantrequires stove treatment, and thrives when grafted on the stem of someother kind. It is sometimes known as Mamillaria turbinata. 

E. Uncinatus (hooked); Fig. 47. --A small species, with oval stems whenyoung, older plants becoming cylindrical, as shown in the accompanyingFigure. The height of the largest plant does not exceed 6 in. , so that, when wild, it is often hidden by the long grass in which it isfrequently found on stony hillsides at high elevations, in Mexico. Theridges are broken up into large tubercles, upon each of which is a tuftof short straight spines, arranged in a circle, and a long hooked onespringing from the centre, and often attaining a length of about 4 in. Inold plants the spines are almost white, whilst in young ones they arepurplish. The flowers are borne in a cluster on the apex of the stem, and are nearly 2 in. Long, the tube being short and spiny, and the petalsnumerous, arranged in a cup, their colour dark purplish-red, the tipspointed; the stamens are yellow, with orange tips. The flowers expandonly when the sun shines on them, closing up again in dull light, butopening again, and remaining fresh for about a week. Introduced in 1850. Flowers in March and April. This plant may be grown in a cool, sunnygreenhouse, or window, requiring only protection from frost in winter, and in summer plenty of light, with a moderate amount of water. Thereare several varieties of it described, their differences being chieflyin the shape of the stem. 

[Illustration: FIG. 47. --ECHINOCACTUS UNCINATUS. ]

E. Viridescens (greenish). --Stem 1 ft. High and 9 in. Across, youngplants being broader than high; the sides split up into about twentyridges, which are again divided into knotty tubercles or waves. Thespines are remarkable for their size and strength, those on large plantsbeing 4 in. Long by ½ in. Broad at the base, gradually narrowing to astiff point; there are four central spines of this size, the others, ofwhich there are about a dozen, being shorter and thinner, and arrangedstellately. The flowers, which are rarely produced, are poor incomparison with the majority of the flowers of this genus. As the namedenotes, their colour is yellowish-green; and they are about 1½ in. Wideand high. There are often as many as a dozen flowers expanded togetheron a stem of this plant when wild, and they are arranged in a circlearound the growing point. The interest in this species, however, centresin its spines rather than its flowers. It is a native of the dry hillsof California, extending sometimes down to the sea-beach. There is aplant of it at Kew 6 in. High and about fifteen years old; it has notbeen known to flower there. Mr. Peacock also possesses a large plant ofit. 

E. Visnaga. (visnaga means a toothpick among the Mexican settlers); Fig. 48. --Of the most remarkable features of this truly wonderful Cactus wehave already spoken earlier in this Chapter. In 1846, Sir W. J. Hookerdescribed, in the Illustrated London News, a large plant of it, whichhad been successfully introduced alive to Kew, and which, a year or solater, flowered, and was figured in the Botantical Magazine (4559). Itsheight was 9 ft. , and it measured 9½ ft. In circumference; its weight aton. Afterwards, it exhibited symptoms of internal injury. The insidebecame a putrid mass, and the crust, or shell, fell in by its ownweight. The shape of the stem is elliptical, with numerous ridges andstout brown spines arranged in tufts along their edges. The flowers arefreely produced from the woolly apex; the tube is scaly and brown, andthe petals are arranged like a saucer about the cluster oforange-coloured stamens. The colour of the petals is bright yellow, andthe width of the flower is nearly 3 in. This plant is a native of Mexico, and is usually cultivated in a tropical temperature, but it wouldprobably thrive in a warm greenhouse. It flowers in summer. As we havestated, large specimens do not live long in this country; and as theflowers are only borne by such, the plant, except only for its stems, isnot to be recommended for ordinary collections. 

[Illustration: FIG. 48. --ECHINOCACTUS VISNAGA. ]

E. Williamsii (Williams's); Bot. Mag. 4296. --A very distinct dwarfspecies, often called the "Dumpling Cactus, " from the puffed-out, tumidappearance of its stems, which frequently branch at the base, so as toform a tuft of several heads; these are turbinate, 3 in. Or 4 in. High, and 2 in. Across the top, where the smooth, pale green flesh is dividedinto about half-a-dozen rounded tubercles, pressed closely together, andsuggesting a number of small green potatoes joined by their bases. Eachtubercle bears several tufts of short hairs. The flowers proceed fromthe young tubercles near the centre of the crown, their bases beingenveloped in pale brown wool, the petals spreading out daisy-like to thewidth of 1 in. , with a short disk of stamens in the middle; they arewhite, tinged with rose, and are developed in the summer months. Nativeof the rocky hills of Mexico, whence it was introduced in 1845. Thestems of this plant are its most distinctive feature. It thrives on ashelf in a warm greenhouse, if kept perfectly dry in winter, and itshould be potted in a compost consisting of broken brick two-thirds, loam one-third. 

E. Wislizeni (Wislizen's); Fig. 49. --A large-stemmed kind, second onlyin size to E. Visnaga. Young plants have depressed stems, those in olderspecimens being cylinder-shaped. A specimen at Kew is 8 in. High by 18 in. In diameter, with twenty-one ridges, which are regular and sharp-edged, and bear bunches of spines at regular intervals, the outer and shorterones being spreading and white, whilst from the middle of each tuftarise four longer and stouter spines, three of them 2 in. Long, and one3 in. , with the point hooked, and as strong as if made of steel. Theflowers, which are developed only on large plants, are greenish-yellow, about 2 in. Long and wide, and expand during summer and autumn. The juiceof the stems is said to serve as a substitute for water when the latteris scarce, and instances have been known among the white trappers wherethe lives of men have been saved by this plant. A novel use the stemsare put to by the Indians is that of boilers, a purpose which they aresaid to answer well. The fleshy inside is scooped out, and the toughskin, with its iron-like spine protection, is then filled withvegetables and water and placed on the fire. As there is a plentifulsupply of plants, the Indians do not trouble to carry this "boiler"about with them, but make a fresh one at every stage of theirjourneyings. 

[Illustration: FIG. 49. --SPINES AND FLOWERS OF ECHINOCACTUSWISLIZENII. ]

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE GENUS ECHINOPSIS. 

(From echinos, a hedgehog, and opsis, like. )

No less than three sections of Cactuses, viz. , the above, Echinocactus, and Echinocereus, owe their names to their hedgehog-like stems. From ahorticultural point of view, there is perhaps no good reason for keepingthe above three genera and Cereus separate; but we follow Kew in thearrangement adopted here. The genus Echinopsis, as now recognised bymost English botanists and cultivators, comprises about thirty species, most of which have been, or are still, in cultivation. They aredistinguished from Echinocactuses by the length of their flower tube, from Cereuses by the form and size of their stems, and from both in theposition on the stem occupied by the flowers. They are remarkable forthe great size, length of tube, and beauty of their flowers, which, borne upon generally small and dumpy stems, appear very much larger andhandsomer than would be expected. 

The distribution of Echinopsis is similar to that of Echinocactus, species being found in Chili, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, &c. Theygrow only in situations where the soil is sandy or gravelly, or on thesides of hills in the crevices of rocks. 

Cultivation. --The growing and resting seasons for Echinopsis are thesame as for Echinocactus, and we may therefore refer to what is saidunder that genus for general hints with regard to the cultivation ofEchinopsis in this country. The following is from the notes of the lateCurator of the Royal Gardens, Kew (Mr. J. Smith), as being worthy theattention of Cactus growers. Writing about Echinopsis cristata, which hegrew and flowered exceptionally well, he says: "This showy plant is anative of Chili, and, like its Mexican allies, thrives if potted inlight loam, with a little leaf mould and a few nodules of lime rubbish. The latter are for the purpose of keeping the soil open; it is alsonecessary that the soil should be well drained. In winter, water must begiven very sparingly, and the atmosphere of the house should be dry; thetemperature need not exceed 50 degs. During the night, and in very coldweather it may be allowed to fall 10 degs. Lower, provided a highertemperature (55 degs. ) be maintained during the day. As the seasonadvances, the plants should receive the full influence of the increasingwarmth of the sun; and during hot weather, they will be benefited byfrequent syringing overhead, which should be done in the evening. It is, however, necessary to guard against the soil becoming saturated, for thesoft fibrous roots suffer if they continue in a wet state for any lengthof time. "

None of the species require to be grafted to grow freely and remainhealthy, as the stems are all robust enough and of sufficient size totake care of themselves. The only danger is in keeping the plants toomoist in winter, for although a little water now and again keeps thestems fresh and green, it deprives them of that rest which is essentialto the development of their large, beautiful flowers in summer. 

SPECIES. 

E. Campylacantha. (curved-spined); Bot. Mag. 4567. --Stem 1 ft. Or l½ ft. High, globe-shaped, with a somewhat pointed top, the sides divided intofrom fourteen to sixteen ridges, with tubercled edges, bearing clustersof about ten strong brown spines, which are stellately arranged, acentral one projecting outwards, then suddenly curving upwards, andmeasuring 3 in. In length. The flowers are developed from the ridges onthe side of the stem; they are 6 in. Long, the tube shaped like atrumpet, brownish in colour, and clothed with tufts of short blackhairs; petals arranged in three rows, spreading so as to form a limb2½ in. Across, pale rose-coloured, with a large cluster of yellow-tippedstamens, forming a disk-like centre. This species is a native of Chili, and was introduced in 1831. It blossoms in spring and summer. The longcurving central spine and remarkable length of the flower-tubedistinguish it from the other kinds. It may be grown in a coolgreenhouse, where it will thrive, if kept freely watered during summerand rested on a dry, sunny shelf in winter. It is rare in Englishcollections, but frequently occurs in Continental gardens. 

E. Cristata (crested); Bot. Mag. 4687. --Stem globe-shaped, 1 ft. High, slightly narrowed towards the top; ridges fifteen, 1 in. Deep, sharplyangular, the edges bearing tufts of spreading, yellowish spines, over1 in. Long, slightly curved, and tipped with red. Flowers creamy-white, springing from the ridges on the top of the stem; tube 4 in. Long, clothed with tufts of black hairs, and surmounted by a whorl ofreddish-yellow sepals, above which are two rows of broad-spreadingpetals. The width of the flower is over 6 in. , and the stamens arearranged in a corona-like whorl inside the petals. This very fine Cactusis a native of Bolivia, whence it was introduced in 1850. When inflower, the broad, long-tubed, pale-coloured blossoms equal in beautythose of the Night-flowering Cereus. It blossoms in July. It thrives ifkept in a warm, sunny greenhouse, but must be liberally treated insummer, so as to induce vigorous growth, and then be subjected tocomplete rest in winter in full sunlight, or it will not flower. 

E. C. Purpurea (purple ). --This variety differs from the type in havingdeep rose-coloured flowers and a slightly longer tube. It is impossibleto find among all the species of the Cereus section a more beautifulplant than this; the size of the flowers, their rich colour, theirdeveloping three or four together in the month of July, being almostexceptional, even among Cactuses. A splendid example of it was floweredat Kew in 1846 for the first time. It thrives under the conditionsrecommended for E. Cristata. This variety is often made very sickly bytreating it as a tropical Cactus, and, like most of these plants, ifonce it gets into a bad condition, it remains so a long time, in spiteof liberal and careful treatment. So many of the Cactuses found in coolregions are ruined by an excess of heat in winter, and a closeatmosphere during their season of growth, that too much attention cannotbe given to the question of temperature in relation to their cultivationin English gardens. 

E. Decaisneanus (Decaisne's). --As represented in Fig. 50, this plantappears to have a columnar stem, but this is owing to the specimenhaving been formed by cutting off the upper portion of an old plant andstriking it. Naturally, the stem in this species is globular or slightlyegg-shaped, and bears about fourteen ridges, upon which are tufts ofshort spines, springing from little cushions of whitish wool. Theposition of the flowers is shown in the figure. The tube is covered withtufts of hair-like spines, and the petals and sepals are broad, spreading, and white, tinged with yellow, as in E. Cristata. The nativecountry of this plant is not known; but it is a well-known gardenCactus, and thrives in a warm, airy greenhouse in summer, and on a dry, sunny shelf in winter. The swollen base of the tube is a good example ofthe nature of what is usually termed the flower-stalk in these plants. It is, as has been pointed out, the elongated calyx, and the swollenportion is the ovary or seed vessel. If, therefore, seeds are desired, the withering flowers should be allowed to remain, and, in time, theupper portion of the tube will fall away, leaving the base, whichcontinues to grow till it attains the proportions of a hen's egg. 

[Illustration: FIG. 50. --ECHINOPSIS DECAISNEANUS. ]

E. Eyriesii (Eyries'). --Stem no larger than an orange, with about adozen ridges, the edges sharp, and bearing little globular tufts ofwhitish wool and red, hair-like spines. Flower exceedingly large for thesize of the stem, the tube being more than 6 in. Long, funnel-shaped, pale green, with tufts of brown hairs, which look very much likeinsects, scattered over the surface. The petals are numerous, narrow-pointed, spreading, pure white, the stamens pale yellow, and thestar-like stigma white. This species is a native of Mexico, and wasintroduced by the late Sir John Lubbock, about 1830. It blossoms atvarious seasons, generally in summer. "Independently of the large sizeof the flowers, which rival in dimensions those of the Cereuses, it isremarkable for the rich, delicate odour they exhale at night, at whichtime its glorious blossoms expand. When young, they resemble long, sooty-grey horns, covered over with a thick, shaggy hairiness, and wouldnever be suspected to conceal a form of the utmost beauty and a clearand delicate complexion. When the hour of perfection has arrived, andthe coarse veil of hair begins to be withdrawn by the expansion of theunfolding petals, one is amazed at the unexpected loveliness whichstands revealed in the form of this vegetable star, whose rays are ofthe softest white" (Lindley). For its cultivation, this plant requires awarm house always; but care should be taken to give it plenty of freshair and as much light as possible. The soil best suited for it is a richloam with a little sand and charcoal. It likes liberal watering insummer. 

E. E. Flore-pleno (double-flowered); Fig. 51. --A form with several rowsof petals, which give the flowers a doubled appearance. 

[Illustration: FIG. 51. --ECHINOPSIS EYRIESII FLORE-PLENO. ]

E. E. Glauca (hoary-grey). This variety differs from the type in theabsence of the dark brown hairs from the flower-tube, which is alsoshorter than in E. Eyriesii. Probably a native of Mexico. 

E. Oxygonus (sharp-angled). --This is very similar to E. Eyriesii. Stemglobular in shape, and divided into about fourteen acute-edged ridges, upon which are tufts of brown spines, varying from ½ in. To 1½ in. Inlength. Flower 8 in. Long, the tube slightly curved, covered with littlescales and hairs, and coloured green and red. The petals form anincurved cup, and are broad, with pointed tips; their colour a brightrose, with a lighter shade towards the centre of the flower. As in E. Eyriesii, the flowers of this kind are borne several together from theridges near the growing centre of the stem. It is a native of Brazil, whence it was introduced nearly half a century ago. It thrives in anintermediate house, if treated as advised for E. Eyriesii, and itsflowers will develop in summer. The extraordinary size and beauty of theblossoms are sufficient to compensate for their comparatively shortduration after expanding; it is also interesting to watch the gradualdevelopment of the tiny, hairy cone, which is the first sign of theflower, and which increases in length and size at a surprising rate. 

E. Pentlandi (Pentland's); Fig. 52. --A pretty little species, with aglobose stem 3 in. In diameter, divided into about a dozen roundedridges, which are undulated or broken up into irregular tubercles, whenthe ridges do not run parallel with each other. Each tubercle is crownedwith a tuft of brown, bristle-like spines, ½ in. Or so long. The flowersare large in proportion to the size of the plant, the tube being 4 in. Long, and trumpet-shaped; petals arranged in several overlapping rowsand forming a cup 2 in. Across, the lowest whorl turning downwards; incolour, they are a brilliant red, the stamens white, and the stigmasyellow. Three or four flowers are often expanded together on the samestem, springing from the side instead of the top of the plant. Native ofMexico (?); introduced about 1840. There are several distinct seedlingor hybrid forms of this species, remarkable in having the colour oftheir flowers either red, yellow and white, or white, whilst some, suchas the one known as flammea, have flowers only 2 in. Long. These kindsmay all be grown in a sunny greenhouse or window, as they only requireprotection from frost. They may be placed out of doors in summer, and bekept under glass only during winter, treatment which will result inbetter growth and more flowers than if the plants were kept permanentlyunder glass. 

[Illustration: FIG. 52. --ECHINOPSIS PENTLANDI. ]

E. P. Longispinus (long-spined); Fig. 53. --This is a long-spined form, and differs also in the shape of the stem, which is oblong, rather thanglobose. 

[Illustration: FIG. 53. --ECHINOPSIS PENTLANDI LONGISPINUS. ]

E. Tubiflorus (tube-flowered). --This species has an orange-shaped stem, about 4 in. High, and divided into about twelve prominent, sharp-angledridges, along which are tufts of blackish spines, ½ in. Long, and set inlittle cushions of white wool. The flower springs from the side of thestems, where it replaces a tuft of spines, and, as in E. Eyriesii, thetube is remarkably long, whilst the size of the whole flower muchexceeds that of the rest of the plant, the length of the tube beingabout 6 in. , and the width of the flower over 4 in. The petals are purewhite, recurved, displaying the crown of yellow stamens, arranged in aring about the rather small, rayed stigma. The tube is uniformly green, except that the scale-like bracts are edged with long, blackish, silkyhairs. A native of Mexico; introduced about fifty years ago, when it wasfigured in the Botanical Magazine and elsewhere as a species ofEchinocactus. E. Tubiflorus may be placed along with E. Eyriesii and E. Oxygonus, as it requires similar treatment. The three kinds herementioned may be recommended as a trio of very fine-flowered, small-stemmed Cacti, which may be grown successfully in any ordinarygreenhouse. 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE GENUS MELOCACTUS. 

(From melon, a melon, and Kaktos, a name applied by Theophrastus to aspiny plant; the species are melon-formed, and their angles are besetwith tufts of spines. )

This genus forms a group of well-marked and curious plants, with stemssimilar to those of the globose Echinocactuses and floral charactersquite distinct from all other genera. They cannot be said to possess anyparticular beauty, as their stems are stiff and dumpy, their spineslarge and rigid, and their flowers small and unattractive. But what iswanting in beauty of form or colour is atoned for in the cap whichcrowns the stem, and forms the flower-head, growing taller and tallerwhilst the stem remains stationary, till, under favourablecircumstances, a cylindrical mass of spines and hairs, not unlike alarge bottle-brush, and 1 ft. Or more in length, is developed before thewhole plant succumbs to old age. This character belongs moreparticularly to M. Communis, the commonest species, and the one bestknown in English gardens. Additional interest attaches to this species, from the fact of its having been the first Cactus introduced intoEurope, for we are informed that in the year 1581 living plants of theMelon Cactus were known in London. Fifty years later, Gerard, the Adamof English gardening, wrote: "Who can but marvel at the care andsingular workmanship shown in this Thistle, the Melocarduus echinatus, or Hedgehog Thistle? It groweth upon the cliffes and gravelly groundsneere unto the seaside in the islands of the West Indies, called St. Margaret's and St. John's Isle, neere unto Puerto Rico, and other placesin these countries, by the relation of divers that have journied intothese parts who have brought me the plant itself with his seed, thewhich would not grow ill my garden, by reason of the coldnesse of theclymate. " After this, the plant appears to have been frequentlycultivated in gardens in this country, and it has only been in recentyears that this and similar curiosities have almost disappeared from allexcept botanical collections. 

The most prominent distinctive characters of Melocactus reside in thecap or cluster of spines, wool, and flowers on the summit of the stem. Thirty species are included in the genus, their stems ranging from 1 ft. To 3 ft. In height, the ridges straight, and, as a rule, large; whilstall have stiff stout spines in clusters about 1 in. Apart. The smallflowers are succeeded by bright red, cherry-like berries, containingnumerous black, shining seeds. The distribution of the species is overthe hottest parts of some of the West Indian Islands and a few places inCentral and South America. 

Cultivation. --The cultivation of the several kinds known in gardens isas follows: A tropical temperature all the year round, with as muchsunlight as possible, and a moist atmosphere for about three monthsduring summer, when growth is most active. Very little soil is required, as the largest stems have comparatively few roots; indeed, importedstems have been known to live, and even make growth, nearly two yearswithout pushing a single root; but, of course, this was abnormal, andwas no other than the using-up of the nourishment stored up in the stembefore it was removed from its native home. M. Louis de Smet, awell-known Ghent nurseryman, who grows a fine collection of Cactuses, stated that he had kept M. Communis a long time in robust health andgrowth by feeding it with a very weak solution of salt. Tried at Kew, this treatment did not appear to make any perceptible difference; but, bearing in mind that the Turk's-Cap Cactus is found in great abundancewithin the reach of sea spray, in some of the West Indian Islands, thereseems much reason in M. De Smet's treatment. The same gentleman informedus that he had a specimen of this Cactus bearing no less than thirteenheads. There is, at the time of writing, a specimen at Kew bearing fourfine heads. Large imported plants are very rarely, established; and evenwhen established, they do not thrive long, owing to the fact that, afterthe cap has commenced to form, no further stem-growth is made. Youngplants grow very slowly, a plant 3 ft. Across taking, according to Sir W. Hooker, from 200 to 300 years to reach that size. It has been statedthat grafting is a good plan to adopt for the Melocactus, Mr. F. T. Palmer, in "Culture des Cactées", recommending the following treatmentfor M. Communis: Take a Cereus peruvianus of about the same diameter asthat of the base of the Melocactus, cut off the head of the former, butnot so low as to come upon the hard, ligneous axis, and then pare offthe hard epidermis and ribs for about 1 in. Then take off a slice fromthe base of the Melocactus, also paring off about 1 in. Of the epidermisall round; place the two together, and bind on firmly with strongworsted. In warm weather, a union should take place in about two months, but it will be safest to allow the ligature to remain till growthcommences. The precaution of paring off the hard skin and ribs isabsolutely necessary, as the juicy centre contracts, and the rind, orepidermis, does not. There would, therefore, be a cavity formedsufficient to prevent all cohesion, be the graft tied on ever sotightly. 

