THE MALLOW FAMILY. 103 



COMMON MALLOW. Malva Sylvestris. 



Stem erect, herbaceous, leaves with 5 to 7 rather acute, 

 deep lobes; peduncles, and petioles hairy, fruit smooth, 

 wrinkled, like net- work (reticulately wrinkled). Stem, 

 from 2 to 3 feet high. Petals heart- shaped, reversed, 

 (obcordato) large, and of a deep lilac, with darker veins 

 Flowers 3 or 4 together, on the stem, at distances, with 

 the leaves, (not only terminal.) Whole plant, especially, 

 the fruit, slimy (mucilaginous) and emollient.] 



This plant is so common and conspicuous, that 

 doubtless you know it ; and perhaps call its fruit 

 cheeses ; for that is the name it often bears. The 

 MUSK MALLOW (Malva Moschata) is not so common, 

 but a more elegant plant ; with rose-color petals, and 

 finely cut leaves, which have a faint, musky smell in 

 the evening. There is one other common species: 

 The BOUND -LEAVED MALLOW, with small pale lilac 

 blossoms, but the plant and leaves are large and tough, 

 like the Common Mallow. The Mu&k Mallow is tbe 

 ' Emblem of Meekness.' 



" Yet only in the shade of night, 



It sends its fragrance forth, 

 As though it deemed, no earthly light 



Were conscious of its worth : 

 So it bends its head low as it wafts it away, 

 Ere the star of the morn tells the breaking of day. 



