ON CACTEiE, 
35 
secure an early vigorous bloom ; and at the first approach of 
winter I remove the pot or tub to a place of security from frost, 
limiting the supply of water until the foliage exhibits a natural 
decay, when I withhold it altogether. The roots are then placed 
(tub and all) in some shed or cellar until wanted again the 
ensuing spring. Tigridia conchiflora is a native of Mexico, 
and was introduced into Britain in 1823t it is set down in the 
Hortus Britannicus as a species, but my experience leads me to 
infer that it is no more than a variety, of its handsome relative, 
Tigridia pavonia, as the majority of the seedlings I have raised 
from it have a marked tendency to produce dingy red flowers; 
however they were growing not far from pavonia, and probably 
might be impregnated by it : but whether it is a species or only 
a variety the cultivator need care but little. I have been thus 
prolix in detail in the hope of being useful. It will be seen at 
once that by the system here recommended the roots are pre¬ 
served from injury by breaking, and the foliage from frost, the 
advantage of which to the bulbs must be evident to every one. 
If these remarks are worthy a place in your valuable Journal, 
their insertion will greatly oblige 
South Lambeth. E- A. II. 
ON CACTEiE. 
This anomalous order or division of vegetation consists of suc¬ 
culent plants, singular and various in structure, generally without 
leaves, and having their stems or branches jointed in some 
species. 
The greater part of them are armed with spines in bundles, 
and in some bristles are intermixed : these bundles of spines 
are always placed at the top of the tubercles, as in Echino and 
Melocacti, which are of a roundish form, and tubercled all over, 
producing their flowers from between the tubercles, or mam- 
millce , round the middle of the plant. 
There are some species which are clothed with long white 
hairs, as C. senilis, while others have spines arranged in a single 
row on the ridge of the ribs : these are mostly oval, or of a 
globular form ; in others the deep ribs are set all over with 
strong sharp thorns or spines. The use of these spines has 
long been a matter of controversy, and we are now, perhaps, as 
