198 xxv. malvace.* (masters). [Hibiscus. 



Peduncles solitary, axillary, 1- flowered, longer than the petioles, jointed near 

 the top. Epicalyx of 6-9 distinct, linear-oblong bracts, one-fourth the 

 length of the bed-shaped, 5-parted calyx. Calyx-segments lanceolate, acu- 

 minate, 1-nerved, with a few appressed bristles. Capsule woody, oblong, 

 | in. long, equalling the calyx, covered with forked bristles looking upwards; 

 Viilves 5-pointed, points at first inflexed, ultimately erect. Seeds numerous, 

 reniform, black, tuberculated, not cottony. — H. amblyocarpus, Hochst. m 

 Webb, Frag. PI. yEthiop. 42. 



Nile Land. Kordofan, Kotschy ! „ \ , 



Flowers in November and December. The same plant occurs in Mooltan and Scinde. 

 Tbe leaves are variable in shape. 



6. H. intermedins, Rick. Fl. Abyss, i. 58. A weak erect or half-climb- 

 ing, much-branched annual, 1-2 ft. high, with scattered, reflexed, prickly 

 hairs, and a line of hairs along one side of the stem which shifts in position 

 at every joint. Leaves on long stalks, polymorphous, usually deeply pal" 

 mately 5-7-parted ; lobes oblong obtuse or rather acute, sinuous or divided 

 into irregular shallow lobes at the margin, sometimes divided at the base into 

 5-7 narrow lobes. Peduncles solitary, axillary, shorter than the leafstalks. 

 Epicalyx of 10 distinct, linear, strap-shaped segments, shorter than the calyx. 

 Calyx broadly campanulate, 5-parted ; segments lanceolate, with 3 green 

 nerves. Corolla small, yellow (purple?). Capsule roundish with a long 

 beak, shorter than the calyx ; valves hispid, slightly winged at the margins. 

 Seeds covered with shining hairs. — II. aristcevalois, Garcke in Pet. Mos- 

 samb. Bot. i. 124. 



Nile Land. Abyssinia, Schimper ! Petit I 



Mozamb. Distr. Senna, Peters .' Dr. Kirk ! , • 



In the Kew herbarium are specimens of this plant from Scinde and also from Arabia. 



The plant varies much in the form of the leaf and has much of the habit of a Lagunaa, 



but has a well-marked epicalyx. 



7. H. diversifolius, Jacq. Ic. PL Rar. t. 551 ; DC. Prod. i. 449. A 

 tall herb or undershrub, its branches, petioles, and nerves of leaves armed W 

 hard conical prickles. Leaves on long stalks, cordate, roundish, angular or 

 3-5-lobed, irregularly toothed, upper leaves elliptic or lanceolate. Flowers 

 in a terminal cluster. Peduncles very short. Epicalyx of numerous subu- 

 late segments, often appendiculate, shorter than the densely bristly, pomte 

 calyx-lobes. Corolla yellow or pink ?, 3-4 times the length of the calyx. 

 Capsule pointed, very hispid, ultimately smooth. Seeds smooth.— Bot- -Keg- 

 t. 381. ? II. berberidif alius, Rich. Fl. Abyss, i. 56. 



Upper Guinea. Senegal, Perrottet ! 

 Nile Land. Abyssinia, Roth! 



Lower Guinea. Congo, Smith ! . , , 



Mozamb. Distr. Manganya hills, Dr. Metier! Lower Shire Valley, Dr. Kirk . 

 This well-marked species is found also in S. Africa, Natal, Madagascar, Mauritius, 

 folk Island, and Australia. 



8. H. pentaphyllus, F. Muell. Frag. Phyt. Just. ix. 13. An under- 

 shrub jvith spreading branches, which, as well as the petioles and P edice J 

 are clothed with bristly hairs or minute prickles. Leaves 1-3 in. loll =' 

 stalked, the stalk as long as the blade, the latter palmately 3-5-sect, its se D - 



