Malvales.] MALVACE/E. 3G9 



mous or polyspermous, sometimes united in one, sometimes separate or separable into 

 distinct cocci or follicles ; dehiscence either loculicidal or septicidal. Seeds sometimes 

 hairy ; albumen none, or fleshy and in small quantity ; embryo curved, with twisted and 

 doubled cotyledons. 



The relation of Mallowworts with Sterculiads, Lindenblooms, and Byttneriads, is 

 clearly indicated by their general accordance in structure, combined with the valvate 

 aestivation of their calyx. A less immediate affinity is indicated with Crowfoots by 

 means of the curious genus Malope, whose carpels are sepai'ate and collected in 

 considex'able numbers over a central torus, although its organisation is in all other 

 respects that of jMallowworts. There also seems to be a considerable degi-ee of 

 relationship between them and Cranesbills, Chlenads, and Flaxworts (Lmacese). 

 To the first they approach by tlieii* monadelphous stamens and crumpled embryo, 

 to the second by their involucres and columnar stamens, to the third by their 

 twisted corollas, and mucilaginous properties. The whole of these Orders are, 

 however, sufficiently distinguished by the characters severally assigned to them in their 

 proper places. Theads (Ternstromiacere) are another Order to which Mallowworts 

 have been occasionally compared ; but the slightly monadelphous condition of the 

 stamens in that Order is very different from their columnar structure in Mallowworts, 

 and there is little else in common between them. 



These plants are fomid in great abundance in the tropics, plentifully in the hotter 

 parts of temperate regions, but gradually diminishing to the north. Thus in Sicily they 

 form gJg- of the flowering plants, in France -j-i-g., m Sweden ^i^, in Lapland they are 

 miknown, in the temperate parts of North America y^, in the equmoctial parts of the 

 same continent -^ ; or taking into account only the vegetation of the valleys, they, 

 according to Humboldt, form J^ of the flowering plants m the tropics, ^^^ in the 

 temperate zone, and are not found m the frigid zone. But these calculations no doubt 

 include Sterculiads. 



The vmiforra character of the Order is to abound in mucilage, and to be totally 

 destitute of all unwholesome qualities. The use to which Mallows and Marshmallows 

 are applied in Europe is well known. The wdiole plant of the latter, especially the 

 root, yields in decoction a plentiful, tasteless, colourless mucilage, salutary in cases 

 of irritation. It is used as a demulcent for children, and is a favom'ite medicine with the 

 French, who employ it constantly m poultices, lozenges, «&:c., under the name of 

 Guimauve. The flowers of the gaudy Hollyhock (Althaea rosea, /xaAaxVi Diosc.) are 

 officinal in Greece for the same purposes. Similar properties are possessed by extra- 

 European species. Sida cordifoha mixed with rice is used to alleviate the bloody flux. 

 Emollient fomentations are prepared from Sida mam'itiana by the Hindoo doctors. 

 The flowers of Ben9ao de Deos, Abutilon esculentum, are used in Brazil as a boiled 

 vegetable. A decoction of Spheeralcea cisplatina is administered in the same comitry 

 in mflammation of the bowels, and is generally employed for the same purposes as the 

 Marshmallow in Europe. Pavonia dim-etica is prescribed in Brazil as a diuretic ; but 

 is supposed to act rather as an emollient. The chewed leaves of another species, S. car- 

 pinifolia, are applied in Brazil to the puuctm-es of wasps. And finally, to omit a great 

 quantity of plants ha\'ing similar qualities, it is sufficient to name the Abelmoschus 

 esculentus, whose fruit, called Oclu'O, Gombo, Gobbo, Bandikai, &c., is a favourite 

 ingredient in soup, to which it imparts its mucilaginous quality. The wood is always 

 very light, and of little value. Rocket-sticks are obtained from the light straight 

 stems of Sida micrantha. The bark is often so tenacious as to be manufactiu'ed into 

 cordage. Malva crispa was found by Cavanilles to be fit for this purpose ; and several 

 species of Hibiscus are employed in like manner in tropical countries. From the fibres 

 of the bark of Hibiscus arboreus the whips were manufactui'ed with which the negro 

 slaves were lashed in the West India Islands; the plant is called Mohoe or Mohaut. 

 Sida abutila is said to be cultivated in Chma, as we know Hibiscus cannabinus, or Sun, 

 is in India, as a substitute for hemp. The bark of this plant is called Waak ; a coarse 

 kind of oil is expressed from the seeds. Various other species are named as furnishing 

 ser\'iceable fibres. The petals of some are astringent ; this property exists in Malva 

 Alcea and in Hibiscus Rosa sinensis, of which the Chinese make use to blacken their 

 eyebrows and the leather of their shoes. The leaves of Althaea rosea are said to yield 

 a blue colouring matter not inferior to indigo. A decoction of the root and stem 

 of Urena lobata is employed in Brazil as a remedy in windy colic ; the flowers ai'e used 

 as an expectorant in dry and inveterate coughs. The bark furnishes good cordage. 

 A few species, such as Hibiscus Sabdariff"a and suratensis, &c., are slightly acid. The 

 musky seeds of Abelmoschus moschatus are considered cordial and stomachic, and by 

 the Arabians are mixed with coffee. In the West Indies these seeds, called Gumbo 

 musque, reduced to powder, and steeped in rum, are regarded as a potent remedy 

 against serpent bites. The root of Sida lanceolata is intensely bitter, and is considered 



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