24 CACTACEOUS PLAHTS, 



and others as M. stellaris, and is also probably the M. Btellata of Loddiges' 

 " Botanical Cabinet," Dwarf ; stem 1 to 2 inches high, cylindrical-globnlar ; 

 tubercles narrow conical, one-eighth to a quarter of an inch long, dark green ; 

 spines in two series, outer numerous, fine hair-hke, white, inner fewer, erect, 

 and brownish. The iiowers are freely produced, yellowish, the petals hi,ving 

 a central line of rose. 



M. RAPHIDACANTHA, Lemaire. — The needle-spined nipple Cactus is an 

 exceedingly pretty species, small in its proportions, but very symmetrical, 

 :ind covered with the most delicate little rosettes of spines imaginable. They 

 are indeed needle-like in form, brightness, and rigidity, and the clusters 

 resemble crystals of ice. A plant sometimes seen under the name of 

 M. raphidacea appears to be the same as this. Stem cylindrical, 3 to 5 inches 

 high and 1 inch in diameter, slender and elegant ; tubercles short, conical, 

 a quarter of an inch long or less, dark green ; spines in one series, spreading 

 star-like, eight or nine, closely set, a quarter of an inch long, white tipped 

 with brown ; flowers freely produced, about an inch in diameter, and 

 purplish Tiolet in colour. 



M. hhodahtha, LinJc et Otto. — The bright colour of the abundant flowers 

 of this plant renders it a charming companion for the others named in this 

 list, and will, moreover, bear a lower temperature than the majority ; it has 

 indeed been tried out of doors both here and in France during the summer 

 months. It is a Mexican species, and was introduced in 1836. Several 

 varieties are known and named, such as neglecta, sulphurea, ruficeps, auriceps, 

 and others, but they differ very slightly from the species. Stem 2 to 6 inches 

 long, 2 inches in diameter, freely branching ; tubercles conical, one-eighth to 

 quarter of an inch long, having at the apex a tuft of white down, rays of 

 fine hahs, and six irregular white or yellowish spines quarter to half an inch 

 long. Flowers produced in succession during the summer, bright rose, 

 of medium size. 



M. SOHIEDEAKA, Ehretiberg. — One of the prettiest and most distinct of 

 the genus, and is of free growth and flowers profusely, also producing its 

 reddish fruits occasionally, which have a pretty appearance nestling amongst 

 the tubercles. It inhabits limestone districts at considerable elevations in 

 Mexico, whence it was introduced to France in 1838, and to England some 

 years later. It should be in every collection. Stem cylindrical, globular, 

 3 to 5 inches high, 2 inches in diameter ; tubercles dark green, cylindrical, 

 half an inch long, very narrow, quite distinct from the majority of species, 

 spines yellowish, hair-like, and forming a small star nearly a quarter of an 

 inch in diameter, much resembling the pappus on some of the Compositae ; 

 flowers small and white. 



M. SIMPLEX, Haivorth. — This species is chiefly interesting in an historical 

 point of view, for it was the first one introduced to Europe. It is mentioned 

 by several of the old writers, and among them by Bradley in his curious work 

 on " Succulent Plants " (1716). Eay states that it was grown by Bishop 

 Compton at Fulham, and was also grown at Hampton Court in 1690. 



