MALVACE. 477 
(figs. 707 and 920), 1- or many-seeded carpels ; or a capsule with 
loculicidal (fig. 672) or septicidal dehiscence, and numerous 
seeds. Seeds sometimes hairy; albwmen none or in small 
quantity ; embryo curved ; cotyledons much twisted (fig. 920, c). 
Diagnosis. — Leaves alternate, palmately-veined, simple, 
stipulate. Flowers regular. Calyx with valvate or some form 
of circular estivation. Petals twisted in stivation. Stamens 
hypogynous, numerous ; anthers 1-celled, reniform, dehiscing 
transversely ; filaments united so as to form a column. Carpels 
distinct or united. Seeds with very little or no albumen ; 
embryo curved ; cotyledons twisted. 
Division of the Order and Illustrative Genera.—This order 
may be divided into three tribes as follows :— 
Tribe 1. Malvex.—F lowers furnished with an involucre or epi- 
calyx (fig. 917). Fruit consisting of separate carpels (apo- 
carpous) (fiys. 707 and 920). Illustrative Genera :—Malva, 
LTinn.; Althea, Linn. 
Tribe 2. Hibiscex.—Flowers furnished with an involucre (jig. 
470). Fruit formed of united carpels (syncarpous) (fig. 672). 
Illustrative Genera :—Hibiscus, Linn. ; Gossypium, Linn. 
Tribe 3. Sidex.—F lowers without an involucre. Fruit apo- 
carpous or syncarpous. Illustrative Genus :—Sida, Linn. 
Distribution and Numbers.—These plants are chietly natives 
of the tropics and the warmer parts of temperate regions. They 
diminish gradually as we approach the north, and are altogether 
absent in the frigid zone. There are more than 1,000 species. 
Properties and Uses.—No plant of this order possesses any 
deleterious properties. The order is generally characterised by 
mucilaginous and demulcent qualities. From the liber of many 
species strong and tough fibres are obtained, and the hairs cover- 
ing the seeds of certain species constitute cotton. 
Abutilon esculentum, Bencao de Deos, furnishes an article of diet, the boiled 
flowers being used in Brazil as a vegetable. 
Althwa.—The root and leaves of A. officinalis, the Marsh-mallow plant, 
abound in mucilage, particularly the root, and hence all preparations from 
these parts are demulcent, and useful in diseases of the mucous membranes, 
&e. An emollient cataplasm is also occasionally prepared from the boiled 
root. In France Marsh-mallow is in much greater request than in this 
country. A favourite preparation there is the Pate de Guimauve, which is 
a kind of lozenge made with the mucilage of Althea root, gum-arabic, 
sugar and white of egg.— Althxa rosea, the Hollyhock of our gardens, has 
similar properties. From the leaves a blue colouring matter resembling 
indigo is obtained. Strong fibres have been also procured from the bark, 
and used in the manufacture of good cordage. 
Gossypium.—Several species and varieties of this genus furnish cotton, 
which is the hairy covering of their seeds. (See page 67.) There appear, 
however, to be three species more especially from which our commercial 
eotton is obtained, namely, G. herbaceum, G. barbadense, and G. peruvianum. 
1. Gossypium herbaceum, which is supposed by Masters to be a cultivated 
variety of G. Stocksii, a native of Sindh, yields the common Indian cottons, 
