NOTES 413 
Chronicle, 1903, ii. 91, fig. 38, shows it at its best. The fruits 
of this species remain green, even when ripe, and they have the 
largest seeds of the genus. The spines make excellent pins. 
O. tomentosa is the tallest species which we grow; it forms a 
small tree with beautiful, fiery red flowers. Generally almost spine- 
less forms are cultivated, but seedlings are more or less armed. 
O. triacantha. This is a small plant with the habit of O. 
polyantha, as pointed out by De Candolle. We received it from 
Dr. Weber in 1901; so far it has not flowered. 
O. tuna. There has always been great uncertainty about this 
species. Linnzeus comprises several species under this name, 
and, therefore, only Miller’s plant can rightly claim the name. 
Miller* thus describes his plant: ‘ Articulis ovato-oblongis, spinis 
subulatis. Indian fig with oblong oval joints and awl-shaped 
Spines:. . . The. . . branches. . . are armed with longer 
thorns of awl shape; they are whitish and come out in clusters. 
. . . The flowers are large, of a bright yellow colour.” 
Haworth, De Candolle, and Salm are therefore wrong when 
they include here Dillenius’s plant figured in Hortus Elthamensis, 
fig. 380, as O. tuna major . . . flore gilvo. 
If the name of O. twna should be used again, it could only be 
applied to O. Dillenii or a plant similar to it. O.twna major flore 
gilvo has to be separated. My O. gilva is most likely identical 
with this latter. 
Further, I wish to draw attention to the fact that the plant 
figured by Wight | has a much longer clavate ovary than can be 
seen on Dillenius’ plate, where a much shorter, almost globular, 
ovary is figured. 
We grow a great many plants of this group, apparently 
including several undescribed species. They are somewhat 
tender and apt to suffer in winter. O. gilva was received in 
1907 from Prof. C. F. Baker, from Cuba. 
O. tunicata was sent by Mr. D. Hanbury from Clapham in 
October, 1869. It is the most formidably armed species, and 
very striking, with its numerous spines, each enclosed in a white 
paper-like sheath. Flowers and fruits were first described from 
these specimens. 
O. Turpim is the only one of the section of Tephrocactus 
which has flowered at La Mortola. 
O. velutina was received from the late Dr. A. Weber in 
November, 1902. 
O. Winteriana was first described from this garden. It 
belongs to the “Tuna” group, and is distinguished by large 
flowers of a brilliant red. 
O. zacuapanensis, a fine new species with bright orange flowers. 
We received this plant a few years ago from M. L. Puteaux, 
Versailles, as Opuntia spec. from Zacuapan. Joints 13-20 em. 
long and 94 cm. broad, obovate, smooth, glossy green, areoles 
* Miller, Dict. Gardening, eighth edition, n. 3. 
+ Illustrations of the Indian Botany, ii. t. 114. 
