ldom or never on the ground; but in greenhouses they may be grown in
pots, a few being happiest when suspended near the glass. They do not
like bright sunshine, nor should they be kept in a very shaded, moist
position. There is a good collection of kinds in the Succulent-house at
Kew.

Propagation.--Seeds of Rhipsalis ripen freely, and these, if sown on
sandy soil, and placed on a shelf in a warm house, germinate in a few
days. The development of the seedlings is exceptionally interesting, as
the vegetative organs of all the kinds are very similar, and
Cactus-like; the gradual transition from this character to the diverse
forms which many of the species assume when mature is quite phenomenal.
Cuttings will strike at almost any time, if planted in sandy soil and
kept in a close, warm house till rooted. Some of the kinds thrive best
when grafted on to a thin-stemmed Cereus. Treated in this way, R.
sarmentacea makes 6 in. of growth in a season; whereas, on its own roots
it would take about five years to grow as much.

The following is a selection of the species cultivated in gardens. The
genus Lepismium is now included in Rhipsalis.

SPECIES.

R. Cassytha (derivation not known).--A pendent shrub, 4 ft. or more
high, growing on rocks and the mossy trunks of trees. Branches numerous,
flexuous, with small branchlets or joints springing from the ends in
clusters, smooth, round, the thickness of whipcord, leafless, with
numerous brown, dot-like marks scattered over the surface; under a lens
these dots are seen to be tufts of very fine hairs. Flowers on the sides
of the young branches, small, greenish-white, short-lived; they are
developed in September, and are succeeded by white berries, exactly like
those of the Mistletoe, whence the name Mistletoe Cactus, by which this
species is known. An interesting and easily-grown warm greenhouse plant,
native of tropical America, Africa, &c. It was introduced in 1758.

R. commune (common); Bot. Mag. 3763.--Stem straggling, branching
freely, growing to a length of several feet. Branches jointed; joints
varying in length, triangular, the angles compressed, and notched along
the margins; notches regular, and bearing tufts of whitish hair. Strong
plants produce joints over 1 in. in width. Flowers white, tinged with
purple, springing singly from the notches, and composed of eight to
twelve sepals and petals. Stamens and stigma erect, white, the latter
four-rayed. This species is a native