MALVACEE.

MALLOW.

MALVA.

MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.

Gerarde supposes the Latin name of this genus to be derived from the Hebrew, in which tongue it is called Malluach, from its saltness (Melach, salt) because the Mallow grows in salt places, among rubbish, &c., where saltpetre abounds. "I am persuaded," says he, "that the Latin word Malva comes from the Chaldee name Malluach, the ch being left out for the good sound's sake; so that in the Malua we should pronounce the u as a vowel, Malua, which comes near to the English word Mallow."-French, mauve.—Italian, malva.

THE Whorl-flowered Mallow is a native of China: it has pale red flowers, blowing in June and July.

The Syrian or Curled Mallow has white flowers, veined with red or purple, and is in flower from June to August. These two kinds are annual.

The Vervain and the Musk-mallow are natives of many parts of Europe, and the latter is sometimes found wild in this country.

They may be sown about the end of March, several together; and when they are three or four inches high, they may be removed into separate pots, which should be nine or ten inches wide. They may also be sown in the autumn, for they will bear the cold very well, if not too much watered; and will flower earlier, and even stronger, than those sown in the spring. In dry summer weather they may have a little water every evening, or second evening, according to the heat of the sun, the plant's exposure to it, &c. but in cold weather, once a week, or twice in ten days, will be sufficient.

A species of Mallow was used among the Romans as an esculent vegetable. Horace mentions it as one of his ordinary dishes. We are informed that a tree of the Mallow kind furnishes food to the Egyptians, and the Chinese also use Mallows in their food. A kind of paste, called by the French name of pâte de mauve, was prepared from the root, which is thought to be efficacious in allaying the irritation produced by violent coughing; but at present the Mallow is omitted, that the composition may have a fine white colour; it is therefore now made only of the finest white gum-arabic, the white of eggs, sugar, and orange-flower water.

The Mallow was formerly planted, with some other flowers, the Asphodel in particular, around the graves of departed friends *. It was probably this circumstance which led to the following reflections, in the epitaph on Bion, by Moschus:

"Raise, raise the dirge, Muses of Sicily.
Alas! when mallows in the garden die,
Green parsley, or the crisp luxuriant dill,
They live again, and flower another year;
But we, how great soe'er, or strong, or wise,
When once we die, sleep in the senseless earth
A long, an endless, unawakeable sleep."

HUNT'S FOLIAGE.

* See Asphodel.

MARSH-MARYGOLD.

RANUNCULACEA.

CALTHA PALUSTRIS.

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

The name Caltha signifies in Greek a basket, and refers to the appearance of the flower when not fully expanded.-French, le populage; le souci d'eau [water marygold]; le souci de marais; souchet d'eau. Italian, calta palustre; sposa del sole [spouse of the sun]; populaggine.

THE Marsh-marygold makes a brilliant appearance in the meadows in March and April, and sometimes even as early as February. The flower-buds, gathered before they expand, are said to be a good substitute for capers; and their juice, boiled with alum, stains paper yellow. On May-day the country people strew these flowers before their doors, and twine them in their garlands. In Lapland it is the first flower that announces the approach of spring, although it does not there appear till the end of May. The double variety is preserved in flower gardens for its beauty, which lasts longer than in the single flowers, although blowing later. It blooms throughout May and June. This plant is increased by parting the roots in autumn: it likes the shade, and must be allowed more water than other Marygolds; for its natural place of growth is

"Not the sunny plain,

But where the grass is green with shady trees,
And brooks stand ready for the kine to quaff."
AMARYNTHUS.

MARVEL OF PERU.

MIRABILIS.

NICTAGINEÆ.

66

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

So named from the wonderful diversity of colours in the flowers. Every thing from the New Continent," says Mr. Martyn, was at first esteemed wonderful."-French, belle de nuit [beauty of the night]; admirable de Perou; merveille de Perou; jalap faux [false jalap].— Italian, fior di notte [night flower]; maraviglia del Peru; sciarappa. Spanish, Don Diego de noche.

THE Marvel of Peru, though first brought to us from that place, is also a native of Africa, China, the East and West Indies. The colours vary from white to red, purple, yellow, red and yellow, purple and yellow, purple and white, &c.; sometimes all these colours are seen in the same plant; which, being very full of blossom, has a handsome appearance. It flowers in July, August, September, and, in mild seasons, October. In warm weather the flowers do not open till the evening; but when the weather is cool, or the sun obscured, they will open in the daytime; its hours of rest being exactly the reverse of—

"Those flowers that turn to meet the sun-light clear,
And those which slumber when the night is near."
H. SMITH.

The Japanese ladies prepare, from the meal of the seeds, a white paint for their faces.

The Forked Marvel of Peru is a native of Mexico; it is very similar to the former species, but the flowers are smaller, and do not vary in their colour, which is a redpurple, or rather a purple-red. It is very common in all the islands of the West Indies, where it is called Fouro'clock-flower, from the flowers opening at that time of the day.

The Sweet-scented Marvel of Peru has white flowers; which, as in the other two kinds, close during the day, and expand when the sun declines, like the Indian Nightflower, which its countrymen have named Sephalica, because they believe the bees sleep upon its blossoms.

The Sweet-scented species is not, however, agreeable to every one, since its scent is of musk, which many persons dislike. It is a native of Mexico, and flowers from June to September.

The Clammy Marvel of Peru has violet-coloured flowers, which blow from August to December.

These plants should be raised in a hot-bed; but if the roots are taken up when they have done flowering, laid in dry sand all the winter, secure from frost, and planted again in the spring, they will flower very well. Towards the end of May they may be set abroad. The first and third kinds are the most hardy. The earth must be but just kept moist.

If placed in a warm situation, they may be raised without a hot-bed, but will not flower till late in the season. The seeds should be sown in April, separately, in eight inch pots: when the roots are planted the second year, the pot should be rather larger.

Rousseau, in speaking of the name of this plant, says— "Upon the first discovery of the New World, as America was boastingly called, every thing found there was represented as wonderful. Strange stories were related of the plants and animals they met with, and those which were sent to Europe had pompous names given them. One of these is the Marvel of Peru, the only wonder of which is, the variety of colors in the flower."-ROUSSEAU'S LETTERS ON BOTANY.