ECHINOFSIS. 63 



of the Night-flowering Cereus. It thrives in a warm, sunny green- 

 house, if liberally treated in summer, so as to induce vigorous 

 growth, followed by a complete rest in winter, or it will not flower. 



E. c. pur pur ea. 



Differs from the type in having lovely rose-coloured flowers 

 with a longer tube. They develop three or four together in the 

 month of July. 



E. Decaisneanus. 



Stem globular or egg-shaped, bearing about fourteen ridges, 

 upon which are tufts of short spines, springing from cushions of 

 whitish wool. The tube is densely covered with tufts of 

 hair-like spines, and the petals and sepals are broad, spreading, and 

 white, tinged with yellow. Native country unknown ; thrives in 



Pig. 3O, EehinopsiR Dtcalsneanus. 



a warm, airy greenhouse in summer, and on a dry, sunny shelf in 

 winter. The swollen base of the tube is a good example of an 

 elongated calyx, the swollen portion being the ovary or seed vessel. 

 If, therefore, seeds are desired, the withering flowers should be 

 allowed to remain, and, in time, the upper portion will fall away, 

 leaving the base, which continues to grow till it attains the pro- 

 portions of a hen s egg. (Fig. 30.) 



