THE CEREUS. 



The night-flowering Cereus (Cactus grandi-florus,) is one 

 of our most splendid hot-house plants, and is a native of Ja- 

 maica and some other of the West India Islands. Its stem 

 is creeping, and thickly set with spines. The flower is white 

 and very large, sometimes nearly a foot in diameter. Its 

 petals are of a pure and dazzling white ; and a vast number 

 of recurved stamens, surrounding the style in the centre, add 

 to its beauty. The fine scent of this extraordinary flower 

 perfumes the air to a considerable distance ; but the most 

 remarkable circumstance with regard to it, is the short time 

 which it takes to expand, and the rapidity with which it de- 

 cays. Upon large plants, eight or ten flowers will open on 

 the same night, making a most magnificent appearance by 

 candlelight, bloom for an hour or more, then begin to droop, 

 and before morning be completely dead. This plant does 

 not bear fruit in this country, and must be nursed in a stove 

 to enable it to produce flowers. 



THE NIGHT. BLOWING CEREUS. 



ANON. 



Can it be true ? so fragrant and so fair ! 

 To give thy perfume to the dews of night ? 

 Can aught so beautiful shrink from the glare. 

 And fade and sicken in the coming light? 



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