t 
MALVALS. 883 
The Marsh-mallows (Althea officinalis) have stems from three 
to six inches in height ; they are erect, and densely covered with 
hairy down, as also are the leaves, 
which are ovoid, dentate, and slightly 
lobated. The flowers, of a pale rose 
colour, are generally fasiculate in the 
axils of the leaves, near the summit 
of the stem and branches. The fasicle 
or bundle occurs when numerous 
flowers are congregated into a thickly 
set group, as in Fig. 394, where p is 
the petiole or leaf-stalk, s the sti- 
pule, 6 the bract, ¢ the calyx, cor 
the corolla. These flowers are fas- 
cicled. 
The Marsh-mallows are tap-rooted, 
fusiform, fleshy, and white ; they are z 
about the size of a finger, simple, but Aah 
somewhat branchy. It is an approved 
and popular medicine, and holds the ** sug egal eee 
highest rank as an emollient. 
Amongst the most rerharkable of the Malvacex is the Cotton- 
tree (Gossypium), of which several species are largely cultivated 
in many parts of Asia, America, and the North of Africa, within 
the tropics, for the sake of the down which covers the testa of 
their seeds. This down forms the textile substance known under 
the name of cotton. The Ketmia (Hibiscus) have a five-celled 
Ovary and a five-valved capsular fruit, several species of which 
orm an ornament to our gardens—the Holyhock (Althea rosea), 
_ When well grown, being a noble flowering shrub. The young 
‘Taucilaginous capsule of one amongst them, the Hibiscus esculentus, 
urnishes a stiff and rather insipid stew, very much liked in 
America, Malopa, Sida, and the finely pencilled Aduti/on are mem- 
bers of the large family of the Malvacexw, which abound through- 
Cut the tropics, and also in Europe; they are interesting in many 
_ Tespects. The uniform properties of the order are, an abundant 
mucilage, and total absence of deleterious properties. The Mallows 
and Marsh-mallows of Europe yield a tasteless, colourless decoc- 
