dPUNTt A. 1 1 1 



and numerous radiating spines, some of which are fully 2 inches 

 long, very strong and needle-like. Flowers 2J inches in diameter, 

 sulphur- yellow, tinged with purple, produced in August and 

 September. Mexico, on dry, sandy soils. Requires warm green- 

 house treatment. 



O. Engelmanni. 



Stems stout, 6 feet high, joints woody, flat, green, 1 foot long 

 and 9 inches in diameter. Cushions 1J inches apart, composed 

 of coarse bristles, and one or two spines over 1 inch long. Flowers 

 3 inches in diameter, yellow, produced in May and June. Fruit 

 nearly round, 2 inches long, purplish both in rind and pulp, rather 

 nauseous to the taste. Mexico. Cultivated in a greenhouse, it 

 grows freely and flowers annually. According to American botanists, 

 it is probably the most widely spread of the Avhole Cactus tribe. 



O. Ficus-indica. 



Stems erect, 8 to 12 feet high ; joints flat, oval or obovate, about 

 1 foot long and 1 inch thick ; cushions 1J inches apart, composed 

 of short, yellowish bristles, and very rarely one spine. Flowers 

 3 to 4 inches across, sulphur-yellow, produced all through the 

 summer. Fruit 3 to 4 inches long, pear-shaped, covered with tufts 

 of bristles, white, yellow, or red when ripe. Central America, 

 whence it was introduced into Europe about 300 years ago. It is 

 now widely spread in tropical and temperate regions. The fruit 

 is often eaten, and it may be seen sometimes offered for sale by 

 fruiterers in this country. Best cultivated in a sunny greenhouse 

 during winter, and placed outside in a position exposed to full 

 sunshine in summer. (Fig. 57.) 



O. filipendula. 



Stems prostrate, about 1 foot high, spreading ; joints flat, 

 round or oval, about 3 inches long, often less, milky-green in colour. 

 Cushions J inch apart, composed of a little tuft of white woolly 

 hair, a cluster of erect, rather long bristles, like a small shaving- 

 brush, and all pointing upwards ; spines usually only one in each 

 cushion, slender, deflexed, white, 1 to 2 inches long. Sometimes 

 the joints are wholly spineless. Flowers 2.| inches in diameter, 

 purplish, handsome, produced in May and June. The roots bear 

 tubers several inches in length, which will grow into plants if 

 severed and planted. Mexico. Requires stove treatment. ( Fig. 58. ) 



O. frutescens. 



Stems thin, copiously- branched. Joints almost continuous, 

 from 2 to 6 inches long, J inch thick, bearing small tufts of hair and 

 long central spines often exceeding 2 inches in length, and, when 

 young, enclosed in a thin, bony sheath. Flowers 1 inch across, 

 greenish-yellow, produced in June. Fruit 1 inch long, pear-shaped, 



