THE GENUS GOSSYPIUM 55 



here retained in Gossypium (e.g. G. Eobinsoni and G. Sturtii). In 

 fact, it would seem probable that cordate bracteoles might with 

 advantage be made to indicate Gossypium and non-cordate bracteoles 

 accepted for the allied genera of the HIBISCE^J. Hochreutiner 

 (' Revis. Gen. Hibiscus ' in ' Ann. du Conserv. et du Jard. Bot. de 

 Geneve,' 1900, pp. 23-191) discusses the variability of the bracts in 

 Gossypium and its allied genera in relation to Hibiscus. 



The calyx in Gossypium is usually very short and often quite Calyx, 

 truncate (as in G. Davidsonii), though in a good many of the species 

 it is relatively large (as for example in G. microcarpum), and the 

 teeth (sepals) conspicuous (as in G. Sturtii) and even acuminate 

 or tailed (as in G. taitense). It is possible, however, that in the 

 distinctive species of Fugosia the calyx is more deeply divided 

 than in Gossypium, but it seems questionable how far confidence 

 can be placed in relative characters in the diagnosis of genera. 



No less unsatisfactory apparently are the distinctions that Ovary, 

 have been made to depend on the conditions of the ovary and the 

 fruit. It can hardly be in accord with modern experience to view 

 the ovary in Gossypium as 5-celled, in Thurberia 3-celled, and in 

 Fugosia 3 to 4-celled, when one of the most important of all 

 cottons (the Sea Island) has invariably a 3-celled fruit, and another 

 (the Uplands) has the ovary and fruit very commonly 4-eelled. 

 Witness also the fact that the ovary is always 3-celled in 

 G. tomentosum, Harknessii, and Stocksii, and 4-celled in G. Sturtii 

 and Davidsonii. Nor can much dependence be placed on the 

 number of seeds in the cells as indicative of the genus. In Number 

 G. drynarioides the fruit is woody and imperfectly dehiscent, 

 5-celled, each cell having but one large seed conditions that might 

 be said to belong to Thespesia rather than to Gossypium. In 

 G. Stocksii there are 2-3 seeds in each cell, in G. tomentosum 

 3-4 seeds, and in G. Harknessii 4 seeds. In all the more highly 

 developed cotton-yielding species, the seeds are 7 or more. In 

 fact the increase in number, and decrease in size, might be spoken of 

 as favourable indications from the industrial standpoint. 



Far more satisfactory characters can be derived from the nature Nature of 

 of the woolly appendage of the seed. With three of the genera wooL 

 mentioned above, the condition prevails of a rust-coloured or 

 golden floss namely, Gossypium, Fugosia, and Thespesia. Cultiva- 

 tion in Gossypium seems to have resulted in this being changed into 

 a white coating. But while in Fugosia and Thespesia the woolly 



