NT "eT cem peser n mmm Um 
The species is a warm greenhouse plant, and should be 
potted in sandy loam and peat, mixed with potsherds, in order 
that superfluous water may pass off freely. During the sum- 
mer months an ample supply of water should be given, but in 
winter (like other Cactaceous plants) it should be kept dry 
for a few weeks. It may be abundantly multiplied from 
cuttings in the usual way. 
I must now apologize for having referred this plant to the 
genus Cereus. It is no doubt the type of a peculiar genus, 
and represents one of the appearances of its order, when the 
parts are reduced to the smallest denomination. In general, 
Indian figs are remarkable for the intermingled manner in 
which the parts of the flower are arranged, as well as for their 
large number ; it is only in the Rhipsalide that they assume 
a constant and definite proportion, and even then the sepals 
and petals are often distinguished with difficulty. Here, on 
the contrary, the number of sepals is constantly four, that of 
the petals the same; and there seems to be no disposition to 
vary from those proportions. For these reasons it seems to 
claim rank as a genus upon better grounds than the majority 
of those admitted by modern Botanists. It in fact connects 
the tribes of Phyllanthide and Rhipsalide, resembling the 
former in its general habit, large showy flowers, and many- 
seeded fruit; and claiming kindred with the latter by virtue 
of its equal-parted flowers, definite stamens, and permanent 
flowers, which shrivel up and cling to the end of the fruit 
when ripe. 
It has been well observed by Dr. Walpers ( Ztepertorium 
Botanices systematicæ, vol. 1. p. 269) that the confusion of 
species and names, in the order of Indian Figs is without a 
parallel, owing to the negligence or bad descriptions at once 
of writers, cultivators, and travellers, and that the so-called 
species are in many cases distinguished by characters of the 
most trifling nature. The first step to take in sweeping out 
this Augean stable is to limit the Genera by solid characters; 
a task which has been undertaken by the Prince of Salm 
Dyck, with more success than any one. As it will probably 
be agreeable to the readers of the Botanical Register to know 
what that arrangement is, the following brief abstract is taken 
from the work of Dr. Walpers. The details will be found in 
the Cacteæ in horto Dyckensi culte auctore Principe a Salm 
