228 HOT-HOUSE OF REPOTTING. [MAY. 



for beauty of flower as the species of the former genus, 

 but many of them are remarkable for their strong gro- 

 tesque and spiny appearance; besides several of the spe- 

 cies are extensively cultivated for the Cochineal insect. 

 The one most valued for that purpose, is O. cochimllifera, 

 which has only small clusters of bristles upon the ob- 

 long ovate joints, and produces small red flowers ; C. 

 ficus indica, is also used, but is very spiny. 



Pereskias. About four species, and those that are of 

 a shrubby nature producing leaves ; P. aculedta bears 

 a fruit called " Barbadoes-gooseberry." The flowers 

 are very small and simple, spines about half an inch 

 long, leaves fleshy and elliptical. 



The whole of the plants in the family of Cactece re- 

 quire very little water, and delight in a dry warm situa- 

 tion. They do not agree with frequent repotting; once 

 in two or three years to young plants, and in five or six 

 to those that are established, with the exception of the 

 large, free flowering species, which should be repotted 

 once in two years. 



Coffea Jlrabica. It produces the celebrated coffee, and 

 is a plant universally known in our collections, and of 

 easy culture. The leaves are opposite, oblong, wavy 

 and shining, the flowers white, of a grateful odour, but 

 of short duration. There is a plant known as C. occi- 

 dentalis, which is now Tetramerium odorattssimum. It 

 requires a great heat to grow well, therefore should 

 be kept in the warmest part of the Hot-house. The 

 flowers are white, in panicles, and larger than the com- 

 mon jasmine, and is very sweet-scented; leaves oblong, 

 lanceolate, accuminate. 



