e stiff and dumpy, their spines
large and rigid, and their flowers small and unattractive. But what is
wanting in beauty of form or colour is atoned for in the cap which
crowns the stem, and forms the flower-head, growing taller and taller
whilst the stem remains stationary, till, under favourable
circumstances, a cylindrical mass of spines and hairs, not unlike a
large bottle-brush, and 1 ft. or more in length, is developed before the
whole plant succumbs to old age. This character belongs more
particularly to M. communis, the commonest species, and the one best
known in English gardens. Additional interest attaches to this species,
from the fact of its having been the first Cactus introduced into
Europe, for we are informed that in the year 1581 living plants of the
Melon Cactus were known in London. Fifty years later, Gerard, the Adam
of English gardening, wrote: "Who can but marvel at the care and
singular workmanship shown in this Thistle, the Melocarduus echinatus,
or Hedgehog Thistle? It groweth upon the cliffes and gravelly grounds
neere unto the seaside in the islands of the West Indies, called St.
Margaret's and St. John's Isle, neere unto Puerto Rico, and other places
in these countries, by the relation of divers that have journied into
these parts who have brought me the plant itself with his seed, the
which would not grow ill my garden, by reason of the coldnesse of the
clymate." After this, the plant appears to have been frequently
cultivated in gardens in this country, and it has only been in recent
years that this and similar curiosities have almost disappeared from all
except botanical collections.

The most prominent distinctive characters of Melocactus reside in the
cap or cluster of spines, wool, and flowers on the summit of the stem.
Thirty species are included in the genus, their stems ranging from 1 ft.
to 3 ft. in height, the ridges straight, and, as a rule, large; whilst
all have stiff stout spines in clusters about 1 in. apart. The small
flowers are succeeded by bright red, cherry-like berries, containing
numerous black, shining seeds. The distribution of the species is over
the hottest parts of some of the West Indian Islands and a few places in
Central and South America.

Cultivation.--The cultivation of the several kinds known in gardens is
as follows: A tropical temperature all the year round, with as much
sunlight as possible, and a moist atmosphere for about three months
during summer,