236 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
species are confined chiefly to Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, and the 
warmer parts of North America, a few West Indian. 
Mamillaria simplex, a native of Tropical America, 
was introduced from the West Indies as far back as 1690, 
but for more than a century it appears to have been the sole representa- 
tive of the genus cultivated here. This is, perhaps, not to be wondered 
at, when we consider that even to-day the growers of Cacti are not very 
numerous, and the demand for specimens not very pressing. M. pusilla 
was introduced from the West Indies in 1820, and a few others in the 
earlier years of the century; in 1827 a half-dozen Chilian species were 
introduced, and a number of Mexican species in 1835, including J. 
angularis, M. bicolor, M. eurrhifera, and M. haageana. M. Lehmann, 
M. sulcolanata, and M. rhodantha, other Mexican species, came in the 
following year, and the succession of new forms has been maintained 
since, some remarkable species being of quite recent date. Among these 
may be mentioned M. fisswrata (Mexico, 1885). 
MAMILLARIA BICOLOR (two-coloured). Stem somewhat 
club-shaped, 8 or 10 inches high, 2 or 3 inches in diameter, 
branched near base; covered with dark green tubercles, which are partly 
hidden by the abundant close-set and spreading spines, which give the 
whole plant a cobwebby appearance. Flowers small, purple. 
M. GRAcILis (slender). Stem cylindrical, not more than a couple of 
inches high, and half an inch thick. Tubercles small; spines white, 
spreading. Flowers large, pale yellow. Native of Mexico. 
M. PECTINATA (comb-like). Stem conical, or more or less globular, 
3 inches high ; tubercles short, with rosettes of white spines. Flowers 
yellow, 2 inches across, fading in about two hours after opening. Mexico. 
M. PUSILLA (small), Stem globular, an inch high, with conical 
greyish tubercles, Spines white and brown. Flowers yellow, tinged 
with rose. 
M. RHODANTHA (rosy-flowered). Stem 3 to 6 inches high, by 2 
across, branched with conical tubercles and yellowish spines. Flowers 
bright rose, numerous, s 
M. STELLA-AURATA (gold-starred). Stem branched, 2 inches . .. 
by 43-inch across, with short tubercles, and yellow spines in @ star- 
rosette. Flowers small, white. Mexico. ‘ 
Cultivation. Mamillarias are greenhouse plants that require ® ae 
position near the glass. In potting,.care should be hich 
to have perfect drainage, and the soil should be a sandy loam to W : 
has been added some old limy mortar, and some silver sand. cage: 
the growing period, they should have frequent waterings, but the 
History. 
Principal Species, 
