3S CACTACEOUS PIANTS. 



like species with prominent tubercles, between wbioh almost every gradation 

 can be found. The stem is seldom more than 6 or 8 inches high, 3 to 6 in 

 diameter, and hag fire or six broadly triangular ridges 1 orlj inch deep, with 

 an even surface and edge devoid of spines. Upon the surface are a number 

 of small grey or whitish flattened scales or hairs, which are thickly placed 

 on the young growth, but fall off as the plant advances in age, and the 

 lower part of the stem is sometimes quite bare. The flowers are produced 

 near the summit of the stem, generally several together, which open early 

 in the day and close in the afternoon from four to five o'clock, expanding on 

 each succeeding day for nearly a week. Plants will also continue bearing 

 flowers from June to September. 



The scales above mentioned, when examined under a microscope of 

 moderate power, are seen to consist of small hair-like filaments radiating 

 from a central very short stalk. Appendages of this character are seen in 

 few members of the family, and occurring as these do in the absence of the 

 clusters of spines, it might almost be thought that they were debased forms 

 of these. Against that fancy, however, is the fact that the scales are 

 dispersed over the whole surface of the plant, and appear to be merely 

 superficial, being easily removed with the finger-nail. 



E. Pfeiffebi, Zuccarini. — A bold handsome species, which at once 

 attracts notice in a large collection, and is well worth a place in a small one. 

 The stem is intermediate between cylindric and globular, usually 1 foot high, 

 9 inches in diameter. The ridges are 1^ to 2 inches deep, and IJ inch across 

 at the base, triangular, deep green. The clusters of spines are 1 inch. apart, 

 and contain several yellowish-white rigid, semi-transparent spines about 

 1 inch long. In the Oxford garden is a beautiful specimen of this 2 feet 

 high, one of the finest in this country. 



E. SOOPA, Pfeiffer. — The Broom Cactus is a popular name applied to this 

 Eohinooactus, and it is an appropriate title, for the ordinary form is sug- 

 gestive of a close birch broom, or more correctly the circular brushes 

 employed in sweeping chimneys. It is extremely distinct, and by no 

 means wanting in beauty of the Cactoid type. The stem in most culti- 

 vated specimens is cylindrical, 4 to 8 inches high and 3 to 4 inches in 

 diameter, but it attains the height of a foot or more, upon which the 

 numerous small ridges, thirty or more, are very closely set, and these in 

 turn bear extremely abundant thickly set purple hairs, which cover the 

 plant so densely that the surface is scarcely visible. The flower is neat in 

 form, 1 to 2 inches in diameter ; the petals narrow, serrated at the point, pale 

 yellow, with bright crimson stigmas. It is a native of Brazil, whence plants 

 or seeds were sent to the Continent early in the present century. 



B. ScoPA CANDiDUS CKISTATUS. — This is one of the most extraordinarj- 

 cf the numerous monstrous forms that have been obtained from seed in the 

 Cactus family. It is also one of the most beautiful, and, though rather 

 delicate, it well deserves the little extra attention needed to keep it in health. 

 No one would think for a moment that it is related to the species named 



