E. Decaisneanus (Decaisne’s).—­As represented in Fig. 50, this plant appears to have a columnar stem, but this is owing to the specimen having been formed by cutting off the upper portion of an old plant and striking it.  Naturally, the stem in this species is globular or slightly egg-shaped, and bears about fourteen ridges, upon which are tufts of short spines, springing from little cushions of whitish wool.  The position of the flowers is shown in the figure.  The tube is covered with tufts of hair-like spines, and the petals and sepals are broad, spreading, and white, tinged with yellow, as in E. cristata.  The native country of this plant is not known; but it is a well-known garden Cactus, and thrives in a warm, airy greenhouse in summer, and on a dry, sunny shelf in winter.  The swollen base of the tube is a good example of the nature of what is usually termed the flower-stalk in these plants.  It is, as has been pointed out, the elongated calyx, and the swollen portion is the ovary or seed vessel.  If, therefore, seeds are desired, the withering flowers should be allowed to remain, and, in time, the upper portion of the tube will fall away, leaving the base, which continues to grow till it attains the proportions of a hen’s egg.

[Illustration:  Fig. 50.—­Echinopsis Decaisneanus.]

E. Eyriesii (Eyries’).—­Stem no larger than an orange, with about a dozen ridges, the edges sharp, and bearing little globular tufts of whitish wool and red, hair-like spines.  Flower exceedingly large for the size of the stem, the tube being more than 6 in. long, funnel-shaped, pale green, with tufts of brown hairs, which look very much like insects, scattered over the surface.  The petals are numerous, narrow-pointed, spreading, pure white, the stamens pale yellow, and the star-like stigma white.  This species is a native of Mexico, and was introduced by the late Sir John Lubbock, about 1830.  It blossoms at various seasons, generally in summer.  “Independently of the large size of the flowers, which rival in dimensions those of the Cereuses, it is remarkable for the rich, delicate odour they exhale at night, at which time its glorious blossoms expand.  When young, they resemble long, sooty-grey horns, covered over with a thick, shaggy hairiness, and would never be suspected to conceal a form of the utmost beauty and a clear and delicate complexion.  When the hour of perfection has arrived, and the coarse veil of hair begins to be withdrawn by the expansion of the unfolding petals, one is amazed at the unexpected loveliness which stands revealed in the form of this vegetable star, whose rays are of the softest white” (Lindley).  For its cultivation, this plant requires a warm house always; but care should be taken to give it plenty of fresh air and as much light as possible.  The soil best suited for it is a rich loam with a little sand and charcoal.  It likes liberal watering in summer.

E. E. flore-pleno (double-flowered); Fig. 51.—­A form with several rows of petals, which give the flowers a doubled appearance.