S3 CACTACEOUS PLANTS. 



prfiferably in a pontbern aspect, as to insure their flowering well they 

 need a thorough ripening. 



E. GONACAKTHns. — This and the following were collected in the Eocky 

 Mountains, and shown by Mr. Loder at Kensington on June 14th, 1881, when 

 the Floral Committee awarded first-class certificates for them. Since then 

 they have become great favourites with many persons, and the number of 

 their cultivators is fast increasing. E. gonacanthus in particular is ex- 

 tremely handsome when flowering, and is not surpassed by any related 

 species. It is dwarf in habit, rarely exceeding C inches in height, the stems 

 ribbed and spinose, bearing the flowers in clusters on the upper part. The 

 blooms are about 3 inches long and 2 inches across the mouth, of an intensely 

 bright orange red, and possessing a lustre like that seen in the petals of some 

 of the Phyllocactus, the bright green stigmas contrasting strangely with the 

 other portion of the flower. They also continue expanded for a week or 

 more, and under favourable circumstances last for nearly a fortnight. 



B. Eendleki. — ^Tery distinct from the preceding, but almost as beautiful, 

 is E. Fendleri, and the two make excellent companions for a rockery or- 

 similar situation. The last-named is rather stronger in growth than the 

 other, reaching a height of 8 inches, cylindrical in form, and bearing two 

 series of spines, the smaller radiating laterally and light in colour, the central 

 ones much longer, very dark, nearly black, and upturned. Even when not 

 in flower the plant is attractive, and is easily recognised when once seen. 

 The flowers are sometimes as much as 4 inches in diameter, and about the- 

 same in length, varying slightly in hue from a, dark rose to a rich shining 

 crimson, very handsome and striking in bright sunlight. They have the 

 peculiarity, however, of only remaining open for two or three hours at mid- 

 day, closing and re-opening for a week or more. Engelmann states that in 

 Mexico this opening and closing of the flowers is very constant, the former 

 taking place at noon on each day, and the closing about 2 P.M., but under our 

 cloudy skies the regularity is not so marked, and in dtUl weather the flowers 

 often refuse to open for several days. The early summer months is the time 

 at which the blooms usually appear, and like E. gonacanthus this species 

 requires a sandy or rocky soil, though both can be well gro-wn in properly 

 drained pots. 



Numbers of other species are known, but few are in general cultivation, 

 though some may be briefly mentioned as distinct and beautiftil. One of the 

 best is E. dasyacanthus, which is especially notable for its regular and hand- 

 some fascicles of spines. Its flowers are also large and bright yellow, being 

 produced near the summit of the plant, and opening about noon. In common 

 with some other members of the genus it has a remarkable number of stamens, 

 as many as 1700 having been counted in one flower, while the fruit when ripe 

 is of a fine purplish colour. E, ctenoides also has large yeUow flowers and 

 closely set fascicles of spines on narrow spiral ridges. E. CEespitosus has 

 fine and pretty spines symmetrically arranged ; B. longisetus is notable for 

 its long deflexed spines ; E. stramineua forms dense masses of heads like 



