exceeding the calyx, hearded at the hase. Stanmis ahout
15. Filaments connate, white, forked at the top. Anthers
yellow, unilocular, with two prominent valves. Stylés 5,
free. Stigmas spathulate, minutely papillose. Carpels 5,
concrete, hairy, 2 or 3-seeded, opening by two mucronulate
valves.
We have carefully compared our plant with the figure
and description given by Bonpland, and there cannot, we
think, be doubt as to their identity. The valves of the carpels
being pointed when open, have doubtless led M. Bonpland
to describe them as awned. The plant is a native of
New South Wales, and it appears to have been first discovered
by the late Mr. George Caley. Our friend Mr. Allan
Cunningham, to whom we are indebted for some valuable
notes on the subject, found it on the banks of Cox’s River,
in the Blue Mountains. According to Mr. Cunningham
the bed of that river is 2172 feet above the level of the sea,
and as the thermometer falls there in winter below the
freezing point, and as snow is seen to rest on the hills around,
the hardy nature of the plant is easily accounted for. It
appears to have been introduced to the gardens so earlv as
1810.
Our drawing was taken in the Spring of last year at the
Chelsea Botanic Garden, where the plant has stood trained
to a wall for several years without protection, growing
vigorously, and flow'ering and perfecting its seeds freely.
Its flowers, although small, are produced in great abundance,
and diffuse an agreeable fragrance like that of the hawthorn.
The name Abutilón was applied by the Arabian physicians
to a plant analogous to the Marsh Mallow, and has been
adopted by modern writers for a genus of the same family.
D. Don.
1. Calyx. 2. Petals. 3. Organs of reproduction.
5. Calyx with the ovarium. 6. Pistil.
4. Stamens separate.
7. Carpels.