136 Mr. J. Miers on the genus Margaranthus. 
of Nepenthes. An ash analysis of this imteresting plant would 
show the proportion of sulphuric acid at once; and as we are not 
in possession of an analysis of the ash of Nepenthes, which in 
other respects might be of interest, I take the liberty of asking 
those gentlemen who are in the possession of Nepenthes’ plants 
to preserve the clippings of branches, &c., which I shall be glad 
to receive as materials for an ash analysis. 
XVII.—Contributions to the Batany of South America. 
By Joun Miers, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S. 
[Continued from p. 39. ] 
MARGARANTHUS. 
Amon the various collections of Mexican and South American 
plants, I have not been able to find any specimen corresponding 
with this genus, of which indeed nothing appears to be known, 
except the description given of it by Prof. Schlechtendal, and 
the figure drawn by that able botanist from living specimens 
raised in Halle from seeds received from Mexico. On comparing’ 
this with Physalis and its allied genera, it will be seen to differ 
from them in the smaller size and pale blue colour of its flowers, 
and particularly in the great contraction of the mouth of the 
corolla, which gives it a globular instead of a campanular form. 
The calyx is more entire on its margin, and like Physalis en- 
larges, becomes vesicular, and incloses a small globular berry 
with aqueous juice, which becomes exsuccous. I have here 
amended its character as contrasted with its allied genera. 
Marearantuvs, Schl.—Calyx urceolato-tubulosus, 5-angularis 
breviter 5-dentatus, persistens et accrescens. Corolla urceo- 
lato-globosa, 5-suleata, imo attenuata, medio ventricosa, ore 
valde contracta, margine dentibus 5 minutis instructa, mtus 
villosula. Stamina 5, qualia, inclusa, corolle dimidio bre- 
viora ; anthere conniventes, 2-lobze, dorso affixee, rima duplici 
longitudinaliter dehiscentes. Ovarium globosum, 2-sulcatum, 
disco carnoso annulari basi immersum, 2-loculare, placentis 
multiovulatis, medio dissepimenti utrinque aduatis. Stylus 
simplex, apice attenuatus. Stigma truncatum. Bacca sub- 
stipitata, 2-locularis, exsucca, pericarpio membranaceo, poly- 
sperma, calyce inflato, ovoideo, reticulato-venoso, dentibus ore 
clauso laxe inclusa. Semina orbiculato-reniformia. Embryo 
in albumen semipellucidum curvatus.—Herba Mexicana dicho- 
tome ramosa, folis alternis, ovatis, vel ovato-lanceolatis, acutis, 
petiolatis ; floribus axillaribus, solitariis, parvulis, pedunculatis, 
nutantibus, sordide cerulescentibus. 
t. Margaranthus solanaceus, Schi. (Hort. Halens. i. tab. 1) ;— 
