^10 MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. HibuCUS. 



cannahhius, and this is one of the best marks to distinguish 

 them by. 



It is an elegant plant when in blossom, the flowers being 

 amono-st the largest of the genus aiid the colours bright. 



34. H. loiujifolim. Willd. iii. 857. 



Annual, bristly. Leaves palmate, serrate; A-Vyf's' lanceolate. 

 Flowers axillary, solitary. Exterior cali/x of from eiglit to 

 ten linear leaflets ; the interwr one spatliiform. Capsules swh- 

 cylindric. Seeds numerous. 



Bencj. Dharoos. 



Telinf/. Bendee. 



Hind. Ram toorai. 



1 have not found this plant wild. It is much cultivated 

 throughout India, in the gardens of both natives and Euro- 

 peans. 



Root ramous, annual. Stem erect, ranious, from three to 

 six feet high, round, towards the base somewhat lign('ous,and 

 in a good soil as thick as a man's wrist, tender parts covered 

 with sharp bristles and olten spotted with purplish specks. 

 Leaves alternate, petioles the inferior ones only angular, about 

 the middle of the plant palmate, while the superior ones are 

 sub-digitate, with the divisions lanceolate-oblong, all are ser- 

 ate, and somewhat bristly ; the general size of (he whole leaf 

 is from eight to twelve inches each way. Petioles round, 

 bristly, as long as the leaves, generally more coloured then 

 the stem, or branches. Stipules often paired. Flowers axil- 

 lary, solitary, short-peduncled, very large, pale yellow, with 

 a dark crimson bottom. Calyx; the exterior one from six to 

 twelve leaved ; leaflets linear, bristly, caducous; the interior 

 one spathiform, bursting on one side, of a remarkably soft 

 texture. CoroI,stanieus, and germ as in the gemis. Stif/mas 

 as many as the cells in the capsule. Capsule from six to twelve 

 inches long, and about one in diameter, somewhat Irisdy, 

 particularly the ridges, their number corresponding with that 



