Chapter IX. 

 ECHINOPS1S. 



No fewer than three genera of Cactaceas namely, Echinopsis, 

 Echinocactus, and Echinocereus owe their names to their hedgehog- 

 like stems. The genus Echinopsis consists of about thirty species, 

 most of which have been in cultivation. They differ from Echino 

 cactus in the length of the flower- tube, from Cereus in the form and 

 size of the stems, and from both in the position on the stem occupied 

 by the flowers. They are remarkable for the great size, length of 

 tube, and beauty of their flowers, which, borne upon generally 

 small globose stems, appear out of proportion. They grow in 

 sandy or gravelly soil or in the crevices of rocks in Chili, Bolivia, 

 Peru, Brazil and Mexico. 



E. oampylacantha. 



Stem a foot high, globose, with a somewhat pointed top, 

 the aides divided into about fourteen ridges, with tubercled edges, 

 bearing clusters of about ten strong brown spines, which are 

 stellately arranged, a central one projecting outwards, then sud- 

 denly curving upwards, arid measuring 3 inches in length. Flowers 

 produced in early summer from the side of the stem inches long, 

 the tube shaped like a trumpet, brownish in colour, and clothed 

 with tufts of short black hairs ; petals arranged in three rows 

 forming a star 2\ inches across, pale rose-coloured, with a large 

 cluster of yellow stamens. Chili. It thrives in a cool greenhouse, 

 if kept freely watered during summer and rested on a dry, sunny 

 shelf in winter. 



E. cristata. 



Stem globose, 1 foot high, slightly narrowed towards tiie top ; 

 ridges fifteen, 1 inch deep, sharply angular, the edges bearing tufts 

 of spreading, yellowish spines, over 1 inch long, slightly curved, 

 and tipped with red. Flowers springing from the ridges on the 

 top of the stem ; tube 4 inches long, clothed with tufts of black 

 hairs, and surmounted by a whorl of reddish-yellow sepals, above 

 which are two rows of broad -spreading creamy-white petals. The 

 width of the flower is over 6 inches, and the stamens are arranged 

 in a corona -like whorl inside. Bolivia. Introduced in 1850. The 

 broad, long-tubed, pale-coloured blossoms equal i v beauty those 



