anches, with their hundreds of long,
whitish spines, being singular. Unfortunately, it is not easily grown.

O. arenaria (sand-loving).--Stems spreading, forming a tuft 3 ft.
through and about 1 ft. high. Joints 11/2 in. to 3 in. long, and a little
less in width, terete, with very prominent tubercles and numerous tawny
bristles; upper spines 1 in. to 11/2 in. long, white, with a yellow point,
shorter ones hair-like and curled. Flowers 2 in. in diameter, produced in
May. Fruit 1 in. long, bearing a few short spines. Mexico. A
strong-rooted plant, which should be grown in very loose, sandy soil. It
would probably thrive best when planted out on a stage near the glass in
a stove.

O. Auberi (Auber's).--An erect-growing plant, 8 ft. or more high, not
unlike O. Ficus-indica in the form of its joints, but with long spines
springing from the cushions, whereas the latter has none. The joints are
oblong-ovate, glaucous-green, the cushions few and scattered; spines
white, flattened, of various lengths. Flowers tawny yellow, small for
the size of the plant. A native of Cuba, and requiring stove treatment.
Being very brittle, this plant should be supported with stakes.

O. aurantiaca (orange).--A dwarf, cylindrical-stemmed kind, branching
freely. Joints short, 3/4 in. in diameter; cushions of reddish spines, one
about 1 in. long, the others shorter; bases of spines enveloped in white
wool. Flowers bright orange, 2 in. to 3 in. across. This species is a
native of Chili, whence it was introduced in 1824. It should be grown in
a warm greenhouse all winter, and placed in a sunny position outside
during summer.

O. basilaris (branching at the base); Fig. 76.--A dwarf, compact plant,
of peculiar habit. Stem short, branching into a number of stout,
obovate, often fan-shaped joints, which usually spring from a common
base, and curve inwards, suggesting an open cabbage. Joints 5 in. to 8 in.
long, about 1 in. thick, covered all over with dot-like cushions of very
short, reddish spines, set in slight depressions or wrinkles. Flowers of
a beautiful and rich purple colour, about 21/2 in. in diameter, and
produced in May. This distinct plant is a native of Mexico, and is of
recent introduction. Plants of it may be seen in the Kew collection. It
is apparently easily kept in health in an ordinary stove temperature
along with other Cactuses. It varies in the form of its joints and in
its manner of branching, but it seems never to develop the jo