one of the prettiest. It produces tufts of irregularly-formed stems
about 4 in. high, and composed of numerous rounded tubercles over 1/2 in.
wide, bearing on the top of each a tuft of about twelve spines 1/2 in.
long. The flowers are borne from the apex of the young tubercles, and
are 1 in. wide and long, cup-shaped; petals pale purple, the stamens
yellow. Native of Mexico and Colorado, where it is found at elevations
of 8000 ft. to 10,000 ft., in great abundance, forming large patches on
gravelly morains, where the climate during the summer is dry, whilst in
winter a thick covering of snow protects the plants from severe frosts.
In England, this species is said to have withstood 32 degs. of frost
without being injured. It has been grown out of doors in a garden at
Northampton, where it passed several winters planted in a raised border
at the foot of a south wall with a natural coping of ivy. In New York,
where the frosts of winter are severer than in England, it is cultivated
out of doors. In this country it is apt to be injured by excessive
moisture and fogs; but by protecting it with a handlight from November
to March or April, this is overcome. If grown in pots, it should be kept
in a position where it can enjoy all the sunlight possible.

E. sinuatus (undulated).--Stem about 8 in. wide and long; globose,
bearing fourteen to sixteen ridges, the edges of which are wavy or
undulated, the prominent points crowned with tufts of thin, flexuous,
yellow spines, the longest 11/2 in., and hooked, the shorter 3/4 in., and
straight. The stem of E. longihamatus is very similar to this. Flowers
developed on the top of the stem; tube short, scaly, green; petals
yellow, spreading, and forming a cup 3 in. across, which is greenish
outside. A native of Mexico, where it flowers in April. A
recently-introduced kind, not yet flowered in this country. It is
described as being a distinct, large-flowered, handsome species.

E. tenuispinus (thin-spined); Bot. Mag. 3963.--Stem globular,
depressed, with ridges and spines similar to those of E. Ottonis;
indeed, by some these two are considered forms of the same species. In
the number and size of the flowers, their colour and form, and the time
of flowering, there is no difference between them. Native of Mexico (and
Brazil ?).

E. texensis (Texan); Fig. 46.--A short-stemmed plant, with a thick,
leathery skin and broad-based ridges of irregular form, crowned with
tufts of stout horny spines