MARTYNIACEAE 
461 
The latter contain one spore each. The sporocarp is very hard and may 
remain in water a long time without showing any effect. Ultimately 
however, or at once if the hard shell be injured, a swelling of the 
mucilaginous interior tissue bursts it. “As more water is absorbed, 
this gelatinous inner tissue continues to expand, and forms a long 
worm-shaped body to which are attached a number of sori, each sur- 
rounded by a sac- shaped indusium in which the sporangia are closely 
packed” (Campbell). The spores are finally set free by the dissolu- 
tion both of indusium and sporangium wall. The prothalli are similar 
to those of Salviniaceae. 
The sporocarps of M, salvatrix Hans. (M. Drummond ii A.Br.) 
are eaten by the natives of Austr., under the name nardoo. 
Marsiliaceae. Filicineae Leptosporangiatae (Heterosporous). A family 
composed of 2 genera (Marsilia, Pilularia) with 40 sp. trop. and 
temp. The mature plant is aquatic or amphibious and has a thin 
creeping stem, growing by an apical cell, and bearing leaves at 
distinct nodes. The leaves are circinate in vernation like those of 
the ordinary ferns, but vary much in type (see genera). Roots are 
formed from the lower side of the stem. 
The sporangia are contained in sporocarps, which are complex 
structures not homologous with those of the Salviniaceae. Each is 
the equivalent of a leaf-segment and encloses several sori, the latter 
composed both of micro- and mega-sporangia. Each spore is fur- 
nished with an epispore of hardened frothy mucilage. The spores 
pass the winter (or dry season) inside the sporangia. The subsequent 
stages in the life history resemble those of Salviniaceae. See genera 
for details. 
Martynia Houst. ex Linn. (incl. Proboscidea Schmid.). Martyniaceae. 
6 sp. trop. and sub-trop. Am. Firs, with sensitive stigmas like those 
of Mimulus. The fruit has 2 long curved horns, admirably adapted 
for animal-distribution ; for either it is carried off bodily, or else the 
hooks, like those of the burr of Arctium, catching passing animals 
cause a jerk which scatters the seeds out of the capsule. 
Martyniaceae. Dicotyledons (Sympet. Tubiflorae). 2 gen. with 10 sp. 
trop. and sub-trop. Am., in dry or coast regions (p. 169). Flerbs, 
often with tuberous roots, with opp. or alt. leaves, and terminal 
racemes of $ , 5-merous, zygomorphic firs. K (5) ; C (5) ; A 4 with 
a staminode, epipetalous, didynamous; G (2), i-loc. with parietal 
placentae, and 00 or few anatropous ovules. Capsule loculicidal, the 
outer pericarp soft and falling off, the inner woody; it is rendered 
more or less 4-loc. by the union of the T-shaped placentae together 
and to the endocarp. The tissue at the top of the midrib of each cpl. 
also becomes woody and forms a projecting spur, usually hooked at 
the end or curved, and serving for animal distribution. Seeds with 
little endosperm. Genera: Martynia, Craniolaria. United to Pedalia- 
ceae by Benth.-Hooker and Warming. 
