Hibiscus 8peciosu8. 35 



turedto be the marsh mallow, (Alhsea officinalis) or something very 

 like it. It designates a tribe of tropical malvaceous plants, consist- 

 ing of about 70 species, indigenous for the most part to South Ame- 

 rica, India and its islands. Scarcely any are found native to Europe. 

 The Cape of Good Hope and Persia have some species, and about 

 ten more inhabit North America, none of which however are arbo- 

 rescent as some of the tropical ones are. Of the North American 

 species the gorgeous plant here figured is certainly the most showy. 

 Though indigenous to the southern section of our country, yet a 

 northern climate is not incompatible with its health and vigour. It 

 is found, in a state of cultivation, in the open borders of some of our 

 gardens, where it flourishes and matures seed ; and even in England, 

 where it is a favourite plant, it is nearly hardy. The specimen from 

 which the drawing was made, was taken from a plant which flourish- 

 ed in an open border in the garden of the Danish minister in this 

 city, where it had endured the preceding winter without any care. 

 In that situation, presenting favourably to the sun,itattained aheight 

 of full nine feet, bearing a profusion of flowers ; and it had arrived 

 at this maturity in a period of four months from its first appearance 

 above ground. 



This species continues to bloom a considerable while ; the cauline 

 flowers first appearing, and afterwards those on the branches suc- 

 cessively, until frost. This circumstance, together with its stature, 

 render it very ornamental to gardens; hence it should be preferred to 

 the common and less beautiful plants so much cultivated and gene- 



