DIt WRIGHT'S HERBARIA. 285 



This cottony substance seems to be rather short for making 

 hats, but is commonly gathered to fill beds instead of feathers. 

 When the fruit is full grown, the tree is cut 4pwn,*as 

 then the greatest quantity can easily be picked. Beds of 

 this kind must often be exposed to the sun, else the cotton 

 will get into clots. 



The young leaves are again put forth, when the fruit is 

 almost ripe. They are often boiled as greens, and used as 

 tea in fevers, &c. 



103. Melochia tomentosa, L. — Bastard Hemp- Agrimony. 



By the road-side, in fences and waste lands, we meet with 

 this perennial plant. From one root spring many long, 

 smooth, and flexible stems, whose bark is brown. The leaves 

 are of a light colour, furrowed and serrated, and the white 

 blossoms grow in clusters, from a foot or more towards the 

 summit, and very thick. 



The seeds are numerous. 



The stems laid in water, afford a kind of hemp. 



104. Ochroma lagopus. — The Down Tree. 



It has before been remarked that authors confound this 

 tree with the ceiba ; as they are very different plants, I have 

 arranged each in its proper place. 



The down tree grows speedily to a good height, but no 

 great thickness. The trunks are straight and grey. The 

 leaves broad, and of a light green colour. The blossoms are 

 the largest of the monadelphise that I have yet seen, and there- 

 fore not easily laid down in a dried collection. The fruit is long, 

 round, and furrowed ; when ripe, the outer husk falls off, and 

 the down, which is of a silken appearance, expands, and looks 

 somewhat like a hare's foot. The seeds are numerous. 



The wood of this tree is soft, spongy, and so light, that 



