124 THE ECONOMIC PEODUCTS OP THE MALLOW FAMILY. 



from the leaves, when mixed with honey, is considered efficacious ill 

 dysentery, and a supposed remedy in snake bites. 



In Brazil, a soap is made from the ashes of the so-called "Broom 

 plant " Sida lanceolata, Retz., Abelmoschus moschatus, W. et A., also abounds 

 in mucilage, and is used to clarify sugar in the N. W. of India ; from this 

 plant a tough fibre is procured. The seeds have a strong odour of musk f 

 and are used instead of animal musk for scenting pomatums, &c, as well 

 as by perfumers in this country for like purposes. In the West Indies they 

 are reduced to powder, and in combination with rum, are considered of 

 great value in snake bites. The Arabs use them for scenting their coffee. 



Another species of this genus, A. esculentus, W. et A., has similar pro- 

 perties, and its young fruit is known in the "West Indies as a Ochro," and 

 in the East as " Bendi-kai." These are much esteemed in both places for 

 thickening soups, and for this purpose are sometimes met with in the form 

 of a powder. In the unripe state they are also cooked and eaten as a 

 vegetable, and occasionally pickled like capers ; while the seeds have been 

 recommended as a substitute for coffee, for which they appear ill-suited. 

 They are, however, commonly used in the same manner as pearl-barley is in 

 England, being boiled for the purpose of extracting their emollient and 

 demulcent properties. The leaves are applied in poultices. According to 

 Dr Roxburgh, the fibre from this species is not of such great strength as 

 the former, yet it is used in the manufacture of ropes, gunny bags> &c. r 

 and is also made up into paper. The flowers of Abutilon esculentum, St Hil. r 

 known to the Brazilians as " Ben9ao de Dios," are used by them as a 

 vegetable. 



Pavonia diuretica, St Hil., is as its name implies diuretic, and is used as 

 such in Brazil ; but it is supposed to act more as an emollient. 



The Brazilians also employ a decoction of Sphmralcea cisplatina, St Hil. r 

 in inflammation of the bowels ; indeed, its properties are very similar to 

 those of our own marsh mallow. 



A decoction procured from the root and stem of Urena lohata, L., is 

 esteemed in the same country " as a remedy in windy colic ;" while the 

 flowers are used as an expectorant in dry and inveterate coughs ; and the 

 bark of the plant affords a good cordage. 



The leaves of Hibiscus cannabinus, L., are employed in the East Indies as 

 a vegetable, having a slightly acid taste ; while from the bark a strong, 

 6oft fibre is got, which is manufactured into ropes, coarse cloths, &c. 



The calyces and capstdes of Hibiscus sabdariffa, L., are known in the 

 West Indies as red sorrel, and are used for making tarts, the seeds being pre- 

 viously taken out. They are said to form an excellent jelly, a decoction of 

 them is also employed — sweetened and fermented — as a drink, and is 

 called " Sorrel cool-drink." This liquor is often used in our sugar colonies, 

 it being a ve ry pleasant, cooling beverage. The leaves are used in salads. 



The Chinese employ the showy flowers of Hibiscus rosa sinensis, L., in 

 the formation of festoons and garlands on festive occasions, and also in 

 their sepulchral rites. The petals have astringent properties, and are used 



