164 THE TREE DOCTOR 



Quite a number of varieties can be seen in the photo. The one 

 called by some "the cushion Cactus" is noticeable. However, 

 as far as I can gather, every man prefers that "the other fellow" 

 shall make the test as to whether it is a comfortable seat before 

 he "makes the venture." It is really a wonder that the Cactus 

 is not more generally grown as a house plant, when one con- 

 siders the inexpressible beauty of many of their flowers. 



Photo 148 

 Flowers of the Night-blooming Cereus. 



Probably no plant excites more interest than those com- 

 monly known as the Night-blooming Cereus. Nothing equals 

 the exquisite beauty of these nocturnal visitors in all the deli- 

 cate, wax-like structure of its flower, with fragrance unsur- 

 passed. The flat-leaved variety commonly called "Xight-bloom- 

 ing Cereus" is a Phyllocactus. The flowers of one of these are 

 shown in Photo 148. This picture was taken about ten o'clock 

 at night by the aid of a common lamp, with fifteen minutes' ex- 

 posure. The plant was photographed the following day as 

 shown in number 149, on the lady's lap. It seems strange that 

 more of these wonderful, desert plants are not adopted by the 

 people. 



There was a remarkable coincidence in connection with this 

 "night-bloomer," a few years ago. I was twelve miles from 



