( 3691 ) 
Mertocactus pepressus. DEPRESSED 
MELOCACTUS. 
Class and Order. 
IcosanpriaA Monoeynia. 
( Nat. Ord.—Cacreaz. ) 
Generic Character. 
Calycis tubus ovario adherens, lobi 5—6 petaloidéi : fruc- 
tum juniorem coronantes. Petala totidem cum petalis in 
tubuim cylindraceum longe concreta. Stam. filiformia plu- 
riserialia. Stylus filiformis. Stigma 5-radiatum. Bacca 
levis calycis et corolla lobis marcescentibus coronata. 
Semina uidulantia. Cotyledones minime. D C. 
Specific Name and Character. 
Me xocactus depressus ; depresso-conicus basi multum latior 
profunde subdecem-angulatus, costis latis obtusius- 
culis, spinis 5—7 fasciculatis subulatis rectiusculis pal- 
lide fuscis basi lanuginosis, corona per-brevi lanugi- 
nosa, aculeis rubris. 
This is one of the few Cacrez which have rewarded 
Mr. Garpner’s researches in the vicinity of Pernambuco, 
and from whence a number of this species were sent to 
Woburn Abbey, and to the Glasgow Botanic Garden. The 
flower is at present unknown, probably it is small and red, 
like what we know of other Metocacti: but they had blos- 
somed freely previous to their having been embarked ; and, 
after their arrival copious seed-vessels were produced, long, 
and of a delicate transparent rose-colour, which, rising in 
a circle considerably above the crown of red aculei, present- 
ed an appearance perhaps more striking than the flowers 
themselves. 
Descr. 
