16 



Illustrated London News has made England generally ac- 

 quainted, is situated near the centre of the house : it is the 

 gift of the latter gentleman, and sure we are that no collection 

 in Europe possesses a more remarkable specimen of this 

 extraordinary and grotesque family. The low platform on 

 the west end, is chiefly occupied by the Nopal or Opuntia- 

 tribe of Cactus, upon some or other of which, especially the 

 Opuntia cochinilifer, the Cochineal Insect is extensively 

 reared in Mexico ; the opposite side presents the different spe- 

 cies of Cereus, &c, ; while, on the broad shelf in front, stands 

 an immense variety of Melocactus and Echinocactus. Against 

 the front of this hothouse, in the open air, grow some fine 

 plants, attracting general attention, of the Black Tea (Thea 

 Bohea), the Green Tea (Thea viridis), and the Sasanqua 

 Tea (Camellia Sasanqua) : the latter being cultivated in 

 China solely for the sake of its flowers, which are said to 

 impart a peculiar fragrance and flavor, when mingled with 

 the foliage which affords the other kinds of Tea. 

 Nearly opposite to the east end of this house is 

 " No. 6. A Greenhouse, sixty feet long, chiefly occupied 

 by fine specimens of Cape of Good Hope and New Holland 

 plants ; among which are some noble Banksias." Of all the 



the Conservatory), that the space might be occupied with others of that 

 family, before whose magnitude even our hitherto Monster Cactus has 

 shrunk into comparative obscurity. The latter will not, however, escape 

 notice, and may be recognized by the name and inscription it bears, 

 -bchinocactusStainesn;' from San Luis, Potosi, presented by F. Staines, 

 £sq. ; weight 23o lbs." There may now be seen two other individuals of 

 the same species; one nearly the same size, with peculiarly red spines; the 

 other bearing pale spines, but considerably taller than any of those just 

 mentioned. j j 



The Monster, however, of the collection, though quite a different species, 

 and we may assert without disparagement to other Cactus collections, the 

 most astonishing plant of that tribe which has ever been sent from the New 

 r:' .y I 1 V 1 i ttt „ t0 whlch the name is att ached, " Echinocactus Viznaga, 

 weight 71d lbs." It would occupy too much space here, to detail the many 

 difficulties and obstacles which attended the uprooting of this gigantic plant, 

 and transporting it in a waggon, drawn by eight oxen, for a distance of 

 tnree hundred leagues, over mountains, and along the worst possible roads, 

 ere it reached the coast, whence it was shipped for Britain. The omission 

 01 this narrative, is the less to be regretted, since it is fully given in the 

 Gardeners Chronicle of March 1st, 1845. Suffice it to say, that this 

 Actiinocactus is a perfectly distinct species, and that Viznaga is an appel- 

 ation given to it, and other thorny Cactuses, by the Spaniards, from the use 

 io wnicn their numerous, strong, starry spines are applied. Viznaga, or 

 itS V S nam f - f ° r the s P in y ra y s of the um bels of Daucus (or 



2! Ir a ? a { and * means a toothpick; these Cactuses affording that 

 usetul Uttle article by wholesale, and without any artificial preparation. 



