THE MUSK-MALLOW. 99 



The tree-mallow, or Lavatera artorea, is a fine allied 

 species. The stems are often five feet high ; the blossoms 

 are large and of a rich purplish-rose colour. It is only found 

 on maritime and insulated rocks, and is very local even 

 under these limited circumstances. The name was given to 

 the plant in honour of the two Lavaters, men of note in the 

 scientific world as botanists in the earlier days of the science. 



The dwarf mallow, or Malva rotundifolia, is very 

 commonly met with by the roadside and other waste 

 ground. It is altogether a much more diminutive plant 

 than the common mallow, though in most other respects it 

 is very similar to it. It was by the older botanists called 

 the M. vulgaris or M. neglecta, names that need no transla- 

 tion, and amply testify alike to its commonness, and the 

 ordinary consequences thereof in accordance with the old 

 wise saw that so closely links together familiarity and 

 contempt. 



The marsh-mallow is the only remaining species on 

 which we need dwell at all, as the hispid mallow is too 

 rarely met with to be at all likely to come within the reach 

 of any of our plant-seekers : it has been carried into some 

 few places among other seeds, and appears to have fairly 

 established itself in one or two places in Kent, but it has 

 not the slightest claim really to a place in our flora. The 

 marsh-mallow is the Alt/icea officinalis of science. It is 

 often in common parlance confused with the musk-mallow, 

 from a certain resemblance in the names. The generic 

 name is from the Greek verb signifying to cure, while the 

 specific name in like manner alludes to its officinal value. 

 It flowers during August and September with a pale rose- 

 coloured blossom, and must be looked for in marshy 

 districts, not far removed from the sea. The plant grows 



