Hibiscus.'] xxv. Malvaceae (masters). 199 



meiits oblong-lanceolate, acute, serrate, with numerous forked hairs on the 

 jovver surface and a few simple ones on the upper. Peduncles solitary, axil- 

 lary, 1 -flowered, exceeding the leaves. Epicalyx of 8-10 distinct,* linear, 

 prickly segments, an inch or more in length.' Calyx campanulate, its 5 

 lobes lanceolate, acuminate, 3-5-nerved, shorter than the epicalyx. Corolla 

 yellow with a dark centre, twice the size of the epicalyx. Capsule ovoid, 

 pointed, half the length of the calyx ; valves setose. Seeds numerous, pi- 

 lose.— Benth. Fl. Austral, i. 214. 



South Central. North Shaw Valley, Baines I 



Mozamb. Distr. Zambesi, Tette, Dr. Kirk ! 



this very distinct species wns originally detected in the fteccan, and has since been found 

 in Afghanistan and Scinde, by Stocks, Dalzell, and others. In north Australia it has also 

 been found by various collectors and named by Dr. Mueller, who has the right of priority. 

 The distribution of the plant through India, southern tropical Africa, and north Australia, 

 is an interesting fact. 



9. H. corymbosus, Hochst. ex Rich. Fl. Abyss, i. 57. An erect, 

 slightly-branched perennial, 2-3 ft. in height, beset with stellate tomentum. 

 Lower leaves stalked, 4-5 in. long, 3-4 in. broad, roundish, subconlate, 

 deeply palmately 3-lobed ; lobes oblong-lanceolate, rough on both surfaces, 

 coarsely crenate-serrate, the central one longest. Petioles pilose, nearly as 

 long as the blade. Upper leaves simple, subsessile, oblong-lanceolate. Sti- 

 pules linear, short. Inflorescence terminal, racemose or corym Inform, leafless, 

 owing to the early fall of the floral leaves ; pedicels ^-l in. long, dilated up- 

 wards and jointed near the top. Epicalyx of 8-10 distinct linear segments, 

 one-half the length of the bell-shaped, 5 -parted calyx, whose segments are 

 lanceolate. Corolla yellow, three or four times the size of the calyx. Cap- 

 sule ellipsoid, slightly pointed, longer than the calyx ; valves downy, ciliated 

 at the edges. Seeds tuberculate. — Walp. Ann. ii. 145. 



Nile Land. Abyssinia, Schimper ! Dillon and Petit ! 



10. H. Kirkii, Mast. A much-branched undershrub, densely covered 

 with soft velvety down, mingled among which are scattered trifurcate hairs. 

 Leaves on long stalks, cordate ovate lanceolate oblong or obscurely angled, 

 crenate-serrate, palmately 3-5-nerved. Stipules minute, linear. Peduncles 

 axillary, short, 1 -flowered, jointed near the base, often arranged along the 

 side of the leafless brandies so as to form a pseudo-raceme. Epicalyx of 

 7-8 distinct linear segments, much shorter than the calyx. Calyx cup- 

 shaped, 5 -parted ; lobes deltoid, downy. Corolla three or four times larger 

 than the calyx 2-3 in. in diam., yellow, with a purple centre. Column an- 

 theriferous all the way down. Capsule ovate, pointed, longer than the per- 

 sistent calyx ; valves 5, ovate, acuminate, villose. Seeds numerous, subau- 

 fjular, pilose, and minutely tubercled. 



Moiamb. Distr. Zambesi, Senna, Dr. Kirk ! 



The short epicalyx with the capsule projecting beyond the calyx furnish good marks 

 whereby to distinguish this species. 



U. H. physaloides, Guill. et Pen: Fl. Seneg. 52. A tall herb or under- 

 shrub, 3-6 ft. high, its branches as well as the petioles and pedicels tomen- 

 tose and hispid. Lower leaves on long stalks, very variable in form, cordate 



