" I received the plant from Mr. Parkinson from Mexico, 

 in 1838, and stuck it into a pot loosely filled with Tillandsia, 

 in which this plant and the Epiphytes which accompanied it 

 had been packed. It flourished so well in its temporary 

 abode, the roots clothing the inside of the pot, that I never 

 disturbed or planted it otherwise ; and this summer it flowered 

 for the first time. When growing it has received abundance 

 of water ; indeed I believe it stood in a pan always full. 

 When the leaves began to turn yellow, it was set on the floor 

 of the house and kept dry and cool for two months or more 

 till it showed flower. It has been grown close to the light, 

 in a stove of moderate temperature, not very damp. 



" Its spiny processes are excessively sharp and brittle, ren- 

 dering it almost dangerous to touch the plant ; and the leaves 

 when full grown are eighteen inches to two feet long, and 

 flexible, hanging about more loosely than those of most similar 

 plants." 



