49 



C. colubrinus for the smaller kinds, and C. periivianusiorthei'digei'. 

 Some growers prefer to graft them all, and certainly they are safer 

 thus treated than when on their own roots. In preparing stock 

 and scion, they should be as near as possible of the same diameter, 

 and cut so that their edges meet, and two or three stakes should 

 be placed so as to afford support to the graft and hold it firmly 

 in position. 



Propagation. 



The tops of the stems may be utilised for the multiplication oi 

 these plants, putting them into soil to root, and, as new shoots 

 develop on the old stock, they may be cut away with a sharp knife 

 and treated in a similar manner. Plants that become sickly, and 

 look shrivelled and cankered at the base, may be reinvigorated by 

 cutting off the healthy tops and treating them to form new root?. 

 .Seeds may sometimes be obtained from dealers, and the gradual 

 development of the plant from the seedling stage is interesting 

 and instructive. Seeds sown in soil and kept moist and warm 

 germinate in about a month, when the little pea-like green balls 

 will be seen pushing their way through the soil, increasing in size 

 slowly, their spines also increasing in number and strength till, 

 finally, the characters of the mature plant are developed. 



E. too Ian sis. 



Stem cylindrical, 16 inches high, 4 inches in diameter, with 

 from eight to thirteen ribs, disposed more or less spirallv. Spine 

 tufts crowded, composed of about twenty radials, which are white, 

 straight, and about I inch long, and four central, also straight, and 

 H inches long. The flower is terminal, 2 inches wide, and coloured 

 bright red. Mexico. 



E. brevihamatus. 



This is one of several kinds of Echinocactus which are distin- 

 guished from the rest in having the ridges divided into tubercles, 

 and running spirally round the stem, which is ball-like, from 

 4 to 6 inches h ; gh, the ridges about J inch deep, and upon each 

 tubercle is a tutt of about a dozen brown, radiating spines, with a 

 long central one hooked at the point. The pink flowers are produced 

 in summer, three or four opening together ; they are 1 inch across. 

 South Brazil, 1850. A pretty little plant for a shelf in a greenhouse 

 where it can get full sunshine. It grows very slowly, succeeding 

 best when grafted on Cereus. 



E. cinnabar iiuis 



Stem 6 inches in diameter and 4 inches high ; spiral ridges divided 

 into tubercles surmounted by tufts of strong, brown, radiating 

 spines, embedded in a little cushion of wool. Flowers springing 

 from the top of the stem, two or three together. Tube short and 



