e calyx just below the petals, which are narrow,
spreading, and look not unlike the flowers of the yellow Marguerite; the
stigma is bright red. The symmetrical form of the stem, with its rows of
spider-like spines, renders this plant attractive, even when without its
bright and pretty flowers. It thrives only in a warm stove. Introduced
from Brazil in 1831, flowering in the month of July. As it produces
young plants about its base, it may be easily propagated by removing
them and planting them in soil; or they may be grafted as advised for
other of the small, globose-stemmed kinds.

E. pectiniferus (comb-bearing); Bot. Mag. 4190.--One of the most
striking of the plants of this genus, owing to the character of its
stem, and the large size and beauty of its flowers. The former resembles
a pear with the thin end downwards; its height is from 4 in. to 6 in., and
it has about twenty ridges, which are sharply defined and bear along
their angles little cushions of white wool 1/2 in. apart, with a radiating
cluster of brown spines springing from each. The arrangement of the
spines in rows is not unlike the teeth of a comb. The flowers are borne
near the top of the stem, and consist of a green, fleshy tube, clothed
with spines and little tufts of white wool; the sepals form a row
beneath the petals, and are yellowish, tinged with purple; petals 2 in.
long, broad, with the upper margins toothed and the tip acute, their
colour being bright rose, tinged with greenish-white at the base;
stamens yellow; stigma large, green. The form of the flowers is that of
a cup, nearly 3 in. across. Introduced from Mexico in 1845. Flowering
season, April and May. It requires warm-house treatment.

E. polycephalus (many-headed); Fig. 42.--Stem globose when young,
becoming cylindrical with age; number of ribs varying from twelve to
twenty, sharply defined, and bearing, at intervals of 1 in., clusters of
stout, reddish spines, somewhat flattened on the upper side, and marked
with raised rings, or, as it is termed, annulated, the central ones
attaining a length of over 3 in. on old plants, and sometimes curved. The
flowers are enveloped at the base in a dense mass of white wool, which
hides the tube, its spines only showing through; petals narrow, 1 in.
long, spreading like a saucer, and coloured bright yellow; stamens
numerous, yellow, as also is the large rayed stigma. California and
Colorado, on stony and gravelly hills. Flowers in spring; introduc