PAXTON'S FLOWER GARDEX. 



149 



plants, consisting of the Dendrobimn amplum of Wallich, and the Bolbophyllum Lolbii, affim, Icopardinum, Oheiri, and 

 macranthwm of Lindley, the name Sarcopodium may be applied : with the following distinctive character : — 



Habitus Bolbophylli. Pollinia et columna Dendrobii. Sepala coriacea, lateralia basi ventricosa. Labellum coriaceum, 

 basi dilatatum. (Haud Bolbophyllum quod poll. 4 nec 2, et col. mutica nec cirrhata. Haud Dendrobium quod sepala et 

 labellum coriacea basi ventricosa nec cornuta v. calcarata.) 



Rhipsalis pachyptera. Pfeiffer. {alias Cereus alatus 

 Link and Otto j alias Cactus alatus Bot. Mag. ? ) A trailing 

 succulent shrub, from tropical America, with leaf-like stems, 

 small dirty white flowers, and red fruit. Belongs to the 

 order of Indian Figs (Cactacese). Mowers in winter and spring. 

 (Pig. 96; a, section of flower; b, ripe fruit.) 



This singular little plant is a native of 

 Rio de Janeiro, from whence it was re- 

 ceived by Sir Charles Lemon, Bart , M.P., 

 in 1839, and flowered at Carclew in April, 

 1846. In its mode of growth it has consider- 

 able resemblance to some 

 of the well-known showy 

 species of Cactus with flat 

 leaves, but on flowering it 

 proved to be totally differ- 

 ent. It requires a warm 

 greenhouse or stove, and 

 thrives very well when 

 grown in a loamy soil with 

 little water. Joints leafy, 

 roundish ovate, compress- 

 ed, nearly flat, hanging 

 down, about 3 inches long 

 and 2 inches broad, deeply 

 crenated with a thick pro- 

 minent, woody midrib, and 

 distinct side ribs. They are 

 of a bright green, tinged 

 with reddish brown at the 

 base and point, as well as 

 along the margin,becoming, 

 when old, of a rusty green. 

 Flowers solitary, sessile, 

 small, issuing from each 

 crenature, and of a pale 

 brownish yellow : the 

 buds, previously to open- 

 ing, being delicately tinged 

 with pink. Sepals five, 



very minute and unequal in size. Petals five, spreading 

 ovate-oblong, obtuse at the point. Stamens numerous, 

 filiform, erect. Style somewhat clavate, rather longer, 

 and much larger than the stamens, divided at the point, 

 sometimes into five, but most frequently into four lobes. Fruit a small berry about the size of a red currant, and 

 similar in colour, with numerous small jet black seeds, embedded in the pulp. 



That this is the Cereus alatus of Link and Otto, there can be no doubt ; and consequently it is the Rhipsalk pachyptera 

 of Pfeiffer ; but we are by no means satisfied that it differs specifically from the Rh. crispata and rhombea of the same 

 author, notwithstanding the white fruit of the former. We find it, however, recognised in the Prince of Salm Dyck's 

 latest enumeration, and we bow to so high an authority, 



Millettia megasperma. Sir J. D. Uoolcer. This is likely to turn out a valuable 



appearance, both as to flowers and 



addition to our tall greenhouse climbers. 



Its general 



