ECHINOCAOinS, S3 



mished with long and powerful spines, which interlace over the plant in a 

 etrange manner, and affording it a most effectual protection. The stem is 

 globular, in the largest specimen I have seen about 6 inches high by the 

 same in diameter. The spines are horn-like, with nodes like the antenna! 

 of some large insects. They are 2 to 3 inches long, interlacing flat on the 

 surface of the plant. Others are spreading or curved, 3 to 4 inches long, 

 ^flattened, with a reddish tinge. As a curiosity this is one of the most 

 ■striking of the genus. It was introduced from the Colorado district in 

 1877, but is scarce in collections. 



E. EcHiDNE, Be Candolle. — A distinct and rather attractive plant, which 

 ■owes its name apparently to its cylindrical form and abundant spines, and 

 to the former character probably is due the name of Viper Cactus which 

 some have applied to it. The stems are 6 to 12 inches high. 6 Inches in 

 •diameter, with eleven to twelve ridges 1 inch deep, and spirally arranged on 

 the stem. The spines are half to 1 inch long, rigid, greyish white, and tipped 

 with reddish brown, and are in clusters of seven to eight, about an inch 

 apart on the ridges, their base being surrounded by a thick grey down. The 

 ■flower is of moderate size, and bright yellow. 



E. ELECTRACANTHTJS, Lemaire. — ^Distinguished by a bold appearance that 

 Tenders it quite unique and easily recognised. Well-grown plants are from 

 18 inches to 2 feet high, and 1 foot in diameter, with twenty-two prominent 

 angular ridges 1 inch deep and the same in width, deep green, but having a 

 cartilaginous edge. TTpon this are borne the spines in clusters of nine, 

 ^ inches apart; the spines are equal in size, 1 inch long, rigid, horn-like, and 

 yellowish, the central one bright red at the base. The flowers are clear 

 yellow. It is a native of Mexico, whence it was introduced some thirty or 

 forty years ago. 



E. HORIZOKTHALONIUS, Lemaire. — A beautiful species, which, according 

 to Engelmann, is found growing in strong soil at the summit of hills from 

 Pecos to El Paso and north to Dona, and where it flowers freely from April 

 to July. It varies greatly in size, but is globular in form, with nine to ten 

 thick ridges, on which the clusters of spines are very closely set, the number 

 usually being seven, thick and rigid. The flowers are funnel-shaped, purplish 

 pink, the sepals being tipped with a darker shade of purple, and have a 

 pretty effect when opening in the sunlight. The stamens are very numerous, 

 and in some flowers as many as 1200 have been counted ; they also have a 

 rather pleasing appearance, the yellow anthers contrasting with the white 

 ^laments. 



E. INGBKS, Zuccarini. — This is one of the few Echinocactus which furnish 

 any product of service to man, and even in this case it is far from being in 

 general use. Several species produce a woolly or silk-like substance at the 

 summit of the plant, but in this one it ia particularly abundant, and in 

 Hexioo, according to Dr. Parry, it is collected and employed for stuffing 

 pillows. The filaments composing it are not long, but soft and silk-like even 

 in colour, somewhat resembling a similar product found round the base of 



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