466 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



hairy; albumen none, or in small quantity ; embryo curved ; 

 cotyledons much twisted {fig. 880, c). 



Diagnosis. — Leaves alternate, simple, stipulate. Regular 

 flowers. Calyx valvate in aestivation. Petals twisted in aestiva- 

 tion. Stamens hypogynous, numerous ; anthers 1 -celled, reni- 

 form, opening 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, &c. — The order has been divided by 

 Dr. Asa Gray into four tribes : — MalopejE, Malveae, Ureneae, 

 and Hibisceas. The simplest division, however, for the young 

 student is as follows : — 



Tribe 1. Malvece. — Flowers furnished with an involucre or 

 epicalyx {fig 877). Fruit consisting of separate carpels, 

 apocarpous {figs. 689 and 880). Examples : — Malva, Althaea, 

 Lavatera. 

 Tribe 2. Hibiscece. — Flowers furnished with an involucre {fig. 

 456). Fruit formed by the union of several carpels, syncarpous 

 {fig. 657). Examples: — Hibiscus, Gossypium. 

 Tribe 3. Sidece. Flowers without an involucre. Fruit apo- 

 carpous or syncarpous. Example: — Sida. 



Distribution, ^c. — The plants of this order are chiefly natives 

 of the tropics and the warmer parts of temperate regions. They 

 diminish gradually as we approach the north, and ai-e altogether 

 absent in the frigid zone. There are 39 genera, which contain 

 about 1000 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 seed of certain species constitute cotton. Among the 

 more important plants of the order, we may mention more parti- 

 cularly the following: — 



Al'.hcea officinaiis, Marsh-Mallow — The root nnd leaves of this plant abound 

 in mucilage, particularly the root, and hence all preparations from them are 

 demulcent, and therefore useful in diseases of the mucous membranes, &c. 

 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 mu<-ilage of Althaea, gum arable, sugar, and white of egg. Allhcea 

 rosea, the Hollyhock of our gardens, has similar properties, and the flowers 

 are on that account officinal in Greece. From the leaves, a blue colouring 

 matter resembling indigo, is obtained. Strong fibres have been also obtained 

 from the bark, and used in the manufacture of good cordage. 



Malvn si/lvrxtris, the Common Mallow. — This plant has similar properties 

 to the M irsh Mallow. Its bark also yields strong fil)res. Malva Alcea. — The 

 petals of this plant have astringent properties, and yield a black dye. 



Alirlinoschiis ticulrtifiis.—'l'hti unripe fruit of this plant, known in the East- 

 and West Indies under the names of Ochro, Gombo, Gobbo, Bandikai, &c. is 

 used on account of the abundance of the muciiageit contaii's, to thicken soups. 

 .ihchnoschus moschatus, derives its specific name, from the musky odour of 

 Us seeds, which are regarded as cordial and stomachic, and are sometimes 



