32 
CACTACE.E. 
and full grown specimens sometimes not more than these 8 spines are found, the 4 upper ones 
(which are in this case perhaps rather improperly designated as central) stouter and cruciate, 
and the 4 lower ones arranged around the lower half of the areola. Generally, however, 2 
upper radial spines, weaker and less curved than the 4 lower ones, make their appearance ; and 
in a few specimens before us we find 3-4 upper radial spines, the uppermost ones being quite 
slender. 
In the field w r e noted as many as 15 spines occasionally, when no doubt 7 occupy the place of 
upper radial ones. The central spines are always very stout but very different in size ; in some 
specimens we find them 1|- to If, while in others they are 2 to 3J inches long ; they are nearly 
straight or very much curved ; the upper one is often 1| to 2 lines wide, the lower one the 
longest. 
The yellow flowers feem to make their appearance in February as the fruit ripens in March ; 
the ovary and the fruit are enveloped in dense pure white cottony wool, which originates from 
the axis of the lower sepals and through which only the dark reddish-brown spinulose points of 
the sepals are visible. The incomplete description of the flowers was made from withered 
specimens adhering to the fruit. Tube of flower funnel-shaped, short and rapidly widening 
towards the upper end, naked (without free stamina) at the lower part. Petals about 1 inch 
long and 2 lines wide. Style 1-1| inch long, stigmata 4 lines long. Fruit dry 8-10 lines 
in diameter, together with the remnants of the flower about 2 inches long, open at base when 
falling off; like the fruit of many if not most of our Ecliinocacti , seeds 2 lines long, 1| line 
broad, irregularly shrivelled, appearing rugose and angular, much like those of the nearly 
allied E. laticostatus, (liorizontlialonius Lem.) ; liilum transversely oval; embryo curved, the 
cotyledons buried in the large albumen, accumbent, sometimes oblique. 
This species is very nearly allied to E. Parryi , Englm. Synops. Cact. of the neighborhood of 
El Paso, but this latter species is depressed globose, much smaller, simple, with only 13 ribs, 
whiter, less flattened spines ; fruit and seed are said to be the same, but unfortunately have 
been lost and cannot be compared ; no doubt satisfactory diagnostic characters will be dicovered 
in tbe seeds ; the fruit of E. liorizontlialonius and E. Texensis are also similar, the latter, 
however, though woolly, is not dry. 
Very different in flower and fruit but very similar in shape, in the many heads, numerous 
ribs, and stout curved annulated spines, is E. cylindraceus , discovered by Dr. Parry a few degrees 
further south on the eastern slope of the Sierra. We shall repeatedly have occasion, especially 
among the Opuntice , to indicate the remarkable analogies in the external form or in the more 
essential character of Cactacece in different geographical divisions of the southwest. 
CEREUS, Haw. 
Subgen. Echinocereus. 
1. Cereijs viridiplorus, Englm. in Wish Rep. Subnom. Echinocereus. 
On the plains east of New Mexico, near the 100th degree of longitude, to the mountains of 
the Rio Grande, September 12, 1853. 
2. C. C 2 ESPITOSUS, Englm. in Plant. Lindh. 1. c. The most eastern of all our Cerei! and 
only found in the plains. It was first seen about 170 miles west of Fort Smith, near the 96th 
degree, about the same longitute where Mr. Lindheimer first discovered it on the Brazos, four 
degrees further south. Its western limit seems to be near the 100th degree, where the range of 
C. viridijlorus commences. 
It may not be uninteresting to observe that this is the first time that this interesting genus 
has been recognized within the boundaries of the United States under the acquisition of 
Louisiana. 
