liar habit and mode of growth at
once distinguish this species. It rises with a perfectly straight,
erect, slender, but firm and stiff, round stem, to a height of from
10 ft. to 30 ft., tapering from the base upwards, and furnished all the
way up with short, horizontal branches, spreading about 3 ft. all round,
like an immense candelabrum. Spines long, subulate, very sharp,
ash-coloured, in clusters. Joints broadly oblong, margins wavy; they
resemble leaves, or the thin, leaf-like joints of a Phyllocactus, with
the addition of long, whitish spines on both sides. Flowers 11/2 in. in
diameter, lemon-yellow, very freely produced on the younger joints
during May and June. Fruit as large as a walnut, spiny, yellow when
ripe. This species is a native of Brazil, whence it was introduced in
1816. It may be recommended for large, airy houses, as it grows freely,
and forms a striking object when arranged with foliage and flowering
plants of the ordinary kind. Its fruits are edible.

O. candelabriformis (candelabrum-shaped).--Stems erect, 5 ft. to 8 ft.
high; joints flat, almost circular, about 6 in. in diameter,
glaucous-green, densely clothed with numerous cushions of white,
bristle-like spines, a few in each cushion being long and thread-like.
Flowers not known on cultivated plants. This sturdy species is a native
of Mexico, and succeeds well if planted on a little rockery or raised
mound in a warm house, where, properly treated, it branches freely, and
forms a dense mass of circular joints. It is one of the most useful of
the larger Opuntias for cultivation in large houses.

O. clavata (club-shaped).--Stem short; joints club-shaped, 2 in. long
and 1 in. wide, narrowed almost to a point at both ends. Cushions 1/4 in.
apart, composed of numerous spines, varying from short and bristle-like
to 1 in. in length, stout, flattened, and spear-like. Leaves 1/4 in. long.
Flowers yellow, 11/2 in. across. Fruit 11/2 in. long, lemon-yellow when ripe,
and covered with stellate clusters of white, bristle-like spines. New
Mexico, 1854. A stove species, remarkable for the strength and form of
its central spines, which are spear or dagger-shaped.

O. cochinellifera (cochineal-bearing); Bot. Mag. 2742.--An
erect-growing plant, attaining a height of 9 ft. or more, and branching
freely, the older parts of the stem and branches being woody and
cylindrical; young joints flat, oblong-ovate, varying in length from
4 in. to 1 ft., deep green, rather s