MAETINIZIA. 



Mabtinezia. 



251 



An exceedingly ornamental genus of American Palms, 

 which form small trees rarely exceeding twenty feet in 

 height. The leaves are pinnate, and the pinncs cuneate. 

 The flower spike is enveloped in a double spathe, and but 

 little branched. The flowers are unisexual, but produced 

 on the same spike, both sexes having flowers with three- 

 parted sepals and petals. The fruits are round, and one- 

 seeded. To grow these Palms successfully, pot them in 

 sandy loam and peat, in about equal parts. They enjoy 

 a strong heat and an abundance of water. Martinezias 

 when in a young state may be used with good effect for 

 table decoration, without the slightest injury, and from 

 their distinct character should find a place in every col- 

 lection. They are increased by seeds. 



M. caryotcefolm. — Stem slender, and, as well as the 

 petioles and back of the leaves, densely clothed with long- 

 black spines. Leaves pinnate, three to six feet in length ; 

 pinnaa cuneate, prsemorse, from six to twelve inches in 

 length, from four to six inches in breadth at the apex, 

 and full dark green on both surfaces. The arrsmgement 

 of the pinnae is very peculiar, as several pairs are produced 

 in close proximity, and succeeded by six or ten inches of 

 bare petiole. It is a very ornamental plant. Native of 

 Pern, &c. 



M. Lindeniana. — Ihis very distinct and handsome plant 

 bids fair to become useful, not only as an ornament to* 

 the stove, but also to the dinner table, and for public 

 exhibition purposes. It is of recent introduction, and we 

 only know it as a young plant, in which state the leaves 

 are pinnate, the terminal pinnse being considerably the 

 largest ; the sheathing petiole is profusely armed with long 



