THE GERANIUM FAMILY, 109 



many species of S^da, which are found in both tropical 

 and sub-tropical regions of both worlds, have excellent 

 fibres. Thus the Chinese use that of aS^. tilicefdlia, it 

 being as good as hemp. 



Several specimens of Ahu'tilon are cultivated as 

 handsome shrubs; and several hybrids have been 

 raised. There are two or more species in the eastern 

 parts of Natal. 



General Description of the Mallow Family, 



Herls, shrubs, or trees — None poisonous. 



Leaves — Stipulate, simple, often with stellate hairs. 



Flowers— Qolyx, 5 cleft, valvate in bud, mostly 

 with an epicalyx or involucre, the base secreting 

 honey ; petals, 5, twisted in bud, and adherent to 

 the stamens ; stamens, 00 , united into a tube by the 

 filaments; 3 to 00 carpels, syncarpous, within the 

 stamens ; seeds with a curved embryo and plaited 

 cotyledons. 



DIVISION II.— DISCIFLOR^. 



Geraniaceae. 



The Geranium Family. 



This order contains 750 species of 16 genera in 7 

 tribes. 



The flowers are sometimes quite regular, i.e. every 



