of Mexico; introduced in 1845. It thrives in a house or
frame where it is protected from frost, and during summer gets plenty of
sunlight and air. It flowers in August. During the months of April and
May, when it starts into growth, it should be kept close; but by the end
of June, it should be exposed to the open air and allowed to ripen, so
that its flowers may be produced in the autumn. The plant called E. v.
ellipticus does not differ from the type, owing its name to the form of
the stem of the first plant that flowered at Kew.

E. scopa. (brush-like); Fig. 44.--The stem of this species, when seen
covered with numerous tufts of bristly spines, has been compared to a
brush, a comparison not, however, applicable to the form represented in
the Figure. In height the stems sometimes reach l1/2 ft., with from thirty
to forty ribs, bearing little discs of white wool at the bases of the
clusters of spines. The flowers spring from the upper part of the stem
(the nodules shown in the illustration represent the places where
flowers have been developed at an earlier stage of growth), from four to
six being borne in the same season; they are 11/2 in. long and wide, the
tube short and brown, bristly; the petals are arranged in several
overlapping series, rather wide for their length, toothed at the ends;
their colour is a bright sulphur-yellow, as also are the stamens, whilst
the stigma, which is rayed, is bright crimson. Native of Brazil.
Introduced about 1840; it is more like a Cereus, in the form of its
stem, than an Echinocactus. It flowers in June, and requires stove
treatment. The stems, when dried carefully and stuffed with wadding,
form pretty ornaments.

[Illustration: FIG. 44.--ECHINOCACTUS SCOPA.]

E. scopa cristata. (crested variety); Fig. 45.--This curious
monstrosity owes its origin to fasciation similar to what occurs in the
Celosias or Cockscombs, in some Echeverias, &c. These monster varieties
of Cactuses do not flower, but they are nevertheless interesting, and
worth growing on account of their curious shapes. The plant shown in
Fig. 45 is grafted on the stem of a Cereus, and it is remarkable that a
portion of the crest of the Echinocactus will, if grafted on to another
plant, develop the abnormal form of its parent, proving that the
variation, whatever its cause, has become fixed.

[Illustration: FIG. 45.--ECHINOCACTUS SCOPA CRISTATA.]

E. Simpsoni (Simpson's).--One of the smallest plants in the genus, and