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HIBISCUS ROSA LINENSIS. 



NATURAL ORDER, MALVACE^. 





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T would be quite beyond the scope of a superficial work of this 

 kind to depict or even enumerate the numerous plants in this 

 genus. They are so associated with India and so well known 

 to all who have lived there that one specimen will recall the others. 



The single variety given in the plate is the one most frequently met 

 with ; and the gay, cheerful appearance of the bushes, when covered with 

 blossom, may be imagined from the one flower before us. 



Common as these plants may be, especially the single varieties, it 

 would be difficult to find more ornamental and showy-looking plants. 



The Hibiscus is of the same order as the English Hollyhock, and 

 there is a great resemblance between the flowers of some of the varieties 

 and the much-loved Hollyhock of our English borders; in growth, how- 

 ever, they differ considerably, the Hibiscus being a thick, woody bush. 



Roxburgh mentions that the Double Hibiscus is only found in a 

 cultivated state, while the single variety is found wild in Central India. 

 He also tells us " that the English name is ' Shoe Plant,' on account of 

 the juice from the petals of the flowers being used for blacking shoes." 

 I have also heard it stated that the native women dye their hair and eye- 

 brows with the same juice. 



" In China," writes Major Drury, "they make these handsome flowers 

 into garlands and festoons on all occasions of festivities, and even in their 

 sepulchral rites." 



The leaves are used medicinally, and are said to be very powerful in 

 checking certain diseases. 



During the rains the Hibiscus is at its greatest perfection, and many 

 of the flowers would then measure six or eight inches in circumference. 

 They fade very quickly if cut. When several of these gaudy, striking 

 flowers are open at once it is impossible to describe the brilliancy of the 

 bush. 



The leaves are small in comparison to the flower ; they are smooth, 

 with sharp points, and very serrated edges. 



This is such a large and extensive genus that almost ever}' shade of 

 colour and hue may be found in it, and when several varieties are near 

 each other the effect is very lovely, and other plants appear thrown into 

 the shade. 



