VEGETABLE VAGARIES. 285 
appears to be a sad, almost sin- 
ful, waste of one of Flora’s most 
marvellous creations. Doubtless, 
however, it is the moths only 
that are required in this instance 
to assist Dame Nature in the ac- 
complishment of the essential pur- 
pose of all floral structures. To 
these insects the glistening sheen 
of the white cactus lamps in the 
pale moonlight must prove an 
unerring beacon to the honied 
banquet that awaits them. As 
they flit from cup to cup the 
large protruding pistil and stellate 
stigma, distinctly shown in the 
lower of the two figures, forms 
a sort of landing stage or front 
door-mat upon which the moths 
must first alight. ‘‘ Please wipe 
your shoes before entering” is the 
mot @ordre, unwritten but obey- 
Con- 
ed, at every golden portal. 
CEREUS CHALYKAUS. 
CEREUS 
NITENS. 
W. Saville-Kent, Photo. 
