174 



MALVACE^. 



[chap. 



Observe the whorl of numerous, narrow bracts, imme- 

 diately under the calyx ; in Cotton {Gossyphwi) the bracts 

 are three in number, very large and cordate, and must not 

 be mistaken for sepals : the valvate aestivation of the calyx- 

 lobes and imbricate (contorted) aestivation of the petals : 

 the staminal tube five-toothed at the top, giving off, from the 

 side of the tube, very numerous filaments, bearing one- 

 celled anthers : the large-grained pollen, which, examined 

 under a magnifier, is found to be rough with minute 

 projecting points. 



Plants of this Family are destitute of noxious properties. 

 Many of them are mucilaginous, and the liber affords a 

 useful fibre. The species of pre-eminent importance are the 

 cotton-producing plants belonging to the genus Gossypiiwi, 

 several varieties of two or three species of which are now 

 veiy extensively cultivated in India. Cotton consists of the 

 delicate, long, thin-walled hairs which clothe the seeds. 

 These hairs, when dry, become flattened and twisted. The 

 commercial value of the Cotton depends upon the length 

 and tenacity of these hair- cells. A useful lamp-oil is 

 expressed from the seeds of the Cotton-plant, and the 

 refuse may be compressed into an oil-cake for feeding 

 cattle. 



