52 ME. JOHN HOG& OX THE TREE MALLOW. 



In the early part of last December, on my return home, I found 

 the plants green and in full strength, but the very severe frost 

 which occurred soon after the middle of that month quickly killed 

 them ; at Christmas I cut them down to the root, and took from 

 one of them the present specimen. Most appropriately, indeed, 

 lias this tall and shrub-like biennial plant been termed arborea, 

 for the lower portion of the stem (now exhibited) presents quite 

 a woody aspect : it is, however, exceedingly light, and on taking it 

 in the hand, it is at once found to be a stem of very rapid growth. 

 The diameter of it, though not a regular circle, is just about 2\ 

 inches, exclusive of the bark, which is a quarter of an inch thick. 



This piece of stem exhibits an inner circle, ■£ inch in diameter, 

 which is darker in colour than the second, or outer ring or circle, 

 and is, I conclude, to be considered as the stem of the first year's 

 growth. The outer circle shows a still greater and more rapid 

 increase, being double of the former, or, if I am correct in my 

 conclusion, the second year's growth of the stem is fully twice that 

 of the first year. Now, supposing it to be possible that this rapid 

 mode of increase should take place, in the like proportion, in any 

 forest-tree, what an enormous and magnificent tree would be visible 

 to the world after a growth of some fifteen or twenty centuries ! It 

 would rival, if not surpass, in stupendous magnitude, the Wclling- 

 tonia gujantca of the New "World ! 



Next, as regards the bark : it will be apparent that the inner 

 portion is extremely fibrous, though coarse in its nature, and evi- 

 dently well adapted, in an economical point of view, for being 

 formed into strong ropes, mats, and the like purposes ; and I 

 should also think it might be used in the fabric of coarse paper. 

 It is well known that some of the Malvacece are employed in the 

 manufacture of cordage ; but I cannot find in any of our botanical 

 works an account of the Lavatera arborea being so employed. 

 One plant of the same natural family, the Lime-leaved Sida, or 

 Sida tilimfolia, is cultivated somewhat extensively in China, for 

 the sake of its finer fibres, which are esteemed equal to flax and 

 hemp. 



From the size and height to which the Lavatera arborea attains 

 in rich soil, a single acre sown with it would doubtless afford an 

 immense quantity of strong ligneous fibres, and so, probably, amply 

 repay its cultivation, which is perfectly easy, and requires no par- 

 ticular care, except that during the first winter a little attention in 

 protecting the young plants from extreme frost might be desirable. 



