324 On the Cultivation of several 



Art. II. On the Cultivation of several of the most beautiful 

 Species and Varieties of Cactus and Cereus. In a Series of 

 Papers. By J. W. Russell. 



Cereus flagelliformis (creeping cereus), is an old inhabitant 

 of the stove and green-house. The stems of the plant, when in 

 a healthy luxuriant state, resemble a whip-lash, whence its trivial 

 name, flagelliformis. This interesting species, when interspersed 

 with some of its co-species, that are of a more robust growth, 

 makes an elegant contrast, showing, to the most careless observer, 

 the difference in the habits of growth in the same family of plants. 

 The flowers expand their blossoms in the months of May and 

 June, and are of a dark rose color, arranged indiscriminately 

 along the stems of the plants, — although sometimes a number of 

 them are closely set together, not in a cluster^ but in one straight 

 line, one or two inches apart. It is a native of Peru, and has 

 been cultivated more than one hundred years. 



Epiphyllum speciosura Haworth (Cactus speciosus B. R.) 

 is also an old favorite: the stems of the plant are thin and flat, 

 from one half an inch to two inches in width, and of a very ir- 

 regular habit of growth ; but by judicious pruning it can be 

 made an elegant plant. Stands of a circular form, or flat, in the 

 shape of a ladder, should be used for training this plant to ; the 

 shape of the stand, however, may be left altogether to the taste 

 of the cultivator, as something of the kind is indispensably ne- 

 cessary, to train up the shoots, that they may be kept in regular 

 order. The superfluous growths must be taken off with a sharp 

 knife, remembering to reserve, if possible, the strongest growths. 

 The admirable appearance of this plant when in full bloom at- 

 tracts the attention of every person ; its beautiful rose or blush 

 colored flowers expand in June and .Tuly, and the plant presents 

 a splendid show for a fortnight or three weeks. The flowers 

 are produced from the sides of the stems, and the dark colored 

 vein, which is generally observable, that leads from the centre of 

 the stem to the bud, is almost a sure sign of a flower. This 

 species is a native of South America, and has been cultivated 

 about tvi^enty-five years. 



Epiphyllum truncutum Haworth (Cactus truncatus Lk.) is a 

 fine sort : the stems are flat, and about half an inch in widih : 

 the extremity of the shoot is scolloped out as though bitten off 

 by an animal : the flowers are of a darker shade than those of 

 speciosum, and more elongated — the habit of the plant more 

 close and compact : this has been cultivated ten or twelve years. 



Cereus Ackermani is a new variety, and rivals the far-famed 

 Cereus speciosissimus in the beauty of its flowers ; however, it 

 is deficient of the fine purple tinge which is so prominent a fea- 



