196 THE FLOWER GROWERS GUIDE. 



Melocactus (Fig. 120) should have the benefit of a tropical temperature at all times, with 

 a moist atmosphere during the summer months, and all the sunlight possible. 



Only three species are generally cultivated, and these are : M. communis. —Stout, 

 globose, much-ridged stems, furnished with numerous clusters of spines, and surmounted 

 by a broad, cylindrical crown, composed of a thick pad of whitish cotton-like substance, 

 from which a number of red spines are developed. Flowers small, red and tube-shaped. 



M. depressus. — Stem broader than it is 

 high, cut into ten furrows along the sharp 

 angles of which are arranged clusters of 

 pale brown spines. Stem crowned with a 

 cylinder-like cap, this having a " skull- 

 cap " of white wool and red spines. 

 Flowers small, soon wither and remain 

 attached to the dense cluster of rose- 

 coloured berries. And M. Migueli. — 

 Stem oval, dark green, with fourteen ribs; 

 spine tufts small, spines short and black- 

 brown. The cap is cylindrical, about 3 

 inches in diameter, and composed of layers 

 of white threads, mixed with reddish 

 bristles. 



OPUNTIAS. 



This genus differs from all other cac- 

 taceous plants in the peculiar character 

 of their stems and spines, and, to a certain 



Fig. 120. Melocactus. 



extent, also in the structure of their 

 flowers. There are about 160 species known to collectors, and these naturally vary 

 considerably in their size, ranging from small- trailing many-branched plants to large 

 shrubs, 6 feet to 30 feet in height. In most instances the branches are flat when 

 young, but in a few species they are round. All have fleshy stems, which eventually 

 become round and woody. They consist, at first, of a series of fleshy joints superposed 

 upon each other, the joints varying much both as regards size and shape. The spines 

 are sharp, barbed, and very irritating when they pierce the flesh. The majority of 



