May.~] HOT-HOUSE OF REPOTTING, &c. 155 



collections, they continue to push weak shoots and few 

 flowers. (Soil No. 12.) 



Cactus. This extensive genus is interesting, and varied 

 in character and habit ; it is now divided into seven distinct 

 genera, according to their natural appearance and disposi- 

 tion. We will describe a few of each genus, none of which 

 going under the name of Cactus, we will give them the 

 six following, premising that the time is not far distant 

 when this family will be successfully cultivated in every 

 parlour window, and the whole tribe will be sought for 

 with more avidity than any other class of plants that have 

 ever been brought to notice, not even excepting the Rose. 

 They require a dry heat, and will grow either in town or 

 country, and are completely adapted for the denizen ama- 

 teur, and will afford more beauty and interesting display 

 than can be imagined until witnessed. 



Mamillarias, about seventy species, and are those which 

 are covered with roundish bearded tubercles, and with 

 small red and Avhite flowers. M. coccinea, M. simplex, 

 M. pusllla, M. cornea, M. stellata, and M. acanthophleg- 

 ma, are good species, and will do well with water once a 

 week during summer. (Soil No. 15.) 



Melocactus, seven species, and are those that are roundish 

 with deep and many angles, with spines in clusters on the 

 top of the angle. M. commiinis is the Turk's cap, named 

 from having an ovate conate crown upon the top, from 

 which proceed the small red flowers. M. macranthus has 

 large spines ; M. pyramiddlis is a conical growing spe- 

 cies. These require the same treatment as the last. (Soil 

 No. 15.) 



Echinocdtus, a great number of species; are those that 

 have many deep angles, and have a remarkable swelling, 

 with each parcel of spines ; E. gibbosus, E. crispatus, E. 

 recurvus, P. rodanthia, and E. scopa, are curious in ap- 

 pearance, with small white and purple flowers. These 

 three genera in most collections are not well known speci- 

 fically, but it is easy to discriminate with which genus they 

 are connected. (Soil No. 15.) 



Cereus. This is the most magnificent genus with re- 

 gard to the magnitude and beauty of the flowers, but not 

 so closely allied in character. It takes in all those of a 

 trailing or erect growing habit, having spines in clusters, 



