since introduced into the tropical parts of the old world, as well as 
the shores of tlie IMediterranean, now occur there as if native; a woody 
trunk or axis pervades the stem, the branches of which are cylindrical 
or compressed, the joints oblong or ovate, the thorns of different 
kinds, strong or bristle-like, in the axils of the subulate caducous 
rudiments of the leaves, quincuncially or spirally arranged, the number 
being annually increased, the flowers arise from the fasciculi of spines or 
from the margin of the joints, and are white, red, or yellow, large and 
shewy, the stamens often irritable, the berries small or large, green, 
purple, or yellow, often fig-shaped, edible, not becoming ripe under 
two or three years. 
Discription of the Species, Opuntia Drummonhi. Stem (in 
the specimen described, nine inches high) much branched, branches 
erect, joints linear-elliptical, subcompressed. Leav^es small, fleshy, 
subulate, deciduous, their place after falling being occupied by a tuft of 
wool, a number of small barbed hair-like coloured spines, and one or 
two which are much elongated and rigid. Flowers (when expanded, 
two inches across) terminal, yellow, opening wide. Sepals in few 
rows, the outer gradually elongated from the leaves, the inner having 
the form and colour of petals, elliptical and truncated. Stamens 
scarcely more than half as long as the flower, very numerous; pollen 
granules globular, somewhat irregular on the surface. Pistil rather 
longer than the stamens; stigma four-parted, segments fleshy, pointed, 
erect; style glabrous, white, swollen above its base, contracted at its 
origin, and tapering towards the stigma; germen like one of the joints 
of the stem, less compressed, leafy. Ovules numerous, nearly 
filling the elliptical cavity. 
Popular and Geographical Notice. Not only tliis genus, 
but the whole of the Cactaceae, are original natives of America, and 
chiefly in the tropics, though some extend into the warmer parts of 
botli temperate zones. Some, however, are naturalized in Asia and 
Africa, and even in the south of Europe — dry, warm, stony, or 
sandy places being the situation in which they thrive best. 
Introduction; Where grown; Culture. Plants of the 
species now described were received both at the Botanic Garden, 
Edinburgh, and by Dr. Neill, Canonmills, from Mr. Drummond, in 
1835. They were gathered by him in Apalachicola, and flowered 
with Dr. Neill (and with him, and at the Caledonian Horticultural 
Society’s Garden, only, as fai’ as I know), in July, 1838 and 1839. 
Derivation of the Name. 
The generic name, Opuntia, is a great misnomer, if derived, as is said, from 
the Oj)untii, a people of the Morea, in whose district it seemed wild.J^ If this 
he right, the Jackdaw^ w^as unfairly dealt with. ^Grah. 