Large imported stems should be kept perfectly dry for about a fortnight, and, if they show any signs of rottenness, they should be carefullyexamined and the bad portions cut away; exposure to the air for a fewdays will generally cause these pared places to callus over. At alltimes, even when the stems appear to be in good health, a sharp look-outshould be kept for patches of rottenness in the stem, and especiallyabout its base. 

Propagation. --This is effected by means of seeds, which usually followquickly after the flowers produced on cultivated specimens. Multiplication is also possible by means of offsets, which are formedabout the base of the stem if the top of a growing plant is cut out. Thethirteen-headed plant mentioned above was the result of the removal ofthe top of a stem which had developed these lateral growths, and thusformed a family of red-capped stems; this had, however, taken placebefore the plant was removed from its native home. As the cap is themost remarkable part of M. Communis, the purchase of large importedstems, in preference to young ones raised from seeds, is recommended;for, as the cap does not form till the stem attains a large size, therewould be small hope of seedlings reaching the flowering stage during alifetime. 

SPECIES. 

M. Communis (common); Fig. 54. --Stem from 2 ft. To 3 ft. In diameter, globose, with from twelve to twenty ridges, and armed with numerousclusters of strong, short spines, the clusters placed closely together. On the summit of the stem is a cylindrical crown, about 4 in. Broad, andvarying in height from 5 in. To 12 in. This cylinder is composed of athick pad of whitish, cotton-like substance, through and beyond which agreat number of bristle-like red spines are developed, the whole beingnot unlike a bottle-brush. About the top of this brush-like growth theflowers are produced. These are small, red, fleshy, and tube-shaped, thecalyx and corolla forming a regular flower, as in a Hyacinth. They areborne at various times in the year, as long as the cap is growing;afterwards the latter falls off; and the stem rots. We have a cap thatwas cast by an old plant, and which has stood as an ornament on a shelfin a room for about four years, and is still in perfect condition. Inaddition to the name of Turk's-Cap Cactus this plant is also known as"Englishman's Head" and "Pope's Head. " It is a native of several of theislands of the West Indies, being very abundant in St. Kitt's Island, where it grows in very dry, barren places, often on bare porous rocks. 

[Illustration: FIG. 54. MELOCACTUS COMMUNIS. ]

M. Depressus (flattened); Bot. Mag. 3691. --Stem broader than high, deeply cut into about ten broad furrows, along the sharp angles of whichare clusters of pale brown spines, from ½ in. To 1 in. Long, arranged in astar, each cluster 1 in. Apart. Instead of the cylinder-like cap of theTurk's-Cap species, this one has a short, broad tuft of white wool andred spines, like a skull-cap. The flowers are small, and soon wither, but remain attached to the oblong berries, which stand erect in a densecluster in the centre of the cap, and are of a delicate rose-colour. Thefirst introduced plant of this was sent home by Mr. Gardner, whointroduced the Epiphyllums and other Cactuses. It flowered on the way toEngland, and matured its seeds soon after its arrival. It is a native ofPernambuco. 

M. Miquelii (Miquel's); Fig. 55. --This species appears to have beenintroduced in 1838, when two plants of it were sent from the West IndianIsland, St. Croix, to the Hamburg Botanic Gardens. The stem is oval, dark green, with fourteen well-defined ribs, as regular as if they hadbeen carved with a knife. The spine-tufts are small; spines short, black-brown, about nine in each tuft, one of which is central, theothers radiating; they are less than ½ in. Long. The "cap" is cylindrical, 3 in. High by 4 in. In diameter, and composed of layers of snow-whitethreads, mixed with short reddish bristles. 

[Illustration: FIG. 55. MELOCACTUS MIQUELII. ]

These three are the only species of Melocactus that have become known inEnglish gardens, although various other kinds, named M. Lehmanni, M. Zuccarini, M. Ellemeetii, M. Schlumbergerianus, &c. , occur in books. 

CHAPTER X. 

THE GENUS PILOCEREUS. 

(From pilos, wool, and Cereus, in allusion to the long hairs on thespine cushions, and the affinity of the genus. )

One of the most striking plants in this order is the "Old Man Cactus, "botanically known as Pilocereus senilis, which is the only member ofthis genus that has become at all known in English gardens. InContinental gardens, however, more than a dozen species are to be foundin collections of succulent plants; and of these one of the mostremarkable is that represented at Fig. 56. The limits of the genusPilocereus are not definitely fixed, different botanists holdingdifferent views with respect to the generic characters. Recent writers, and among them the late Mr. Bentham, sunk the genus under Cereus; butthere are sufficiently good characters to justify us in retaining, forgarden purposes, the name Pilocereus for the several distinct plantsmentioned here. The botanist who founded the genus gives the followinggeneral description of its members: Stems tall, erect, thick, simple orbranched, fleshy, ridged; the ridges regular, slightly tubercled, andplaced closely together. Tubercles generally hairy, with bunches ofshort spines; the hairs long and white, especially about the apex of thestem, where they form a dense mass. Flowers on the extreme top of thematured stems, and arranged in a cluster as in the Melon Cactus, small, tubular; the petals united at the base, and the stamens attached to thewhole face of the tube thus formed, expanding only at night, and fadingin a few hours. These flowers have a disagreeable odour, not unlike thatof boiled cabbage. Fruit fleshy, round, persistent, usually red whenripe. The species are natives of tropical America, and are generallyfound in rocky gorges or the steep declivities of mountainous regions. 

Cultivation. --These plants require distinctly tropical treatment. During summer, they must have all the sunlight possible, and be suppliedwith plenty of water, both at the root and by means of the syringe. Airshould be given on very hot days, but the plants should be encouraged tomake all the growth possible before the approach of winter. In winter, they may be kept quite dry, and the temperature of the house where theystand should be maintained at about 60 degs. , rising to 65 degs. Or70 degs. In the day. In March, the plants should be repotted into assmall pots as convenient, employing a good, loamy soil and ampledrainage. Should the hairs become soiled or dusty, the stems may be laidon their sides and then syringed with a mixture of soft soap and warmwater, to be followed by a few syringefuls of pure water; this shouldcleanse the hairs and give them the white appearance to which the plantsowe their attractiveness. 

SPECIES. 

P. Houlletianus (Houllet's); Fig. 56. --Stem robust, glaucous-green;ridges about eight, broad, prominent, obscurely tubercled; spines inbundles of nine, radiating, straight, less than 1 in. Long, and paleyellow. Upon the growing part of the stem, the spines are intermingledwith long, white, cottony hairs, often matted together like an unkempthead; these hairs fall off as the stem matures. Flowers funnel-shaped, resembling Canterbury Bells, borne in a cluster on the summit of theplant; ovary short and scaly; petals joined at the base, and coloured arosy-purple, dashed with yellow; the stamens fill the whole of theflower-tube and are white; style a little longer than the flower-tube, and bearing a ray of about a dozen stigmas. Fruit globose, as large as aplum, and coloured cherry-red. The pulp is bright, crimson, and containsa few brownish seeds. In the engraving the fruit is shown on the left, and a flower-bud on the right. This species is often known inContinental collections as P. Fosterii. 

[Illustration: FIG. 56. PILOCEREUS HOULLETIANUS. ]

P. Senilis (Old-Man). --Stem attaining a height of 25 ft. , with a diameterof about 1 ft. ; ridges from twenty-five to thirty on plants 4 ft. High;the furrows mere slits, whilst the tufts of thin, straight spines, 1 in. Long, which crown each of the many tubercles into which the ridges aredivided, give young stems a brushy appearance. About the upper portionof the stem, and especially upon the extreme top, are numerous white, wiry hairs, 6 in. Or more long, and gathered sometimes into locks. Tothis character, the plant owes it name Old-Man Cactus; but, by a curiousinversion of what obtains in the human kind, old plants are lessconspicuous by their white hairs than the younger ones. Some years ago, there were three fine stems of this Cactus among the cultivated plantsat Kew, the highest of which measured 18½ ft. There was also, however, afine specimen in the Oxford Botanic Gardens, with a stem 16 ft. High; andit is stated that this plant has been in cultivation in England ahundred years at least. A plant twenty-five years old is very small, and, from its slowness of growth, as well as from the reports of theinhabitants of Mexico, where this species is found wild, there is reasonto believe that a stem 20 ft. High would be several hundred years old. The flowers of P. Senilis are not known in English collections, theplant being grown only for its shaggy hairiness. 

Other species are: P. Chrysomallus, which has a branching habit, P. Brünnonii (Fig. 57), P. Celsianus, P. Columna, P. Tilophorus, known onlyin a young state, and several others, all very remarkable plants, butnot known in English collections, unless, perhaps at Kew. 

[Illustration: FIG. 57. PILOCEREUS BRÜNNONII. ]

CHAPTER XI. 

THE GENUS MAMILLARIA. 

(From mamilla, a little teat; in allusion to the tubercles. )

Something over 300 different kinds of Mamillaria are known, but only asmall proportion of these may be considered as garden plants. They arecharacterised generally by short, symmetrically-formed stems, sometimesaggregated together and forming a dense tuft, but, as a rule, each planthas only one stem. The generic name is descriptive of the chief featurein these stems, namely, the closely-set, spirally-arranged tubercles ormamillae, which vary considerably in the different kinds, but are alwayspresent in some form or other. Some kinds have stems only 1 in. High by2/3 in. In diameter, and the tubercles hidden from view by thestar-shaped cushions of reddish or white spines. In some, the spines areerect and hair-like, giving the plant the appearance of tinysea-urchins; another group has the principal spines hooked at the tip, and the points in these so sharp that if the hand comes in contact withthem they hook into it and stick like fish-hooks. The purpose of thesehooked spines seems doubtful; certainly, they cannot serve as anyprotection to the plant itself, as they are so strong that the plantmust be torn up by the roots before the hooks will give way. 

The spines in M. Macromeris are straight, and measure 2 in. In length; inM. Multiceps they are in two series, the one fine, white, and short, theother yellow and stout. The most marked section of this genus, however, is that represented by M. Fissurata (Fig. 61), in which the tuberclesare large, spreading horizontally, and angular, resembling most closelythe foliage and habit of some of the Haworthias. No one who had not readup the botany of Mamillarias would suspect that this plant belonged tothem, or even to the Cactus order at all. There is a good specimen of itin the Kew collection. When in flower the family resemblance is easilyseen; but as this species does not flower freely, it will be known byits remarkable foliage-like tubercles, rather than as a floweringCactus. And the same remark applies to many of the Mamillarias; theirstems thickly beset with tubercles and spines, always regular inarrangement, and neat and attractive in appearance. 

The following remarks made by Dr. Lindley when describing M. Tenuis, give a good idea of the singular, yet pretty, stems of some of theseplants: "Gentle reader, hast thou never seen in a display of fireworks acrowd of wheels all in motion at once, crossing and intersecting eachother in every direction; and canst thou fancy those wheels arrested intheir motion by some magic power--their rays retained, but their firesextinguished and their brightness gone? Then mayst thou conceive thecurious beauty of this little herb--a plant so unlike all others thatwe would fain believe it the reanimated spirit of a race that flourishedin former ages, with those hideous monsters whose bones alone remain totell the history of their existence. " It is quite true that in thecultivated Mamillarias there is nothing unsightly, or rough, orunfinished. Without foliage, their stems globose, or short cylinders, orarranged in little cushion-like tufts, and enveloped in silky spines, like tiny red stars, always looking the same, except when in flower, andnever looking in the least like ordinary plants. Characters such asthese ought to find many admirers. In the Succulent House at Kew, thereis a long shelf upon which a great many plants of this genus may beseen. But the flowers in some of the species of Mamillaria are quite asattractive as the stems. Those of M. Macromeris are 3 in. Long and wide, their colour a deep rose; M. Scheerii has equally large flowers, andcoloured bright yellow, as also are the flowers of M. Pectinata. Thislast is remarkable on account of the clock-like regularity with whichits flowers expand. While fresh, they open every day between eleven andtwelve o'clock, and close again about one, however strong the sunlightshining upon them may be. Some of the kinds (more especially thesmall-flowered ones) are often prettily studded over with bright red, coral-like berries, which are the little fruits, and contain, as a rule, matured seeds capable of reproducing the parent plant. 

The headquarters of the genus Mamillaria is Mexico, and the countriesimmediately to the north, a few being scattered over the West Indies, Bolivia, Brazil, and Chili. Many of them grow on mountains where thetemperature is moderate, but where the sunlight is always intense. Others are found on limestone or gravelly hills, among short herbage, oron grassy prairies. A small silvery-spined kind has recently been foundnear the snow line in Chili. M. Vivipara is quite hardy in New York, asalso are several other kinds, whilst we learn that by planting them outin summer, and protecting them by means of a frame from heavy rain, dews, fogs, and sudden changes of weather, a good many species of bothMamillaria and Echinocactus are successfully managed in theneighbourhood of that town. 

Cultivation. --Particulars with respect to cultivation are given alongwith the descriptions of most of the species, but a few generalprinciples may here be noted. With only a few exceptions, all thecultivated Mamillarias may be grown in a warm, sunny greenhouse, or theymay be placed in a frame with a south aspect, during our summer, removing them into artificially heated quarters for the winter. They donot like a large body of soil about their roots, but always thrive bestwhen in comparatively small pots. If a sweet, new, fibry loam, mixedwith broken bricks or cinders, be used to pot these plants in, they maythen be left undisturbed at the root for several years. Much harm isoften done to the more delicate kinds of Cactuses by repotting themannually; the best-managed collection I have seen had not been repottedfor four years. This would not be safe if a poor and exhausted soil wereused in the first instance. The pots should be well drained with crocks, and these covered with a layer of fibre sifted from loam. In summer, thesoil should be kept moist, but never saturated; and after a bright warmday, the stems may be moistened over by syringing them with tepid water. A point of much importance in connection with these, and indeed alltropical and extra-tropical plants, is, that the water used for wateringor syringing them should be rain-water if possible, and never more thana degree or so colder than the plants themselves would be. Thus, a plantwhich had been standing in the full glare of a midsummer sun all day, would be much endangered by watering it with cold tap-water. Whereproper arrangements for water are not made in a greenhouse or stove, itis a good plan to place the water wanted for the day's use in the sunalong with the plants. A little bag filled with soot and tightly tied atthe neck, and water, is a good method for rendering hard tap-watersuitable for watering the roots of plants. In winter, Mamillarias may bekept quite dry at the roots, except in mild sunny weather, when a littlewater may be given. 

A collection of the most distinct kinds may be successfully managed in aglass case in a room window, providing the sun shines through it for afew hours in the day. 

Propagation. --This is usually effected by means of seeds, which may beprocured from Continental seedsmen as well as from our own. Thetreatment required by the seeds is similar to what has been alreadyadvised for those of other Cactuses. The tufted kinds are easilymultiplied by separating the stems, or even by cutting off the tops andplanting them in small pots of sandy soil. 

SPECIES. The following kinds are selected from those known to be incultivation; of course, it is out of the question here to enumerate allthe species known. 

M. Angularis (angular-tubercled). --A robust kind, with stems 4 in. To8 in. High, and branching somewhat freely; tubercles prism-shaped, ratherthick at the base, and slightly angular, ¼ in. Long, their tops tuftedwith short white spines; at the base of the tubercles are little tuftsof white wool. Flowers are only rarely produced by cultivated plants;they are small, tubular, rosy-purple, the stamens yellow. Introducedfrom Mexico in 1835; flowers in summer. When happily situated, it formsa specimen 1 ft. In diameter, owing to its freely produced arm-likebranches, which spread out and curve upwards. It requires a warmgreenhouse temperature during winter, and exposure to bright sunshine atall times. 

M. Applanata (flattened). --In this, the stem is broader than high, andhas a squat appearance; tubercles ¾ in. Long, cone-shaped, with stellatetufts of straight, hair-like spines, white when young, yellowish whenaged. Flowers springing from the outside of the stem-top, white, tingedwith red. It is a native of Mexico, and blossoms in summer. A specimen, 6 in. Through at the base, may be seen at Kew, where it has been for manyyears, without altering perceptibly in size. All the larger-stemmedMamillarias are exceedingly slow growers after they have reached acertain size, although, in the seedling stage, they grow freely. Thetreatment for this kind should resemble that advised for the last. 

M. Atrata (blackened). --Stem oval in shape, broad at the base, 4 in. High, unbranched; tubercles swollen, ½ in. Long, deep green, cone-shaped, becoming flattened through pressure of growth. Spines set in a tuft ofwhite hairs, falling off from the lowest mammae, as happens in many ofthe thick-stemmed kinds. Flowers numerous, and developed all round theoutside of the stem, stalkless, nestling closely between the tubercles, and when expanded looking like starry buttons of a rosy-pink colour. Native of Chili, flowering in autumn. This species is rare in England, but is worth attention because of the prettiness of its flowers, theattractive form of its stem, and its reputed hardiness. It will thrivein a cold frame, and requires protection from excessive wet only, ratherthan from cold. Grown in a warm house, it becomes sickly, and isshort-lived. 

M. Bicolor (two-coloured). --One of the commonest of the Cactuses grownin English gardens, and one of the most distinct, owing to its short, silvery hair-like spines, thickly crowded on the ends of the smalltubercles, completely hiding the stem from view. The latter is from 6 in. To 1 ft. High, 3 in. In diameter, cylindrical, often branching intoseveral thick arms, when it has a quaint appearance. If kept free fromdust, which may be done by covering the plant with a bell glass, thereis much beauty in the stem; indeed, it is owing to this, rather than asa flowering Cactus, that this species finds favour as a garden plant. The flowers are less than 1 in. In length and width, stellate, theircolour deep purple; they are developed in June. Although a native ofelevated regions in Mexico (4000-5000 ft. ), this plant thrives best whengrown in a warm house. There are several handsome and very old specimensof it in the tropical collection of succulents at Kew. It is one of theeasiest to manage, and will thrive in a warm room-window if exposed tobright sunlight and kept dry in winter. M. Nivea and M. Nobilis are bothvarieties of this species. 

M. Chlorantha (greenish-yellow). --A newly-introduced species witherect, cylinder-shaped stems, 6 in. High, clothed with numeroustubercles, which are tipped with clusters of long, silvery, interlacing, hair-like spines, and a few stouter blackish ones. The flowers aredescribed as greenish-yellow, so that they are not likely to add much tothe beauty of the plant, which is recommended because of theattractiveness of its stem and spines. It is a native of Mexico andTexas, whence it was introduced some two years ago. It requirescool-house treatment, and should be kept free from dust, whichdisfigures the white spines. 

M. Cirrhifera (twisted). --Like M. Bicolor, this species owes itsfrequent occurrence in gardens to the symmetry and neatly-chiselled formof its stems, and not to any attraction possessed by its flowers. Itwill thrive anywhere where the sun can shine upon it, if sheltered fromsevere cold and wet. In a cottage window it may be grown, and kept formany years, without losing health or, on the other hand, increasing muchin size. Its usual height is about 5 in. , by 4 in. In diameter. Thetubercles are angular at the base, and bear tufts of yellowish spines ontheir pointed apices. The flowers are small, and bright rose-coloured, but only rarely produced on cultivated plants. Introduced from Mexico in1835. 

M. Clava (club-shaped); Bot. Mag. 4358. --In the size of its stem, andthe large, brightly-coloured flowers it bears, this species may becompared with some of the Echinocactuses. The stem is from 1 ft. To 1½ ft. High, 4 in. Wide at the base, narrowing slightly upwards; the tuberclesare 1 in. Long, and nearly as much through at the base, their shape thatof little pyramids, and their tips bear each from eight to eleven stout, straight spines, pale brown, with a little wool at the base. The flowersare borne on the top of the stem, two or three of them together; thesepals are green and red, and the spreading petals are straw-colouredand glossy, their edges near the top being toothed. In the centre of theshallow cup formed by the petals, and which measures nearly 4 in. Across, the orange-coloured stamens are clustered, in a kind of disk, throughthe middle of which the yellow stigma projects. It is a native ofMexico, at an altitude of 5000 ft. Introduced in 1848, when it floweredat Kew, in June, at which time it flowers almost every year now. A warmgreenhouse affords the most suitable conditions for it; but, unless itis kept in full sunshine both summer and winter, and perfectly dryduring the latter season, it will not produce any flowers. As aflowering plant, it ranks amongst the very best of the Mamillarias. Itis easily propagated from seeds ripened on cultivated plants. 

