by a kind of involucre, whose leaflets resemble the cauline 
leaves, and are plentifully interspersed with hairs at the 
base. Calyx diphyllous, spreading, leaflets ovate, green, at 
length scariose, hairy at the point of insertion. Corolla 
large, showy, considerably longer than the calyx, orange co- 
lored, or of a very bright reddish purple. Petals five, united 
at the base, and apparently incorporated with the base of 
the calyx at the point of insertion of the germen. Stamens 
united with the base of the calyx and corolla, and in aslight 
degree with each other, numerous: Filaments deep, blackish 
purple. Anthersrounded,two-celled, purplish: pollen bright 
yellow. Pistil: Germen superior, conical, including several 
upright receptacles, to which the seeds are attached : Style 
as long as the stamens, filiform: Stigma of seven to nine 
filiform, pubescent, at length recurved rays. 
Professor De Canpo.ie justly observes, that the Genus 
Porrutaca is a very heterogeneous one; and its characters 
are certainly but imperfectly understood. I am happy, 
therefore, in haying the opportunity of giving an analysis 
of what I cannot but think a new species of the Genus, and ~ 
one,, the beauty of whose flowers must render it a desirable 
inhabitant of the cool stove or greenhouse. . 
It was discovered by Dr. Gituies, growing in light sandy 
soil, in various situations between the Rio del Saladillo, or 
Western boundary of the Pampas, and the foot of the 
mountains near Mendoza. On the Western side of Rio 
Desaguardero plants were in great profusion, giving to the 
ground over which they were spread a rich purple hue, here — 
and there marked with spots of an orange colour, from the 
orange-coloured variety which grew intermixed with the 
others. 
It has some affinity with P. pilosa, (Bot. Reg. t. 792) 
but differs in the greater length of its leaves and vastly 
larger size of the flowers. The colour of these flowers we 
find to vary to that degree, that it must afford a very deceit- 
ful character for the grouping of the species of the Genus. 
P. teretifolia and P. lanuginosa will also rank very near our 
plant, but the latter is described as having small flowers, 
and the former, many ovate, acute, diaphanous bractez. at 
the base of the flowers. 
I, 
Fig. }. Orange-flowered state of the plant. 2. Purple-flowered ditto. 3. 
Extremity of a Flowering, Branch, from which the corolla is removed. 4 
Portion of the Stamens. 5. Pistil. 6. Section of the Germen.—All but fig. 
I. and 2 more or less magnified. 
