GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



257 



used to clothe arid banks in the gardens near Naples and elsewhere, 

 thus giving the effect • of a grassplot. This class of plants, which 

 has been much neglected, is useful in hot, burning situations, and will 

 probably become fashionable with the higher class of gardeners. 



We have a few Cacti. Notwithstanding their interesting forms 

 and magnificent flowers, these plants are often discarded, because 

 they are stubborn, and will flower when they like, and so are not well 

 adapted for flower shows. This year several species were planted out 



Fig. 523.— EcWnocactus tubifloms. ""-^ Fig. 524a.— Stapelia Plantii. 



Fig. 524. — Cereus grandiflorus. 



in a hot, dry border, and the one figured (fig. 523) shows well the 

 splendour of their flowers. The Creeping Cereus is a common 

 species, easily flowered. The Mid- 

 night Cefeus {Cereus grandiflorus, 

 fig. 524J comes into flower towards 

 evening with great rapidity, and then 

 may be cut, when it will last three 

 or four days. Cacti are desirable 

 plants to grow in greenhouses at- 

 tached to dwellings, because they Fig. s^j.-cereus spedosissimus. 

 give off no odour. The Stapelia (fig. S24«) is a remarkable plant 

 having flowers smelling like putrid flesh. Probably the Cactus-house 

 at Kew is the most perfect glass-house in the world. 



The Cereus spiciosissimus (fig. 525) is a plant which created a great 

 sensation when it was first introduced. Its grand, brilliant flower is 

 most effective. It requires full exposure to sun, and a long season of 



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