M. Dasyacantha (thick-spined). --Stem 2 in. To 3 in. High, almostglobular, and covered with spiral whorls of tiny tubercles, in thegrooves of which is a little whitish wool, which falls away as thetubercles ripen. The spines upon the tubercles are arranged in littlestars, with an erect central one. The flowers are small, and spring fromthe centre of the stem. This is one of the Thimble Cactuses, and is toosmall to have any great attractions, either in stem or flowers. It is, however, a pretty plant, especially when studded with its ruby-likeflowers, which look like coloured Daisies growing upon a dense tuft ofhairs. It is a native of Mexico, where it grows on high mountains amongshort grass and other herbage. 

M. Discolor (spines two-coloured). --Stem globose, about 4 in. Indiameter; tubercles smooth, egg-shaped, their bases embedded in whitewool, their tips crowned with stellate tufts of short, reddish spines. Flowers numerous, and borne from almost all parts of the stem, less than1 in. Wide, and composed of a single whorl of narrow, reflexed, rose-purple petals, surrounding a large, disk-like cluster of yellowstamens. The flowers are so short that they are half hidden by thetubercles. It is a native of Mexico, where it grows on rocks, in warm, sheltered places. Under cultivation it thrives when grown on a dry shelfin a warm house, and kept moist in summer, but perfectly dry in winter. 

M. Dolichocentra (long-spurred); Fig. 58. --Apparently this is avariable species; at all events, plants of widely different habit arefound under this name, one of them represented in the Figure here, another in the Garden, Vol. XVII. , whilst others are figured ordescribed in other books. What is known at Kew as the true plant is thathere figured. This has a stout stem, about 8 in. High and 3 in. Wide, andcovered with smooth cone-shaped mammae, with woolly bases and stellatetufts of spines on their tips. The flowers are produced about 1 in. Fromthe top of the stem, and are less than 1 in. Wide; they are, however, often very numerous, sometimes a closely-set ring of them surroundingthe stem, like a daisy chain, their colour being pale purple. Below theflowers there is often a whorl of club-shaped fruits, ¾ in. Long, androse-coloured. These contain numerous little black seeds, which, whenripe, may be sown in pots of very sandy loam. The plant is a native ofMexico, and flowers in summer. It thrives in a tropical temperature, andenjoys a daily syringing overhead on bright days in summer, but inwinter requires little or no water. 

[Illustration: FIG. 58. MAMILLARIA DOLICHOCENTRA. ]

M. Echinata (hedgehog-like). --A charming little plant, with very smallstems, clustered together in a cushion-like tuft, each stem less than1 in. Wide; but a well-grown specimen is composed of dozens of these, packed almost one on top of the other. The tubercles are hidden by thestar-like spine clusters which cap them, and look like a swarm ofinsects. Flowers very small, rose-coloured, and lasting only about aday. These are succeeded by numerous currant-like red berries, sonumerous, in fact, that the plants look as if thickly studded all overwith coral beads. The central stem is sometimes about 6 in. High, thosesurrounding it being shorter and shorter, till the outside ones riseonly just above the soil. A well-grown plant of this is strikinglypretty, even when not in fruit. It is a native of Mexico, and requiresthe treatment of a warm house. A few pieces of broken brick should beplaced upon the surface of the soil about the base of the plant, as thestems like to press against, or grow upon, anything in the nature ofrocky ground. 

M. Echinus (hedgehog-like); Fig. 59. --A distinct and pretty littleplant, the largest specimen having a stem about the size and shape of asmall hen's-egg, completely hidden under the densely interwoven radialspines, which crown the thirteen spiral rows of tubercles, and arealmost white when mature. The tubercles are ½ in. Long, and, in additionto these white radiating spines, they also bear each a stout spike-likespine, growing from the centre of the others. This spine gives the plantan appearance quite distinct from all other cultivated Mamillarias. Theflowers are produced two or three together, on the top of the stem, andthey are nearly 2 in. Long, cup-shaped, and coloured yellow; they usuallyappear about June. As yet this species is rare in cultivatedcollections. It comes from Mexico, where it is found growing onlimestone hills, in hot and arid localities. Under cultivation itrequires a warm greenhouse temperature, exposure to bright sunshine allthe year round, with a moderate supply of water in summer, and none atall during winter. A few large pieces of broken brick or sandstoneplaced in the soil, just under the base of the stem, afford the rootsconditions suitable to their healthy growth. 

[Illustration: FIG. 59. MAMILLARIA ECHINUS. ]

M. Elegans (elegant). --A small species, grown only for the prettinessof its stem, flowers rarely, if ever, being borne by it undercultivation. The stem is 2 in. High and wide, globose, with small conicaltubercles, which, when young, are woolly at the tips. Spines short andslender, about twenty, arranged in a star on each tubercle, with fourcentral ones a little longer than those which surround them; the colourof the spines is whitish, with brown tips. Native country Mexico, onhigh exposed hills; in this country it requires greenhouse treatment. Introduced about 1850. 

M. Elephantidens (elephant's-tooth); Fig. 60. --One of the largest andmost remarkable of all garden Mamillarias. Stem globose, depressed, 6 in. To 8 in. In diameter, and bright shining green. Tubercles smooth, round, 1½ in. Long, furrowed across the top, which is at first filled with wool, but when old is naked. At the base of the tubercles there is a densetuft of white wool, and springing from the furrows are eight radiatingrecurved spines, and three short central ones, all strong, stiff, andivory-white, tipped with brown. The flowers are 3 in. Wide, and arecomposed of a circle of violet-coloured sepals, with white margins, anda second circle of petals which are bright rose, pale purple at thebase, a line of the same colour extending all down the middle. Thestamens are numerous, with long purple filaments and yellow anthers, andthe pistil is stout, erect, projecting above the stamens, with aradiating stigma. Flowers in autumn; native country, Paraguay. Undercultivation, it grows quicker than is usual with plants of this genus, and it is also exceptional in the regular and abundant production of itsflowers. It has been a rarity in European collections for many years, and, although easily grown, it is often killed through wrong treatment. A cool greenhouse or sunny frame in summer, plenty of water whilstgrowth is active, and a light, well-drained soil, suit it best; whilstduring winter it must be kept perfectly dry, and protected only fromfrost. In a tropical house, it is invariably sickly, and altogetherunsatisfactory. 

[Illustration: FIG. 60. MAMILLARIA ELIPHANTIDENS. ]

M. Elongata (elongated). --A small, cushion-like kind, with the stems intufts, owing to their producing offsets freely from the base, thetallest of them being about as high and as thick as a man's thumb. Thetubercles are short, crowded, and hidden under the star-clusters ofreddish-yellow spines. There are no central spines in this kind. Theflowers are produced in the axils of the tubercles from all parts of thestem, a large tuft of stems being thickly studded with circles of tawnyyellow petals, which are only about ½ in. Long. The berries are brightcoral-red, and about the size of a date stone. There are severalvarieties of this species, under the names of intertexta, rufescens, rutila, subcrocea, and supertexta. These differ only slightly either inthe length or thickness of the stems or in the colour of the spines. Allof them may be grown in a cold frame, or in a window where the sun canshine upon them; or they may be grown along with tropical kinds. Forsmall cases in windows, these little Thimble Cactuses are amongst themost suitable. They are natives of high mountains in Mexico, and havebeen cultivated in Europe over forty years. 

M. Fissurata (fissured); Fig. 61. --In appearance, this rare speciesmimics some of the Gasterias, and is so different from all the kindshitherto described, that very few people unacquainted with it wouldsuspect that it belonged to the same genus as M. Elongata or M. Dolichocentra. Indeed, some botanists have made a separate genus of thisand several other plants of the same peculiar appearance, calling themAnhalonium. M. Fissurata is like a whip-top in shape, the root beingthick and woody, and the tubercles arranged in a thick layer, spreadingfrom the centre, rosette-like. A living plant in the Kew collection is2 in. High by 4 in. Wide, the tubercles being triangular in shape, ½ in. Thick, wrinkled, with an irregular furrow on the upper surface. Theflowers grow from the middle of the stem, and are 1½ in. Wide, androse-coloured. Native of Mexico, on hard gravel or limestone soils. Weknow of no plant in English collections, except that at Kew, which wasintroduced from Mexico in 1886. It flowers in September and October. 

[Illustration: FIG. 61. MAMILLARIA FISSURATA. ]

M. Floribunda (free-flowering). --A French writer on Cactuses, M. Labouret, calls this a species of Echinocactus, but it resembles soclosely another species included by him in Mamillaria, viz. , M. Atrata, that we see no good reason for separating the two into different genera. M. Floribunda has an irregular conical stem, about 5 in. High by 4 in. Wide at the base, round nut-like tubercles the size of filberts, crownedwith star-tufts of spines ¾ in. Long, stiff, and brown, about ten spinesbeing set with their bases in a small disc-like pad of dirty-white wool. The flowers are very numerous, covering the whole of the stem-top, fromwhich they stand erect, so as to form a dense bouquet of rose-colouredpetals. Each flower is 2 in. Long. Native of Chili; introduced about1835. Flowers in summer. This handsome kind will thrive in a window, and, if well supplied with fresh air, sunshine, and sufficient water tokeep the soil moist, it will flower almost every year. It must have nowater in winter. 

M. Gracilis (slender). --A small Thimble Cactus, remarkable for itsproliferous stems, a single stem 2 in. High producing all round its upperhalf numerous, offshoots, which fall to the ground and grow. In this waya tuft of stems is soon developed round the first one. If theseoffshoots are removed as they appear, the stem will grow longer andstouter than it does when they are left. Tubercles small, green, crowded; spines in a stellate tuft, short, curved, pale yellow or white. Flowers as in M. Elongata, to which this species is closely allied. Inwindow cases, or on a shelf in a cool greenhouse, it will grow andmultiply rapidly. Like the bulk of the caespitose, or Thimble Cactuses, it does not make much show when in flower; and it is only its stems, with their white stars of spines and clusters of little offsets hangingabout them, that are attractive. Native of Mexico; introduced about1850. There is a variety known as pulchella, in which the spines are ofa yellow hue. 

M. Grahami (Graham's). --A pretty little species, with globose stems, scarcely 3 in. High, and nearly the same in diameter, branching sometimeswhen old; tubercles ¼ in. Long, egg-shaped, corky when old, andpersistent. Spines in tufts of about twenty, all radiating except one inthe centre, which is hooked; they are about ½ in. Long. Flowers 1 in. Long, usually produced in a circle round the stem. Fruit a small, ovalberry, ½ in. Long. This is a native of Colorado, in mountainous regions. It is very rare in cultivation. The flowers are developed in June andJuly. 

M. Haageana (Haage's); Fig. 62. --The habit of this is shown in theFigure, which is reduced to about one-fourth the natural size. As thestem gets older, it becomes more elongated. Tubercles small, four-sidedat the base, pointed at the top, where the spines are arranged in astar, about twenty of them on each tubercle, with two central ones, which are longer, stiffer, and much darker in colour than those on theoutside; flowers small, almost hidden beneath the spines, brightcarmine-rose; they are produced on the sides of the upper portion of thestem in June. There is a close resemblance between this and M. Cirrhifera, and the treatment for both should be the same. Mexico, 1835. 

[Illustration: FIG. 62. MAMILLARIA HAAGEANA. ]

M. Longimamma (long-tubercled); Fig. 63. --A well-marked species in thesize of its mammae, or tubercles, which are at least 1 in. Long by 1/3 in. In diameter, terete, slightly curved, and narrowed to a pointed apex, the texture being very soft and watery. Each tubercle bears a radiatingtuft of about twelve spines, one central and projecting outwards; theyare pale brown when old, and white when young; their length is about½ in. A tuft of short, white wool is developed at the base of the spineson the young mammae. The stem is seldom more than 4 in. In height, and itbranches at the base when old. Flowers large and handsome, citron-yellow; the tube short, and hidden in the mammae; the petals1½ in. Long, narrow, pointed, and all directed upwards; stamens numerous, short. Flowering season, early summer. Native country, Mexico. Itrequires greenhouse treatment, or it may be placed in a sunny frame outof doors during summer. It is not easily multiplied from seeds, but isfree in the production of offsets from the base of the stem. 

[Illustration: FIG. 63. MAMILLARIA LONGIMAMMA. ]

M. Macromeris (large-flowered); Fig. 64. --Stem about 4 in. High, nakedat the base, woody and wrinkled when old. Tubercles as in M. Longimamma, but with curving radial spines, like needles, often 2 in. In length, white or rose-tinted when young, almost black when old. Flowers from thecentre of the stem, 3 in. Long, and about the same in width; the petalsregular and spreading, as in the Ox-eye daisy; stamens numerous, short, forming a disk; colour carmine, almost purple just before fading. Flowering season, August. Native of Mexico, where it is found in loose, sand on hillocks, generally about the roots of Acacias. It is one of themost beautiful of all Mamillarias; but it is, as yet, rare incollections. It requires the same treatment as M. Longimamma, exceptthat, owing to the woody nature of its rootstock, and its long, tap-likeroots, it should be planted in pans instead of pots, using a compost ofrough loam, mixed with lumps of broken brick or limestone. 

[Illustration: FIG. 64. MAMILLARIA MACROMERIS. ]

M. Macrothele (large-nippled); Bot. Mag. 3634, as M. Lehmanni. --Thisbelongs to the same group as M. Cirrhifera, but is distinguished by itslarge mammae, which are four-angled at the base, ¾ in. Long, narrowed toa point, upon which is a tuft of wool and a cluster of about eightspines, ½ in. Long, spreading, reddish-brown in colour, the central onebeing almost black, 1 in. Long, and pointing downwards. In the axils ofthe mammae are tufts of white wool. Flowers on the top of the stern, erect, spreading, about 1½ in. Across when expanded; the petalsoverlapping, and pale yellow; the stamens red at the base, arranged in adense cluster, and the rays of the stigma spreading over them. Floweringtime, early summer. Native country, Mexico, on prairie lands, at highelevations. This species is almost hardy in the warmer parts of thiscountry, suffering from damp rather than frost in winter. The stem isnot particularly handsome, but the flowers are large and bright, andthey are produced annually by plants which are grown in a cool, well-aired greenhouse or frame, with the sun shining on them all day. 

M. Micromeris (small-flowered); Fig. 65. --A small, cushion-like plant, with a stem never more than 1½ in. Across by about 1 in. In height, sothat it has the appearance of a small, flattened ball, with a raised, disk-like portion on the top. The mammae are very small, and they arecompletely hidden by the numerous fine, white, silky spines and woolwhich spring in tufts from the apex of each mamma, and interlace so asto form a spider-web-like net all over the stem. The flowers are small, and they spring from the centre of the disk-like top of the stern; theyare composed of from three to five sepals, and five petals, which arewhitish or pink, and measure about ¼ in. Across when open. Nativecountry, Mexico, where it is found only in naked places on mountain topsor sides where limestone is plentiful. It requires much care undercultivation, water in excess being fatal to it, and a soil of the wrongsort soon killing all its roots. It is cultivated at Kew in a small pot, in a mixture of loam and lime rubbish, and grown in a warm greenhouse. 

[Illustration: FIG. 65. MAMILLARIA MICROMERIS. ]

M. Multiceps (many-branched). --Stem short, with numerous branches, which again push forth other branches, so that a dense tuft of dumpy, globose stems is formed. The mammae are small, and arranged closelytogether, and they each bear a tuft of whitish wool, with a radiatingcluster of spines, which are soft, almost hair-like in texture, theinner ones being stiffer, and coloured dull yellow. The flowers aresmall, and almost hidden by the spines and tubercles; they are paleyellow, with a line of red down the middle of each petal. Nativecountry, Mexico. This plant should be grown on a shelf in a coolgreenhouse--anything like a stove temperature being fatal to it. As aflowering plant it is of no value, but the compact tuft formed by itsnumerous stems, with their attractive spines, renders it worthy ofcultivation. 

M. Neumanniana (Neumann's). --This is a member of the group with angulartubercles and comparatively small flowers. It has a stem about 6 in. High, cylindrical, the tubercles arranged spirally, their basescompressed, four or five-angled, and with a tuft of white wool in theiraxils. The areoles or tufts on the tops of the mammae are large, and thespines are about seven in number, ½ in. Long, and of a tawny-yellowcolour. The flowers are produced near the top of the stem; they areabout ½ in. Long, and rose-red in colour. Native country, Mexico. Itrequires the same treatment as M. Cirrhifera. 

M. Ottonis (Ottoni's); Fig. 66. --A very distinct and pretty plant iscultivated under the name at Kew; but there are, apparently, twodifferent species under the same name--the one being spiny and large inthe stem; the other, which is here shown, having a small, compressedstem, 3 in. Across, numerous compressed tubercles, and short, hair-likespines. The flowers, which are large for the size of the plant, arewhite, and are developed in May and June. Native country, Mexico;introduced in 1834. It requires similar treatment to M. Micromeris. 

[Illustration: FIG. 66. MAMILLARIA OTTONIS. ]

M. Pectinata (comb-like); Fig. 67. --Stems globose, from 2 in. To 3 in. Indiameter; the rootstock woody; the tubercles arranged in about thirteenspiral rows, swollen at the base, and bearing each a star-like tuft ofabout twenty-four stiff, brown, radial spines, without a central one;the length varies from ½ in. To 1 in. , and they are comb-like in theirregular arrangement. When not in flower, this species bears a closeresemblance to small plants of Cereus pectinatus. Flowers terminal, solitary, large, their width quite 3 in. When fully expanded; sepalsreddish-green; petals rich sulphur-yellow; filaments reddish, verynumerous; the flowers open at noon, and close after about two hours, even although the sun be shining full upon them. Flowering season, Juneto August. Native country, Mexico, on slopes of limestone hills. Although long since known to botanists, this pretty species has onlylately found its way into English gardens. It is attractive even whennot in flower. It requires warm greenhouse treatment, with exposure tofull sunshine; during late autumn it should have plenty of air to ripenthe new growth made whilst flowering. In winter it should have a dryposition near the glass. 

[Illustration: FIG. 67. MAMILLARIA PECTINATA. ]

M. Phellosperma (corky-seeded). --A pretty plant, resembling M. Grahamiin all points except the seed, which, as is denoted by the name, is halfenveloped in a corky covering, suggesting acorns. Stems simple, sometimes proliferous at the base, globose when young, afterwards almostcylinder or pear-shaped, 5 in. High, 2 in. In diameter; tubercles ½ in. Long, arranged in twelve spiral rows, slightly woolly in axils. Spinesradiating, in two rows, about fifty on each tubercle, the three or fourcentral ones being hooked at the tips or sometimes straight; length, ½ in. To 1½ in. Flowers (only seen in the dried state) 1 in. Long and wide. Native of the dry gravelly hills and sand ridges in California andColorado, and, therefore, requiring greenhouse treatment. This plant iscultivated in the Kew collection, but it has not been known to flowerthere. It is one of the most ornamental of the very spinous species, theradial spines being almost white, whilst the central ones are black, andlook like tiny fish-hooks. A large proportion of these Mamillarias arefar more interesting in the form and arrangement of their tubercles andspines than in any floral character, and it is on this account that somany which are insignificant as flowering plants are included here. 

M. Pulchra (handsome). --Stem globose when young and cylindrical whenold, flattened at the top; height from 4 in. To 6 in. ; tubercles large, egg-shaped, arranged in from eleven to thirteen spiral rows; spines incompact tufts, their bases set in whitish wool, irregular in length, andalmost covering the whole of the stem. Flowers medium in size, developednear the top of the stem from the woolly axils of the tubercles; colourbright rose. Native of Mexico. Flowering season, June. Introduced in1826. A rare kind nowadays, though one of the prettiest. It shouldalways be grown in a warm house. It has been also called M. Pulcherrima. 

M. Pusilla (small). --A tiny tufted plant, belonging to the group knownas Thimble Cactuses. It has stems 2 in. High; short, dark greentubercles, with tufts of whitish wool in the axils; spines thin andbristle-like, twisted, nearly 1 in. Long, almost hiding the stem; theyare whitish, with black tips. The flowers are yellowish-white, withstreaks of red. Common in Mexico. Flowering season, May. It should begrown in a frame in summer, and wintered on a shelf in a warmgreenhouse. It would, no doubt, thrive in a window if kept in a sunnyposition and placed under a glass shade. A variety known as texanadiffers in being more densely clothed with spines. We have seen it growninto large clumps, covering a space 1 ft. In diameter, with dozens oferect little pyramids of whitish spines. 

M. Pycnacantha (densely spined); Bot. Mag. 3972. --The name for thiskind is rather misleading, the spines being both fewer and lessconspicuous than in many other species of Mamillaria. Stem about 6 in. High, nearly globose; tubercles--rather large, swollen, with tufts ofshort white wool in their axils, and stellate clusters of spinesspringing from disks of white wool on the top. The spines are ½ in. Long, slightly recurved, flattened, and pale brown. Flowers large, clusteredon the top of the stem, about half a dozen opening together; width 2 in. ;petals numerous, narrow, toothed at the tips, spreading; colour a deepsulphur-yellow, anthers orange. Native of Oaxaca, Mexico. Floweringseason, July. Introduced 1840. This is a beautiful flowering plant, morelike an Echinocactus than a Mamillaria. It should be grown in a warmgreenhouse all the year round. Old stems develop offsets from the base, by which the species may be multiplied. 

