2 



In regards the Cyhndropuntia of South America, I can send you a sample of the seeds of 

 the Opuntia clavanoides, that confirms the general rule that you have determined for 

 the embryonic seeds of the Cyhndropuntia. A few seeds of the Opuntia cylindrica 

 would give me much pleasure. 



In regards to the groups that you call Euchyanthia, Rhodostigma and Gynocalcium I 

 should hke to teil you a few things. It has been a long time since I have had difficulties 

 with the Classification of the Cerci of South America. It contains some groups of 

 Echinocactus from one country that should be placed under the gender of Cirius ( in 

 particular the groups of exculptus, acutissimus, villosus, Haynii, that have very different 

 flowers compared to the Echinocactus, and flower on old areolas). The others are 

 similar to the groups of the Pentlandi ( for example the Cumingii). In the meantime I 

 have always thought the others to be the real Echinocactus. Just like you, I attach great 

 importance to the geographic Classification, and am convinced that each country 

 produces distinctive botanical groups. But the study of the Cereus group is very little 

 advanced. It is absolutely impossible to classify the flowers of the Cereus without 

 knowing them in depth. For example a small group of Cereus that could have been 

 added to the Echmocereus ( Multicostati and Latecostati). In the first place I find that 

 your Cereus dasyacanthus that is a true Echinocereus and then your Cereus linensis that 

 is similar to the Cereus lanatis Humboldt, the Cereus multiangularis whose flowers are 

 unknown, the Cereus flavescens that is similar to the Cereus martianus whose flowers 

 I have seen here, all form a distinct group because of their flowers. The Cereus 

 stngosus, whose flowers I have seen many times, is a true and incontestable Echinopsis 

 ( with flowers absolutely distinct from those of the Echinopsis Bridgesii or Hiatti) the 

 Cereus Spachianus that has small apical flowers like the Pilocereus; the Cereus 

 lamproclonus and candicans that are true Echinopsis, etc.etc. 

 Some day I will try to make known to you the results'of my research in regards the 

 various floral forms of the Cereus. 



I was happy to have been able to help you solve the synonymy of your Opuntia from the 

 Galapagos Islands. Those from the Paris Museum seem to me to be different from the 

 one from the Galapagos because of the low stem, articulated but not cylindrical 

 Because of this they are different from the Opuntia spinossisima, to whom you would 

 hke to group it. The Opuntia spinossisima also has a non articulated trank. I would be 

 happy to receive samples of some of your plants; they would be well cared for if thev 

 arrive alive. 



It is not only I who would be pleased to receive a package, but also Mr. Martels would 

 be very happy. I hope you can include a sample of the Mamillaria Agasii You also 

 send me an Echinocactus from California (San Diego?) from which you should have 

 some fraits. Could you also send me some seeds? You would also give me great 

 pleasure if you could send me some seeds of the Agave virginica, that I believe we do 

 not yet have. The seeds that you brought in 1869 have germinated but they perished 

 during the war. 



I would also like to ask you the name of an Echinocereus that you sent us in the past in 

 the form of seeds under the name of Pass of Sangre de Cristo. They were planted at 

 Pfersdorff s but because they were not labeled, it is today impossible to find them 

 Thankfully I seeded some at Mr. Mertel's therefore we do have some of this species Do 

 you have the Echinocereus phoenicus? 



I also have a lot to teil you about the Agave. You see that the corresponding material is 

 such that I need time to write about it. 



