MAMILLARIA. 



85 



spreading, the central one almost black, 1 inch long, pointing 

 downwards. In the axils of the mammae are tufts of white wool. 

 Flowers produced in summer from the top of the stem, erect, 

 spreading, about 1J inches across, pale yellow ; stamens red at the 

 base, in a dense cluster ; rays of the stigma spreading. Mexico, on 

 prairie lands, at high elevations, therefore almost hardy in the 

 warmer parts of this country, suffering from damp rather than fros 

 in winter. It flowers annually if grown in a cool, well-aired green- 

 house or frame, with the sun shining on it all day. 



M. micromeris. 



Stem U inches across by 1 inch in height; mammae very small, 

 completely hidden by the numerous fine, white, silky spines and 



Tig. 42. Mamillaria micromeris. 



wool which form a spider-web-like net. Flowers white or pink, 

 .T inch across. Mexico, on mountain where limestone is plentiful. 

 It requires much care under cultivation, water in excess being fatal 

 to it. Should be planted in a small pot, in a mixture of loam and 

 lime rubbish, and grown in a warm greenhouse. (Fig. 42.) 



M. multiceps. 



Stem short, with numerous branches, forming a dense vtiit. 

 Mammae small, arranged closely together, each with a tuft of whitish 

 wool, and a radiating cluster of hair- like spines, the inner ones 



