MAMZLLARZA. 77 



stem, two or three together ; sepals green and red, petals straw- 

 coloured. The shallow cup formed by the petals measures 4 inches 

 across, stamens orange -coloured. Native of Mexico. Introduced 

 in 1848. A warm greenhouse affords the most suitable conditions 

 for it. One of the very best of the Mamillarias. Easily propagated 

 from seeds. 



M. compacta. 



Resembles M. pectinata in its globose single stem, rigid comb- like 

 radial spines, the absence of a central spine, and the large terminal 

 flower produced on the apex of the stem, which is from 2 to 4 inches 

 in diameter ; the spines are whitish, and the flowers yellow, tinged 

 outside with brown. It requires the same treatment as M . pectinata, 

 and is a native of Mexico. (Fig. 35.) 



M. dasyacantha. 



Stem 3 inches high, almost globose and covered with spiral 

 whorls of tiny tubercles, in the grooves of which is a little whitish 

 wool, which falls away as the tubercles ripen. The spines are 

 arranged in little stars upon the tubercles, central spine erect. 

 Flowers small, springing from the centre of the stem. This is one 

 of the Thimble Cactuses, and a pretty plant, especially when studded 

 with its daisy-like flowers. Native of Mexico, where it grows on 

 high mountains among short grass and other herbage. 



M. discolor. 



Stem globose, about 4 inches in diameter ; tubercles smooth, 

 egg-shaped, embedded in white wool, and crowned with stellate 

 tufts of short, reddish spines. Flowers numerous, from almost all 

 parts of the stem, 1 inch wide, with reflexed, rose-purple petals, 

 surrounding a large, disk-like cluster of yellow stamens. Native 

 of Mexico, where it grows on sunny rocks. It may be grown on a 

 dry shelf in a greenhouse, keeping it moist in summer, but dry in 

 winter. 



M. dolichocentra. 



A variable species. What is known as the type (Fig. 36) 

 has a stem 8 inches high and 3 inches wide, covered with smooth 

 cone-shaped mammae, with woolly bases and stellate tufts of spines 

 on their tips. Flowers less than 1 inch wide, often very numerous, 

 sometimes a ring of them surrounding the stem, like a daisy chain, 

 their colour being pale purple. Below the flowers there is often a 

 whorl of club-shaped fruits, 4 inch long, and rose-coloured. Native 

 of Mexico. It thrives in a warm sunny greenhouse. 



M. echinata. 



A charming little plant, the small stems, less than 1 inch wide, 

 clustered together in a cushion-like tuft, a well-grown specimen 

 being composed of dozens of stems, packed close together. The 



