w this
species has been in favour as a garden plant, though it is, at the
present time, much less common in English gardens than it deserves to
be. The branches are broad, triangular when young, flat when old, about
1 ft. long by 2 in. wide, with shallow incisions, the serrations rather
sharply angled. The height of the plant is from 2 ft. to 3 ft. The flowers
are produced on the margins of the young branches, and are composed of a
short, thick tube, not more than 2 in. in length, and short, dark,
recurved scales; the petals are broad, pointed, and form a stellate
cluster about 4 in. across; they are of a bright rose-colour, streaked
with white, and shaded here and there with a darker colour of red. The
stamens are numerous and pure white. The flowers open in the day-time,
and are scentless; they last in perfection for two or three days, and
may, therefore, be employed as cut flowers for vases, &c. Early summer.

HYBRIDS AND VARIETIES.

In addition to the cultivated species of Phyllocactus there are numerous
hybrids and varieties, many of which are beautiful and distinct either
in colour or in size of blossom.

The following is a selection of the best of them:

P. albus superbus (superb white).--The most beautiful of white-flowered
kinds. Flowers fragrant, 6 in. across, resembling those of the
night-blossoming Cereus grandiflorus; sepals greenish-white, petals pure
white.

P. aurantiacus superbus (superb orange).--A compact plant, with
numerous large, brick-red flowers, 5 in. to 6 in. in diameter.

P. Conway's Giant.--Flowers full, deep scarlet, about 8 in. in diameter.

P. Cooperi (Cooper's).--An English hybrid, remarkable for its large,
beautiful yellow flowers.

P. Franzi (Franz's).--Flowers 3 in. to 4 in. across; petals numerous,
outer ones scarlet, inner violet.

P. General Garibaldi.--Flowers very large, scarlet, tinged with orange
on the reflex side.

P. grandiflorus (large-flowered).--Flowers bell-shaped, 4 in. across;
sepals narrow, scarlet; petals incurved and of a fiery orange-scarlet
colour.

P. Haagei (Haage's); Fig. 13.--Flowers about 5 in. across,
flesh-coloured when first expanded, becoming carmine before fading.

[Illustration: FIG. 13.--PHYLLOCACTUS HAAGEI.]

P. ignescens (fiery).--Flowers 8 in. across, almost flat when expanded;
petals numerous, deep brilliant scarlet.

P. Jenkinsoni (Jenkinson's).--Flowers medium in size, colour
cherry-red.

P. Johnstonei (Johnstone's).--Flowers l