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areolas located quite far from the top. You noted that the first flowers are born in general 

 closer to the summit than the following ones and that frequently there are two flowers off 

 the same areola sometimes simultaenously and at the other times one after the other. 



I observed the same events with similar characteristics in the Ehinocactus 

 polygraphis which seems to be a neighbor but otherwise identical (variety major) of the 

 Echinocactus castanoiedes. 



The Echinocactus saglionis (Ech. hypoganus Salm) species close to the Ech. 

 multifloms and the Echinocactus hexaedrophosus also has white flowers and completely 

 developed areoles. Since the preceding year it has well developed needles. However it is 

 mainly the Echinocactus cumingii (Salm) that has those very well established 

 characteristics: the large species produce a great number of small yellow flowers. The first 

 ones come out of the top, but sometimes also far from the areolas that are at least one year 

 old. These flowers are succeded by a new group that arise from a lower part or from the 

 lowest areolas among those that have produced the first flowers. This is the reason why 

 this species has many areolas that produce two flowers one after the other. These studies 

 will be continued but demonstrate that the limitations between the Echinocactus and the 

 Cereus become from day to day more difficult to establish. 



I thank you for your messages in regards the new division of the Mammillarias. 

 This way of doing it is evidently the best if one does not wish to establish a new gender 

 for the Mammillaria micromeris. 



You know that these plants could probably be classified not in the Eumammillaria 

 nor in the Coryphanta, but in the Echinocactus and they must constitute an individual 

 group or one gender beneath another. 



The denomination Epithelantha seems to be very similar and I believe it could be 

 placed close to the Echinocactus horripilus. This has violet flowers similar to the 

 Mammillaria conoidea, with bare ovaries that come out of the top of the mammila 

 without trace of grooves. 



Mr. Eugene Fournier who is in Charge of writing the botanical aspects of the 

 Expedition in Mexico, insists that I group the Cacti in a family and develop it as I see fit. 

 In the meantime I will not do anything more until after my wedding. 



I will write you again in the future. In the meantime please give my respects to Mrs. 

 Engelmann and my devotions to you. 



Alb. Weber 



Translated: Manfred Thurmann 



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