M. Sanguinea (bloody); Fig. 68. --This is closely related to M. Bicolor, but differs in having an unbranched stem and numerous richly-colouredflowers. The stem is stout, 6 in. High, and 4 in. Through; tuberclescrowded, short, bearing stellate tufts of shortish spines, andprojecting longer ones, all being bristly and pale yellow, except thoseon the youngest tubercles, which are golden. The flowers are borne in acrowded circle on the top of the stem, just outside the cluster of youngyellow spines, a strong plant having about forty flowers open together. Each flower is about ½ in. Long and wide, and coloured bright crimson, with yellow anthers. Native of Mexico. Flowers in June. It should begrown along with M. Bicolor. The plant figured is a young one, showingthe spines much longer than is usual on mature specimens. 

[Illustration: FIG. 68. MAMILLARIA SANGUINEA. ]

M. Scheerii (Scheer's). --Stem 7 in. High, and 5 in. In diameter at thebase; tubercles large, swollen, somewhat flattened, pale green, watery, woolly in the axils, the tops crowned with about a dozen brown spines, 1 in. Long, one central, the others radial. Flowers terminal, erect, withseveral whorls of spreading, recurved petals, the lower ones tinged withcrimson, the upper pale yellow, and forming a shallow cup, 2 in. Across;anthers forming a compact sheaf in the centre. Flowers in summer. Thisdistinct and very pretty species was introduced many years ago fromMexico, where it was discovered in 1845 by a Mr. Potts, to whose lovefor these plants we are indebted for a great many choice kinds collectedand sent to England by him. It grows naturally in a red, sandy loam, andunder cultivation requires warm-house treatment, except during theautumn, when it may be placed in a frame and exposed to full sunshineand plenty of air. 

M. Schelhasii (Schelhas'). --A pretty little tufted kind, its habit andsize being shown in Fig. 69. The stem produces offsets freely at thebase, which grow into full-sized stems, and develop young ones, till acompact cushion is formed. Tubercles closely arranged, cylindrical, shining green, with fifteen to twenty radial, white, hair-like spines, ½ in. Long, and three inner ones, which are thicker, purplish in colour, usually only one being hooked. Flowers white, with a line of rose downthe middle of each petal, ¾ in. Across. Flowering season, beginning ofsummer. Native of Mexico. It may be grown out of doors in a sunnyposition in summer, and wintered on a shelf in a greenhouse. 

[Illustration: FIG. 69. MAMILLARIA SCHELHASII. ]

M. Schiedeana (Schiede's). --Stem globose, 3 in. To 5 in. High, thicklyclothed with long, narrow, pointed tubercles, the bases of which are setin white wool, whilst the apices are crowned with tiny stars of whitesilky spines; more like the pappus of a Composite than the spinesusually found on Cactuses. A healthy plant has a very pretty and silkyappearance which cannot well be described. The flowers are small andunattractive; they are succeeded by the red fruits, which remain on theplant a long time, and add to its beauty. Native country, Mexico. Introduced 1838. Should be grown in a greenhouse where frost isexcluded, and where there is plenty of sunlight at all times. It iseasily increased, either from seeds or by means of the offsets developedat the base of old stems. 

M. Semperviva (ever-living); Fig. 70. --Stem pear-shaped, 3 in. Wide, thetop slightly depressed. Tubercles conical, ¼ in. Long, their bases set ina cushion of white wool, their tips bearing tiny tufts of wool, and foursmall spines, which fall away on the tubercles becoming ripe, leavingtwo short, diverging, central spines. Flowers small, not ornamental, andscantily developed near the outside of the top. Native of Mexico; inmeadows and thickets near Zimapan, at 5000 ft. Elevation. It thrives withus when grown in a frame in summer, and wintered in a cool greenhouse orframe. 

[Illustration: FIG. 70. MAMILLARIA SEMPERVIVA. ]

M. Senilis (hoary). --Stem about 3 in. High, spherical, unbranched, except when very old, when it becomes proliferous at the base; tuberclescrowded, small, arranged spirally, and crowned with clusters of long, radiating spines, which are almost white, hair-like, and become thicklyinterwoven, as in the Old Man Cactus (Pilocereus senilis). The centralspine is black, and hooked at the tip. Flowers on the top of the stem, near the centre; the petals toothed, spreading, and forming a deep cup, with a cluster of tall stamens standing erect in the middle; colourbright scarlet. The flowers, which appear in summer, remain open abouteight hours. Native country unknown; cultivated in France in 1845. Thisplant is difficult to preserve in health, the best method being that ofgrafting it on to a short Cereus, or a robust kind of Mamillaria, suchas M. Cirrhifera. It is a pretty plant at all times, even when dead, forwe have seen plants of it preserve the appearance of live specimens longafter they have rotted and dried up in the centre, nothing remaining butthe shell formed by the skin and silvery spines. There is a closeresemblance between this species and M. Grahami. 

M. Stella-aurata (golden star). --This little plant obtains its namefrom the rich golden-yellow of its stellate clusters of spines, whichare arranged thickly on the tips of the small, pointed tubercles. Itbelongs to the group called Thimble Cactuses, of which it is one of theprettiest. The stems are tufted, branching freely at the base, andrising to a height of about 2 in. Flowers small, whitish, and much lessornamental than the berry-like fruits which succeed them, and which areegg-shaped, ½ in. Long, and a deep rose-colour. M. Tenuis is a variety ofthis, with almost white spines. Native of Mexico. Introduced 1835. Maybe cultivated under a bell-glass in a room window, the only danger beingdamp during winter, which must be carefully avoided. 

M. Sub-polyhedra (usually many-sided); Fig. 71. --Stem simple till itbecomes old, when it develops offsets at the base, broadly cylindrical, 8 in. High, 5 in. In diameter. Tubercles four-sided at base, prism-shaped, bearing pads of white wool in the corners at the base, and crowned withtufts of from four to seven spines, usually all radial, sometimes onecentral. The flowers, which usually appear in May, are arranged in azone on the top of the old stems; sepals greenish-yellow, petals brightred. Fruit 1 in. Long, pear-shaped, scarlet. Native of South Mexico, athigh elevations. It may be grown outside in summer, and wintered in aheated greenhouse or frame. This is a singular-looking plant, thetubercles having an appearance suggestive of carving. It is a slowgrower, and requires careful attention in winter, when sometimes theroots all perish and the base of the stem rots. 

[Illustration: FIG. 71. MAMILLARIA SUB-POLYHEDRA. ]

M. Sulcolanata (woolly-grooved); Fig. 72. --Stem simple when young, proliferous at the sides when old, the young plants developing from theapices of the tubercles, and not in the axils, as is usual. Thetubercles are nut-shaped, large, the bases surrounded by white wool, thepoints bearing eight to ten rigid, brown spines, all radiating from alittle pad of wool. Flowers large, nearly 2 in. Across, bright yellow, poppy-scented, the spread of the petals suggesting Paris Daisies; theyare freely developed on the apex of the stem in June, and on tillAugust. Fruit egg-shaped, glaucous-green. Native country, South Mexico;introduced 1836. This charming little plant should be grown in a frameexposed to full sunshine all summer, and removed to a shelf in a warmgreenhouse in winter. With such treatment it grows and flowers freely. Grafted on to a Cereus or Opuntia it is healthier than when on its ownroots. 

[Illustration: FIG. 72. MAMILLARIA SULCOLANATA. ]

M. Tetracantha (four-spined); Bot. Mag. 4060. --Stem the size and shapeof an ostrich's egg, thickly studded with small, conical tubercles, woolly at the base, the apices bearing each four spreading spines, ¾ in. Long, rather stout, straight, brown when young, becoming almost whitewith age. Flowers numerous, small, arranged as in M. Sanguinea, to whichand M. Cirrhifera this species is closely related. They are bright rosein colour, with orange-yellow anthers, and are developed in July. Nativeof Mexico. Requires the same treatment as M. Cirrhifera. 

M. Tuberculosa (tubercled). --This is a very pretty and distinct plant, of recent introduction, and easily cultivated. It has a central stem, 6 in. High by 2 in. In diameter, conical in shape, and surrounded at thebase by globose branches or offsets. The tubercles are closely set innumerous spiral rows, and are ½ in. Long, rather narrow, pointed, with acrown of radial spines, very slender, hair-like, white, and ½ in. Long;central spines three or four, ½ in. Long. At the base of each tubercle isa pea-like tuft of white wool. In this kind the spines fall from the oldtubercles, which are persistent, gradually hardening to a cork-likesubstance. The flowers are produced in the apex of the stem, and are1 in. Long and wide, daisy-like, pale purple in colour; they aresucceeded by red, oval berries, which are as pretty as the flowers. About five flowers are developed on each stem annually--May and June. Native of Mexico, in the mountains. It thrives when grown in an ordinarygreenhouse, on a shelf, in full sunshine. 

M. Turbinata (top-shaped); Bot. Mag. 3984. --Stem globose, depressed attop, about 3 in. In diameter, pale glaucous-green; tuberclesquadrangular, flattened at the apex, and bearing, when young, from threeto five erect, slender, hair-like spines, which fall off soon after thetubercles ripen, exposing little depressions or umbilica, and giving thestem a bald, pudding-like appearance, quite distinct from any otherkind. Flowers from the centre of the stem, short, about 1 in. Across, pale yellow, with a reddish tint outside; anthers yellow. Two or threeflowers are usually expanded together in the month of June. Nativecountry, Mexico. 

M. Uncinata (hooked). --Stem globose, simple, about 4 in. In diameter;tubercles closely pressed against each other at the base, where they arefour-angled; in length they are ¼ in. , and they are blue-green in colour. Apex bearing four short spines, arranged crosswise, and ¼ in. Long;central spine slightly longer, yellow, and hooked. The flowers are 1 in. Long and wide, erect, the tube hidden by the young mammae, amongstwhich they appear in May and June; they are purple in colour, a line ofdeeper tint running down the middle of each petal. Like all the kindswith short, angular tubercles, this species is easily managed, flowersfreely and profusely, and always ripens seeds. Native of Mexico. It maybe grown in a frame, or even out of doors, all through the summer, removing it to a greenhouse for the winter. 

M. Vetula (old). --One of the small Thimble Cactuses, its stems seldomexceeding 3 in. In height by 1½ in. In diameter. Tubercles ¼ in. Long, conical, with a radial crown of fine, hair-like yellow spines, ¼ in. Long, and a solitary central spine, ½ in. In length, and coloured red. Flowers terminal, just peeping above the tubercles; sepals and petalsacute, yellow, ¾ in. Long; anthers yellow; stigma white. An old gardenplant, introduced from Mexico. It flowers in May and June. For itscultivation it may be treated as recommended for M. Pusilla. 

M. Villifera (hair-bearing). --Stem similar to the last, but usuallyproliferous at the base; tubercles angular, short, woolly in the axils, and bearing four rigid, short, reddish-brown spines on the apex. Flowerspale rose, with a line of purple down the middle of each petal; they aredeveloped near the top of the stem, in May. Native country, Mexico. Thisplant thrives if treated as recommended for M. Pusilla. There areseveral varieties known, distinguished by their paler or darker flowers, or by a difference in the length and arrangement of the spines. 

M. Viridis (green). --Stem 4 in. High by 3 in. In diameter, proliferous atthe base; tubercles short, four-angled, crowded in spiral rows, woollyat the base, bearing each five or six radiating hair-like spines on theapex, and one central erect one, none more than ¼ in. Long. Flowerserect, on top of stem, with recurved, pale yellow petals, 1 in. , long;they are produced in May and June. Introduced from Mexico in 1850. Itmay be grown in a sunny frame out of doors during summer, and on a dry, warm greenhouse shelf in winter. 

M. Vivipara (stem--sprouting). --A tufted, free-growing Thimble Cactus, producing its small stems in such profusion as to form a cluster as muchas 3 ft. In diameter. The small tubercles are hidden by the numerousradial spines, which are in clusters of about twenty; they are white, hair-like, stiff and ½ in. Long; the central spines, numbering from fourto six, are a little longer. Flowers from apex of stem, 1½ in. Long andwide, and composed of about thirty fimbriated sepals and twenty-five toforty narrow petals; colour bright purple. Fruit ½ in. Long, pale greenwhen ripe. The flowers, which appear in May and June, usually expandafter mid-day. Native of Louisiana. In the North-West plains and RockyMountains of North America this plant is abundant, often forming widecushion-like tufts, which, when covered with numerous purple, star-likeflowers, have a pretty effect. In Utah and New York it is commonlycultivated as a hardy garden plant, bearing exposure to keen frosts andsnow without suffering; but it would not thrive out of doors in winterwith us, unless covered by a handlight during severe weather, andprotected from heavy rains in winter. It likes a strong, clayey soil. 

M. V. Radiosa (Fig. 73). --This variety is distinguished by its largerflowers and shorter spines. 

[Illustration: FIG. 73. MAMILLARIA VIVIPARA RADIOSA. ]

M. Wildiana (Wild's). --An old garden Cactus, and one of the prettiestof the tufted, small-stemmed kinds. Its largest stems are 3 in. High byabout 1½ in. In diameter, and bear spiral rows of clavate, dark green, crystallised tubercles, ½ in. Long, with about ten radial white spines, ½ in. Long, the three upper spines, together with the solitary centralhooked one, being yellow. Flowers small, numerous on the apices of thestems, rose-coloured, lined with purple; they are developed in summer. This also forms dense tufts of stems. A specimen at Kew, only a fewyears old, has already over thirty heads. It is a native of Mexico, atan altitude of 5000 ft. , growing on lava and basalt, and even on thetrunks of trees. For its cultivation, a shelf in a sunny greenhouse is amost suitable position, both in winter and summer. Introduced 1835. 

M. Wrightii (Wright's). --This is a charming little plant, of somethingthe same character as M. Dolichocentra. It has not long been cultivatedin gardens, but being easy to manage, and exceptionally pretty, it issure to become a favourite as it gets known. Stem rounded above, narrowed and peg-top-like at the base, the top flattened, about 3 in. Across, height about the same. Tubercles conical, ½ in. Long, shininggreen, and bearing a tuft of six or eight spines, which are straight, hair-like, white, and ½ in. Long; there are two central spines, of samelength, and hooked. Flowers in the top of the stem, 1 in. Long and wide, bright purple; they are succeeded by egg-shaped, purple berries, 1 in. Long, and prettily arranged among the tubercles. In England a warm houseseems most suitable for this species. It likes plenty of moisture andsunlight during the summer, whilst making new growth; but in winter, when at rest, it ought to be kept on a shelf, and just moistenedoverhead in bright weather. There are healthy examples of it at Kew. Flowering season, May and June. Native country, Mexico. Introduced about1878. 

M. Zucchariniana (Zuccharini's). --Stem simple, globose, often attaininga height of 10 in. By about 7 in. In diameter. Tubercles dark green, conical, 1/3 in. Long, ½ in. Broad at base, naked at the point, but withfour to six spines springing from the areole a little below the point;spines ash-coloured, stiff, black-tipped. Flowers in a ring about thetop of the stem, length 1 in. , the tube enveloped in long, black, twistedhairs; sepals brown-purple; petals narrow, sharp-pointed, purple-rosecoloured; stamens white and yellow; stigma rose-coloured. Flowers inJune and July. Native of Mexico. A large, handsome-stemmed kind, easilykept in health, and flowering freely if grown on a shelf in a coolgreenhouse in winter, and placed in a warm, sunny position out of doorsin summer. It produces seeds freely, and pretty plants, 3 in. Or more indiameter, may be obtained in two years from seeds. By grafting it, whenyoung, on the stem of a Cereus or cylindrical Opuntia, a healthy, drumstick-like plant is easily obtained. 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE GENUS LEUCHTENBERGIA. 

(Named in honour of Prince Leuchtenberg. )

Among the many instances of plant mimicry that occur in the Cactusorder, the most remarkable is the plant here figured. Remove the flowerfrom Leuchtenbergia, and very few people indeed would think of callingit a Cactus, but would probably consider it a short-leaved Yucca. Inhabit, in form, in leaf, and in texture, it more resembles a Yucca or anAgave than anything else, and when first introduced it was consideredsuch by the Kew authorities until it flowered. The leaves, or rathertubercles, are sometimes longer and slenderer than in Fig. 74. Thenearest approach to this plant is Mamillaria longimamma, in which thetubercles are 1 in. Or more long, finger-shaped, and crowned with a fewhair-like spines. But the Leuchtenbergia bears its flowers on the endsof the tubercles, and not from the axils, as in all others. Thispeculiarity leads one to infer that tubercles are modified branches, thespines representing the leaves. Some species of Mamillaria andEchinocactus develop young plants from the tops of their tubercles; andthis also points to the probability that the latter are branches. InLeuchtenbergia, the tubercles fall away as the plant increases inheight, leaving a bare, woody stem similar to that of a Yucca. 

Cultivation. --The Leuchtenbergia has always been difficult to keep inhealth. It thrives best when kept in a warm, sunny house during winter, and in an exposed, airy, warm position under a frame during summer. Itmay be watered regularly whilst growing--that is, from April toSeptember--and kept quite dry all winter. The soil should bewell-drained loam, and the roots should have plenty of room. A specimenmay be seen in the Kew collection. 

Propagation. --This may be effected from seeds, or by removing the headfrom an old plant, putting the former in sand, and placing it under abell-glass to root, watering it only about once a week till roots areformed. The old stem should be kept dry for about two months, and thenwatered and placed in a sunny, moist position, where it can be syringedonce a day. A shelf in a stove is the best position for it. Here it willform young buds in the axils of the withered tubercles, and on the edgesof the persistent parts of the tubercles themselves. They first appearin the form of tiny tufts of yellowish down, and gradually develop tillthe first leaf-like tubercle appears. When large enough, the buds may beremoved and planted in small pots to root. If an old plant is dealt within this way in April, a batch of young ones should be developed androoted by October. Grafting does not appear to have ever been tried forthis plant. When sick, the plant should be carefully washed, and alldecayed parts cut away; it may then be planted in very sandy loam, andkept under a bell-glass till rooted. 

[Illustration: FIG. 74. LEUCHTENBERGIA PRINCIPIS. ]

SPECIES. 

L. Principis (noble); Fig. 74. --This, the only species known, wasintroduced from Mexico to Kew in 1847, and flowered the following year. The plant attains a height of 1 ft. Or more, the stem being erect, stout, clothed with the persistent, scale-like bases of the old, fallen-awaytubercles, the bases having dried up and tightened round the stem. Theupper part is clothed with the curved, leaf-like tubercles, from 3 in. To6 in. Long, grey-green in colour, succulent, with a tough skin, triangular, and gradually narrowed to a blunt point, upon which are halfa dozen or more thin, flexuous, horny filaments, neither spines norhairs in appearance, but almost hay-like; the central one is about 5 in. Long, and the others about half that length. The flowers are borne onthe ends of the young, partly-developed tubercles, near the centre ofthe head; they are erect, tubular, 3 in. To 4 in. Long, scaly, graduallywidening upwards; the sepals and petals are numerous, and form abeautiful flower of the ordinary Cactus type, quite 4 in. Across, and ofa rich, clear yellow colour. The anthers, which also are yellow, form acolumn in the centre, through which the nine-rayed stigma protrudes. Strong plants sometimes produce two flowers together. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE GENUS PELECYPHORA. 

(From pelekyphoros, hatchet-bearing; referring to the shape of thetubercles. )

IKE Leuchtenbergia, this genus is monotypic, and it is also rare, difficult to cultivate, and exceptionally interesting in structure. Itis closely related to the Mamillarias, as may be seen, by comparing theFigure here given with some of them; indeed, it was once known as M. Asellifera, having been described under that name when first introduced, in 1843. From Mamillaria, however, it differs in the form of itstubercles, which are hatchet-shaped, and cleft at the apex, where eachdivision is clothed with small, horny, overlapping scales, not unlikethe back of a woodlouse--hence the specific name. 

Cultivation. --The Hatchet Cactus grows very slowly, specimens such asthat represented in our Illustration being many years old. We have seenhealthy plants, freshly imported, grow for a few months, and thensuddenly die, the inside of the stem rotting whilst outside it lookedperfectly healthy. It is always grown on its own roots, but probably itwould thrive better if grafted on the stem of some dwarf Cereus orEchinocactus. 

[Illustration: FIG. 75. PELECYPHORA ASELLIFORMIS. ]

Propagation. --The propagation of Pelecyphora is easiest effected bymeans of seeds, which, however, are not always procurable. It is statedby Labouret, a French writer on Cactuses, that the first plantsintroduced arrived dead, but a few seeds were found in a withered fruiton one of the dead stems, and from these the first plants grown inEurope were raised. M. De Smet of Ghent, had a large stock of thisCactus a few years ago, and a German nurseryman, H. Hildmann, ofOranienberg, near Berlin, usually has many young plants of it for sale. 

SPECIES. 

