Prirce Salm 



Majr. 1, 1848 



will split into several; for the present, the Speeles are not suf fi- 

 elest, to nake a Separation urgertly neoessary. The genus Eplphyllunr 

 is restricted to one species, and Lindl ey created reoently a new ge- 

 ms Di scocactus (nore correct Di si socactus ) f or a species (fron Hon- 

 duras), ^bich is good and correct.. - The Rhipsalideae separate into the 

 s-e^era Rhipsalls , Pf eistera (? r E.D.) and Lepisnium , which are entirely 

 suf f ieient, . 



The tribus Opuntiaceae consists until now solely of the genus 

 0-pun.tla , : I would have liked to separate fron, it the ^ cylindraceae 

 as you know; it seems however, that Natu.re will not pernit it, and 

 that despite the totally divergent habitus, no characteristlc of the 

 flower or fruit can be found for the founding of a generic charaerter». 

 The strueture and analysis of the seeds can not be used. for this purpose« 

 It is nore an indicium (prognosis, E.D. ) for the probability of a 

 future Separation; but this does not furnish any naterial to exe - 

 cute such a separat! on, , All these species never flower in our Wardens,, 

 God only knows why.. We know only, and very inperf ectly, , the flowers 

 °^ ££• cylindracea ( whieh f lodere d on the Canary Islands, and is pic- 

 tured; in the Botanical Magazine p. 3301) and of Op . rosea DC Rev. on 

 Cact. You have seen several of then, and it would be raost desirable, 

 that we would get the illustrations and analyses of then t - At this 

 time though, there is nothing to be done, and the will have to be 

 kept. However , I have deternined another Aerius as indespensible, though 

 it presents a d.isturbance. • The diagnosis of the genus Opuntia readsr 

 w Phylla petaloidea rosaeeo-expansa. Staraina numerosa, effusa,linbo 

 breviora, Stylus cylindracus, inferne, obclavatis incrassatus Fron 

 this diagnosis are totally divergent the Op . coccinettif era Auberi», 

 and Op . dejecta . Their character is:- 



