MALVACE2E. 119 



are sometimes eaten in the country, as also those of Hibiscus grandi- 

 Jlorus L., of II tiliaceus, the cooked leaves of several Mallows, of 

 Napaa Itevis L., of Sida rhombifolia L., and of several others. There 

 exists in Hibiscus verrucosus, Sabdariffa L., and several others, a cer- 

 tain acidity which causes the plant to be used in food, under the name 

 of Gruinea Sorrel [Oseille de Guinee). The lalo of Senegal is a parti- 

 cular aliment, prepared by the negroes from the dried and pul- 

 verized leaves of the Baobab. It is used daily in their food, 

 and is at the same time a preventive remedy, inducing per- 

 spiration. It is also said to cool the blood, to prevent affections of 

 the intestines, the loins, &c. It is the same with the Maloacea 

 with edible flowers. In Brazil those of Abutilon esculent um are eaten 

 with meat. In the Antilles and India, sauces and soups in daily use 

 are made from buds and green fruit of the Gombo, that is to say, Hibis- 

 cus esculentus 1 or some allied 2 species. They are said to be good 

 for repairing exhausted strength, and the same virtue in a still 

 hio-her degree has been accorded to the fruit of Durio, esteemed 

 in the Moluccas as a powerful aphrodisiac. In tropical countries 

 very various curative properties are ascribed to many of the Mal- 

 vaceae. Sida indica L. is considered as stomachic and antiperiodic ; 

 S. americana L., hirta L. and alnifolia L., as diuretic and aperient ; 

 iS. carpinifolia L., as emollient used topically to cure the stings 

 of wasps, in Brazil to dissipate melancholy ; S. mauritiana L. and 

 lanceolata Retz, as tonics and febrifuges ; S. viscosa Lher. as emol- 

 lients in the Antilles. S. rhombifolia derives from its properties its 

 name of False Marsh-mallow or Gr. of the Indies. Thespesia 

 macrochilia is considered by the Javanese as an epidermic febri- 

 fuge ; the glutinous juice extracted in Tropical Asia from T. 

 populnea Cork,, is esteemed as a sovereign remedy for all skin 

 affections, contusions, &c, as is also a decoction of its bark. Pavonia 

 odorata W. has a root used as a febrifuge, like the P. zeylanica Cav., 

 an infusion of which is employed in Ceylon. P. diuretica A. S. H. 3 

 derives its name from the use made of it in Brazil. P. coccinea 

 Cav. has pretty flowers, an infusion • of which is prescribed 



1 L., Spec, 9S0. — DC, Prodr., \. 450, n. 2 Especially H. longifolms L. 



49. — Abelmosclms esculentus Guilt.em;. & Peer. 3 PI. Us. Bras., t. 53 ; Fl. Bras. Me,:, i. 



(vulg. Okra, Gombaut, of the Antilles). 234.— Rosentii., op. cit., 708. 



