102 NAT. ORDER. CACTE^. 



Mexico, and the warmer regions of America, are the parts, seem- 

 ingly, selected for the habitation of this family of plants. Many of 

 the species, however, have found their way into more northern lati- 

 tudes, but principally by the hand of cultivation. Still farther north 

 it is placed as an ornament in the flower-garden and private nurse- 

 ries. This, like all the other various species belonging to this curious 

 family of plants, requires protection from the frosts and severe cold 

 winds. It is sought for only as an ornament, to produce variety. 



Propagation and Culture. This species requires a somewhat 

 different mode of culture to produce luxuriant plants, to many of the 

 other varieties. Most of the species require dry, exposed situations, 

 where they can receive the full heat of the sun ; but on the contrary, 

 this plant seeks more shaded, desolate, and marshy districts, inhab- 

 iting the low lands, the borders of swamps and small streams. It 

 can be easily increased either by parting the roots, or by slips or 

 cuttings. No plant is more easily cultivated than the Cactus — the 

 smallest shoot stuck into the earth will readily take root. The 

 cuttings should be taken off early in the spring, and placed sufficiently 

 under the surface of the earth to receive a constant moisture, which 

 is from two to three inches, placed upright. If for the green-house 

 or parlor ornaments, they should be placed in pots of midling size, 

 and watered sufficiently to keep the earth continually moist. The 

 earth should be formed of about one-half of vegetable mould, and 

 the remainder of a fine gravelly soil. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The whole family of these succu- 

 lent plants do not contain any remarkable qualities as a medicine, 

 yet some are used for medicinal purposes, but have never excited 

 the attention of the medical profession. See Vol. iii. page 86. 



