Materials for a Flora of the Malayan Peninsula. — By George King, 
M. B., LL. D., F. R. S., C. I. E,, Superintendent of the Royal 
Botanic Garden, Calcutta. No, 3. 
(Continued from page 206 of Vol. LTX of 1890.) 
[Received 2nd March 1891, Read April let 1891.] 
In the arrangement of the Natural families which is being followed 
in these papers (that of DeCandolle as modified by the late Mr. Bentham 
and Sir Joseph Hooker), the family Dipterocarpeac should have preceded 
Malvaceae. Delays have, however, occurred in the elaboration of that 
family ; and, rather than postpone the publication of the remaining three 
Thalamifloral orders, 1 have decided to submit my account of these to 
the Society now, deferring" my paper on the Dipterocarpeae and on the 
previously omitted Anonaceae to a future occasion. 
Okder XVII. MALVACEvE. 
Herbs, shrubs or trees ; herbaceous portions often stellate- hairy or 
scaly. Leaves alternate, patminerved, simple, lobed, or rarely compound. 
Stipules free, sometimes caducous. Bracteoles 3 or more, free or com- 
bined, often forming an epicalyx. Flowers axillary or terminal, solitary, 
fascicled or cymose-paniculate, regular, hermaphrodite or l-sexual. 
Sepals 5, valvate, free or connate. Petals 5, twisted-imbricate. Stamens 
cr> , rarely definite, adaate to the base of the petals ; filaments monadel- 
phous, forming a tube ; anthers oblong or reniform, cells sinuous or 
twisted, linear or annular, ultimately 1-celled bursting longitudinally. 
Ovary 2-many-celled, entire, or lobed, of 2-5 or usually more carpels 
whorled round a central axis; styles connate below or throughout their 
length ; ovules 1 or more, curved, attached to the inner angle of each 
carpel. Fruit of dry cocci, or capsular and loculicidal, often large and 
woody. Seeds reniform or obovid, sometimes arillate ; albumen scanty, 
often mucilaginous or Oj embryo curved; cotyledons leafy, usually 
147 
