NEOPORTERIA. 



95 



2. Neoporteria occulta (Philippi). 



Echinocactus occullus Philippi, Fl. Atac. 23. 1S60. 



Plants globular to short-cylindric, 5 to 8 cm. high, somewhat depressed at apex; ribs about 14, 

 obtuse, separated by acute intervals, strongly tubercled; tubercles somewhat rhombic in shape, 

 with a chin at the base; areoles 1.5 cm. apart, rather narrow and depressed; spines wanting or when 

 present 1 to 10, unequal, 1 to 4 cm. long, puberulent, blackish; flowers central, 2.5 cm. long but 

 5 cm. broad; outer perianth-segments spatulate, finely toothed near the apex; axils of the scales on 

 the flower-tube bristly; scales on the ovary woolly in their axils. 



Type locality: Seacoast from Copiapo to Cobre. 



Distribution: Provinces of Copiapo and Antofagasta, Chile. 



Schumann states that Philippi is not quite accurate in asserting that this species is 

 found along the beach, but that it comes from the foot-hills. 



Illustrations: Bliihende Kakteen 1: pi. 24; Monatsschr. Kakteenk. 11: 92, 93; Schu- 

 mann, Gesamtb. Kakteen Nachtr. f. 24, as Echinocactus occultus. 



Figure 104 is copied from the first illustration above cited. 









Fig. 103. Neoporteria nidus. 



Fig. 104. Neoporteria occulta. 



3. Neoporteria nigricans (Linke) . 



Echinopsis nigricans Linke, Allg. Gartenz. 25: 239. 1857. 



Echinocactus nigricans Dietrich in Schumann, Gesamtb. Kakteen 420. 1898. 



Simple, short-cylindric, somewhat narrow at base; ribs 15, strongly tuberculate, glaucous- 

 green, compressed; radial spines 8 or 9, somewhat curved, 7 mm. long; central spines 1 or 2, 1.2 cm. 

 long; flowers 4.5 to 5 cm. long, white or yellowish green; inner perianth -segments spreading, some- 

 what toothed above, acute; stigma-lobes reddish or purplish; scales on ovary and flower- tube acute, 

 bearing a few hairs or bristles in their axils. 



Type locality: Chile or Bolivia. 



Distribution : West coast of South America, doubtless Chile. 



According to Mr. Juan Sohrens, this plant is found in the mountains of northern Chile. 

 We know it only from description and the single illustration cited below. 



