Plate 285. 
EPIPHYLLTJM TRUNCATUM ELEGANS. 
Amongst those plants which have been forced to give way 
to the rage for novelties, and to the exigencies of providing 
room for bedding-out plants in small establishments, Cacti of 
various sorts may be enumerated. In our younger days, we 
remember when they were the almost necessary adjunct of 
every warm greenhouse; and even now, on the Continent, 
where the modern system of gardening does not so much pre¬ 
vail, they are much more largely cultivated. Me have our¬ 
selves seen, at some of their exhibitions, collections containing 
from 100 to 150 species, attracting considerable attention. 
It is true that prizes have been for many years offered for 
Cacti at our great exhibitions; but the mistake has, we think, 
been made of regarding more the size of the plants than the 
number of varieties, and consequently very little attention has 
been paid to them; whereas, had a larger number of their 
very curious forms been constantly brought before the public, 
we doubt not they would have been much more appreciated. 
Amongst the sorts most in vogue on the Continent, the va¬ 
rious varieties of truncatum are perhaps in as great favour as 
any, and, formed into standards, they are admirable plants 
for table decoration, the heads drooping gracefully down, co¬ 
vered with their brilliant scarlet flowers. One of the newest 
of this class is Epiphyttum truncatum tricolor , figured in our 
present Plate, and sent out from the establishment of Mr. V\ 7 . 
Bull, Chelsea. The blossoms are of a brilliant orange-red, 
having the centre of a rich purple, and being in all respects, 
perhaps, the very best of its class ever sent out. It has re¬ 
ceived the highest award that can be made to a new plant, 
