A Preliminary Revision of the North American Species of Cactus, Anhalonium, and Lophophora

In this meticulous early‑twentieth‑century treatise the author sets out to bring order to the bewildering variety of North American cacti, anhalonium, and lophophora. Drawing on an ambitious field expedition that traced the Mexican border from El Paso to southern California, the work captures the excitement of uncovering whole plants in rugged terrain, even when blossoms were scarce. The opening pages also reveal the painstaking collaboration with the nation’s leading botanical institutions, whose collections supplied the essential specimens and historical notes.

The manuscript weaves together observations from the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Harvard Gray Herbarium, and the California Academy of Sciences, creating a comprehensive reference for scholars and garden enthusiasts alike. It emphasizes the unique difficulties of preserving succulent specimens, explaining why many early samples existed only as skeletal fragments. By cataloguing species, noting subtle differences, and honoring the legacy of pioneering botanists, the study offers a clear window into the foundational science of desert flora.