+ 
from the leaf, and is very largeandshowy. From the top 
of the tuber arises a short, green, spotted stem, or peduncle, 
having. numerous, stc¢culeut. radicles, thrown, out from its 
very base, and two unequal, lanceolate, membranaceous 
sheaths or bracteas. This’ short sfem bears a very large 
subcampanulate purplish spathe, of a somewhat coriaceous 
texture, much waved ‘at.the margin, greyish, spotted with 
white on the outside, within whitish towards the middle, 
and reddish-purple at the very. base. . Spadix ten inches to 
a foot high ; its lower half (that part covered with pistils) 
cylindrical, above (where the stamens are placed) much 
dilated, and at the top expanding into a large, waved, 
deep-purple, granulated head. Pistil: Germens numerous, 
somewhat spherical, purple: Style cylindrical, purple: 
Stigma capitate, waved; yellowish. Anthers sessile, ‘< 
numerous, oblong, obtuse : each four-celled, opening wi 
pores'at the extremity. © © (90 8 Ainge | 
The first I knew of this extraordinary plant was throu; 
the medium of my friend Dr. Srrane, who obligingly 
brought me from. M. Spanoeue, from Java, a. noble speci- 
men of it in spirits. About the same time, a living plant 
was sent from’ Madagascar by Mr.:'Tet¥am to Ropert 
Barciay, Esq. at Bury Hill;-in whose superb: collection, 
and under the skilful management of his gardener, it soon 
prodiced its flowers: and; from @ drawing kindly sentto 
me by that gentleman,:aided by my specimens'preserved in 
spirits, the accompanying figures were taken: 
-\ Although the: plant ‘had: beea long réprésented and:de- _ 
scribed by Rumpnius, Ruzepe, and Commexin;| yet no 
systematic botanist. seems ‘to: have noticed / it; «mtil: Dr. 
introduced it into the. Hortus Benghalensis,ut- — 
der the name which I have here retained. Wé dre! there 
toldithat its Sanskrit name is: Kunda, and»its: Hindoostani- 
~ Muncha-kunda: that it is not.wncommon on the Continent 
of India, as well as in the Archi o: and that in the 
‘Northern ¢ Sy ity GulVatad aod alved as the POU 
ne Fa us, and as the Yams in the West Indies. The roots 
often weigh from four to eight ormore pounds each, Com- 
paid aig it from Ceylon, and cultivated it at Amster- — 
dam, but never saw it produce its flower. . RomPxivs 
Tacs ed to consider the flower of this to belong to his real 
‘dasa 5. t. 113. £1. Both he and Rugepe speak of 
the root being employed nedicinally by the ative 
9. ng, 1; Leaf about one quarter the natural size. 2. Flowering Plaat ditto 
4. Anthers. 5. Section of ditto.— Magnified. 
