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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
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