492 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



imported in bales to this country. Since the Civil War in 

 the United States the cultivation of cotton has increased in 

 many other countries, and a considerable suj)ply now comes 

 to this country from India and Egypt. The seeds contain a 

 large quantity of oil, and are used for making oil -cake for 

 feeding cattle, but it is necessary to deprive them of their 

 outer covering, otherwise the cake is unwholesome. 



Marshmallow {Althea officinalis). A strong growing pe- 

 rennial, native of this country. It attains the height of 

 about 3 feet, and is of a hoary aspect. It is cultivated in 

 certain districts, and is held in repute as a medicinal plant, 

 being used chiefly in fomentations and gargles; the juice of 

 the root is used in the preparation of cough lozenges. 



Hollyhock (^Althea 7vsea). This well-known showy garden 

 plant is a native of China, but has been cultivated in this 

 country for more than three hundred years ; it has now be- 

 come indigenous in the South of Europe. Many fine double 

 varieties have been raised. It possesses a strong fibre, and 

 attempts have been made to introduce it in the manufacture 

 of paper, &c., but they have not been attended Avith much 

 success. A colouring matter is obtained from it. 



Cuba Bast (Paritium elatum). A tree, native of Cuba and 

 Jamaica, attaining the height of from 50 to 60 feet, having 

 large cordate, smooth, green leaves. Its timber is of a green- 

 ish colour, and is used in Jamaica in cabinet making; but 

 the most important part is its beautiful lace-like inner bark, 

 which was originally employed for tying up parcels of the 

 real Havannah cigars. About fifteen years ago it was largely 

 imported into this country for garden purposes, but it has 

 now fallen into disuse. Other species of Paritium have tough 

 bark, especially P. tiliaceum, a native of tropical coasts and 

 abounding throughout the islands of the Pacific, where its 

 bark is largely employed by the natives for making ropes 

 and nets, and its light wood for canoes. 



Thespesia populnea is also a common tree on tropical coasts 

 of both hemispheres, and its bark is used for similar pur- 

 poses as the above. In Demerara it is used for making 



