20 Cactacee of Baja California. [ZOE 
This is a very peculiar species of Cereus and differs much in ap- | 
pearance from nearly all others of the genus. The weak stems 
are no thicker than straws and are supported by the bushes 
amongst which they grow. The ashen color of the slender plants 
and its habit of growing amongst bushes almost conceal it from 
observation, and only when in flower or when the conspicuous fruit 
becomes scarlet is it likely to be noticed. The ribs are flat and 
broad and sometimes so close that apparently only a line of lighter 
green separates them. The spines are soft and the whole plant can 
be handled with impunity. The fruit is very large for the size of 
the stems, insipid to the taste and consists mostly of black seeds 
with very little pulp. The natives call it « Pitahayita” from the 
general resemblance of its flowers and fruit to C. gummosus, called 
** Pitahaya.’’ 
CEREUS GUMMosus Engelm. This species is abundant in the 
Cape Region and during September can be found bearing both 
flowers and fruit. The fruit is sessile, globular, 6-8 cm. in diam- 
eter. The 30-40 areole are armed with 10 or more short stout 
persistent spines. When ripe the fruit is bright scarlet and is 
eaten by the inhabitants of the region and is well known as_ 
“‘pitahaya acre.’’ Within it resembles in color the purple of a ripe 
watermelon with the small black seeds scattered throughout. It is 
Prepared for eating by cutting and peeling off the outer skin and 
thorns. The acid taste of the fruit is agreeable, and on the plants 
is retained a long time but the flavor is lost soon after picking. The 
seeds are 214 mm. long, Tugose, pitted, embryo very much hooked. — 
Cereus Scnorrn Engelm. About Todos Santos this species 
runs into some very peculiar forms; the tops of the stems differing 
in their spines in no respect from the lower part. At first they 
seemed like a different species but connecting forms abound. 3 
CrREus THURBERI Englem. Common in the southern part of 
the peninsula. The fruit is made into preserves and without sugar 
is extremely sweet, whence the common name of the species ‘* Pit-_ 
ahaya dulce.’’ oe 
Cereus Eruca Brandegee. Remains of old flowers with an 
abundance of ripe fruit were found on the mainland opposite Mag- 
dalina Island, and from them the following additions to the original _ 
description are made: The flowers are four or five inches long. © 
The fruit is about two inches in diameter. Somewhat spiny, 
