more or less with a glandular pubescence. Leaves heart-shaped, 
pubescent, obtuse, from three to five lobed, lobes acutely notched, some¬ 
times on the lateral branches the leaves are entire, wof lobed, and only 
acutely dentate. Petioles short, varying from one third to one fifth 
the length of the leaves, and similarly pubescent. Stipules ovate, 
lanceolate. Flowers pink, solitary, issuing from the axils of the 
leaves. Peduncle shorter than the leaves, and covered with long hairs. 
Involucellum three-leaved, leaves ovate, obtuse, hairy, arranged 
alternately with the leaves of the calyx. Calyx pubescent, leafless, 
broadly ovate and longly acuminate. Petals five, obovate, longly 
unguiculate, unguis hairy, and forming a tube; margin of the lamina 
more or less irregular. Filaments numerous, smooth, adhering to the 
unguis of the petals, and of an indigo colour. Anthers kidney- 
shajiecl, of a similar colour to the filament, dehiscing laterally, longi¬ 
tudinally. Pollen round, echiiiate, transparent in the centre. Styles 
about nine, longer than the filaments and anthers, and of a purple 
colour. Stigma linear, papillose. 
Popular and Geographical Notice. Many of the plants 
composing the genus Malva are showy, handsome, and deserving of 
cultivation by the amateur, and from the delicacy of the petals, and 
the freeness of the flowering, there are perhaps but few more worthy of 
this distinction than the one now figured. In addition to its beauty, 
it gives out a delicious balsamic fragrance, scenting the whole house; 
this property, however, is not preserved in dried specimens. The 
genus Malva is pretty generally distributed over the wLole world, but 
the greatest number of attractive species are to be found at the Cape 
of Good Hope, and South America. Two species are natives of this 
country. 
Introduction; Where grown; Culture. This plant appears 
to be of recent introduction. Our drawing was made from a fine 
specimen in the Royal Garden, Kew. It is not more difficult to 
treat than other of the suffruticose species, and it may be propagated 
by cuttings in the usual way. It will thrive in any good garden soil. 
Derivation of the Names. 
F. AV. 
The word Malta seems to have been altered by the Latins, from the Greek 
fiaXuKT] soft. The term was adopted in allusion to the emollient qualities of 
the plant. Odorata, odoriferous. 