P. Aselliformis (woodlouse-like); Fig. 75. --The size, habit, andstructure of this plant are so well represented in the Figure thatlittle description is necessary. The stems are simple till they getabout 3 in. High, when they develop offsets about the base, which mayeither be removed to form new plants, or allowed to remain and grow intoa specimen like that in the Illustration. The flowers are large for thesize of the plant, and they are developed freely in the apex of thestems in the early part of the summer. The tube is very short, naked, and completely hidden by the young mammae; sepals and petals in fourseries, the outer one pale purple, the inner of a deep purple colour;stamens very numerous, and the stigma has only four erect lobes. Theplant was first described from examples cultivated in Berlin in 1843, but the flowers were not known till 1858. There are several varietiesknown, viz. , P. A. Concolor, which is distinguished by the whole of theflower being deep purple in colour; P. A. Pectinata has larger scales(spine-tufts); and P. A. Cristata is, as its name denotes a kind ofcockscomb or crested form. They are all natives of Mexico. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE GENUS OPUNTIA. 

(The old Latin name used by Pliny, and said to have been derived fromthe city of Opus. )

There are about 150 species of Opuntia known, all of them natives of theAmerican continent and the West Indies, though a considerable numberhave become naturalised in many other parts of the world. They are, withvery few exceptions, easily distinguished from all other Cactuses by thepeculiar character of their stems and spines; they are also well markedin the structure of their flowers. They vary in size from small, trailing, many-branched plants, never exceeding 6 in. In height, to largeshrubs 8 ft. To 30 ft. High. (Humboldt states that he saw "Opuntias andother Cactuses 30 ft. To 40 ft. High. ") Generally the branches are nearlyflat when young, and shaped like a racquet or battledore; but in somespecies the branches are round (i. E. , in O. Cylindrica, O. Subulata, O. Arborescens, &c. ). All the kinds have fleshy stems, which ultimatelybecome cylindrical and woody. At first they consist of fleshy joints, superposed upon one another, the joints varying considerably in size andshape. When young they bear small fleshy leaves along with thespine-tufts; but the former fall off at an early stage, whilst thespines are altered in length or number as the joints get old. In one ortwo kinds the spines fall away when the joints begin to harden, and inO. Subulata the leaves are large and persistent. 

The nature of the spines of Opuntias is of a kind that is not likely tobe forgotten by anyone coming into contact with them. Every spine, fromthe tiny bristles, hardly perceptible to the naked eye, to the stout, needle-like spears which are found on the branches of some kinds, isbarbed, and they are so very sharp and penetrating that even a gentletouch is sufficient to make them pierce the skin. Once in they are verydifficult to get out; the very fine ones can only be shaved level withthe skin, and left to grow out, whilst the larger must be cut out ifthey have penetrated to any depth. This horrid character in Opuntias, whilst rendering them disagreeable to the gardener, has been turned togood account in many of our colonies, where they are commonly used asfences. A good hedge of such kinds as O. Tuna or O. Horrida isabsolutely impassable to both man and beast, and as the stems are toowatery to be easily destroyed by fire, their usefulness in this waycould not be surpassed. As all the Opuntias will grow in the verypoorest of soils, and even on bare rocks, and as they grow very rapidly, they have been largely employed in Africa, Australia, and India forfences. It is reported that when an island in the West Indies wasdivided between the French and English, the boundary was marked by threerows of O. Tuna. 

The flowers of Opuntias are not, as a rule, particularly attractive. Inmany of the kinds they are large and well-formed, but the colours aretawny-yellow, greenish-white, or dull red. These plants cannot, therefore, be recommended for any floral beauty, although it is probablethat the same flowers, on plants of less repulsive appearance thanOpuntias are, as a rule, would be admired. There are a few exceptions tothis in such species as O. Rafinesquii, O. Missouriensis, and O. Basilaris, which are compact and dwarf, and bear numerous large, brightly-coloured flowers. The fruits of Opuntias, or, at least, some ofthem, are edible, and to some palates they are very agreeable. We havetasted them, and consider they are mawkish and insipid--not much betterthan very poor gooseberries. Sir Joseph Hooker has compared them toPumpkins. They are pear-shaped, with a thick, spine-covered rind, containing green, yellow, or red pulp, with small, hard seeds scatteredthrough it. 

The fruit of Opuntia differs in character and structure from theordinary kind of fruit, such as apples, pears, &c. It consists of abranch, or joint, modified in form, and bearing on its flattened apex aflower, with the ovary buried in a slight depression in the fleshyjoint. After becoming fertilised, the ovary grows down into the joint, and, ultimately the whole joint is changed into a succulent, juicy, often coloured "fruit. " That this is the case has been proved byplanting the unripe "fruit" of Opuntias in pots of sandy soil, andtreating them as cuttings, when they have developed buds at the apex androots at the base, ultimately forming plants. 

The vitality in the branches of most of the species is very great, thesmallest piece, as a rule, emitting roots and developing into a plant ina comparatively short time. The branches are soft, and easily broken, sothat, in gathering the fruits, many pieces are broken off and castaside; these soon grow into plants, and in a short time an extensive"colony" of Opuntias springs up where previously only one had been. Theseeds, too, are a ready means of increase, being distributed by birdsand other animals, which eat the fruits. In consequence of this freevegetative character, the Opuntias introduced into some of our colonieshave become a pest almost as difficult to deal with as the rabbitscourge in Australia. In English gardens, however, there is no danger ofOpuntias getting the upper hand. The adaptability of the majority of thekinds for cultivation under what may be termed adverse conditions forother plants, and the ease with which they may be propagated, render themanagement of a collection of these plants an easy matter. Amongst otherCactuses, Opuntias have a striking effect, and a selection of themshould be grown in even the smallest collections. A few of them may berecommended specially as attractive plants for a sheltered, sunnyrockery. 

Cultivation. --The cultural requirements of the Opuntias may moreconveniently be referred to under the description of each kind. 

Propagation. --This entails no exceptional treatment; the numerous seedscontained in each fruit germinate freely if sown in sandy soil, andplaced on a shelf in a warm house; and the smallest branches rootquickly if planted in pots of open soil and kept in the Cactus-house. Large branches root just as freely as small ones. At Kew an enormousspecimen, which had grown tall, and developed a thicket of branches toogreat for the house where it grew, was reduced most summarily by simplycutting off the head of branches and planting it in the ground where theoriginal specimen had been. In a short time this "cutting" was wellrooted, and made better growth than it had before the operation wasperformed. 

As stocks for grafting, many of the more robust kinds of Opuntia arewell adapted, and very singular-looking specimens may be obtained bymaking the most of this fact. One of the crested or monstrous forms, when grafted on a flat-stemmed kind, presents the queerest ofappearances, looking like a large green cockscomb growing out of the topof a bladdery kind of stem. Equally odd combinations may be made bygrafting a flat-stemmed kind on one whose stem is cylindrical. As allthe kinds unite with the greatest ease, a taste for oddities amongplants may easily be gratified by making use of Opuntias in this way. The time most favourable for the operation is spring-say, the month ofApril. For full information on how to graft Cactuses, see Chapter IV. , on Propagation. 

SPECIES. 

O. Arborescens (tree-like). --This species is known as the Walking-Stickor Elk-Horn Cactus, from its cylindrical, woody stems being made intovery curious-looking walking-sticks (examples of which may be seen inthe Museum at Kew), whilst the arrangement of the branches is suggestiveof elk horns. Habit erect; joints cylindrical, branching freely, andforming trees from 8 ft. To 30 ft. High. Stems covered with oblongtubercles and tufts of long, needle-like spines, which give the plant avery ferocious aspect. Flowers on the ends of the young branches, 2 in. To 3 in. In diameter, bright purple in colour, developing in June. It isa native of Mexico, &c. , and requires greenhouse or stove treatment. Theskeletons of this species, as seen scattered over the desert placeswhere it is wild, have a very singular and startling appearance. Theystand in the form of trees, quite devoid of leaves, spines, or flesh, and, owing to the peculiar arrangement of the ligneous layers, nothingremains except a hollow cylinder, perforated with mesh-like holes, indicating the points where the tubercles and small branches had been. These skeletons are said to stand many years. 

O. Arbuscula (small tree). --Another of the cylindrical kinds, with asolid, woody trunk, about 4 in. Through, and clothed with smooth, greenbark; it grows to a height of 7 ft. Or 8 ft. Branches very numerous, slender, copiously jointed, the ultimate joints about 3 in. Long and ½ in. Thick; they are slightly tuberculated, and bear tufts of spines nearly1 in. Long. Flowers 1½ in. In diameter, produced in June; petals few, greenish-yellow, tinged with red. It is a native of Mexico, and requiresstove treatment. A pretty plant, or, rather, a very remarkable one, evenwhen not in flower, the thin branches, with their hundreds of long, whitish spines, being singular. Unfortunately, it is not easily grown. 

O. Arenaria (sand-loving). --Stems spreading, forming a tuft 3 ft. Through and about 1 ft. High. Joints 1½ in. To 3 in. Long, and a littleless in width, terete, with very prominent tubercles and numerous tawnybristles; upper spines 1 in. To 1½ in. Long, white, with a yellow point, shorter ones hair-like and curled. Flowers 2 in. In diameter, produced inMay. Fruit 1 in. Long, bearing a few short spines. Mexico. Astrong-rooted plant, which should be grown in very loose, sandy soil. Itwould probably thrive best when planted out on a stage near the glass ina stove. 

O. Auberi (Auber's). --An erect-growing plant, 8 ft. Or more high, notunlike O. Ficus-indica in the form of its joints, but with long spinesspringing from the cushions, whereas the latter has none. The joints areoblong-ovate, glaucous-green, the cushions few and scattered; spineswhite, flattened, of various lengths. Flowers tawny yellow, small forthe size of the plant. A native of Cuba, and requiring stove treatment. Being very brittle, this plant should be supported with stakes. 

O. Aurantiaca (orange). --A dwarf, cylindrical-stemmed kind, branchingfreely. Joints short, ¾ in. In diameter; cushions of reddish spines, oneabout 1 in. Long, the others shorter; bases of spines enveloped in whitewool. Flowers bright orange, 2 in. To 3 in. Across. This species is anative of Chili, whence it was introduced in 1824. It should be grown ina warm greenhouse all winter, and placed in a sunny position outsideduring summer. 

O. Basilaris (branching at the base); Fig. 76. --A dwarf, compact plant, of peculiar habit. Stem short, branching into a number of stout, obovate, often fan-shaped joints, which usually spring from a commonbase, and curve inwards, suggesting an open cabbage. Joints 5 in. To 8 in. Long, about 1 in. Thick, covered all over with dot-like cushions of veryshort, reddish spines, set in slight depressions or wrinkles. Flowers ofa beautiful and rich purple colour, about 2½ in. In diameter, andproduced in May. This distinct plant is a native of Mexico, and is ofrecent introduction. Plants of it may be seen in the Kew collection. Itis apparently easily kept in health in an ordinary stove temperaturealong with other Cactuses. It varies in the form of its joints and inits manner of branching, but it seems never to develop the joints one onthe top of the other, as do most Opuntias. This species is certain tobecome a favourite when it becomes better known. 

[Illustration: FIG. 76. OPUNTIA BASILARIS. ]

O. Bigelovii (Bigelow's). --A cylinder-stemmed, tall-growing plant, witha stout, woody stem, bearing a dense head of branches. Joints 2 in. To6 in. Long, 1 in. To 2 in. In diameter, light green, covered with smalltubercles and little spine-cushions, with larger spines 1 in. Long. Whenwild, the young joints are often shaken off by the wind, and cover thesoil around, where they take root or stick to the clothes of thepassers-by like burrs. Flowers not known. A native of Mexico, where itforms a tree 12 ft. High; it requires stove treatment. The skeleton ofthe trunk is a hollow cylinder, perforated with numerous holes, whichoccur in a regular spiral. The appearance of a full-grown specimen isvery striking, the oval joints, thickly covered with long, needle-likespines, hanging in clusters, more suggestive of spiny fruit thanbranches. 

O. Boliviana (Bolivian); Fig. 77. --Stems 1 ft. High, erect, branching, and composed of roundish, pale green joints, with small, roundtubercles, and long, white, flexible spines, sometimes as much as 4 in. In length; cushions about 1 in. Apart. Flowers 1½ in. Across, yellowish. This is a fat, gouty-looking plant, from Bolivia, requiring stovetreatment. It often assumes a yellow hue on the older joints, even whenin good health. 

[Illustration: FIG. 77. OPUNTIA BOLIVIANA. ]

O. Brachyarthra (short-jointed); Fig. 78. --A dwarf-growing, singular-looking plant, with short, tumid joints from 1 in. To 2 in. Longand wide, and nearly the same in thickness. The shortness of the joints, together with their growing on the top of each other, has been notinaptly compared to a jointed finger. Cushions very close together, composed of short, white and yellowish bristles, and stout, teretespines, 1 in. Or more long, set on little tubercles. Flowers 1 in. Indiameter, with about five sepals, eight or nine petals, and a five-rayedstigma; they are borne on the apices of the topmost joints. This speciesis worth growing on account of its peculiar stems and the length of itswhite spines. It is a native of New Mexico, and has been recentlyintroduced to Kew, where it is cultivated among the hardy kinds, andalso in the greenhouse. 

[Illustration: FIG. 78. OPUNTIA BRACHYARTHRA. ]

O. Braziliensis (Brazilian). --The peculiar habit and mode of growth atonce distinguish this species. It rises with a perfectly straight, erect, slender, but firm and stiff, round stem, to a height of from10 ft. To 30 ft. , tapering from the base upwards, and furnished all theway up with short, horizontal branches, spreading about 3 ft. All round, like an immense candelabrum. Spines long, subulate, very sharp, ash-coloured, in clusters. Joints broadly oblong, margins wavy; theyresemble leaves, or the thin, leaf-like joints of a Phyllocactus, withthe addition of long, whitish spines on both sides. Flowers 1½ in. Indiameter, lemon-yellow, very freely produced on the younger jointsduring May and June. Fruit as large as a walnut, spiny, yellow whenripe. This species is a native of Brazil, whence it was introduced in1816. It may be recommended for large, airy houses, as it grows freely, and forms a striking object when arranged with foliage and floweringplants of the ordinary kind. Its fruits are edible. 

O. Candelabriformis (candelabrum-shaped). --Stems erect, 5 ft. To 8 ft. High; joints flat, almost circular, about 6 in. In diameter, glaucous-green, densely clothed with numerous cushions of white, bristle-like spines, a few in each cushion being long and thread-like. Flowers not known on cultivated plants. This sturdy species is a nativeof Mexico, and succeeds well if planted on a little rockery or raisedmound in a warm house, where, properly treated, it branches freely, andforms a dense mass of circular joints. It is one of the most useful ofthe larger Opuntias for cultivation in large houses. 

O. Clavata (club-shaped). --Stem short; joints club-shaped, 2 in. Longand 1 in. Wide, narrowed almost to a point at both ends. Cushions ¼ in. Apart, composed of numerous spines, varying from short and bristle-liketo 1 in. In length, stout, flattened, and spear-like. Leaves ¼ in. Long. Flowers yellow, 1½ in. Across. Fruit 1½ in. Long, lemon-yellow when ripe, and covered with stellate clusters of white, bristle-like spines. NewMexico, 1854. A stove species, remarkable for the strength and form ofits central spines, which are spear or dagger-shaped. 

O. Cochinellifera (cochineal-bearing); Bot. Mag. 2742. --Anerect-growing plant, attaining a height of 9 ft. Or more, and branchingfreely, the older parts of the stem and branches being woody andcylindrical; young joints flat, oblong-ovate, varying in length from4 in. To 1 ft. , deep green, rather soft and watery, spineless, thecushions distant, and sometimes bearing a few very short bristles. Flowers at the extremities of the branches, 1½ in. Long, composed ofnumerous imbricating, scale-like petals, curving inwards, and colouredcrimson. Fruit flat-topped, 2 in. Long, red; pulp reddish; seeds black. It is a native of tropical South America, whence it was introduced in1688. It requires stove treatment, and blossoms in August. This is oneof the most useful of the genus, on account of its being the kindchiefly employed in the cultivation of cochineal. It is one of theeasiest to manage, requiring only a rather dry atmosphere, plenty oflight, and a temperature not lower than 50 degs. In winter. Syn. Nopaleacochinellifera. 

O. Corrugata (wrinkled). --Stem not more than 2 ft. High; jointscylindrical, wrinkled all over, about 2 in. Long, covered with cushionsof white hair or bristle-like spines. Flowers 1½ in. Across, reddish-yellow, produced in August. A native of Chili, whence it wasintroduced in 1824. It may be grown in an ordinary greenhouse, on ashelf near the glass, and exposed to full sunshine. 

O. Curassavica (Curassoa); Pin-pillow. --Branches spreading; jointscylindrical or club-shaped, dark green, bearing numerous cushions ofwoolly bristles, and long, white, very sharp-pointed spines. Flowers3 in. Across, greenish-yellow, borne on the young joints in June. Introduced from Curassoa in 1690. A free-growing plant under favourableconditions, and one requiring stove treatment. It has been cultivated ingardens almost as long as any species of Cactus. There are severalvarieties of it known, differing from the type in habit, length ofspine, or shade of colour in the flower. 

O. Cylindrica (cylindrical). --Stem and joints cylindrical, the lattercovered with spindle-shaped tubercles, each one crowned with a tuft offine, hair-like, whitish spines, one or two in each tuft being stiff, and sharp as needles. The leaves are fleshy, cylindrical, 1 in. Or morelong, and they remain on the joints longer than is usual in Opuntias. Flowers crowded on the ends of the branches, each 1 in. In diameter, scarlet; they are developed in June. This plant is said to grow to aheight of 6 ft. Or more in its native habitat, but under cultivation itis rarely seen more than 3 ft. High; it was introduced in 1799. It ishandsome and distinct enough to be worth growing. It requires stove orgreenhouse treatment, but rarely flowers under cultivation. 

O. C. Cristata (crested). --A dwarf, cockscomb-like variety, with theleaves and white hairs growing all along the wrinkled top of the comb. It is a very singular example of a "monster" Cactus. It requires stovetreatment. 

O. Davisii (Davis'); Bot. Mag. 6652. --Stems somewhat horizontal, notexceeding 1½ ft. In height; joints 4 in. To 6 in. In length, and about ½in. In thickness; wood dense, and hard when old; tubercles not prominent, bearing cushions of very slender bristles, forming a kind of brush, fromamongst which the spines spring. The longest spines are 1½ in. , and theyare covered with a loose, glistening sheath. Flowers 2 in. In diameter, greenish-brown. The plant is a native of New Mexico, and was introducedin 1883. It forms a compact, shrubby little plant if grown in anintermediate house during winter, and placed in the open in fullsunshine during summer. It was flowered for the first time in England in1883, and although not what we should call an attractive plant, inAmerica it is described as being "a well-marked and pretty species. " Itis named after Jefferson Davis, the American statesman. 

O. Decumana (great-oblong). This is the largest-growing species incultivation. At Kew it is represented by a plant 12 ft. High (it wouldgrow still taller if the house were higher). It has a hard, woody, brown-barked stem, bearing an enormous head of very large, elliptical, flat joints, 12 in. To 20 in. Long, and about 1 ft. Broad, smooth, grey-green, with a few scattered cushions of very tiny bristles, andsometimes, though rarely, a spine or two. Flowers large, orange-coloured, produced in summer. Fruit oval, 4 in. Long, spiny, brownish-red, very watery when ripe; flesh red, sweet. A native ofBrazil, and requiring stove treatment. This is said to be what is knownin Malta as the Indian Fig. The plant is chiefly interesting here onaccount of the extraordinary size of the joints. 

O. Diademata (diademed). --A small, remarkable, and extremely rarelittle species, with a short, erect stem, composed of globose, superposed joints, grey-green in colour, and very succulent. The topmostjoint is pear-shaped, with a tuft of whitish hair and spines on theapex, out of which the new growth pushes. Cushions large, about 1 in. Apart, furnished with a tuft of short, grey hairs and short spines, witha large one at the base. The character of this large spine isexceptional, being broad, flat, cartilaginous, whitish, and curvingdownwards. On healthy large examples these spines are 2 in. Long, andnearly ¼ in. Wide at the base. Flowers and fruit not known. Native ofMendoza (La Plata). This little plant requires to be cultivated in awarm greenhouse or stove, but it grows very slowly. It is certainly amost interesting Cactus; examples of it may be seen at Kew, where thereis a plant which, although over ten years old, is only 4 in. High. Syns. O. Platyacantha and Cereus syringacanthus. 

O. Dillenii (Dillenius'); Fig. 79. --An erect-growing, robust species, attaining a height of 15 ft. , with flattened, ovate joints, about 5 in. Long by 3 in. Broad. Cushions composed of short, white, hair-likebristles, and numerous long, stout, yellow spines. Flowers yellow, tinged with red, 4 in. In diameter, freely produced on the ends of theyoungest joints all summer. Fruits similar to those of O. Ficus-indica. A native of the West Indies, now naturalised in all warmer parts of theworld. In India it is so plentiful and widespread that Roxburgh, anIndian botanist, said it was a native. In India, its fruits are eaten bythe poor natives, and it is often planted as a hedge. It is also a greatpest in the open lands of that country, and large sums are annuallyexpended in cutting it down and burying it. This species, which requireswarm greenhouse treatment, is also employed in the cultivation ofcochineal. 

