CHAPTER XXXVII 



MAR ATT I A, Swartz. 

 (Mar-at'-ti-a.) 



HE memory of J. F. Maratti, an Italian botanist who, in 

 1760, published a book entitled " De Floribus Filicum," is 

 perpetuated in this well-marked genus, which embraces eight 

 species of evergreen plants, and extends all round the world 

 within the tropics, reaching a little beyond the southern one. 



In Hooker and Baker's "Synopsis Filicum" Marattia forms Genus 70; it is 

 the most distinct portion of the sub-order Marattiaceca^ of which, in an 

 elaborate illustrated Monograph published by De Yriese and Harting, at 

 Leyden, in 1853, no less than ninety-four species are defined. 



Marattias are distinctly characterised by their sometimes sessile (stalkless), 

 sometimes shortly- stalked capsules, from four to twelve of which are usually 

 joined together in concrete, boat-shaped masses termed synangia : these consist 

 of two opposite rows of capsules, and open by sHts down their inner faces. 

 According to the various characters of this particular organ, the genus, 

 although small, is divided into three distinct sections, as follow : 



EuMAKATTiA (Eu-mar-at'-ti-a), or true Marattia, Swartz ; in which the 

 synangia are furnished with an obscure, fimbriated involucre (fringed covering). 



EupODiUM (Eu-pod'-i-um), /. Smith; with short-stalked synangia devoid 

 of involucre. 



Gymnotheca (Gym-noth-e'-ca), Presl ; in which the synangia are devoid 

 of involucre and stalkless, 



