412 



ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN BOTANY 



Cotton is a member of the mallow family (Malvaceae), 

 which is characterized chiefly by the fact that its numerous 

 stamens grow together to form a tube that surrounds the 



pistil (Figs. 76 and 77). 

 Associated with cotton 

 in this family are such 

 familiar plants as holly- 

 hock, the mallows, abuti- 

 lon, hibiscus, etc. The 

 cotton genus (Gossypium) 

 has numerous species, 

 but only a few of them 

 are cultivated for the 

 fiber. The fiber occurs 

 on the seeds in a fluffy, woolly mass (Fig. 78), and the seed- 

 vessel is called the "boll" (really the fruit of the cotton 

 plant). It is easy to obtain samples of these bolls, which 

 burst open and allow the mass of fibers to emerge (Fig. 79). 



FIG. 77. Section of a cotton flower, showing the 

 large petals and ^the tube formed by the sta- 

 mens. After BAILLON. 



( l \ IVv 



M \vV& 



FIGS. 78 and 79. Fiber of cotton : fig. 78, section of seed with fibers attached (after 

 BAILLON) ; fig. 79, a cotton boll, burst and showing the mass of fibers (after 

 BAILEY). 



The value of the fiber is due to the fact that it has a twist 

 that makes it extremely well adapted for spinning. 



The various kinds of cotton differ in the quality and 



