ch
compressed, so that a section of the stem shows a cross; margins
notched, with clusters of short, hair-like spines at each notch. Flowers
6 in. long, and about the same across the top; tube covered with soft
hairs and short deep-red scales, which are enlarged towards the top,
where they spread out, and form, along with the petals, a large rosette
of several whorls, arranged as in a semi-double rose, the centre being
occupied by a brush-like cluster of greenish stamens, with the radiating
stigma standing erect in the middle. It is to be regretted that the
flowers are not more freely produced by cultivated plants.

C. grandiflorus (large-flowered); Bot. Mag. 3381.--There is scarcely
any plant that makes a more magnificent appearance when in full blossom
than this. A strong plant will produce many flowers together, but they
do not remain long expanded, opening at seven or eight o'clock in the
evening, and fading at sunrise the next morning; nor do they ever open
again, even when cut and placed in warm water in a dark place. The
closing of the flowers may, however, be retarded for a whole day by
removing the bud before it is fully open and placing it in water. The
stems are almost cylindrical, with four to seven slight ridges, or
angles, which bear numerous tufts of wool and short stiff spines. Roots
are thrown out from all parts of the stem, even when not in contact with
anything. The flowers are developed on the sides of the stems,
principally the younger, shorter ones; the flower tube is about 4 in.
long by 1 in. in diameter, and is covered with short brown scales and
whitish hairs; the calyx is 1 ft. across, and is composed of a large
number of narrow sepals of a bright yellow colour inside, brown on the
outside; the petals are broad, pure white, and arranged in a sort of cup
inclosing the numerous yellow stamens and the club-shaped stigma. The
flower has a delicious vanilla-like odour, which perfumes the air to a
considerable distance. Flowers in July. Native of the West Indies.
Introduced 1700, at which time it is said to have been cultivated in the
Royal Gardens at Hampton Court.

C. Lemairii (Lemaire's); Bot. Mag. 4814.--In the size and fragrance of
its blossoms, and also in the brilliancy of its colours, this species
rivals C. grandiflorus; differing in the following particulars: the tube
is covered with large green, crimson-edged scales instead of small brown
scales and white hairs; the sepals do not spread ou