100 FLORA'S LEXICON. 



OLLYHOCK, or ROSE-MALLOW. Al- 

 ccea Rosea. Class 16, MONADELPHIA. Or- 

 der: POLYANDRIA. All the world knows 

 this superb plant, which is supposed to be a 

 native of China, or rather of Syria, whence 

 it is said to have been brought to Europe in 

 the time of the crusades. From its ex- 

 treme fecundity in the production of flowers it has been made 

 the emblem of fruitfulness. The Chinese represent nature 

 crowned with its flowers. Pliny mentions it as a rose growing 

 on stalks like the mallow ; and Miller states that he received 

 seeds from Istria, where they were gathered in the fields ; these 

 seeds produced only single red flowers, while seeds received from 

 Madras yielded plants with double flowers of a variety of colours. 

 H. Smith tells us, that 



From the nectaries of hollyhocks 

 The humble bee e'en till he faints will sip. 



" There are few flowers that contribute more to the embellish- 

 ment of large gardens than the hollyhock, although their hardy 

 nature and easy propagation have rendered them so common that 

 they are much less regarded by the generality of florists than 

 they deserve." 



FRUITFULNESS. 



But th' earth herself, or her owne motion, 

 Out of her fruitfull bosome made to growe 



Most daintie trees, that, shooting up anon, 

 Did seeme to bow their blooming heads full lovve 

 For homage unto her, and like a throne did show. 



SPENSER. 



The joyes whereof and happy fruitfulness, 

 Such as he saw, she gan him lay before, 

 And all, though pleasant, yet she made much more. 



SPESSE.R. 



