The
treatment required by the seeds is similar to what has been already
advised for those of other Cactuses. The tufted kinds are easily
multiplied by separating the stems, or even by cutting off the tops and
planting them in small pots of sandy soil.

SPECIES. The following kinds are selected from those known to be in
cultivation; of course, it is out of the question here to enumerate all
the species known.

M. angularis (angular-tubercled).--A robust kind, with stems 4 in. to
8 in. high, and branching somewhat freely; tubercles prism-shaped, rather
thick at the base, and slightly angular, 1/4 in. long, their tops tufted
with short white spines; at the base of the tubercles are little tufts
of white wool. Flowers are only rarely produced by cultivated plants;
they are small, tubular, rosy-purple, the stamens yellow. Introduced
from Mexico in 1835; flowers in summer. When happily situated, it forms
a specimen 1 ft. in diameter, owing to its freely produced arm-like
branches, which spread out and curve upwards. It requires a warm
greenhouse temperature during winter, and exposure to bright sunshine at
all times.

M. applanata (flattened).--In this, the stem is broader than high, and
has a squat appearance; tubercles 3/4 in. long, cone-shaped, with stellate
tufts of straight, hair-like spines, white when young, yellowish when
aged. Flowers springing from the outside of the stem-top, white, tinged
with red. It is a native of Mexico, and blossoms in summer. A specimen,
6 in. through at the base, may be seen at Kew, where it has been for many
years, without altering perceptibly in size. All the larger-stemmed
Mamillarias are exceedingly slow growers after they have reached a
certain size, although, in the seedling stage, they grow freely. The
treatment for this kind should resemble that advised for the last.

M. atrata (blackened).--Stem oval in shape, broad at the base, 4 in.
high, unbranched; tubercles swollen, 1/2 in. long, deep green, cone-shaped,
becoming flattened through pressure of growth. Spines set in a tuft of
white hairs, falling off from the lowest mammae, as happens in many of
the thick-stemmed kinds. Flowers numerous, and developed all round the
outside of the stem, stalkless, nestling closely between the tubercles,
and when expanded looking like starry buttons of a rosy-pink colour.
Native of Chili, flowering in autumn. This species is rare in England,
but is worth attention because of the prettiness of