204 TH 3 CACTACEAE. 



Stem bright green, long and clambering, the branches strongly 4-angled, rarely 3-angled, about 

 1.5 cm. thick; areoles with spines and black wool, remote, at the upper edges of knobby projections, 

 these often forming obtuse, deflexed spurs about 1 cm. long; spines on juvenile plants bristle-like, 

 white, on old branches fewer, stouter, brown or black; flower 20 to 25 cm. long; upper scales dark 

 green, tinged with red; outer perianth-segments pale green, narrow, about 8 cm. long; inner 

 perianth-segments broad, white; flower-tube 10 cm. long, 22 mm. in diameter, its areoles long-hairy; 

 filaments, style, and stigma-lobes yellow. 



Fig. 282. — Selenicereus hamatus. 



Type locality: Mexico. 



Distribution: Southern and eastern Mexico. 



According to the Index Kewensis Cereus rostratus occurs on the island of Antigua, 

 but Dr. Rose was unable to find it there in 191 3. 



Fig. 283. — Part of branch of S. hamatus. X0.5. 



This species is common in cultivation in greenhouses and is occasionally seen in yards 

 and patios in Mexico. Although we have seen no wild specimens, it seems to be common 

 along the eastern coast of Mexico, probably in the wooded regions. 