[Illustration: FIG. 79. OPUNTIA DILLENII. ]

O. Echinocarpa (spiny-fruited). --A low, straggling shrub, not exceeding1½ ft. In height. Joints cylindrical, from 1 in. To 3 in. Long, less than1 in. Thick. Cushions of rather coarse bristles and numerous spines, from½ in. To 1 in. In length. Flowers 2 in. In diameter, yellow, produced insummer. Fruit short, depressed, almost saucer-shaped, and bearing spinesnearly 1 in. Long. A native of Colorado, &c. It requires stove treatment. The variety major has stems 4 ft. High, joints 8 in. To 10 in. Long, andlong, sheathed spines. This species is closely related to O. Bigeloviiand O. Davisii. 

O. Emoryi (Emory's). --A prostrate, spreading plant, less than 1½ ft. High. Joints cylindrical, curved, 4 in. Long, 1½ in. Thick. Tubercles veryprominent, longitudinally attached to the stem, the apices crowned withpea-shaped cushions of short bristles, and numerous radiating spines, some of which are fully 2 in. Long, very strong and needle-like. Flowers2½ in. In diameter, sulphur-yellow, tinged with purple, produced inAugust and September. Fruit 2½ in. Long and 1 in. Thick, covered withcushions of bristles and spines. A native of Mexico, on dry, sandysoils, where its prostrate stems, clothed with powerful spines, form ahiding-place for the small animals, snakes, &c. Stove or warm greenhousetreatment is best for this species. 

O. Engelmanni (Engelmann's). --A stout, coarse-looking plant, 6 ft. High, with woody stems and large, flat, green joints, 1 ft. Long and 9 in. Indiameter. Cushions 1½ in. Apart, composed of coarse bristles, and one ortwo spines over 1 in. Long, and pointing downwards. Flowers 3 in. Indiameter, yellow, produced in May and June. Fruit nearly round, 2 in. Long, purplish both in rind and pulp, the latter rather nauseous to thetaste. Mexico. This is a greenhouse plant which grows freely and flowersannually under cultivation. It is very similar to O. Monacantha, a muchbetter known species. According to American botanists, it is probablythe most widely spread of the whole Cactus tribe. 

O. Ficus-indica (Indian Fig); Fig. 80. --Branches erect, 8 ft. To 12 ft. High; joints flat, oval or obovate, about 1 ft. Long by 3 in. In width, and 1 in. In thickness. Stems hard and woody with age. Cushions 1½ in. Apart, composed of short, yellowish bristles, and very rarely one spine. Flowers 3 in. To 4 in. Across, sulphur-yellow, produced all through thesummer. Fruit 3 in. To 4 in. Long, pear-shaped, covered with tufts ofbristles, white, yellow, or red when ripe. It is a native of CentralAmerica, whence it was introduced about 300 years ago. It is now widelyspread, in tropical and temperate regions all over the world. In manyparts it is cultivated for the sake of its fruits, which in some of ourcolonies are used for dessert. In England it must be protected from dampand cold; it is, therefore, best cultivated in a sunny greenhouse duringwinter, and placed outside in a position exposed to full sunshine allsummer. Tenore, an Italian botanist, named this species O. Vulgaris, andthis mistake has led others to consider the North American O. Vulgaris(true) and O. Ficus-indica as one and the same species. 

[Illustration: FIG. 80. FRUITING BRANCH OF OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA. ]

O. Filipendula (hanging filaments); Fig. 81. --Stems prostrate, about1 ft. High, spreading; joints flat, round or oval, about 3 in. Long, oftenless, milky-green in colour. Cushions ½ in. Apart, composed of a littletuft of white woolly hair, a cluster of erect, rather long bristles, like a small shaving-brush, and all pointing upwards; spines usuallyonly one in each cushion, and this is slender, deflexed, white, and from1 in. To 2 in. Long. Sometimes the joints are wholly spineless. Flowers2½ in. In diameter, purplish, very handsome, produced in May and June. Fruit not known. The roots of this species bear tubers often 1 in. Inthickness, and several inches in length, and these tubers will grow intoplants if severed and planted. It requires stove treatment. Nativecountry, Mexico. 

[Illustration: FIG. 81. OPUNTIA FILIPENDULA. ]

O. Frutescens (shrubby). --A thin-stemmed, copiously-branched species. Joints almost continuous, like ordinary branches, from 2 in. To 6 in. Long, the thickest not exceeding ¼ in. Cushions on raised points ortubercles, each consisting of a small tuft of hair, inclosed in a row ofbristles, and one long, central spine, often exceeding 2 in. In length. When young, the spines are inclosed in a thin, bony sheath. Flowersscattered along the younger branches, 1 in. Across, greenish-yellow, borne in June. Fruit 1 in. Long, pear-shaped, smooth, scarlet, with tuftsof bristles all over it, and a depression in the apex. Mexico. Thisforms an interesting pot-plant when properly cultivated. It should begrown in a warm greenhouse. 

O. Grahami (Graham's). --This is one of several species of Opuntia whichare remarkable in having thick, fleshy roots, not unlike those of theDahlia. The joints are 2 in. Long and 1 in. In diameter, cylindrical, withadpressed tubercles, ½ in. Or more long, each tubercle bearing a tuft oflong, straight, radiating spines. Flowers 2 in. Across, yellow, borne onthe ends of the ripened joints in June. Fruits 1½ in. Long and ¾ in. Wide, covered with stellate clusters of short, bristle-like spines. This plantis a native of Mexico, and is a recent introduction. From the nature ofits roots, which are no doubt intended to serve as reservoirs for timesof extreme drought, it should be grown in well-drained, sandy soil, andkept quite dry all winter. It requires stove treatment. 

O. Horrida (horrid). --An erect, stout-stemmed plant, with flattened, green joints, about 5 in. Long by 3 in. Wide. Cushions 1 in. Apart, composed of short, reddish bristles, and long, tawny red spines, abouteight in each cushion, and of a peculiarly ferocious appearance--hencethe specific name. The stoutest spines are 3 in. Long, and are sharp andstrong as needles. This species (which is probably a native of Mexico)is deserving of a place in collections of Cactuses because of thecharacter of its spines. Probably it is only a variety of O. Tuna. Itrequires warm-house treatment. 

O. Hystricina (porcupine-like). --This beautiful species was discoveredin the San Francisco Mountains mixed with O. Missouriensis, to which itis nearly allied. It is spreading in habit, the joints 3 in. To 4 in. Longand broad; cushions ½ in. Apart, rather large, with numerous spines, varying in length from ½ in. To 4 in. , and short, yellowish bristles. Flowers large, yellow. Fruit 1 in. , long, spiny. This plant is not knownin English collections, but it is described by American botanists asbeing attractive and a free grower. As it is found along with O. Missouriensis, it ought to prove hardy in England. 

O. Leptocaulis (slender-stemmed). --This little Mexican species ischiefly remarkable for its fragile, numerous, twig-like joints, thicklydotted with tubercles and numerous spirally-arranged cushions of reddishbristles, with long, grey spines. It does not flower under cultivation. Requires stove treatment. 

O. Leucotricha (white-haired). --An erect-stemmed kind, with flattenedjoints, ovate or oblong in shape, and bearing numerous cushions, ½ in. Apart, of short bristles, with a large, central spine, and a few othersrather shorter. When young these spines are rigid and needle-like; butas they get older they increase in length, and become soft, and curledlike stiff, white hair. Young plants are noticeable for their small, subulate leaves of a bright red colour, whilst old examples are almostas interesting as the Old Man Cactus (Pilocereus senilis), the long, white, hair-like spines of the Opuntia hanging from the older joints inmuch the same manner as they do from the upper part of the stem of thePilocereus. Flowers yellow, produced in June. This species is a nativeof Mexico, and requires stove treatment. Seeds of this, and, indeed, ofa large proportion of the cultivated Opuntias, may be procured fromseedsmen, and as they germinate quickly, and soon produce handsomelittle plants, a collection of Opuntias is thus very easily obtained. 

O. Macrocentra (large-spurred). --A flat-jointed species, growing to aheight of 3 ft. ; the joints large, almost circular, thinly compressed, and usually purplish in colour. Cushions about 1 in. Apart, with spinesoften 3 in. Long, of a greyish colour, and generally pointing downwards. Flowers 3 in. Across, bright yellow; they are developed in May and June, on the upper edges of the youngest joints. This plant is a native ofMexico; it is at present rare, but the unusual colour of the joints, itscompact, freely-branched habit, the extraordinary length of its spines, and the size of its flowers, ought to win for it many admirers. It iseasily grown if kept in an intermediate house. Plants of it may be seenin the Kew collection. 

O. Macrorhiza (large-rooted); Figs. 82, 83. --In this Texan species wehave a combination of the principal characters for which the genusOpuntia is remarkable: The thick, fleshy roots, which are a supposedsource of food, and which look like potatoes; the cylinder-shaped olderstems, and the flattened, battledore-like joints; the tufts of bristleson the stems, and deciduous, longer spines on the joints; the large, beautiful, yellow flowers; and the small leaves on the newly-formedjoints. In habit and flowers this kind resembles O. Rafinesquii; and ifnot quite hardy in England, it is nevertheless sufficiently so to thrivein any sunny position where it would be protected from frost andexcessive wet. The accompanying illustrations represent the charactersof this species so well that further description is not needed. Theflowers are developed in early summer. 

[Illustration: FIG. 82. FLOWERING BRANCHES OF OPUNTIA MACRORHIZA. ]

[Illustration: FIG. 83. ROOTS OF OPUNTIA MACRORHIZA. ]

O. Microdasys (small, thick). --This is a handsome little Mexican plant. Its flattened joints, which are nearly circular in outline, are thicklycovered with little cushions of bright orange-yellow bristles, thecushions being so close together that the short bristles almost hide thegreen joints from view. The stems are semi-decumbent, and they branchsomewhat freely. Flowers not seen. It thrives in a warm greenhousetemperature. The best examples of this pretty Opuntia are grafted on arobust-growing kind, the stock being about 1 ft. Long, and the scionforming a compact head of pretty, healthy-looking joints. Treated inthis way, this species is most interesting and attractive. It may alsobe grown on its own roots. There is a variety of it, named rufida, inwhich the bristles are reddish-brown. 

O. Missouriensis (Missouri). --A stout, prostrate kind, forming large, spreading masses under favourable conditions. Joints broad, flattened, obovate, about 4 in. Long by 2 in. Wide, light green; spine-cushions lessthan 1 in. Apart, and composed of numerous small, white spines, with fromone to four longer ones; these latter fall away when the joints get old. Leaves very short, with a little wool about their bases. Flowers 3 in. Indiameter, appearing from May onwards; petals yellow, dashed with rose, sometimes wholly rose-coloured or brick-red. Stamens deep red; pistilyellow, with a conical stigma. Fruit nearly round, spiny, about 2 in. Long. A native of Wisconsin, and westward to the San FranciscoMountains; introduced in 1814. This species is as hardy as O. Rafinesquii, and thrives under similar treatment. It has stood 22 degs. Of frost without suffering, requiring only protection from rain inwinter. In North America it forms large, spreading masses on gravellyhillsides, and is much dreaded by travellers, and especially by horses;there it is usually covered with snow from Christmas to the followingMay. 

O. Monacantha (one-spined). --A tall, robust plant, not unlike O. Dillenii in general habit. It has flat, large joints, oblong or ovate inoutline, rather thinly compressed, and bearing grey cushions over 1 in. Apart, with a solitary spine, 1½ in. Long, springing from the centre ofeach cushion, and pointing downwards. Flowers sulphur-yellow, 2½ in. Across, borne on the last-ripened joints in May, and abundant onwell-grown plants. Fruits ovate, 2 in. Long, green, with tufts of short, brown bristles; pulp edible. The species is a native of Brazil, but isnow common in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is afree-growing kind, soon forming a large specimen if planted in a bed ofold brick-rubble, or other light, well-drained soil, and kept in warmgreenhouse temperature. 

O. Nigricans (blackish); Bot. Mag. 1557. --Stem stout, erect, becominghard and woody when old. Joints flat, oval in outline, 5 in. To 8 in. Long. Cushions 1½ in. Apart, composed of short reddish-brown bristles and twoor three long stout spines, which are yellow when young, but almostblack when ripe. Flowers produced on the young, ripened joints, orange-red, about 3 in. Across and developed in August and September. Fruit pear-shaped, rich crimson when ripe. Introduced from Brazil in1795. This well-marked species thrives in a warm greenhouse. It branchesfreely, and has a healthy aspect at all times. It is represented at Kewby very large specimens; one of them, which was recently cut down, had astem 12 ft. High and an enormous head of dark, green joints. Its head wasplanted as a cutting. 

O. Occidentalis (Western). --Stem stout, woody, with innumerablebranches, wide-spreading, often bent to the ground. Joints 9 in. To 12 in. Long by about 6 in. Broad, flattened, as many as 100 on one plant. Cushions nearly 2 in. Apart, with small, closely-set bristles andstraight spines from ½ in. To l½ in. Long. Flowers produced in June on theripened joints, nearly 4 in. In diameter, orange-yellow. Fruit 2 in. Long, "very juicy, but of a sour and disagreeable taste. " This is anexceptionally fine plant when allowed sufficient space to develop itsenormous branches and joints; it is a native of the Western slopes ofthe Californian mountains. It should be planted in a bed of rough, stonysoil, in a dry greenhouse. Possibly it is hardy, but it does not appearto have been grown out of doors in England. 

O. Parmentieri (Parmentier's). --Stem erect. Joints cylindrical, "likelittle cucumbers. " Cushions about 1 in. Apart, arranged in spiral rows, and composed of short, reddish bristles, with two or threestraw-coloured spines, 1 in. Long. Flowers reddish, small. The plant is anative of Paraguay, and is rarely heard of in cultivation. It requiresstove treatment. 

O. Parryi (Parry's). --Stem short. Joints club-shaped, 4 in. To 6 in. Long, very spiny, the cushions elevated on ridge-like tubercles. Bristles few, coarse, and long. Spines very numerous, varying in lengthfrom ¼ in. To 1½ in. ; central one in each cushion much the broadest, andflattened like a knife-blade, the others being more or less triangular. Flowers yellowish-green, on the terminal joints, which are clothed withstar-shaped clusters of bristle-like spines, the flowers springing fromthe apex of the joint, and measuring 1½ in. Across. A native of Mexico, where it grows on gravelly plains. This distinct plant is in cultivationat Kew, in a warm greenhouse, but it has not yet flowered. 

O. Rafinesquii (Rafinesque's); Fig. 84. --A low, prostrate, spreadingplant, seldom exceeding 1 ft. In height, the main branches keeping alongthe ground, the younger ones being erect. The latter are composed offlat, obovate joints, 4 in. To 5 in. Long by 3 in. In width, fresh green incolour; spines very few, mostly only on the upper edge of the last-madejoints, single, or sometimes two or three from each spine-cushion, 1 in. Long, straight, whitish, soon falling off; cushion composed of very finereddish bristles and whitish wool; leaves very small, falling early. Thebranches become cylindrical and woody with age. Flowers 2 in. To 4 in. Indiameter, bright sulphur-yellow, with a reddish tint in the centre; inform they are like a shallow cup, the numerous stamens occupying themiddle. They are produced in great abundance on the margins of theyoungest joints, as many as fifty open flowers having been counted on asingle specimen at one time. Fruit pear-shaped, 1½ in. To 2 in. Long, naked, edible, somewhat acid and sweetish. The flowering season is fromJuly to September; the native country, Wisconsin to Kentucky, andwestward to Arkansas and Missouri. This species, introduced about twentyyears ago, has only recently been brought prominently before Englishgardeners. It is a very ornamental and interesting plant for outdoorcultivation, and when once established gives no trouble. For the firstyear or two after planting it requires watching, as, until the basaljoints harden and become woody, they are liable to rot in wet weather. Alarge-flowered form, known as grandiflora, is cultivated in Americangardens. 

[Illustration: FIG. 84. OPUNTIA RAFINESQUII. ]

O. Rosea (rose-coloured); Fig. 85. --Stem erect, branching freely. Joints varying in length from 2 in. To 6 in. , not flattened, withridge-like tubercles, bearing on their points small cushions of veryfine bristles and tufts of pale yellowish spines about ½ in. Long, andall pointing upwards. Flowers on the ends of the ripened growths of theyear, usually clustered, 2 in. Across, bright rose-coloured; they aredeveloped in June. A rare species from Brazil, and one which, as theillustration shows, is both distinct and handsome enough to be classedamongst the most select. It requires a stove temperature. 

[Illustration: FIG. 85. OPUNTIA ROSEA. ]

O. Salmiana (Prince Salm-Dyck's). --Stem erect, branching freely, thebranches at right angles to the stem. Joints from 1 in. To 6 in. Long, cylindrical, smooth, ½ in. In diameter, clothed with small cushions ofsoft, short bristles, and one or two longish spines. Flowers produced inSeptember, 2 in. Across, yellow, streaked with red, of short duration. Fruit egg-shaped, 1 in. Long, crimson. This species is a native ofBrazil, whence it was introduced in 1850. It requires to be grown in anintermediate house. It is a charming little Cactus, and quiteexceptional among Opuntias in the colour and abundance of its flowers, and in the rich colour of its numerous fruits, which usually remain onthe plant several months. The plant, too, has the merit of keeping dwarfand compact. The small joints separate very easily from the branches, and every one of them will root and grow into a plant. There issomething very remarkable in the development of the fruits of this kind. A small branch, or joint, grows to its full length, and a flower-budappears in the apex. If examined at this stage, it will be seen that theovary occupies only a very shallow cavity in the top of the branch. After flowering, this ovary grows into the branch, and ultimately thewhole branch is transformed into a pulpy fruit, with the seeds scatteredall through the pulp. This peculiarity is well shown in O. Salmiana, andthe development of the fruit can be very easily watched. Many of thesmall branches do not flower, although they change to a red colour likethe fruits. 

O. Spinosissima (very spiny). --Stem erect, woody. Joints very flat andthin, deep green, ovate or rotund, from 6 in. To 1 ft. Long. Cushions 1 in. Apart. Bristles very short. Spines in clusters of about five, thelongest 2 in. In length, brownish-yellow. Flowers reddish-orange, small, usually only 2 in. Across, produced in June. A native of South America;naturalised in many parts of the Old World. The stem becomes cylindricalwith age, and sometimes is devoid of branches for about 5 ft. From theground. The plant requires stove treatment. Probably this kind is only aform of O. Tuna. 

O. Subulata (awl-shaped). --Stem erect, cylindrical, even below, channelled and tubercled above, about 2 in. In diameter. Joints long andbranch-like, with tufts of short, white hair on the apices of thetubercles, and one or two white, needle-like spines from ½ in. To 1 in. Long. At the base of each tuft, from the apex to 1 ft. Or more down theyounger branches, there is a fleshy, green, awl-shaped leaf, from 2 in. To 5 in. Long. Ultimately the leaves and spines fall away, the tuberclesare levelled down, and the mature stem is regular and cylindrical, withtufts of white setae scattered over it. Flowers small, produced inspring; sepals 2 in. Long, green, deciduous; petals small, dull purple, usually about eight in each flower. Fruit pear-shaped, 4 in. Long; seedsvery large, nearly ½ in. Long and wide. This handsome South Americanspecies was the subject of an interesting communication to theGardeners' Chronicle, in 1884, from Dr. Engelmann. It had previouslybeen known as a Pereskia from the fact of its leaves being persistentand very large. In its leaves, flowers, and seeds, O. Subulata is one ofthe most interesting of the genus. It is easily grown in a warmgreenhouse, and deserves a place in all collections of Cactuses. 

O. Tuna (native name); Fig. 86. --An erect-stemmed, flat-jointed, robust-growing species. Joints ovate, 4 in. To 9 in. Long, with cushions1 in. Apart, composed of short, fulvous bristles, and several long, needle-shaped, unequal, yellowish spines. Flowers borne on the upperedges of the last-ripened joints, 3 in. Across, reddish-orange, producedin July. Fruit rich carmine, about 3 in. Long, pear-shaped. The plant isa native of the West Indies, &c. , and was introduced in 1731. It hasalready been stated, under O. Spinosissima, that there is a closesimilarity between that species and O. Tuna. We suspect, also, that O. Nigricans is another near relation of these two. They are much alike inall characters, and they require the same treatment. O. Tuna has beenseen as much as 20 ft. In height. 

[Illustration: FIG. 86. OPUNTIA TUNA. ]

O. Tunicata (coated-spined). --Stem sub-erect, cylindrical. Jointsclub-shaped, variable in length, about 2 in. In diameter. When young thesurface is broken up into numerous oblong tubercles, each bearing asmall cushion of whitish, short hairs, and about half a dozen whitespines, unequal in length, the longest stout, and inclosed in a hardsheath, which becomes broken and ragged when old. Flowers not known. Anative of Mexico, and introduced in 1840. It requires stove treatment. 

