wers freely and keeps in good health in an ordinary greenhouse
temperature, always, however, requiring plenty of sunlight and rest
during winter. By placing it upon a shelf near the glass from October to
March, allowing it to remain perfectly dry, and afterwards watering it
freely, the flowers should make their appearance early in summer. A
plant with several stems, each bearing a large bright rose blossom,
sometimes two, presents an attractive appearance.

[Illustration: FIG. 19.--CEREUS CAESPITOSUS.]

C. cirrhiferus (tendril-bearing).--A prostrate, branching-stemmed,
small-growing kind, very proliferous, with roots along the main stems;
branchlets upright, five-angled, with slightly raised points, or
tubercles, upon which are ten short hair-like spines, arranged in a
star, and surrounding three or four central erect spines, all whitish
and transparent. Flowering branches erect, 4 in. high, by about 1 in. in
diameter, bearing, near the apex, the large bright red flowers, nearly
4 in. in diameter, regular as a Sunflower, and lasting about a week. This
species was introduced from Mexico in 1847. It is one of the best-known
and handsomest of this group. It requires similar treatment to C.
Berlandieri.

C. ctenoides (comb-like); Fig. 20.--Stem 3 in. to 5 in. high, and about
3 in. in diameter, egg-shaped, unbranched, rarely producing offsets at
the base. Ribs fifteen or sixteen, spiral, with closely-set cushions of
stiff, whitish spines, which interlace and almost hide the stem; there
are from fourteen to twenty-two spines to each cushion, and they are
1/4 in. long. Flowers produced on the ridges near the top of the stem; tube
short, spiny; petals spreading, like a Convolvulus, 3 in. to 4 in. across,
bright yellow; stamens yellow, pistil white. The flowers expand at about
9 a.m., and close again soon after noon. They are developed in June or
July. This species is a native of Texas, and is rare in cultivation.
When not in flower it might easily be mistaken for Echinocactus
pectinatus. It should be grown in a sunny position, in a warm house or
pit, all summer, and wintered on a shelf, near the glass, in a
temperature of from 45 degs. to 50 degs. during winter. Under cultivation
it is apt to rot suddenly at the base, more especially when old. Should
this happen, the rotten parts must be cut away, and the wound exposed to
the air in a dry house for a week or two.

[Illustration: FIG. 20.--CEREUS CTENOIDES.]

C. enneacanthu