Species and Varieties of Cactus and Cereus. 325 



ture on the inner petals of the latter plant. The flowers expand 

 in a similar manner, and continue three or four days in great 

 perfection, and they are also equally large ; by some cultivators 

 it is esteemed second to none of its co-species that are yet known. 

 The habit of the plant resembles E. speciosum; the stems are more 

 fleshy and broader, and of a lighter green color ; sometimes the 

 young growths are quadrangular or four-sided, but they ultimately 

 grow out to a thin expansion, broad and flat. The time of flow- 

 ering is in May and June : it has been cultivated but five or six 

 years. 



Cereus Jenkensom'a is also a new variety, and resembles E. spe- 

 ciosum in its habit of growth: the flowers are of the same shape, 

 only considerably larger: the color an elegant crimson: time of 

 flowering June and July, and has been cultivated about four 

 years. 



Cereus Vandesia is quite new and scarce: this also resembles 

 E. speciosum in its habit of growth ; the flowers are of the 

 same shape, but as large as those of Jenkensonm, and a shade 

 darker in color. It is a free grower, and well adapted for train- 

 ing to a trellis, or a round stand. Time of flowering, July and 

 August. 



Opuntia vulgaris Haworth Cactus Opuntia L. (Indian fig), 

 has been cultivated more than two hundred years. It is too 

 well known to need any description ; with good treatment it 

 will grow luxuriantly. Its large fleshy broad stems are admi- 

 rably well adapted for grafting all the kinds I have now spoken 

 of upon, which can be done in the following very simple manner, 

 viz: — first, take off the cutting from the plant that you wish to 

 insert on the Indian fig — then make an incision in the stem with 

 a sharp penknife, as near the same shape and size as possible as 

 that of the cutting ; observe to take the piece out so as to allow 

 the scion to be inserted about an inch deep. If this is neatly 

 done there is no fear of success. Let any person imagine the 

 splendid effect a large plant will have four or five feet high, 

 spreading in every direction, with some of the sorts here men- 

 tioned grafted on it, growing most luxuriantly and flowering pro- 

 fusely; this I have seen — and I can assure every reader of this 

 that it was a beautiful object. 



I hope ere long to see this very interesting family of plants 

 more generally cultivated, and the compost recommended in my 

 former papers tried, which I think will be all that is necessary, 

 to ensure its permanent use, in preference to the sandy soil, des- 

 titute of any richness, which is generally recommended. 



Yours, 



Mount Auburn, August 8, 1836. J. W. Russell. 



