1G8 EXGLISII BOTANY. 



Tliis common roadside phxnt possesses in a less degree the same properties as the 

 Marsh Mallow, and lias been employed as a decoction to relieve internal iiril;ition. It 

 is a favourite remedy with the country people, and is often applied externally in the 

 sliape of poultices, as well as being administered as a decoction. The foliage, when 

 boiled, forms a wholesome vegetable ; and we may all remember the avidity with which, 

 as children, we have sought for the little hard fruit, tasting something like a nut, and 

 commonly called a "cheese." "Chucky cheese" is the name given in Devonshire to 

 the plant, in allusion to these little cheese-like fruits. All the Mallows yield an 

 excellent fibre capable of use for cordage, paper, and textile fabrics. The fibre is not, 

 however, durable or strong, and on this account has never been employed to any extent, 

 though many efibrts have been made to introduce it. In the East it has long been 

 employed ; and there is a tradition that Mahomet had a garment made of the Mallow 

 fibre ; and he was so well pleased with it, that he turned the plant into the more showy 

 but less useful Geranium. In France a sort of paper, used chiefly for the decoration of 

 rooms, has been manufactured from Mallow fibre. 



SPECIES III.— M ALVA ROTUNDIFOLIA. Linn. 

 Plate CCLXXXII. 



JIalva vulgaris, Fries. Reich. Ic. Fl. Gei-m. et llelv. Vol. V. Malv. Tab. CLXVI. 



No. 4836. 

 M. vulgaris, Fries, Nov. Fl. Suec. p. 219. 



Stems prostrate, except the central ones. Leaves all roundisli- 

 reniform, deeply cordate at tbe base, Avith 5 or 7 very shallow rounded 

 crenate-serrate lobes, the middle one not evidently longer than the 

 others even in the upper leaves. Fruit pedicels spreading-recurved, 

 longer than the calyx. Epioalyx of 3 linear leaves, half or two-thirds 

 as long as the calyx. Calyx with 5 broadly ovate-deltoid hairy lobes, 

 slightly connivent, with reflexed tips, and not at all enlarged in 

 fruit. Petals twice or thrice as long as the calyx. Carpels slightly 

 downy, with the sides forming a blunt angle with the smootli 

 rounded back; the sides smooth, having a distinct marginal baud 

 not separated from the disk by au elevated line. 



In waste places and by roadsides. Common in England and 

 the South of Scotland, and reaching about as far North as Malva 

 sylvestris. 

 England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Summer and Autumn 



Stems spreading, generally lying flat on the ground (except the 

 central one, which is ascending) or ascending only at the extre- 

 mities, 6 inches to 2 feet long. Leaves all on long stalks, 1^ to 2| 

 inches across, with the lobes very blunt and slig-litly developed in 

 all ; the size of the leaves is very little diminished towards the upper 

 part of the stem. Eiowers in irregular racemes, with several 

 peduncles from each node, in size | to 1 inch across. Petals whitish 



i| 



