314 FLORA HISTORICA. 



Amongst the exotic Mallows, we shall notice 

 the Curl-leaved, Malm Crispa, which was origin- 

 ally brought out of Syria, but most probably 

 came to us through France, since Gerard calls it 

 the French Mallow, and he adds '' it is an excel- 

 lent pot herbe, for which cause it is sown in gar- 

 dens ;" and to recommend it still farther to us, 

 this old medical writer commends its properties 

 in verse ; 



** if that of health you haue any speciall care, 

 Vse French Mallowes that to the body holsome are." 



Notwithstanding the strong recommendation of 

 Gerard, this hardy annual plant is entirely ba- 

 nished from the kitchen garden, but it is fre- 

 quently to be seen amongst flowering shrubs, 

 where its curiously curled and plaited leaves 

 have a good effect, both by their singularity and 

 agreeable pale green colour. The Hortus Kew- 

 ensis notices thirty-four other exotic species of 

 Mallow, that have been brought from various 

 parts of the world to this country, where we have 

 now more than sixty species, some of which are 

 only humble herbs; whilst others are tall shrubs, 

 and some of the tribe reach the size of large trees, 

 the trunks measuring from twenty to thirty feet 

 in diameter. Several beautiful species of the 

 Mallow have lately been brought from the Cape 



