The Martynla. 97 



MARTYNIA— THE MARTYNIA. 



Natural Order, Pedalineae. Linnsean Class, Didynamia ; Order, Angiosper- 

 mia. Generic Distinctions : — calyx, five parted ; corolla, ringent ; capsule, 

 woody, dry, with a hooked beak, containing a four-celled nut. 



jyf. proboscidea. — Stem, branched ; leaves, alternate, lobed, cordate at the 

 base ; stamens, four, all fertile. — Plate 15. 



This genus was named in honor of John Martyn, who was 

 professor of botany at the University of Cambridge, and author 

 of several botanical works. He died in 1768. Martynia is 

 nearly allied to Bignonia, the Trumpet-flower genus, in the 

 formation of its corolla, the number and position of its sta- 

 mens, and in other respects ; but is readily distinguished 

 by the absence of wings from its seeds, and by the oil which 

 they contain. 



The species in our plate, takes its name, proboscidea, (pro- 

 boscis-like,) from the singularity of its capsules or seed vessels, 

 which are hard and dry like a nut, and terminate in two beaks 

 or horns. It is a native of Louisiana, and probably of some of 

 the other southern states, having been discovered on the banks 

 of the Mississippi, and introduced into England in 1759. Its 

 cultivation is said to be easy ; the seeds are to be sown in 

 April or May, in a light, rich soil, and warm situation. The 

 seeds, like all others which are oily, are apt to become spoiled, 

 and often only a few of those which are sown, will germinate. 

 It is a showy and curious plant. The stem and leaves are 

 covered with glutinous hairs, the flowers are somewhat bell- 

 shaped, dotted, and variegated with several shades of purple, 

 on a white ground ; the throat of the corolla is edged with yel- 

 low, and the stigma is divided into two lobes, which are irrita- 

 ble, and when touched, close together. 



There are three or four other species, all but one of which are 

 natives of Mexico and Brazil. Of these, M. lutea much resembles 

 the one already described, but its flowers are a bright orange 

 color, and its leaves have toothed edges. M. diandra, which 

 comes from Vera Cruz, has very peculiar flowers, the limb of 

 the corolla being a delicate pink, variegated with deep scarlet, 

 Vol. II.— 7. 



