** [ received the plant from Mr. Parkinson from Mexico, 
in 1838, and stuck it into a pot loosely filled with Tillandsia, 
in which this plant and the Epiphytes which accompanied it 
had been packed. It flourished so well in its temporary 
abode, the roots clothing the inside of the pot, that I never 
disturbed or planted it otherwise ; and this summer it flowered 
for the first time. When growing it has received abundance 
of water; indeed I believe it stood in a pan always full. 
When the leaves began to turn yellow, it was set on the floor 
of the house and kept dry and cool for two months or more 
till it showed flower. It has been grown close to the light, 
in a stove of moderate temperature, not very damp. 
“Its spiny processes are excessively sharp and brittle, ren- 
dering it almost dangerous to touch the plant; and the leaves 
when full grown are eighteen inches to two feet long, and 
flexible, hanging about more loosely than those of most similar 
plants." 
