dges, upon which are tufts of
short spines, springing from little cushions of whitish wool. The
position of the flowers is shown in the figure. The tube is covered with
tufts of hair-like spines, and the petals and sepals are broad,
spreading, and white, tinged with yellow, as in E. cristata. The native
country of this plant is not known; but it is a well-known garden
Cactus, and thrives in a warm, airy greenhouse in summer, and on a dry,
sunny shelf in winter. The swollen base of the tube is a good example of
the nature of what is usually termed the flower-stalk in these plants.
It is, as has been pointed out, the elongated calyx, and the swollen
portion is the ovary or seed vessel. If, therefore, seeds are desired,
the withering flowers should be allowed to remain, and, in time, the
upper portion of the tube will fall away, leaving the base, which
continues to grow till it attains the proportions of a hen's egg.

[Illustration: FIG. 50.--ECHINOPSIS DECAISNEANUS.]

E. Eyriesii (Eyries').--Stem no larger than an orange, with about a
dozen ridges, the edges sharp, and bearing little globular tufts of
whitish wool and red, hair-like spines. Flower exceedingly large for the
size of the stem, the tube being more than 6 in. long, funnel-shaped,
pale green, with tufts of brown hairs, which look very much like
insects, scattered over the surface. The petals are numerous,
narrow-pointed, spreading, pure white, the stamens pale yellow, and the
star-like stigma white. This species is a native of Mexico, and was
introduced by the late Sir John Lubbock, about 1830. It blossoms at
various seasons, generally in summer. "Independently of the large size
of the flowers, which rival in dimensions those of the Cereuses, it is
remarkable for the rich, delicate odour they exhale at night, at which
time its glorious blossoms expand. When young, they resemble long,
sooty-grey horns, covered over with a thick, shaggy hairiness, and would
never be suspected to conceal a form of the utmost beauty and a clear
and delicate complexion. When the hour of perfection has arrived, and
the coarse veil of hair begins to be withdrawn by the expansion of the
unfolding petals, one is amazed at the unexpected loveliness which
stands revealed in the form of this vegetable star, whose rays are of
the softest white" (Lindley). For its cultivation, this plant requires a
warm house always; but care should be taken to give it plenty of fresh
air and as much light