A PHYLLOCACTUS is a "leafy" cactus, as distinguished from a melocactus, which resembles a melon, or an echinocactus, which may be likened to a hedgehog. The phyllocactus section of "Indian figs" includes many that were formerly classed with cereus, the torch thistle, and with epiphyllum, the "leaf-flowering" section. For all ordinary purposes these leaf-flowering cactuses are the most useful of any, being of rapid growth, flowering freely and gaily, and requiring no particular care either to multiply them or to keep them through the winter.

The cactuses are now freely scattered throughout the world, and are familiar weeds in many countries that afford them a dry bed in winter and a glowing sun in summer, with sufficient rain at times to enable them to make their annual growth for extension and renewal. Their frequent appearance on the shores of the Mediterranean has led many an artist astray, and we call to mind at this moment a fine picture, "Ruth and Naomi," in the Academy of 1885, wherein a group of flowering cactuses adorns a corner of the vineyard of Boaz. But the persons represented in the picture never saw the cactus, for it is, in all its forms, a strictly American plant, and was unknown in the old world until some time after the discovery of the new by Columbus in the year 1498, when, in his third expedition, he first landed on terra firma in the immediate vicinity of Trinidad. That Spain and Portugal should first become possessed of plants from tropical America was not only a proper consequence of the nationality of the early adventurers in the West, but a consequence also of the fitness of their conditions, for the rugged mountain sides of the sunny peninsula present a proper home for a large proportion of these curious plants. Their own seat of power is Mexico : there they run riot on hot sandy plains, or barricade the mountain pass against the traveller with their wreathing, snake-like growth, that must be approached with caution because of its formidable spines; or by covering the ground with spherical masses more terrible than the caltrops that the ancient warriors threw upon the field to cripple the enemy's horses.

A considerable proportion of the members of the great cactus family are wholesome and useful; but there are exceptions, for a few that exude a milky fluid have the acridity of euphorbias. The globular kinds are of great service to the wild horses, which break them with their hoofs to obtain the cool, juicy flesh free from contact with the dreadful spines; and a considerable number produce edible fruits, the plant before us being an example. The prickly pear, or Indian fig of commerce, is the product of Opuntia vulgaris, a very handsome greenhouse plant that grows in a succession of green oval disks dotted with spines, and produces in the early days of summer a glorious show of large, satiny, yellow flowers. The much-valued cochineal is the produce of an insect, the Coccus cacti, that lives on the cochineal cactus, Opuntia cochinillifera, a Mexican plant now largely established in the Canaries and in Java, but which has been put in the shade somewhat by the competition of aniline dyes, which have at least the merit of cheapness.

In the cultivation of cactuses, the requirements are few and simple, but must not be trifled with. Cactuses demand a somewhat calcareous sandy soil, with the most perfect drainage, for damp is their greatest enemy. It is too much the rule with cultivators to employ a very poor soil; but this is a mistake. A really generous soil is requisite to ensure free growth and fine flowers; but the drainage must always be the first consideration, for that being faulty, all other conditions, however suitable, are of no value whatever. At all times cactuses should be in the fullest light possible, and throughout the winter they should have no water, or no more than will just suffice to prevent shrivelling.

The summer treatment should include liberal supplies of water, and in the case of fine specimens that show promise of producing a great crop of flowers, weak liquid manure may be given until the flowering is over. It is a common error to keep these plants on short commons all the summer long, the result being a poor growth and very few flowers. They want warmth, light, air, and substantial food, and, as a rule, should be under glass the whole year round. Some half-dozen species, of which Opuntia Rafinesquiana is an example, may be planted on the open rockery to run the race with other hardy plants; but the situation must be dry and warm, and lodgment of water in winter must be carefully guarded against.