ILLUSTRATED STUDIES IN THE GENUS OPUNTIA. 209 



variable but commonly 9 by 22 cm. for last yearns growth, gray green, 

 pubescent, velvety to the touch; areoles subcircular, usually 2 to 3 mm. 

 in diameter, very close to 1 cm. apart, slightly sunken; wool tawny, 

 prominent, aa long as spicules and occupjdng lower half of areole; 

 spicules reddish brown, about 1 mm. long, occupying upper half of areole, 

 easily separable and causing fully as much annoyance in handling as 

 those of 0. microdasys, in age often appearing dirty yellow in situ but 

 distinctly reddish brown when removed; strictly spineless; flowers yellow, 

 green outwardly, the leaves on ovary very long subulate and changing 

 gradually into the sepals which are very long subulate, dehcately pointed, 

 loosely arranged or often half recurved at apex, giving to the bud a rather 

 ragged appearance ; fruit red but both pulp and rind greenish, long obovate 

 to cylindrical, about 2 by 7 cm., with but few rather small seeds, about 3 

 mm. in diameter. 



This species has hitherto been confused with 0. microdasys, 

 from which it differs in shape and color of joints, general 

 aspect of plant and especially in the floral and fruit characters. 

 This species should not be confused with the brown spiculed 

 form of 0. microdasys. Such a form exists commonly in the 

 States of San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, Mexico, but it 

 differs in no other way from the more common yellow spiculed 

 form ranging from the Rio Grande region southward. 



The description is compiled from copious notes taken at 

 San Antonio, Texas, and Riverside, California, at various times 

 during the past five years. The name refers to the long 

 loosely arranged sepals which grade on the one hand almost 

 imperceptibly into the leaves on the upper part of the ovary 

 and on the other nearly as gradually into the inner perianth 



segments. 



The type is no. 8283 D. G., secured from the Albert S. 

 White Park, Riverside, California, May, 1906. Its origin is 

 not known but it is found commonly cultivated in collections 

 of cacti in the Southwest,— Plate 28, upper figure: com- 

 pare with the lower figure. 



Opuntia lucens sp. nov. 



A low prostrate species, usually about 3 or 4 dm. high; joints sub- 

 circular to obovate, variable in size, 1 by 1.5 dm. to often 2 dm. in longest 

 diameter, bright, glossy, yellowish green; areoles large, prominent, black, 

 variable, obovate, 4 to 10 mm. in longest diameter, 2 to 4 cm. apart; wool 

 tawny, turning black at maturity; spicules yellow, prominent, unequal; 



