56 
THALAMIFLOKJB. 
allelly and longitudinally (8-) nerved. Inflorescence terminal, 
of two umbellets, with a solitary pedicelled flower at their divi- 
sion: peduncle terete, pubescent with capitato-glandulose hairs: 
umbellet of 3-5 shortly pedicelled white flowers : bractere ovato- 
lanceolate, leaflike. Sepals 5, lanceolate, membranaceo-margined, 
externally pubescent with capitato-glandulose hairs. Petals 
shorter than the sepals, deeply bipartite. Stamens 10, of 
which 5 are shorter than the other half : filaments delicately 
capillary: anthers compressed, yellow. Ovary spherical, sub-3- 
gonal : styles 3, longer than the stamens, spreading : stigmata 
puberulo-papillose. Capsule longer than the calyx, opening 
with 10 fine teeth: seeds cd, slightly compressed, granulato- 
papillose. 
ORDER XXIV. MALVACEAE. 
Calycine sepals 5 , rarely 3-4, more or less united 
at the base, with a valvular aestivation, in many fur- 
nished externally with bracteolated leaves constituting 
an outer calyx or involucre. Petals of the same 
number as the sepals, hypogynous, with a spirally 
twisted aestivation, either distinct, or more frequently 
adnate to the base of the tube of the stamens. Sta- 
mens of the same number as, or frequently many 
times the number of the petals, hypogynous: filaments 
monadelphous, unequal in length : anthers 1-celled, 
reniform, dehiscent by a transverse slit. Ovary 
formed by the union of several carpels round a com- 
mon axis, either distinct or coherent : styles and 
stigmata the same in number as the carpels. Carpels 
1-2-seeded or polysperm ous, sometimes united in 
one, or separate, or separable : dehiscence loculicidal 
or septicidal : seeds somewhat hairy: albumen none, 
or in small quantity : embryo curved, with twisted 
or double cotyledons. 
Herbaceous plants, shrubs, or trees : leaves alternate, more 
or less divided, stipulated : hairs stellated : peduncles usually 
axillary. 
The Mallow Tribe are principally inhabitants of tropical re- 
