CACTUS. 75 



CACTUS. 



(CACTI.) 



This is a fine succulent variety of plants, of very singu- 

 lar appearance, natives of Brazil, and is found on the arid 

 plains of Mexico and other parts, particularly in sandy and 

 rocky situations ; perennial in duration, of rather tender and 

 delicate nature, though of easy culture; but is, strictly 

 speaki-ng, a green-house plant, and will survive our winters 

 in the parlor if not allowed to freeze or watered too much. 

 The generality of the Cacti do not like a damp situation 

 in the winter, therefore not calculated for pit culture. 



There is now in cultivation about one thousand varieties 

 beside hybrids ; the flowers of some appear in March, are 

 certainly magnificent but not fragrant; still their beauty 

 shows to great advantage when kept by themselves in a 

 green-house. There are some of this tribe called " Night 

 Blooming Cereus,' that flower at night, highly odoriferous, 

 but their flowers last only one night. The one called 

 Grandiflora is a magnificent plant, a native of South Amer- 

 ica ; when the corolla is fully expanded in the evening the 

 beholder is greatly surprised with the size of the floral de- 

 velopment, which will measure about twelve inches across 

 the color, on the inner side of the calyx ; is a beautiful 

 clear sulphur yellow, while the petals are a virgin white ; 

 the stamens not easily described, for it appears of different 

 colors as you change your position to view its beauties. 

 The flower is not only beautiful but the fragance is so 



