I.] 



MALVACEAE. 



135 



anthers, strictly half-anthers, characteristic of Mal- 

 yacea?. 



FIG. 92. Syncarpous fruit of Mallow, consisting o numerous carpels in a 

 single vertical. The calyx and epicalyx are persistent. 



FIG. 93. Embryo of 

 Mallow, with folded 

 cotyledons. 



FIG. 94. Single sta- 

 men of same, with 

 i-celled anther. 



FIG. 95. Anther after 

 dehiscence. 



Plants of this Natural Order are destitute of noxious 

 properties ; many are mucilaginous, and the liber affords 

 a useful fibre. The species of pre-eminent importance 

 for textile purposes are the cotton-producing plants, 

 belonging to the exotic genus Gossypium. 



Cotton consists, not as flax of fibres of liber, but of the 

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

 These hairs when dry become flattened and twisted. The 

 commercial value of Cotton depends upon the length and 

 tenacity of these hair-cells. Lamp-oil is obtained from 

 the seeds, and the refuse is made up into oil-cake for 

 cattle-feeding. 



