94 CACTUS CULTURE FOR AMATEURS. 



depressions or umbilica, and giving the stem a bald, pudding-like 

 appearance. Flowers central, short, about 1 inch across, pale 

 yellow, with a reddish tint outside ; anthers yellow ; flowers 

 usually in Juna Mexico. 



M. uncinata. 



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

 closely pressed against each other at the base, where they are four- 

 angled, J inch long, blue-green, apex bearing four short spines 

 J inch long, arranged crosswise, central spine longer, yellow, and 

 hooked. Flowers 1 inch long and wide, purple, partly hi id en 

 by the young mammae, amongst which they appear in May and 

 June. Mexico. Like all the species with short, angular tubercles 

 this one is easily managed, flowers freely and profusely, and always 

 ripens seeds. It may be grown in a frame, or even out of doors, 

 all through the summer, removing it to a greenhouse for the winter. 



M. vetula. 



Stem seldom exceeding 3 inches in height by l.V inches in 

 diameter. Tubercles \ inch long, conical, with a radial crown of 

 fine, hair-like yellow spines, ] inch long, and a solitary central red 

 spine, J inch long. Flowers terminal, just peeping above the 

 tubercles in May and June ; sepals and petals yellow, : J inch long ; 

 stigma white. An old garden plant. Mexico. May be treated as 

 recommended for M. pusilla. 



M. villifera. 



Stem 3 inches high, proliferous at the base ; tubercles angular, 

 short, woolly in the axils, and bearing four rigid, short, reddish- 

 brown spines on the apex. Flowers pale rose, with a line of purple 

 down the middle of each petal, developed near the top of the stem in 

 May. Mexico. Thrives if treated as recommended for M. pusilla. 

 There are several varieties, distinguished by their paler or darker 

 flowers, or by a difference in the length and arrangement of the 

 spines. 



M. viridis. 



Stem 4 inches high by 3 inches in diameter, proliferous at the 

 base ; tubercles short, four-angled, crowded in spiral rows, woolly at 

 the base, with five or six radiating hair-like spines on the 

 apex, and one central erect one, none more than -J inch long. 

 Flowers erect, on top of stem, with recurved, pale yellow petals, 

 1 inch long, produced in May and June. Mexico. May be grown 

 in a sunny frame out of doors during summer, and on a warm 

 greenhouse shelf in winter. 



M. vivipara. 



Stems tufted, forming a cushion as much as 3 feet in diameter. 

 The small tubercles are hidden by the numerous radial spines, which 



