ECHINOCACT0S. 31 



spines, which vary in size from extremely small points that are scarcely 

 discernible to gigantic and formidable horny spines 3 or 4 inches in 

 length, straight and rigid, or hooked at the point ; they are also some- 

 times in two series, the outer spreading and the inner erect. These 

 furnish characters which assist in determining the species, and Labouret 

 has given an elaborate system of classification, founded chiefly upon 

 these appendages. 



The flowers are produced from near the apex of the younger tubercles 

 at the upper part of the stem, and are borne just above the cluster of 

 spines. Sometimes they are clustered in a dense woolly substance some- 

 what like the cap of the Melocactus at the summit of the plant. The 

 calyx forms a tube varying in length, being sometimes very long and 

 funnel-shaped ; it is usually scaly, the scales gradually passing into the 

 lobes of the calyx, and these in turn into the petals, all the parts being 

 very numerous, and not readily distinguishable from each other. The 

 stamens are in great numbers, the filaments being united to the tube of 

 the calyx. The style is columnar, the stigma with many rays, and the 

 fruit is berry-like, to which the lobes of the calyx frequently adhere. 



By various authors a few of the species have been separated under 

 other generic names, as Malacooarpus of Salm Dyck, Gymnocaloium of 

 PfeifEer, and Astrophytum of Lemaire ; but these have been found to 

 be insuiEoiently distinct, and are now united with the Eohinocactus by 

 Hooker and Bentham. 



The species are widely distributed, being found in Mexico and various 

 parts of South America, but in the first-named country and adjoining 

 regions they chiefly abound. There they are found in arid stony or 

 rocky places, with very little soil for the roots, exposed to a high tem- 

 perature in the summer and a much lower one in the winter — indeed, 

 some endure frost and snow with such little injury that they might be 

 reasonably expected to be hardy in this country. Some have been found 

 to resist our winters, but comparatively few have succeeded at present, 

 and doubtless the chief reason for this is the much greater amount of 

 moisture in the soil and atmosphere. 



Culture. — In growing the majority of the Echinocactus the chief 

 points requiring attention are providing a well-drained soil, as they are 

 all impatient of the least excess of water, and regulating the supply of 

 moisture with much care. Most of the Mexican species in particular 

 produce but slender and few roots, and only need small pots, as an 

 excessive quantity of soil is positively injurious. These, too, will succeed 

 in a temperature between 45° and 50° during the winter months, but 

 then require scarcely any water. 



Propagation, — Few of the Hedgehog Cactus produce offsets, and 



