18 
BOTANICAL INDEX. 
line of the ridges, which forms a protection against its destruction by animals that 
would, from hunger or thirst, otherwise destroy it. It is composed of a tender pulpy 
substance, of about eight-tenths water, the remainder vegetable fibre. The spines 
are often secured by travelers for toothpicks, while the natives use them instead of 
pins. The flowers appear in May or June, are about an inch in diameter and two 
inches long, of pale yellow, orange center, appearing on top in a circle, one on each 
rib, a few inches from the center, between the clusters of spines; sometimes too such 
rows of bloom appear each season, followed by dry capsules filled by black, shining, 
flattened seeds about the size of a cabbage seed. The plant is very attractive in the 
garden or lawn, and is always approached with exclamations of admiration, and we 
have often provoked great mirth by observing to visitors, that “ it was against the 
rules of the garden for callers to use it for a seat.” 
THK COTTON CACTUS 
Was discovered by a traveler some forty years ago, and recently re-discovered by Dr. 
Edward Palmer, (who spent part of four years botanizing in this region.) It very 
much resembles the Le Contei in everything except its size, (which is less,) and that 
the capsule is filled with a fine staple of cotton. It grows a foot or more in height 
and is ten inches in diameter, blooms in July and matures its fruit in August. 
CEREUS FREMONTEI 
Is a very singular plant. From one root there is a collection of single stems, about 
an inch and one-half through, and the center or oldest parts often fifteen or twenty 
inches long, all growing in a compact bundle, and tapering to a rounded form, much 
resembling a small C. Le Contei, the clump often sixteen inches through and ten to 
twenty inches in height. It has a blossom, in summer, about two inches long, of a 
wax-like half open character, and of an intense dark red color. The plant is well 
protected with long, sharp spines, and when in bloom is very striking, rich and 
beautiful. 
CEREUS (OR ECHINO CACTUS,) JOHNSONI, 
Is a round bristling ball, which I had the honor to bring to notice, and was thus 
named. A more appropriate name would have been Hedgehog. It grows to the size 
of a quart bowl, and is so completely studded with long white spines that the plant 
is fairly eclipsed. 
CEREUS ENGELMANXI 
Is a very interesting variety growing along mountain sides among the rocks, either 
solitary or in clusters of two, three or more, rising to the height of ten to eighteen 
inches, two inches thick, ribbed, with long black and light spines three inches long. 
In May the flowers appear some three inches in length and as much in breadth when 
open, of a rich satin lustre and magenta purple, a most magnificent flower, followed 
in July by a purple fruit two inches in length, sweet and pleasant, resembling a 
strawberry in seed and sweetness. 
MAMILLARIA PHELLOSPERMA, 
or Fish-hook Cactus, is quite an interesting little plant, seldom growing larger than 
a medium apple, single and in clusters, on ridges and table mountains, is spherical 
and clothed with a coat of small, sharp spines curiously re-curved in such a manner 
that oqe may safely handle it without danger of wounding the hands. It has a small 
crop of light yellow bloom, quite minute, and in April, followed soon after by bright 
scarlet berries. 
CEREUS CHLORANTHUS, 
or Noon-blooming Cactus, is very nearly spherical, slightly ribbed, short, light col- 
ored skins, from four to six inches in diameter, growing singly and, sometimes, two 
or three from same root. Bloom about an inch across, lustrous yellow, always open- 
ing at twelve o’clock, clear or cloudy, varying very little in time. 
OPUNTIA RUTILLA 
Is oval shaped and flat. The plant is unostentatious and not striking in appearance, 
but in May is profusely covered with large buds that burst forth into gorgeous 
bloom — double rose-tinted, satin finish, large, rich and beautiful. Spines short and 
long, appearing on both sides and edges of the leaf. 
OPUNTIA ECHINOCARPA, 
Is a real tree Cactus, growing upon the desert or fertile plains, and putting out 
branches about two feet from the ground, which forms a firm, round, shapely head, 
often six feet in height, completely armed with spines, stout and sharp, and sorry 
be the man or animal that “ runs afoul ” of this terrible tree, which is often used as 
a hedge to enclose cultivated fields or pastures. The bloom appears in great profus- 
