MALVACEÆ. 93 
cone of the receptacle, and surmounted by gynobasic styles united 
into a hollow column divided in its upper portion into a great num- 
ber of reflexed filiform branches, stigmatiferous along their internal 
edge. Each ovary encloses an ascending ovule with micropyle 
looking downwards and outwards. The fruit (fig. 148) accompanied 
at its base by the persistent calyx and epicalyx is formed of a great 
number of achenes, grouped upon the receptacle, from which they 
separate at maturity. Each encloses an ascending seed, with 
embryo analogous to that of the Mallows. Malope consists of 
annual herbs of the Mediterranean region, glabrous, or covered 
with hairs, with alternate, entire, or trifid leaves whose petiole is 
provided at the base with two lateral stipules. 
The flowers are axillary and borne by a peduncle on which is in- 
serted quite against the calyx three free cordate 
bracts forming an involucel or epicalyx.! Three 
species are known. With Malope this section in- 
cludes two very analogous genera with styles stig- 
matiferous at the apex. These are: Avtacbelia (fig. 
149) of which we only know as yet one European 
species having a epicalyx of more than five 
bracts united below, and carpels first arranged 
like those of Malope, but partly aborting after 
anthesis ; a small number of them enclose a fer- 
tile seed and open longitudinally by their dorsal 
edge to let it escape; and Pa/ava, consisting of 
South American plants, with flowers totally 
destitute of involucre, the divisions of the style 
Kitaibelia vitifolia. 

: Ê : = Fia@. 149. 
thickened in their upper part, the carpels in- Fruit (19). 
dehiscent at maturity and detached from the 
receptacle and flowers axillary solitary and pedunculate. 

1 According to Payer (loc, cit. 29), “it has 2 Cav., Diss., ii. t. 27, figs. 1, 2—Rercue., 
three lobes, of which one is posterior, and re- Jc. FV. Germ., v. t. 165.—Botss., Diagn., ii. 
presents the bract, while the two others are 100.—GREN. et Gopr., Fl. de Fy., i. 287,— 
anterior, and represent the two stipules.” Watp., Rep., i. 290; v. 88; Ann., vii. 382. 
