SELECT SPECIES. '21 



The species of Anhalonium that are better known to oultiTators are 

 A. elongatnm, Sdlm, A. prismaticum, Lemairc, and A. sulcatum, all of which 

 more or less resemble M. fissurata in the form of leaves and habit. They 

 are curious species, and bear strange resemblance to other plants — for instance, 

 the leaves of A. elongatum have been aptly compared to those of some 

 Crassulas, and of A. prismaticum and A. sulcatum to Aloes or Haworthias, 

 especially H. retusa. These are all considered as Mamillarias now, Hooker 

 and Bentham in this view following Engelmann and Miquel. 



M. GRACILIS, Pfeiffer, Tar. pulohella. — Amongst the small-growing 

 cylindrical-stemmed species of Mamillaria none surpass this in delicate 

 beauty. It is indeed an exquisite little gem, most symmetrical in the arrange- 

 ment of its spines, and is moreover very easily grown and readily increased, 

 as the diminutive side branches or offsets are produced in great numbers. 

 Tery dwarf, 1 to 2 inches high ; stem cylindrical, half an inch in diameter ; 

 tubercles small and green ; spines in one series, white, spreading and closely 

 set ; flowers pale yellow, of good size, and attractive. 



M. JIICROMEKIS, Engelmann. — Unique in form and very beautiful, readily 

 distinguishable from all other species m cultivation, but resembling one 

 described by some writers as M. microthele. It is a Mexican plant, and 

 according to the author of the above name is found " from El Paso to the 

 San Pedro river, also in a single locality east of this river, in naked places on 

 mountain tops or sides, only on limestone, never in the porphyritic region." 

 An exceedingly fine engraving of the plant is given in Engelmann's " Cac- 

 taoete of the Boundary," and the distinguishing characters of a variety named 

 Greggi, which is of rather larger growth, are also shown. In the species 

 the stem resembles a flattened ball 2 inches in diameter and IJ inch high, 

 having in the centre at the apex a circular tuft of wool-like down about 1 inch 

 across, surrounded by a fringe of stiff white spines ; tubercles very small and 

 closely set, each bearing a diminutive star of radiating white hairs, which fall 

 from the older tubercles, giving the lower portions of the plant a peculiar 

 appearance. The flowers are very minute, with about five sepals and petals, 

 pale rose-coloured, and succeeded by red berries one-third of an inch long. 



M. mclticeps, Salm. — Chiefly remarkable for the much-divided character 

 of the stem ; the flowers are also of a pleasing shade of colour and produced 

 rather freely. The lower divisions and branches of the stem can be removed 

 and potted when it is desired to increase the plant. Stem dwarf, much- 

 branched or divided, 1 inch high, half inch in diameter ; tubercles one-eighth 

 to a quarter of an inch long, narrow, conical, green ; spines in two series, the 

 outer white, very fine and numerous, the inner yellow, larger, and stronger ; 

 flowers pale yellow with a reddish line in the centre of the petals. 



M. Nbumaiiniana, Lemaire. — A bold and distinct species, free in growth, 

 and well worth a place in a small collection. Introduced from Mexico in 

 1845. Stem cylindrical, 5 to 6 inches high; tubercles stout, three-eighths of 

 an inch long, dark green, with a tuft of wool-like material at the apex and a 

 few tawny spines about half an inch long ; flowers of a rosy hue. 



