the length of the stamens. Stigma small, capitate, minutely
papillose. CapsuUe ovate-oblong, pointed, rather compressed,
bilocular, opening at the top by two cloven valves. Partition
transverse, formed by the inflected edges of the valves. Placentce
2, oblong, fungous, furnished with elevated processes.
Seeds numerous, small, angular, scabrous.
Found by Ruiz and Pavon, growing in waste grounds,
and by way sides, about Pillao, Panao, Chaclla, and other
towns and villages of the provinces of Tarma, and Huassa-
huassi, in Peru, where it is known by the names of Ricaco
and Ricarco, meaning mask-flower, and blossoming from
May to September. One species of the genus is famed in
Peru for its anodyne and stomachic properties.
The Alonsoa are plants of very easy culture, and add
much to the ornament of the flower borders during the Summer
and Autumn months. They prefer a light loamy soil,
and are easily increased by seeds or cuttings. A supply of
young plants destined for the borders should be raised in the
preceding Autumn, and planted out early in May.
The species here figured, which is certainly that of Ruiz
and Pavon, although formerly a denizen of the gardens,
having been first introduced in 1790, has now become rare,
the A. acutifolia having usurped its place and name in most
collections.
Our drawing was taken in August last, at the Botanic
Garden, Chelsea, where the plant had been raised from seeds
communicated by Mr. Hugh Cuming.
The genus is essentially distinguished from Celsia and
Hemimeris, with both of which it has been confounded by
several eminent Botanists, and we are inclined to think more
nearly related to Angelonia and Calceolaria than to either of
them. The corolla is that of Calceolaria in an expanded form,
and its resupinate character appears to arise from the twisting
of the peduncle in an early stage.
The genus was named by Ruiz and Pavon, after Don
Zeno Alonso, Secretary to one of the Spanish Viceroys of
New Granada, and a zealous promoter of the publication of
the Plora Peruviana. D. Don.
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Correction in the Number f o r March.
Adesmia viscosa.jtbk 230. This fine species was raised by Mr. Knight,
from seeds collected in Chile, by Mr. Cuming. The drawing, which was
taken a t Mr. K night’s, during our absence from London, was inadvertently
stated to have been from the Nursery of Messrs. Allen and Rogers.