ECHINOCACTTJS. 



55 



E. nexaedrophorus. 



A species distinguished by its blister-like tubercles, which look a* 

 if they would burst if pricked. Stem about 4 inches in height 

 glaucous green, the spines red-brown. Flowers, short-tubed, 

 2 inches wide ; petals in several rows, ovei lapping each other, white, 



Fig. 25. Echinocactns hexnArophorug. 



tinted with rose ; stamens in a disk-like cluster. Mexico, intro- 

 duced 1830. A slow-growing plant, attaining full size in not less 

 than six years from seed. Like E. gibbosus, it does best when 

 grafted on the stem of a Cereus. (Fig 25.) 



E. Le Contei. 



Stem, when full grown, 5 feet high by 2 feet wide, with broad, 

 deep channels and ridges, wrinkled and covered with a thick net- 

 work of stout spines (see Fig. 26), which are set in a cushion of 

 whitish wool. The flowers are 2 inches long, bell-shaped, of a 

 bright lemon colour, with a tinge of brown on the outside. It 

 requires warm greenhouse treatment, and plenty of water during 

 the summer. 



