stems with short ridge-like compressed tubercles and by the 
sheaths that cover their spines. It is the commonest 
member of the group to which it belongs in European 
gardens, and was first introduced to cultivation in the 
earlier years of the nineteenth century. In spite of this, 
however, it is a plant whose flowers, which are very 
attractive but which will only expand under the influence 
of direct sunshine and unfortunately do not last long, are 
not often seen in the United Kingdom. Sir Edmund Loder 
informs us that his example at Leonardslee has but seldom 
flowered ; when it did so in 1908 this happened during a 
time of very hot, sunny weather, and individual flowers 
only remained fully open during one afternoon, from about 
midday till sunset. 
Descriprion.—Shrub, 3—7 ft. or a small tree up to 15 ft. _ 
high, its trunk 5-10 in. thick with whorled spreading or — 
ascending branches; twigs 2-10 in. long, about 1 in. thick, 
cylindric, glaucous green, covered with compressed tubercular 
ribs #-15 in. long; leaves terete, spreading, 3-3 in. long; 
spine-bearing cushions depressed, shortly tomentose ; spines 
in clusters of 8-30, stellately spreading, 3-10 (rarely 12-15) 
lin. long, grey or tawny, closely sheath-clad, the inner 1-8 
longer than the others. lowers 2-3 in. across, bright 
purple. Ovary with 20-25 tubercles, sparingly leafy in the 
upper part; the cushions bearing numerous deciduous 
bristles, Sepals 8-13, obovate, obtuse or retuse, green with 
purple edges. Petals 10-12, in two rows, obtuse or retuse, 
shortly or very shortly apiculate, bright purple. Stamens 
very many; filaments purple; anthers yellow. Stiymas 
8-10, yellow. uit sub-globose or hemispheric, the to 
flat or depressed, about 1 in. across, yellow, tubercled but 
without spines. 
Fig. 1, cluster of spines; 2, stigmas :—both enlarged, 
