80 MALVACE^. 



solitary, one-flowered, often racemose or paniculate at the 

 summit of the branches from the reduction of the leaves to 

 bracts, articulated below the apex. Flowers rose-color, pur- 

 ple, or yellowish, not very large. 



Etymology. Dedicated, I suppose, to a Bohemian botanist, Kosteletzky. 



Geographical Distribution. The genus consists of several chiefly 

 American, tropical or subtropical species, the greater number Mexican. 

 One species only, K. Virgiiiica (Hibiscus Virginicus, Linn.), is known in 

 the United States, which is common on the coast from Virginia southward, 

 and is sparingly found as far north as Long Island. 



PLATE 132. KosTELETZKYA YiRGiNicA, Prcsl ; — a branch in flower and 

 fruit, of the natural size. 



1. Diagram of the position and aestivation of the envelopes of the flower, 



(with a magnified transverse section of the ovary). 



2. Vertical section through the column, ovary, receptacle, &c., magnified. 



3. An anther, more magnified. 



4. Capsule, dehiscent, with the calyx, &c., enlarged. 



5. One of the valves of the same, seen from within. 



6. A seed, more magnified. 



7. Embryo detached entire, still more magnified. 



