MALLO>V. 311 



MALLOW. Maha, 



Natural Order Colummfera, Malvacec^, Juss : a 

 Genus of the Mo7iadelpkia Polyandria Class. 



** Who cut up Mallows by the bushes, and Juniper roots 

 for their meat." 



Job, XXX. 4. 



From the above ejaculation of 'Job, we learn 

 that the Mallow afforded food in early times to 

 those wandering tribes that have ever preferred 

 to pitch their tent in the wilderness, and depend 

 upon the spontaneous productions of the earth for 

 their subsistence, rather than to dwell in settled 

 habitations, where they would be expected to 

 assist in the labour of multiplying the gifts of 

 nature. 



The name of this plant is thought to be de- 

 rived from the Hebrew, in which language it is 

 called Malhuich, from its saltness, Malac/i being 

 the Hebrew word for salt. Gerard says, " I am 

 persuaded that the Latin word Malva comes from 

 the Chaldee name Malluach, the ch being left out 

 for the good sound's sake." Some are of opinion 



