MARTYNIA. 



299 



The Martynia (fig. 8) is a strong-smelling vegetable, the capsules and calyx of which 

 are prolonged into thick and fleshy hooks. In its green state, these parts are esteemed for 

 pickles : when too old, or when the seed has ripened, it becomes woody, tough, and use- 

 less. It serves to increase the variety of condiments, and may become of some importance, 

 inasmuch as the plant is very easy to cultivate, and is frequently found growing sponta- 

 neously by roadsides. 



Pig. 8. 



Martynia. 



III. THE SWEET POTATO. 



The family to which the Sweet potato belongs is more or less poisonous, from the pre- 

 sence of an acrid or milky juice. When this is dissipated by heat or drying, the fleshy 

 tuberous part is not only harmless, but constitutes an agreeable and nutritious food, in 

 which starch is one of the most abundant constituents. Jalap and scammony, drastic 

 purgatives, belong to the same genus as the Sweet potato. The most valuable species of 

 this family all belong to the tropics ; and none, I believe, are found within the frigid zone. 

 With care and proper management, the Sweet potato may be grown for the table in the 

 vicinity of Albany. In New-Jersey they are cultivated with great success, and supply 

 the demands in a great measure of the markets of New-York, and the cities and villages 

 upon the Hudson river. 



