hybrid: and, indeed, it is an extraordinary circumstance, 
that a phyllanthoid Cactus should bear flowers as large, 
and almost exactly like those of Cerrus spectosissimus. 1 
have referred to the present species, though, certainly, not 
without hesitation, the Cereus oxypetalus of De CanpoLiEe 
above quoted, and those who will be at the trouble of 
comparing the two will find many striking points of resem- 
blance ; added to which they are both from the same country, 
Almost the only difference is in the flowers of C. oxypetalus 
being less spreading, “ reddish-brown on the outside, and 
white within.” But when we consider that Professor Dz 
Canpo.te’s knowledge of the plant is solely derived from a 
Mexican drawing, we may be allowed to suppose that there 
probably exists some variation in the plant itself, or that the 
artist was not a faithful colourist. ‘The sharpness of the 
petals, especially in the state of the bud, is very remark- 
oe in both. With us it bears its magnificent flowers in 
une. 
Descr. Stems a foot and a half high, rounded at the 
base, and marked with little downy prominences, bearing 
a few short bristles; the branches singularly dilated and 
flattened, so as to be two inches to two inches and a half 
broad, and leaf-like, sinuato-lobed at the margin, desti- 
tute of prickles as of fascicles of hairs: in the centre 
is a costa projecting on both sides, and some oblique and 
broad lateral nerves. From a sinus of these branches, and 
generally from near the extremity, the flower-bud arises, 
which in a few days enlarges into the splendid blossom 
here represented. The tube is about two inches long, 
green, tinged with brown, bearing a few ovate, lax, mem- 
branous scales, soon passing into petals, of which the greater 
number are about four inches long, oblong, very acute, 
slightly waved, of a rich scarlet colour aud satiny lustre. 
Stamens numerous, declined, shorter than the petals : Fila- 
ments slender, greenish white at the base, the rest scarlet: 
Anther and pollen rose-colour. Style longer than the sta- 
mens : Stigma of seven linear, spreading rays. 
