BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 
155 
ON THE HISTORY, PROPERTIES, AND CULTIVATION OF COTTON. 
By Lieut. F. R. Stanton, F. B S, C. 
Read hy Prof .E.Yates, M.D., IWh Marc\ 1861. 
From the great benefits which the human family derive from the cotton plant, 
it is held in the very highest estimation, and consequently, to treat it cither as a 
botanical, or as an historical subject, must surely prove interesting to all readers. 
Its cultivation is a source of great national wealth to one nation, while its manufac- 
ture enriches another. Its medical virtues are much in vogue, and its history is 
extremely ancient. 
In order that we may be more clearly understood, the subject will be divided 
into the following heads, — under the first, I will treat of the cotton plant in a bo- 
tanical point of view — under the second, as regards its medical properties — under 
the third, in an historical aspect — and under the fourth and last head, attempt to 
describe its cultivation. In all its lights the subject is alike pleasing, and I trust 
may be found both novel and instructive. 
Description of the Cotton Plant in a Botanical point of view. 
The cotton plants belong to the genus Gossypium^ of which there are many 
species all growing in warm climates. They belong (o the MaJvacece, or mal- 
low order, which contains — " herbs, shrubs, and trees, with alternnte stipulate, 
" palmately divided leaves, often stellate hairs, and showy involucrate flowers on 
" axillary peduncles, sepals five, rarely three or four, united at the base, valvate, 
" often having an epicalyx. Petals of the same number as the sepals, twisted. 
" Stamens co, monadelphous, united to the claws of the petals ; anthers one-celled, 
" reniform, introrse, opening transversely ; pollen hispid. Ovary many-celled, with 
" placentas in the axis; or several ovaries, separate or separable when ripe; styles 
*' equal in number to the carpels, distinct or united. Fruit composed of several 
" monospermal or polyspermal carpels, either combined or separate. Seeds with 
" little albumen ; embryo curved with folded cotyledons. The plants abound in 
" tropical regions, and in the hotter parts of the temperate zone. The properties 
" of the mallow-worts are mucilaginous and demulcent, they supply various kinds 
" of fibres. AUhcea officinalis, marsh mallow, is used medicinally to supply mucil- 
*' age. Various species of Gos-^ypium furnish cotton, which consists of the hairs 
" attached to the seeds. The inner bark of Hibiscus cannabinu{>\ furnishes a kind of 
" sun-hemp in India." 
