MAY.] HOT-HOUSE -OF REPOTTING. 227 



flower of the Cactece family ; the bloom is of a cream 

 colour, and about one foot in diameter. In its indige- 

 nous state, it produces a fine fruit called " Strawberry 

 Pear," and is much esteemed in the West Indies as 

 being slightly acid, and at the same time sweet, plea- 

 sant, and cooling. It seldom flowers. C. phyllnthoides, 

 once Cactus speciosus, is one of the most profuse in 

 flowering ; the branches are ensate, compressed, and 

 obovate, without spines; flowers of a pink colour, about 

 four inches in diameter ; the stamens as long as the 

 corolla, with white anthers. It will keep well in a 

 Green-house or Room. If in either of the two latter, 

 give water only a few times during winter. This is 

 becoming a very popular plant. C. Jenkinsbni is a 

 magnificent hybrid from C. speciosissimus. The flowers 

 are equally as large, and of a brilliant scarlet colour, 

 with a profusion of pure white anthers ; is greatly ad- 

 mired, and is only in a few collections. C. Jlckermanni 

 is very similar to C. phyllanthoides, flowering equally as 

 profusely, the colour a bright scarlet, and the scar- 

 cest species of the genus that is worthy of notice. C. 

 truncatus, branches truncated, flowers deep scarlet and 

 tubular, from two to three inches in diameter ; the sta- 

 mens protrude from the corolla; the plant is of a dwarf 

 growth and branched ; when in flower it is quite a pic- 

 ture. It is said that there are free and shy flowering 

 varieties of this species, but we doubt it ; perhaps it is 

 owing to the cultivation and soil. 



Opuntias, about forty species, and are those whose 

 branches are in joints flatly oblong, or ovate, spines 

 solitary, or in clusters. The plants are not so desirable 



