AMONG THE WILD FLOWERS. 95 
carpels of these plants are set in a ring round a 
thick axis, and together present the form of a 
small cheese. The same structure marks the 
genus Althea, of which A. officznalis is the 
Marsh Mallow, and A. vosea the Hollyhock so 
well known in gardens; also the Tree- Mallow, 
Lavatera arborea, which naturally prefers rocks 
near the sea, but is grown in inland gardens ; it 
has a woody stem, and 7-angled plaited velvety 
leaves, with one large purplish rose-coloured 
flower on each stalk ; height from 3 to 8 feet. 
The Matvace# belong to Linn. Cl. XVI, 
Monadelphia, of which they are a very fine 
example. There are numerous exotics in the 
Order, of which one must be mentioned, namely, 
Gossypium which includes the various species of 
cotton. Gossypium barbadense seems to be the 
species which produces the best cotton, which 
is the hair surrounding the seed. Under the 
microscope the hairs are seen to be twisted. 
