THE TRUMPET-FLOWER TRIBE. l69 



ovules spread over the surface of a central placenta 

 (Jig. 4.). The ovary gradually tapers into a stiff, 

 curved style, ending in a stigma composed of two thin 

 plates. 



Thus far the Bignonia is so like a plant of the 

 Foxglove Tribe, that no Botanist can point out a 

 distinction. It is otherwise with the fruit ; in this 

 species it is described as a very long tapering pod, 

 filled with winged seeds ; in other species its seeds 

 are as follows : a somewhat wedge-shaped, rounded, 

 flat centre {fig. 5.), comprehending a two-lobed em- 

 bryo, without albumen {fig. 6.), is surrounded by a 

 thin, delicate membrane, or wing, the whole substance 

 of which consists of small, semi-transparent cells, 

 round the sides of which is twisted a spiral, silver 

 thread. It is here that the great diflerence between 

 the Tribes of Foxglove and Trumpet-flower resides. 

 The former has no wing to its seeds, nor any thing like 

 the form of a long pod in its fruit. Remembering 

 this then, you never need confound the one with the 

 other. 



Eccremocarpus scaber, is one of the prettiest of the 

 Bignonia Tribe. From the hedges and thickets about 

 Valparaiso, it has been transferred to our gardens, 

 where it survives moderate winters without injury. 

 The curious rough pods of this plant produce an 

 abundance of the winged seeds of the Bignonias, and 

 are well worth a careful examination. 



