208 MONADELPHIA POLYANfDRlA. HibisCUS. 



Like many other of the malvaceous tribe, the bark of this 

 species abounds in flaxen fibres; but in none have I found 

 so large a quantity, equally beautiful, long, glossy, white, 

 fine and strong, as in this. To these promising qualities may 

 be added theluxiiriant growth, and habit of the plant, render- 

 ing* it an object deserving of every care and attention, at least 

 until the real worth of the material is fairly ascertained. 



From several years experience, I find the best season for 

 sowing the seed in Bengal, is just when the first rains begin ; 

 which is generally in May, in beds ; and when the plants are 

 about six inches high, transplant them out in rows, about 

 nine inches asunder, and about as much from each olher in 

 the rows. In 1801, I had forty square yards planted in this 

 manner, which yielded thirty-three pounds weight of the na- 

 turally very clean fibres. 



30. H. prostrntus. R. 



Annual, with little or no stem, but many, very long, pro- 

 cumbent, scarcely armed branches. Leaves from three to 

 five-Iobed; lobes obovate, serrate. Stipules subulate. Ra- 

 cemes terminal. Floiceis white, with a rose-coloured bottom. 

 Exterior cnlyx from fi\e to six leaved, caducous; the inner 

 one spalhiform. Capstilc oval, villous. 



A native of the Circars, where it blossoms during the cold 

 season. Compare with Lamarck's hl.Jiculneus. 



31. H. diversifolius. Willd. iii. 820. 



Perennial, bn>hy, prickly. Leaves honx sub-lobate to pal- 

 mate, serrau*. Exterior calyx from eight to nine-leaved, both 

 are very bristly. 



A native of »he eastern coast of Africa, and Madagascar. 

 In the Botanic garden at Calcutta, it blossoms and ripens its 

 seed during the cold season. 



32. H. cannabinns. Willd. iii. R. Carom. PL ii. JV. 190. 

 Annual, straight, nearly simple, slightly armed. Leaves 



