Page:Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. 1.djvu/138

 celled, cells either remaining completely united, or becoming more or less distinct, and separating with the seed enclosed, dehiscence in the former case loculicidal. Seeds somewhat reniform attached to the internal angle of the carpels, glabrous or enveloped in a covering of hairs; albumen none or very sparing. Embryo large, the cotyledons foliacious, variously doubled and twisted, often cordate, radicle pointing to the hilum.

This large and, as it may appear from the preceding description, complex order is yet one of easy determination, even among the orders with which it was originally combined by Jussieu, now forming the class Columniferae, of Bartling (all remarkable for having the oestivation of the calyx valvate) by its I-celled reniform anthers. Dr. Lindley gives the following brief exposition of its affinities, premising as an anomaly in the order that "In Malope the carpels are numerous, and distinct, not arranged in a single row as in the rest of the order." "The relation of Malvaceae with Sterculiaceae, Tiliaceae, and Elaeocarpaceae, is clearly indicated by their general accordance in structure, and especially by the valvate oestivation of their calyx. With other orders they also agree in numerous points; as, with Ranunculaceae, in the indefinite stamens and distinct aggregate carpels of Malope; with Ternstraemiaceae in their monadelphous stamens; with Chlenaceae in the presence of an involucre below the flower, and monadelphous stamens; with Linaceae in their mucilaginous properties, definite seeds, many-celled fruit, and unguiculate petals; and through the medium of this last order with Silenaceae."

Polypetalous dicotyledons. Calyx with valrate cestivation. Stamens numerous, monadelphous : Anthers one-celled. Ovary wholly superior; of several carpels combined into a solid pistil, with more placentas than one. Leaves furnished with stipules.

This, although some species extend nearly to the polar limits of the temperate zone, may be looted upon as principally a tropical family, the greater part of them being found either within the tropics, or in the warmer latitudes on their immediate confines and within that range are very abundant both as to species and individuals. Three or four only are found in England, but the number is considerable in the south of Europe, while in the north they altogether disappear. The Indian peninsula presents a catalogue of about 62 or about g' T of the whole phenogamous flora (estimated to amount to 4000 species) which is a considerably smaller proportion than that of the equinoxial regions of America, in which they are said to amount to T ' y th or ^th of the flowering plants. This difference may possibly result from my having used too high an estimate for the whole flora as according to Brown, the proportion for tropical India is as high as -~ : this again may be owing to his having included Byttneriaceae and Bombaceae in his calculation which I have excluded from mine, but which when included still leaves the proportion below Mr. Brown's ratio. With the addition of these orders, the ratio malvales bear to the rest of the flora, estimated as above at 4000, is J^th which I believe may be considered a very near approximation to Mr. Brown's estimate, now that the proportions have been altered, by the recent discovery of many alpine plants altogether unknown to Roxburgh, from whose materials Mr. Brown's estimate is deduced.

Mankind are largely beholden to this order, more so perhaps than to any other, as supplying them with food, medicine, shelter and clothing.

The uniform character of Malvaceae is to abound in mucilage and to be totally destitute of unwholesome properties. Such being the case, it is to be expected that many of them are employed as food : among these may be enumerated our Hibisctis (Abelmoschus) esculentus the mucilaginous fruit of which is our well-known Bandikai : Hibiscus Cannabinus, the leaves of which are eat as spinach, while the fibres of the bark is twisted into a kind of cordage : the Hibiscus Subdariffa or rozelle from the fleshy acid calyx of which, excellent jelly, and tart fruit, are prepared : and many others.

In medicine nearly the whole tribe are employed, as affording medicines possessing demulcent, and emollient properties. The marsh mallow, and many other allied species are indiscriminately used as such in Europe, and several species of Abutilon (Sida), such as A. indicnm and Asiaticum are similarly employed in this country. The yellow juice, as well as strong infusions of