O. Vulgaris (common); Bot. Mag. 2393. --A low, prostrate, spreadingplant. Joints short, oval, flattened, thicker than in O. Missouriensis, 3 in. Long by about 2 in. Broad. Spine-cushions ¾ in. Apart; tufts verysmall, with, occasionally, a long spine. Leaves fleshy, very small. Flowers 2 in. Across, pale sulphur-yellow. Fruits nearly smooth, 1½ in. Long, brown when ripe, with a strong disagreeable odour. The flowers areproduced freely in June. The plant grows wild in Mexico, and extends upto New York, usually near the coast. It is now common in many parts ofEurope, where it has become naturalised. In Madeira it has takenpossession of all waste land, and is perfectly at home there. In Englandit was cultivated by Gerard nearly 300 years ago. It grows rapidly ifplanted in stony soil, in a position exposed to full sunshine, where itwill creep along the ground, and root all along its stems, which rarelyget elevated more than 6 in. From the ground. This species and O. Ficus-indica are confused by some authors, owing, no doubt, to the nameO. Vulgaris having been given by a botanist to the latter, which is amuch larger and very different-looking plant. O. Vulgaris is capable ofwithstanding our winters out of doors. 

O. Whipplei (Captain Whipple's). --Stem usually prostrate, with slender, elongated branches, which are cylindrical when old, broken up into shortjoints when young. Joints varying in length from 2 in. To 1 ft. , less than1 in. In diameter. Cushions small, round. Spines white, variable innumber, and arranged in tufts on the ends of the tubercles, one being1 in. Long, the others shorter. Flowers nearly 2 in. In diameter, red, borne in a cluster on the ends of the last-ripened joints in June. Fruit1 in. Long, with a cavity in the top. A compact, Mexican species, withcrowded branches, and very free-flowering. It requires stove treatment. O. Whipplei is related to O. Arborescens, from which, however, it iseasily distinguished by the latter having a stout central spine andnumerous radiating ones. 

Of the 150 species of Opuntia known, about one-third have been selectedfor description here, and amongst these will be found all thebest-marked kinds in the genus, and most of those of which we have anyknowledge. Botanists find good specific characters in the size andstructure of the seeds, in the character of the fruits, &c. ; but forhorticultural purposes these are of little or no value. 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE GENUS PERESKIA. 

(Named in honour of Nicholas F. Peresk, a botanist of Provence. )

The thirteen species included in the genus Pereskia differ so markedlyfrom all other kinds of Cactus, that at first sight one can scarcelybelieve they are true Cactuses, closely related to Cereus andEpiphyllum. They have erect or trailing stems and branches, and usuallyform dense, large bushes; the branches are woody and thin, and bearlarge, laurel-like leaves, which remain on the plants several years--sothat they may be termed evergreen. They have, however, thespine-cushions, the tufts of woolly hair and stout spines, and thefloral characters which distinguish Cactuses from other plants; they arealso succulent, the leaves and young branches being soft and fleshy. They appear to have the same peculiar provision for enabling them tobear long periods of drought without suffering that characterises themore familiar forms of Cactuses. The development of the spines in thisgenus is different from what takes place in all other spiny plants ofthis order. In the latter the spines are stoutest and most numerous onthe younger parts of the plant, the older or woody parts being eitherspineless, through having cast them, or much less spiny than when theywere younger. Thus, in Opuntia we find few or no spines on the old partsof the stems of even such species as O. Horrida, O. Nigricans, &c. InEchinocactus, too, the spines about the base of old plants are muchfewer, if not entirely cast off, than on the upper part. In Pereskia thecontrary is the case. Taking P. Aculeata as an example, this is bestknown in gardens as having branches about as thick as a goose-quill, with ovate leaves, at the base of which there is a pair of curvedspines, ¼ in. Long, and shaped like cats' claws. But this plant when itgets old has a stem 3 in. In diameter, and clothed down to the groundwith cushions of spines fixed firmly in the bark, each cushion composedof from twenty to fifty spines, and each spine 1 in. Or more in length. From two to six new spines are developed in the centre of each healthycushion annually. It would be absolutely impossible for any animal toclimb an old stem of a Pereskia. In P. Bleo the spines are 2 in. Long, and the cushions are much larger. 

The flowers of Pereskias are borne singly or in panicles, at the ends ofthe young, ripened branches. In shape, each flower may be compared to asingle Rose, the petals being flat and spreading, and the numerousstamens forming a compact cluster in the centre. The stigma is erect, and divided at the top into four or more rays. The fruit is a berryshaped like a Gooseberry, and covered with minute clusters of shortbristles. 

All the species are found in tropical America and the West Indies. 

Cultivation. --Although several of the kinds of Pereskia aresufficiently ornamental to be deserving of a place in gardens asflowering plants, yet they are rarely cultivated--in England, at least--for any other purpose than that of forming stocks upon whichEpiphyllums and other Cacti are grafted. Only two species are used, viz. , P. Aculeata and P. Bleo, the former being much the more popular ofthe two; whilst P. Bleo, on account of the stoutness of its stems, isemployed for only the most robust kinds of grafts. 

Propagation. --Both the above-named species may be propagated to anyextent, as every bit of branch with a leaf and eye attached is capableof rooting and soon forming a stock. The practice among those who usePereskias as stocks for Epiphyllums is as follows: Cuttings of P. Aculeata are planted in sandy soil, in boxes, and placed on a shelf in astove till rooted. In about a month they are ready to be planted singlyin 3 in. Pots, any light soil being used; and each plant is fastened to astake 1 ft. Long. They are kept in a warm, moist house, all lateralshoots being cut away, and the leader encouraged to grow as tall aspossible in the year. From December the plants are kept dry to inducethe wood to ripen, preparatory to their being used for grafting inFebruary. Stocks 9 in. Or 1 ft. High are thus formed. If taller stocks arerequired, the plants must be grown on till of the required length andfirmness. Large plants may be trained against a wall or along therafters in a warm house; and when of the required size, the branches maybe spurred back, and Epiphyllums, slender Cereuses, and similar plants, grafted upon them. In this way very fine masses of the latter may beobtained in much less time than if they were grown from small plants. 

SPECIES. 

P. Aculeata (prickly); West Indian or Barbados Gooseberry. --Stem woody, more or less erect, branching freely, and forming a dense bush about6 ft. High. Young branches leafy; old ones brown, leafless, clothed withlarge cushions of long, stout, brown spines, sometimes 2 in. In length. Leaves alternate, with very short petioles, at the base of which is apair of short spines, and a small tuft of wool in the axil; blade 3 in. Long by 2 in. Broad, soft, fleshy, shining green. Flowerssemi-transparent, white, in terminal panicles; sepals and petals ¾ in. Long by ¼ in. Wide; stamens in a large, spreading cluster, white, withyellow anthers. Ovary covered with small cushions of short bristles, with sometimes a solitary spine in the centre of each cushion. Fruit1 in. Long, egg-shaped, red, edible. There is a large plant of this inthe Succulent House at Kew which flowers almost annually, but it hasnever ripened fruits. In the West Indies it is a very common shrub, whilst at the Cape of Good Hope it is used for fences--and a capitalone it makes. 

P. A. Rubescens (reddish). --This variety has narrower, longer leaves, which are glaucous-green above and tinged with red below; the spines onthe old stems are shorter and more numerous in each cushion. Thisrequires the same treatment as the type. 

P. Bleo (native name); Fig. 87. --A stout, branching shrub, having anerect stem, 3 in. Or more in diameter, with green bark and very largecushions of spines; cushion a round, hard mass of short, woolly hair, from which the spines--about fifty in each cushion--radiate in alldirections; longest spines 2 in. Or more in length; one or two new onesare developed annually, and these are bright red when young, almostblack when ripe; young branches ¼ in. To ½ in. In diameter. Leaves ½ in. Apart, 3 in. To 6 in. Long by 1 in. To 2 in. Wide, oblong, pointed, withshort petioles, and a small tuft of short, brown hair, with three ormore reddish spines, in the axil of each. Flowers on the ends of theyoung, ripened branches, clustered in the upper leaf-axils, each flower2 in. Across, and composed of a regular circle of rosy-red petals, with acluster of whitish stamens in the centre. They remain on the plantseveral weeks. Native of New Grenada. Probably P. Grandiflora is thesame as this, or a slightly different form of it. A large specimen maybe obtained in a year or two by planting it in a well-drained bed ofloam, in a warm, sunny house. It blossoms almost all summer if allowedto make strong growth. Pretty little flowering plants may be had bytaking ripened growths from an old plant, and treating them as cuttingstill rooted. In the following spring they are almost certain to produceflowers. Plants 1 ft. High, bearing a cluster of flowers, are thusannually obtained at Kew. Fig. 87 represents a short, stunted branch, probably from a specimen grown in a pot. When planted out, the leavesand spine-cushions are farther apart. 

[Illustration: FIG. 87. PERESKIA BLEO. ]

P. Zinniaeflora (Zinnia-flowered); Fig. 88. --Stem erect, woody, branching freely, the branches bearing oval, acuminate, fleshy, wavy-edged, green leaves, with short petioles, and a pair of spines inthe axil of each. Spine-cushions on old stems crowded with stout, brownspines. Flowers rosy-red, terminal on the ripened young shoots, andcomposed of a whorl of broad, overlapping petals, with a cluster ofstamens in the centre, the whole measuring nearly 2 in. Across. Thisspecies is a native of Mexico; it grows and flowers freely if kept in awarm house. 

[Illustration: FIG. 88. PERESKIA ZINNIAEFLORA. ]

CHAPTER XVI. 

THE GENUS RHIPSALIS. 

(From rhips, a willow-branch; referring to the flexible, wand-likebranches of some of the kinds. )

About thirty species of Rhipsalis are known, most of them more peculiarthan ornamental, although everyone is in some way interesting. They areremarkable for the great variety in form and habit presented by thedifferent kinds, some of them much less resembling Cactuses than otherplants. Thus, in R. Cassytha, the long, fleshy, whip-like branches andwhite berries are very similar to Mistletoe; R. Salicornoides, with itsleafless, knotty branches, resembles a Salicornia, or Marsh Samphire;another is like a Mesembryanthemum; and so on. The flowers are usuallysmall, and composed of numerous linear sepals and petals, arranged moreor less like a star, with a cluster of thin stamens in the centre, andan erect, rayed stigma. In the flat-jointed kinds, the flowers aredeveloped singly, in notches along the margins of the young, ripenedjoints; in the knotted, Samphire-like kinds, they are borne on the endsof the branches; and in those with short, fleshy, leaf-like joints, theyare usually placed on what appear to be flower-joints. Although thebranches of these plants are usually altogether unlike the rest of theOrder, yet occasionally they develop joints which are furrowed, and bearclusters of spines exactly as in the commoner forms of Cactuses. 

The geographical distribution of Rhipsalis is exceptional. It is theonly genus of Cactuses that has representatives in the Old World, excluding, of course, those which have been introduced by man. The bulkof the kinds of Rhipsalis occur in Central and South America, and theWest Indies; but one--viz. , R. Cassytha--is also found in Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Ceylon, as well as in tropical America. Several other species are found in Madagascar, some of them only recentdiscoveries. The occurrence of similar or even identical plants intropical America and Madagascar has its analogy in the Animal Kingdom asrepresented in the two countries. 

Cultivation. --All the species appear to grow well and flower freelyunder cultivation, the slowest grower being, perhaps, R. Sarmentacea. Intheir natural homes they are invariably found either on trees or rocks, seldom or never on the ground; but in greenhouses they may be grown inpots, a few being happiest when suspended near the glass. They do notlike bright sunshine, nor should they be kept in a very shaded, moistposition. There is a good collection of kinds in the Succulent-house atKew. 

Propagation. --Seeds of Rhipsalis ripen freely, and these, if sown onsandy soil, and placed on a shelf in a warm house, germinate in a fewdays. The development of the seedlings is exceptionally interesting, asthe vegetative organs of all the kinds are very similar, andCactus-like; the gradual transition from this character to the diverseforms which many of the species assume when mature is quite phenomenal. Cuttings will strike at almost any time, if planted in sandy soil andkept in a close, warm house till rooted. Some of the kinds thrive bestwhen grafted on to a thin-stemmed Cereus. Treated in this way, R. Sarmentacea makes 6 in. Of growth in a season; whereas, on its own rootsit would take about five years to grow as much. 

The following is a selection of the species cultivated in gardens. Thegenus Lepismium is now included in Rhipsalis. 

SPECIES. 

R. Cassytha (derivation not known). --A pendent shrub, 4 ft. Or morehigh, growing on rocks and the mossy trunks of trees. Branches numerous, flexuous, with small branchlets or joints springing from the ends inclusters, smooth, round, the thickness of whipcord, leafless, withnumerous brown, dot-like marks scattered over the surface; under a lensthese dots are seen to be tufts of very fine hairs. Flowers on the sidesof the young branches, small, greenish-white, short-lived; they aredeveloped in September, and are succeeded by white berries, exactly likethose of the Mistletoe, whence the name Mistletoe Cactus, by which thisspecies is known. An interesting and easily-grown warm greenhouse plant, native of tropical America, Africa, &c. It was introduced in 1758. 

R. Commune (common); Bot. Mag. 3763. --Stem straggling, branchingfreely, growing to a length of several feet. Branches jointed; jointsvarying in length, triangular, the angles compressed, and notched alongthe margins; notches regular, and bearing tufts of whitish hair. Strongplants produce joints over 1 in. In width. Flowers white, tinged withpurple, springing singly from the notches, and composed of eight totwelve sepals and petals. Stamens and stigma erect, white, the latterfour-rayed. This species is a native of Brazil, and was introduced in1830; Flowering-season, October to December. It may be grown in a warmgreenhouse, and treated as a basket-plant or as a small pot-shrub. Syn. Lepismium commune. 

R. Crispata (curled). --Stem branching freely. Branches jointed andflat, like Epiphyllum. Margins of joints notched, and slightly curled. Flowers small, white, produced singly, in November and December, in thenotches on the younger joints. Fruits white, pea-like, rather rarelyripened. A free-growing, compact stove shrub, with a bright green, healthy appearance. The similarity of its branches to Epiphyllum led toits being included in that genus by Haworth. 

R. C. Purpurea (purple). --This variety has larger, broader joints, which are bronzy-purple in colour. 

R. Fasciculata (cluster-branched); Bot. Mag. 3079. --Stems terete, asthick as a goose-quill. Branches usually in clusters, and sometimesjointed, green, with small red dots and little tufts of fine, hair-likebristles. Flowers white, produced in March, springing irregularly fromthe older branches, small, star-like. Fruit a white berry. From itshabit of growing on trees, and the character of its stems and fruit, this plant has been called parasitical. It is, however, only indebted tothe tree on which is grows for moisture, for it thrives if planted in apot or basket in ordinary soil, and kept in a stove temperature. It is anative of Brazil, and was introduced in 1831. 

R. Floccosa (woolly). --Stems as in R. Cassytha, but thicker, longer, and with the branchlets in compact clusters on the ends of the long, arching branches. The dots marking the position of the microscopichair-tufts are in small depressions. Flowers and fruit as in R. Cassytha, of which this might reasonably be called a variety. Thisspecies requires warm-house temperature. 

R. Funalis (cord-like); Fig. 89. --Stem straggling, branched. Branchesnumerous, composed of long, terete joints, rather thicker than agoose-quill, glaucous-green, slightly roughened on the surface, withdepressions for the dot-like cushions. Branchlets usually fascicled andspreading. Flowers white, produced in spring, on the sides of the youngjoints, 1 in. Across, large for the genus. Introduced from CentralAmerica about 1830. An easily-grown plant, sturdy, rather straggling, but very free-flowering. In old specimens the branches becomesemi-pendulous. It grows best when kept in a warm house. Syn. R. Grandiflora. 

[Illustration: FIG. 89. RHIPSALIS FUNALIS. ]

R. Houlletii (Houllet's); Bot. Mag. 6089. --Stems long, graceful, branching freely, round and twig-like, or with broad wings, as inPhyllocactus. Winged or flattened portions notched, and bearing a flowerin each notch. Flowers stalkless, with pointed, straw-coloured petals, forming a shallow cup about ¾ in. Across the top. Stamens and pistilwhite, with a tinge of red at the base. Flowering-season, November. Under cultivation, this Brazilian species forms a small, stragglingshrub, about 3 ft. High, but in its native woods its stems are many feetlong, and pendulous from the branches of trees. It may be grown in awarm house, in a pot, and its branches supported by a stake; or itslower stems may be fastened against a piece of soft fern-stem, intowhich its numerous stem-roots penetrate freely. In the winter it shouldbe kept almost dry. The flowers remain fresh for several days, and arefragrant. A well-grown plant, when in flower, is an interesting andpretty object. It is the most ornamental kind. 

R. Knightii (Knight's). --Stems and joints as in R. Commune. Wings ofjoints usually broad, with red margins, and the hair in the notches in adense tuft, nearly 1 in. Long, pure white, and silk-like. Flowers small, white. This species, which thrives best under warm-house treatment, is anative of Brazil, and is usually grown only for its curious, Cereus-likestems. It forms a straggling plant about 1 ft. High. Syn. LepismiumKnightii, Cereus Knightii. 

R. Mesembryanthemoides (Mesembryanthemum-like); Bot. Mag. 3O78. --Asmall, compact plant, with woody stems, densely covered with littlefleshy, conical joints, resembling very closely the leaves of some ofthe Mesembryanthemums. They are green, with a few red dots, each bearinga very small tuft of the finest hair-like spines. The flowers aredeveloped in March, from the sides of the small joints; they are ½ in. Across, and yellowish-white. Fruit a small, white, round berry. Nativeof South America, whence it was introduced in 1831. When grown in a warmhouse, in a small, round, wire basket, filled with peat and sphagnum, this little Cactus forms a pretty tuft, which in the spring produceslarge numbers of white, star-like flowers. 

R. Myosurus (mouse-tailed); Bot. Mag. 3755. --Stems dependent, severalfeet long, branching freely, jointed, with three or four angles orwings; the angles flattened, reddish, notched in the margin, and bearinga tuft of white, silky hairs in each notch. Flowers small, yellow, tinged with red, springing from the notches; produced in July. Fruit notseen. A native of Brazil; introduced in 1839. This species resemblessome of the angular-stemmed kinds of Cereus. It grows freely and flowersannually, if planted in a basket of fibrous soil, and suspended near theglass in a warm greenhouse or stove. It is attractive even when not inflower, owing to the form of its stems and the tufts of long, silky, white hair which spring from the notches. Syn. Lepismium myosurus. 

R. Pachyptera (thick-winged); Bot. Mag. 2820. --Stem woody; branchesjointed, flattened as in Phyllocactus, with deep notches; width ofjoints, 2 in. Or more. Flowers small, yellowish-white, borne singly inthe notches in November. Fruit a small, white berry, rarely ripened. Asturdy, comparatively uninteresting stove plant, introduced from Brazilin 1830. Syn. Cactus alatus. 

R. Paradoxa (paradoxical). --Stems trailing, with numerous long branchesof most extraordinary form. Imagine a three-angled, fleshy branch, oftenseveral feet in length, the angles winged, about ½ in. Deep, green, withsmooth, reddish margins. At intervals of about 2 in. The branch has theappearance of having been twisted half round. There is no other plantwith branches anything like these. Flowers produced in November, in theapex of the interrupted angles, small, white. Fruit seldom ripened. Anative of Brazil, whence it was introduced in 1837. There is a fineexample of this trained along a rafter in the Succulent-house at Kew. The numerous branches hang down several feet from the rafter, and have amost extraordinary appearance. This species requires stove treatment. 

R. Penduliflora (pendulous-flowered). --A small, thin-stemmed plant, with smooth, green branches, no thicker than whipcord, and numerousfascicled or clustered, small joints, ½ in. Long, green, with red dots, angular when young. Flowers on the tips of the terminal joints, paleyellow, ½ in. Across, developing in August. Fruit white, Mistletoe-like. This species was introduced from tropical America in 1877, and requiresstove treatment. 

R. P. Laxa (loose). --This variety has the branches curving, and morependulous; in other respects it resembles the type, and requires thesame treatment. 

R. Pentaptera (five-winged). --Stems erect; branches stiff, long-jointed, with five wing-like angles, slightly spiral, the anglesnotched at intervals of 1 in. Flowers in the notches, ½ in. Across, white, produced in August. Fruit a white, Mistletoe-like berry. A curious plantfrom Brazil, and introduced in 1836. In stove temperature it forms acompact pot-shrub, 2 ft. High, and is worth growing on account of itssingular stems. 

R. Rhombea (diamond-branched). --Stems and branches as in R. Crispata, but without the wavy margins, and with more elongated joints. Flowerssmall, white, produced in the notches of the joints in November. Fruit ashining, milk-white berry. A compact plant from Brazil, worth growingfor its bright green, leaf-like stems. It should be grown in pots, instove temperature, and encouraged to form a globose bush. 

R. Saglionis (Saglio's); Bot. Mag. 4039. --A tiny plant, similar inhabit to R. Penduliflora, but with brown branches, the small jointsangled, and bearing silky hairs. The branches and joints are set atzigzag angles. Flowers pale yellow, produced in autumn on the youngerjoints. Fruits white, Mistletoe-like. A small, delicate plant fromBuenos Ayres, not more than 6 in. High. This species requires stovetreatment. 

R. Salicornoides (Glasswort-like); Bot. Mag. 2461. --Stem woody whenold, brown, jointed like hens' toes, not quite as thick as agoose-quill. Branches in clusters; joints ½ in. To 1 in. Long, the lowerhalf much thinner than the upper, so that the joints look like a numberof superposed, miniature clubs. Flowers pretty, on the ends of theterminal joints, yellow, becoming red with age. An erect plant, 3 ft. Ormore high, introduced from Brazil in 1830. The joints are clustered onthe upper part of the stem. When in flower in spring this is anattractive and very remarkable-looking plant. It thrives best in stovetemperature. 

