ridges 11/2 in. deep; C. gemmatus, a hexagonal, almost
naked-stemmed species 10 ft. high; C. strictus, C. peruvianus, C.
geometrizans, and C. Jamacaru, which are tall, weird-looking plants,
10 ft. or more high, some of them freely branched. The following is a
selection of the largest-flowered and handsomest kinds:

C. Berlandieri (Berlandier's); Fig. 17.--A distinct and beautiful
plant, of dwarf, creeping habit, forming a tuft of short branchlets
springing from the main procumbent stems, none of which exceed 6 in. in
length by 3/4 in. in thickness. They are almost round when old, the younger
ones being slightly angled, and bearing, along the ridges, little
tubercles, crowned with short spines. Even old stems are very soft and
watery, and, on this account, it is necessary for the safety of the
plant, in winter, that it should be kept absolutely dry. The flowers are
produced on the young upright stems, and they are as much as 4 in.
across. They are composed of a regular ring of strap-shaped, bright
purple petals, springing from the erect bristly tube, and in the centre
a disk-like cluster of rose-coloured stamens, the stigma standing well
above them. In form the flowers are not unlike some of the Sunflowers or
Mutisia decurrens. They are developed in summer, and on well-grown
plants the display of blossom is exceptionally fine. This species is
sometimes known as C. repens and C. Deppii. It is a native of South
Texas and Mexico, where it is found growing in sandy or gravelly soils,
on dry, sunny hill-sides. It should be grown in a cool greenhouse or
frame, in a position where it would get plenty of sunshine to ripen its
growth and induce it to flower. In winter it should be placed close to
the glass, where the sun can shine full on it, and where it will be safe
from frost. It will not thrive if wintered in a warm house. In April, it
should be examined, repotted if the soil is sour, and kept watered as
growth commences.

[Illustration: FIG. 17.--CEREUS BERLANDIERI.]

C. Blankii (Blank's); Fig. 18.--This is very similar to the C.
Berlandieri in habit and stem characters, differing only in having
longer, broader, less spreading petals, a club-shaped stigma, and in the
colour, which is a deep rose, flushed in the throat with crimson. A
comparison of the figures here given will show the differences better
than any description. C. Blankii comes from Mexico at high elevations,
and thrives under cultivation with the same trea