34 
CACTACEiE. 
infimo breviore, summo elongato robusto multangulo obscuro erecto aculeum centralem similem 
multangulatem erecto-patentem subiequante, rarius excedente. (Plate V, fig. 2-3.) 
On high sand-bluffs, covered with scattering cedars, near the natural well, about 40 miles 
west of Zuni, near the 109th degree.- Only seen in that locality. This species resembles, in its 
growth and the character of its species, 0. triglochidiatus ; it is simple or has 2 or 3 heads, 3-5 
inches high ; the young areohe are very tomentose, 3-4 lines in diameter, and 6-10 lines distant 
from one another ; the lower radial spine is 8-12, the others 10-15 lines long, pale or dirty 
yellow when young ; the upper radial spine is much stouter and longer than the others, and 
resembles the central spine in shape, size, and color ; in the few specimens at our disposal, we 
find it from 1|- to 2| inches long ; sometimes it assumes a more central place in the areolm, the 
the two upper lateral spines almost closing above it, very rarely a small tenth spine appears 
above it. The central spine is 1^-2| inches long, 1 line in diameter, deeply furrowed, and 6 or 
7 angled ; it is longer, equal to or rarely shorter, than the upper radial spine. Both those 
spines are almost black or mottled yellowish and black when young, and become, with all the 
others, gray when old. Collected November 29, 1853. 
6. C. triglochidiatus, Englm. in Wisl. Report, Sub-Echinocereo: In rocky canons at the 
Rio Grallinas, east of the Pecos, and from there to the Sierra Madre, near Mount Taylor; not 
noticed farther west; always with few branches, or nearly simple. Major Brooks, the com¬ 
mandant of the fort at Santa Fe, informed me that the fruit of this species is edible, like many 
other allied species. Collected September 28, 1853. 
7. C. iiexaedrus, (sp. nov.): ovatus, simplex seu e basi parce ramosus; costis 6 obtusiusculis 
subinterruptis, sulcis latis superficialibus, areolis orbiculatis distantibus; aculeis tenuioribus 
rectis rigidis subangulatis basi bulbosis, radialibus 5-7 e flavido rubellis, inferiore breviore, 
summo saepe robustiore, centrali robustiore longiore acute-angulato juniore fuscato, smpe defi- 
ciente. (Plate V, fig. 1.) 
On sandy hills, under cedars, about fifteen miles west of Zuni. Few heads 4-6 inches 
high, 2-2| in diameter, with six obtusish ribs, separated by wide and shallow grooves. Areolae 
tomentose when young, only \\ line in diameter, 6 or 8 lines distant. Spines slender, but stiff; 
quite bulbous at base; lower ones 5-10, upper ones 8-15 lines long; mostly 6 radial spines, 
without a central one, the uppermost being the stoutest, longest, and darkest one, but smaller 
where a central spine is present. In a single instance, we found 7 radials, and in another one 
2 compressed central spines; central spine usually 12-15 lines long. From the nearly allied, 
more southern Cereus paucispinus, Engl, ined., this northwestern form is principally distin¬ 
guished by the slender and angular spines. But as of neither of them we know the flower and 
fruit, we cannot form definite conclusions as to their specific distinction. These forms and 
C. triglochidiatus have a smaller number of ribs than any other species of this section. Collected 
November 28, 1853. 
8. C. phoeniceus, Englm. in Synop. Cact., E. coccineus; Englm. in Wisl. Rep. non De C. 
nec. Salm. (PI. IV, fig. 1.) Found from the Upper Pecos to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, also 
five degrees further west, on the San Francisco mountains. The specimens perfectly agree with 
the description given in Wislizenus’s report. The numerous heads, 2-3 inches high, about 2 
inches in diameter, form dense cespitose masses, often one foot or more across. Areolm 3-4 
lines distant, large; spines slender, almost setaceous, with very slightly bulbous base, 8-12 
radial ones, 3-6, 1-3 central ones 5-10 lines long ; upper radial spines much shorter than 
lower ones. 
The following form seems very distinct, especially in its manner of growth ; but we bave seen 
intermediate forms which seem to indicate the necessity of uniting both. Such questions, 
however, can only be solved satisfactorily by careful examination of flower and fruit, which are 
as yet unknown, and by extensive observation of these plants in their native wilds. 