R. S. Stricta (straight). --This variety has the joints all pointingupwards, and is much more compact than the type. 

R. Sarmentacea (runner-stemmed); Fig. 90. --A creeping, prostrate plant, with round stems as thick as a goose-quill, and attaching themselves totree-trunks or other bodies by means of numerous adventitious roots, which spring from the under side of the stems. Surface of stem furrowed, and covered with numerous small clusters of short, hair-like, whitishspines. Flowers 1 in. Across, springing from the sides of the stems, withpointed, creamy-white petals; stamens spreading; stigma erect, four-lobed. Fruit small, currant-like. This is a pretty little species, introduced from Brazil in 1858; it is, however, a very slow grower, plants ten years old being only a few inches in diameter. It should begrown in stove temperature, in a basket of peat fibre, or, better still, on a piece of soft fern-stem. It is always found on the branches ortrunks of trees when growing wild. 

[Illustration: FIG. 90. RHIPSALIS SARMENTACEA. ]

R. Swartziana (Swartz's). --Older stems three-angled, young onesflattened, jointed; joints 2 in. Broad, stiff with deep notches. Flowersin the notches, small, white, produced in June. This species is a nativeof Jamaica, and was introduced in 1810. A stiff, ungraceful plant, about2 ft. High, very similar in its branches to a Phyllocactus. This speciesrequires the temperature of a stove. 

R. Trigona (triangular). --Habit straggling; branches usually in forks, ¼ in. In diameter, three-angled; angles wavy or slightly notched, grey-green. Flowers small, produced in spring in the notches of theangles, white. Fruit a white berry. A thin, Brazilian plant, not unlikea Lepismium, but without the silky hairs in the notches of the angles. This species also requires to be grown in stove temperature. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

TEMPERATURES. 

To enable growers to make a selection of species according to theaccommodation that can be afforded for Cactuses, all that are describedin this book are here classified in three groups: (1) Species whichthrive in a cool-house or frame; (2) Species which can only besuccessfully grown in a warm house or stove; and (3) Species which arehardy in the more favoured portions of the United Kingdom. 

COOL-HOUSE OR FRAME. 

Temperature: Summer, that of the open air. Temperature: Winter--day, 50 deg. To 60 deg. ; night, 40 deg. To 45 deg. 

Cereus Berlandieri. " Blankii. " caespitosus. " cirrhiferus. " ctenoides. " enneacanthus. " flagelliformis. " Leeanus. " leptacanthus. " multiplex. " paucispinus. " pentalophus. " polyacanthus. " procumbens. " reductus. Cereus speciosissimusEchinocactus brevihamatus " centeterius. " cinnabarinus. " Cummingii. " echidne. " Emoryi. " gibbosus. " hexaedrophorus. " Leeanus. " Mackieanus. " mamillarioides. " rhodophthalmus. " texensis. " uncinatus. Echinocactus viridescens. Echinopsis, all the kinds. Mamillaria atrata. " chlorantha. " dasyacantha. " elegans. " elephantidens. " elongata. " fissurata. " floribunda. " gracilis. " longimamma. " macromeris. " macrothele. " multiceps. " phellosperma. " Schelhasii. " Schiedeana. Mamillaria semperviva. " stella-aurata. " tuberculosa. " uncinata. " viridis. " Wildiana. " Zucchariniana. Opuntia arborescens. " aurantiaca. " corrugata. " cylindrica. " Davisii. " Engelmanni. " Ficus-indica. " hystricina. " macrorhiza " occidentalis. 

WARM-HOUSE OR STOVE. 

It is possible that some of those included in this division willeventually prove hardier than is at present supposed. Many of thespecies now classed as cool-house plants, and even some of those whichare hardy, were formerly grown in the stove. 

Temperature: Summer-day, 70 deg. To 90 deg. ; night, 65 deg. To 75 deg. Temperature: Winter-day, 60 deg. To 70 deg. ; night, 55 deg. To 60 deg. 

Cereus caerulescens. " extensus. " fulgidus. " giganteus. " grandiflorus. " Lemairii. " Macdonaldiae. " Mallisoni. " Napoleonis. " nycticalus. " peruvianus. " pleiogonus. " repandus. " serpentinus. " Royeni. " triangularis. " variabilis. Echinocactus concinnus. " coptonogonus. Echinocactus cornigerus. " corynodes. " cylindraceus. " Haynii. " horizonthalonis. " Le Contei. " longihamatus. " mamillosus. " multiflorus. " myriostigma. " obvallatus. " Ottonis. " pectiniferus. " polycephalus. " Pottsii. " scopa. " sinuatus. " tenuispinus. " turbiniformis. Echinocactus Visnaga. " Williamsii. " Wislizeni. Epiphyllum, all the kinds. Leuchtenbergia. Mamillaria, all not mentioned under "Cool-house Or Frame. "Melocactus, all the kinds. Opuntia, all not included under "Cool-house or Frame. "Pelecyphora. Pereskia, all the kinds. Phyllocactus, "Pilocereus, "Rhipsalis, "

OUTDOOR. 

The following may be grown out of doors in the more favoured parts ofEngland. For directions as to culture, see the chapter on Cultivation :--

Cereus Fendleri. Echinocactus Simpsoni. Mamillaria vivipara. Opuntia brachyarthra. Opuntia missouriensis. " Rafinesquii. " R. Arkansana. " vulgaris. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

DEALERS IN CACTUSES. 

The difficulty experienced by amateurs in procuring plants of many kindsof Cactus has suggested to us that a list of some of the principaldealers in these plants would prove of service to English growers. Sofar as we know, there is no nurseryman in England who makes a specialtyof Cactuses. Plants of such well-known genera as Epiphyllum, Phyllocactus, and Cereus in part, may be obtained in England, but for acollection of representative kinds we must perforce apply to Continentalnurserymen. The most reliable of these for Cactuses are:

GERMANY. 

Messrs. HAAGE & SCHMIDT, Erfurt. 

Herr F. A. HAAGE, Junior, Erfurt. 

Messrs. MÜLLER & SAUBER, Kassel, Hanover. 

Herr H. HILDMANN, Oranienburg, Brandenburg. 

Herr ERNST BERGE, Leipsic. 

FRANCE. 

M. EBERLE, Avenue de St. Ouen, 146, Paris. 

M. JAMIN, Rue Lafontaine, 42, à St. Ouen, Paris. 

BELGIUM. 

M. LOUIS DE SMET, Ledeberg, Ghent. 

M. BETTES, Borgerhont, Antwerp. 

M. F. VERMUELEN, Rue Van Peet, Antwerp. 

AMERICA. 

Mr. C. RUNGE, San Antonio, Texas. 

Messrs. REASONER BROTHERS, Florida. 

SPECIES INDEX

Species are listed alphabetically according to Watson's nomenclature. The name(s) that is more likely to be recognised by modern readers islisted in brackets. I have used Anderson's book--The Cactus Family(Timber Press, 2001)--as my main guide. Monographs by Craig and byPilbeam were invaluable in identifying 'Mamillarias'. 

* Plants illustrated in the text. 

 Cereus Berlandieri (Echinocereus berlandieri) * Cereus Blankii (Echinocereus berlandieri) * Cereus caerulescens (Cereus aethiops) Cereus caespitosus (Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. Caespitosus) * Cereus cirrhiferus (Echinocereus cinerascens) Cereus ctenoides (Echinocereus dasyacanthus) * Cereus enneacanthus (Echinocereus enneacanthus)* Cereus extensus (Selenicereus sp. ?) Cereus Fendleri (Echinocereus fendleri) Cereus flagelliformis (Aporocactus (Disocactus) flagelliformis) Cereus fulgidus (Gymnocalycium gibbosum) Cereus giganteus (Carnegiea gigantea) * Cereus grandiflorus (Selenicereus grandiflorus) Cereus Leeanus (Echinocereus polyacanthus) Cereus Lemairii (Hylocereus lemairei) Cereus leptacanthus (Echinocereus pentalophus)* Cereus Macdonaldiae (Selenicereus macdonaldiae) Cereus Mallisoni (X Helioporus smithii) Cereus multiplex (Echinopsis oxygona) * Cereus multiplex cristatus (Echinopsis oxygona fa. Cristata) * Cereus Napoleonis (Hylocereus trigonus) Cereus nycticalus (Selenicereus pteranthus) * Cereus paucispinus (Echinocereus coccineus ssp. Paucispinus) Cereus pentalophus (Echinocereus pentalophus) Cereus peruvianus (Cereus repandus) Cereus pleiogonus (Echinocereus sp. --no longer identifiable)* Cereus polyacanthus (Echinocereus polyacanthus) Cereus procumbens (Echinocereus pentalophus ssp. Procumbens) * Cereus reductus (Hybrid with Selenicereus sp. As one probable parent) Cereus repandus (Cereus repandus) * Cereus Royeni (Pilosocereus royenii) Cereus serpentinus (Peniocereus (Nyctocereus) serpentinus) * Cereus speciosissimus (Disocactus speciosus) Cereus triangularis (Hylocereus triangularis) Cereus variabilis (Acanthocereus tetragonus)

 Echinocactus brevihamatus (Parodia (Notocactus) alacriportana ssp. Brevihamata) Echinocactus centeterius (Eriosyce (Neoporteria) curvispina--possibly?) Echinocactus cinnabarinus (Echinopsis (Lobivia) cinnabarina) Echinocactus concinnus (Parodia (Notocactus) concinna) * Echinocactus coptonogonus (Stenocactus (Echinofossulocactus) coptonogonus) * Echinocactus cornigerus (Ferocactus latispinus) * Echinocactus corynodes (Parodia (Notocactus) sellowii) * Echinocactus crispatus (Stenocactus (Echinofossulocactus) crispatus) * Echinocactus Cummingii (Rebutia (Weingartia) neocummingii) Echinocactus cylindraceus (Ferocactus cyclindraceus (acanthodes)) Echinocactus echidne (Ferocactus echidne) Echinocactus Emoryi (Ferocactus emoryi) * Echinocactus gibbosus (Gymnocalycium gibbosus) Echinocactus Haynii (Matucana haynei) * Echinocactus hexaedrophorus (Thelocactus hexaedrophorus) * Echinocactus horizonthalonis (Echinocactus horizonthalonius) * Echinocactus Le Contei (Ferocactus cyclindraceus (acanthodes) ssp. Lecontei) * Echinocactus Leeanus (Gymnocalycium leeanum) Echinocactus longihamatus (Ferocactus hamatacanthus) * Echinocactus Mackieanus (Gymnocalycium mackieanum) Echinocactus mamillarioides (Eriosyce (Neoporteria) curvispina--possibly?) Echinocactus mamillosus (Echinopsis mamillosa) Echinocactus multiflorus (Gymnocalycium monvillei) Echinocactus myriostigma (Astrophytum myriostigma) * Echinocactus obvallatus (Stenocactus (Echinofossulocactus) obvallatus) * Echinocactus Ottonis (Parodia (Notocactus) ottonis) Echinocactus pectiniferus (probably Echinocereus pectinatus) Echinocactus polycephalus (Echinocactus polycephalus)* Echinocactus Pottsii (Ferocactus pottsii) Echinocactus rhodophthalmus (Thelocactus bicolor) Echinocactus scopa (Parodia (Notocactus) scopa) * Echinocactus scopa cristata (Parodia (Notocactus) scopa fa. Cristata) * Echinocactus Simpsonii (Pediocactus simpsonii) Echinocactus sinuatus (Ferocactus hamatacanthus ssp. Sinuatus) Echinocactus tenuispinus (Parodia (Notocactus) ottonis) Echinocactus texensis (Echinocactus texensis) * Echinocactus turbiniformis (Strombocactus disciformis) Echinocactus uncinatus (Sclerocactus uncinatus) * Echinocactus viridescens (Ferocactus viridescens) Echinocactus visnaga (Echinocactus platyacanthus) * Echinocactus Williamsii (Lophophora williamsii) Echinocactus Wislizenii (Ferocactus wislizenii) *

 Echinopsis campylacantha (Echinopsis leucantha) Echinopsis cristata (Echinopsis obrepanda) Echinopsis cristata purpurea (Echinopsis obrepanda v. Purprea) Echinopsis Decaisneanus (identification now uncertain) * Echinopsis Eyriesii (Echinopsis eyriesii) Echinopsis Eyriesii flore-pleno (Echinopsis eyriesii) * Echinopsis Eyriesii glauca (Echinopsis eyriesii) Echinopsis oxygonus (Echinopsis oxygona) Echinopsis Pentlandi (Echinopsis (Lobivia) pentlandii) * Echinopsis Pentlandi longispinus (Echinopsis (Lobivia) pentlandii) * Echinopsis tubiflorus (Echinopsis tubiflora)

 Epiphyllum Russellianum (Schlumbergera russelliana) * Epiphyllum truncatum (Schlumbergera truncata)

 Leuchtenbergia principis (Leuchtenbergia principis) *

 Mamillaria angularis (Mammillaria compressa) Mamillaria applanata (Mammillaria heyderi ssp. Hemisphaerica) Mamillaria atrata (Eriosyce (Neoporteria) subgibbosa) Mamillaria bicolor (Mammillaria geminispina) Mamillaria chlorantha (Escobaria deserti) Mamillaria cirrhifera (Mammillaria compressa) Mamillaria clava (Coryphantha clava) Mamillaria dasyacantha (Escobaria dasyacantha) Mamillaria discolor (Mammillaria discolor) Mamillaria dolichocentra (Mammillaria polythele) * Mamillaria echinata (Mammillaria elongata ssp. Echinaria) Mamillaria echinus (Coryphantha echinus) * Mamillaria elegans (Mammillaria haageana (elegans)) Mamillaria elephantidens (Coryphantha elephantidens) * Mamillaria elongata (Mammillaria elongata) Mamillaria fissurata (Ariocarpus fissuratus) * Mamillaria floribunda (Eriosyce (Neoporteria) subgibbosa) Mamillaria gracilis (Mammillaria vetula ssp. Gracilis) Mamillaria Grahami (Mammillaria grahamii) Mamillaria Haageana (Mammillaria haageana) * Mamillaria longimamma (Mammillaria longimamma) * Mamillaria macromeris (Coryphantha macromeris) * Mamillaria macrothele (Coryphantha octacantha) Mamillaria micromeris (Epithelantha micromeris) * Mamillaria multiceps (Mammillaria prolifera ssp. Texana) Mamillaria Neumanniana (Mammillaria magnimamma) Mamillaria Ottonis (Coryphantha ottonis) Mamillaria pectinata (Mammillaria pectinifera) * Mamillaria phellosperma (Mammillaria tetrancistra) Mamillaria pulchra (Mammillaria rhodantha) Mamillaria pusilla (Mammillaria prolifera) Mamillaria pycnacantha (Coryphantha pycnacantha) Mamillaria sanguinea (Mammillaria spinosissima) * Mamillaria Scheerii (Coryphantha poselgeriana) Mamillaria Schelhasii (Mammillaria crinita) * Mamillaria Schiedeana (Mammillaria schiedeana) Mamillaria semperviva (Mammillaria sempervivi) * Mamillaria senilis (Mammillaria senilis) Mamillaria stella-aurata (Mammillaria elongata) Mamillaria sub-polyhedra (Mammillaria polyedra) * Mamillaria sulcolanata (Coryphantha sulcolanata) Mamillaria tetracantha (Mammillaria polythele) Mamillaria tuberculosa (Escobaria tuberculosa) Mamillaria turbinata (Strombocactus disciformis ?) Mamillaria uncinata (Mammillaria uncinata) Mamillaria vetula (Mammillaria vetula) Mamillaria villifera (Mammillaria polyedra) Mamillaria viridis (Mammillaria karwinskiana) Mamillaria vivipara (Escobaria vivipara) Mamillaria vivipara v. Radiosa (Escobaria vivipara) * Mamillaria Wildiana (Mammillaria crinita ssp. Wildii) Mamillaria Wrightii (Mammillaria wrightii) Mamillaria Zucchariniana (Mammillaria magnimamma)

 Melocactus communis (Melocactus intortus) * Melocactus depressus (Melocactus violaceus) Melocactus Miquelii (Melocactus intortus) *

 Opuntia arborescens (Cylindropuntia imbricata) Opuntia arbuscula (Cylindropuntia arbuscula) Opuntia arenaria (Opuntia polyacantha v. Arenaria) Opuntia Auberi (Opuntia auberi) Opuntia aurantiaca (Opuntia aurantiaca) Opuntia basilaris (Opuntia basilaris) * Opuntia Bigelovii (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) Opuntia boliviana (Cumulopuntia boliviana) * Opuntia brachyarthra (Opuntia fragilis) * Opuntia braziliensis (Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis) Opuntia candelabriformis (Opuntia spinulifera) Opuntia clavata (Grusonia clavata) Opuntia cochinellifera (Opuntia cochenillifera) Opuntia corrugata (Tunilla corrugata) Opuntia curassavica (Opuntia curassavica) Opuntia cylindrica (Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica) Opuntia cylindrica cristata (Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica fa. Cristata) Opuntia Davisii (Cylindropuntia davisii) Opuntia decumana (Opuntia ficus-indica) Opuntia diademata (Tephrocactus articulatus) Opuntia Dillenii (Opuntia dillenii) * Opuntia echinocarpa (Cylindropuntia echinocarpa) Opuntia Emoryi (Grusonia emoryi) Opuntia Engelmanni (Opuntia engelmannii) Opuntia Ficus-indica (Opuntia ficus-indica) * Opuntia filipendula (Opuntia macrorhiza v. Pottsii) * Opuntia frutescens (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) Opuntia Grahami (Grusonia grahamii) Opuntia horrida (Opuntia tuna) Opuntia hystricina (Opuntia polyacantha v. Hystricina) Opuntia leptocaulis (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) Opuntia leucotricha (Opuntia leucotricha) Opuntia macrocentra (Opuntia macrocentra) Opuntia macrorhiza (Opuntia macrorhiza) * Opuntia microdasys (Opuntia microdasys) Opuntia missouriensis (Opuntia polyacantha) Opuntia monacantha (Opuntia monacantha) Opuntia nigricans (Opuntia elatior) Opuntia occidentalis (Opuntia X occidentalis) Opuntia Parmentieri (Opuntia longispina var. Brevispina?) Opuntia Parryi (Cylindropuntia californica) Opuntia Rafinesquii (Opuntia humifusa) * Opuntia rosea (Cylindropuntia rosea) * Opuntia Salmiana (Opuntia salmiana) Opuntia spinosissima (Consolea spinosissima) Opuntia subulata (Austrocylindropuntia subulata) Opuntia Tuna (Opuntia tuna) * Opuntia tunicata (Cylindropuntia tunicata) Opuntia vulgaris (Opuntia ficus-indica) Opuntia Whipplei (Cylindropuntia whipplei)

 Pelecyphora aselliformis (Pelecyphora aselliformis) *

 Pereskia aculeata (Pereskia aculeata) Pereskia aculeata rubescens (Pereskia aculeata) Pereskia Bleo (Pereskia bleo) * Pereskia zinniaeflora (Pereskia zinniiflora) *

 Phyllocactus Ackermannii (Disocactus ackermannii or hybrid) * Phyllocactus anguliger (Epiphyllum anguliger) * Phyllocactus biformis (Disocactus biformis) * Phyllocactus crenatus (Epiphyllum crenatum) Phyllocactus grandis (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) Phyllocactus Hookeri (Epiphyllum hookeri) Phyllocactus latifrons (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) Phyllocactus phyllanthus (Epiphyllum phyllanthus) Phyllocactus phyllanthoides (Disocactus phyllanthoides)

 Pilocereus Brünnonii (Oreocereus celsianus) * Pilocereus Houlletianus (Pilosocereus leucocephalus) * Pilocereus senilis (Cephalocereus senilis)

 Rhipsalis Cassytha (Rhipsalis baccifera) Rhipsalis commune (Lepismium cruciforme) Rhipsalis crispata (Rhipsalis crispata) Rhipsalis crispata purpurea (Rhipsalis crispata) Rhipsalis fasciculata (Rhipsalis baccifera) Rhipsalis floccosa (Rhipsalis floccosa) Rhipsalis funalis (Rhipsalis grandiflora) * Rhipsalis Houlletii (Lepismium houlletianum) Rhipsalis Knightii (Lepismium cruciforme) Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides (Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides) Rhipsalis myosurus (Lepismium cruciforme) Rhipsalis pachyptera (Rhipsalis pachyptera) Rhipsalis paradoxa (Rhipsalis paradoxa) Rhipsalis penduliflora (Rhipsalis cereuscula) Rhipsalis penduliflora laxa (Rhipsalis cereuscula) Rhipsalis pentaptera (Rhipsalis pentaptera) Rhipsalis rhombea (identification now uncertain) Rhipsalis Saglionis (Rhipsalis cereuscula) Rhipsalis salicornoides (Hatiora salicornioides) Rhipsalis salicornoides stricta (Hatiora salicornioides) Rhipsalis sarmentacea (Lepismium lumbricoides) * Rhipsalis Swartziana (Pseudorhipsalis alata) Rhipsalis trigona (Rhipsalis trigona)