222 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



stamens, twisted {estivation of the corolla, and the occasional separa- 

 tion of the carpels from a central axis in the ripe fruit ; with Chltenace?e 

 there is a connexion through the epicalyx or calycine involucre and the 

 monadelphous stamens ; and some points of structure, but especially 

 the properties, resemble those of Linacea3 : from Camelliacese, which have 

 the stamens more or less coherent, they may be distinguished by the 

 valvate calyx. Malope presents a curious condition of the carpels, which 

 are numerous and distinct, resembling those of a Ranunculaceous plant. 

 Malvaviscus has succulent fruit. The epicalyx is probably of stipular 

 nature. The Bombaceous subdivision is referred here on account of the 

 1 -celled anthers. The trunks of some of the trees in this group attain 

 enormous age and dimensions, as in the Adansonia or Baobab, and the 

 Bombax, the latter of which produce great projecting buttresses from 

 their stems. The calyx in this subdivision is tough and leathery ; and the 

 pollen is generally smooth, not spiny as in the rest of the family. The 

 hairy seeds of this subdivision recall those of Gossypiwn. The Durio group 

 of the tribe Bombaceee are clothed with large peltate scales. In JBoschia 

 the anthers are ovoid and open by a terminal pore. 



Distribution. A large order with several genera and very numerous 

 species ; the latter are most abundant in the tropics, diminishing gradually 

 in the temperate regions, and absent from the frigid zone. 



Qualities and Uses. The ordinary properties of this Order depend on 

 the abundance of a bland mucilage, especially in the roots, as in the 

 Marsh-mallow (the French Guimauve) (Althcea officinalis), the flower of 

 the Hollyhock (Althcea rosea^ the common Mallow (Malva sylvestris}, c. 

 The leaves of the Hollyhock yield a blue dye like indigo. Hibiscus escu- 

 lentm furnishes okro or gombo pods, used in soups and as demulcents. 

 But the most important qualities of these plants depend upon their tissues, 

 namely the fibrous liber of their stems, which in some cases furnishes 

 large quantities of hemp-like libre to commerce, as the Hibiscus canna- 

 bimis (Sun-hemp), H. arbor cus, various species of Sida, &c., aud the hairs 

 of the seeds of Gossypium, constituting Cotton. Four distinct species of 

 Cotton are supposed to exist, viz. : G. herbaceum, the ordinary Indian 

 Cotton-plant, probably a cultivated variety of G. Stocksii, which is wild 

 in Sindh ; G. arboreum, the Indian Tree-cotton : G. barbadense, to which 

 the North-American Cottons and the Bourbon cotton of India belong ; 

 and G. peruvianum or acuminatum, Pernambuco or Brazil cotton. The 

 seeds of Gossypium contain a large quantity of almost colourless oil, to- 

 gether with a brown resinous substance contained in special reservoirs, 

 which colours the expressed oil. The hairs of the seeds of the Silk-cotton 

 trees (Bombax) cannot be spun like cotton, but are used for stuffing 

 cushions, &c. The Durian (Durio zibethinus) has nn aromatic edible fruit. 

 The fruit of the Baobab (Adansonia), gigantic African and Australian trees, 

 has an agreeable acid juice. Most of the Malvaceae have handsome 

 flowers, and many are cultivated in our gardens and stoves. 



STEECULIACE^E. THE STEECULIA OEDEE. 



Coli. Malvales, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Herbs, trees, or shrubs, sometimes climbing, with alternate 

 simple or compound leaves and free deciduous stipules ; flowers regular 



