CACTACEZ. 9 
9. M. MErACANTHA (sp. nov.): simplex, hemispheerica seu vertice depressa, basi obconica, lacti- 
flua; tuberculis pyramidato-quadrangulatis compressis basi productis axilla nudis; areolis 
junioribus albido-villosis mox nudatis ; aculeis paucis (5-9) rigidis rectis vel recurvatis albidis 
seu flavidis (demum cinereis) apice sphacelatis, inferioribus paullo longioribus, centrali singulo 
robusto breviore porrecto seu sursum flexo et cum ceteris radiante seu rarius nullo; floribus 
sordide albidis rubellisque; ovario nudo; sepalis 12-14 lanceolatis; petalis 14-16 lineari- 
lanceolatis acutis subintegris ; stigmatibus 6-7 stamina brevia vix excedentibus flavidulis ; 
bacca elongato-clavata incurva floris rudimenta dejiciente; seminibus minutis obovatis rugulosis 
fulvis. (Tab. IX., fig. 1-3.) 
Throughout New Mexico, from where it was first brought home by the Missouri Volunteers in 
1847 ; often collected since by the different explorers of the botany of those regions: fl. May 
and June.—Very nearly allied to the foregoing species; distinguished by the fewer more loosely 
arranged tubercles, which rise from a much broader base, and by the fewer, shorter and stouter 
spines. Plants 3-5 inches in diameter, with a broad top-shaped base, terminating in the large 
fleshy root; tubercles 7-9 lines long, strongly quadrangular, somewhat compressed from 
above, arranged in 13 spiral rows. Spines, as indicated by the name, fewer than in the allied 
species, 5-9, usually about 6, lowest one mostly a little longer than the lateral ones, 3-5 lines 
long, stout, and strongly subulate, often curved in different directions; upper spine wanting or 
_ often replaced by the stouter and a little shorter central spine, which is then turned upwards. 
Spines in robust specimens dirty yellowish with brown points ; central one darker than the rest ; 
in young and weakly specimens they are whitish. Flowers 12-14 lines long, somewhat urceo- 
late ; exterior petals longest, entire; interior ones a little shorter, entire or slightly denticu- 
late; all whitish with a broad rose-colored line in the centre. The ovary does not exude the 
milky fluid, which the tubercles and other parts of the plant contain. Fruit ripening the second 
spring and summer, till then hidden between the bases of the surrounding tubercles, and for the 
greater part buried in the tissue of the plant ;. in spring the young fruit suddenly (in one or two 
weeks) grows to its full size, 9-12 or even 15 lines long, protruding far above the tuber- 
eles and forming an interior scarlet circle around the inner circle of rose-colored flowers. Seeds 
0.5 line long subglobose-obovate, with a narrow sub-basilar — yellowish brown, rugose and 
somewhat pitted. : 
10. M. spumrica, (Dietrich): e radice crassa obovata seu clavata, prolifera et demum densis- 
sime cespitosa; tuberculis ovato-elongatis versus apicem acutatum conicis, axilla lanatis ; 
areolis junioribus breviter tomentellis ; aculeis setaceis basi bulbosis rectis seu curvatis albidis, 
radialibus 12—14, centrali singulo recto subulato subbreviore vix robustiore ; flore subverticali 
magno flavo; tubo supra ovarium emersum constricto elongato ; petalis sub-18 acuminatis aris- 
tatis integris ; stigmatibus 8 linearibus patulis. 
. Hillsides on the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Schott: fl. from March throughout the season.— 
Dr. Poselger’s specimens were collected at Corpus Christi, on the eoast of Texas. Dietrich’s 
description, taken from them, well agrees with Mr. Schott’s plants and with specimens now 
frequently cultivated at St. Louis, from both of which the above character is drawn.—This 
species is remarkable on account of its exsert ovary and large flower, by which characters it 
closely approaches to the next subgenus; but the flowers, though apparently nearly vertical, 
come from last year’s growth. Specimens before me are 2 inches high, 12 inch in Tntnhie 
mee eyokideen below, the old tubercles withering and son ving a short clavate scaly stem. The 
9 6 
