222 Mr. Brown's Account of a new Genus of Plants, 



position of the ovarium in the female flower ; but that from 

 another consideration there seems a somewhat greater probabi- 

 lity of its being superior. If, however, it were ev^en inferior, 

 the objection to the affinity in question would not be insupe- 

 perable, the relationship of Homalince to Passiflorece being ad- 

 mitted. 



If Napoleona or Belvisia be really allied to Passiflorece, which 

 is very doubtful, however, and can only be determined by an 

 examination of the fruit, it may also be compared with Baf- 

 flesia. At first sight this singular genus seems to resemble our 

 plant in several respects, particularly in the manner of insertion 

 of its sessile flower into the branch, in the bracteae surrounding 

 the ovarium, the confluence and dilatation of its filaments, and 

 in the existence of a double corona. But some of these points 

 are obviously unimportant ; and the comparison between the co- 

 rona of the great flower and the double corolla of Belvisia will 

 probably be considered paradoxical*. 



It seems unnecessary to compare Rajflesia with Cucurbit acece, 

 to which it could only be considered as approaching, if its affi- 

 nity to Aphyteia should appear probable, and the relationship of 

 that genus to Cucurbit acea, suggested chiefly by the structure of 

 antherse, were at the same time admitted. The 



* M. de Beauvois, in his account of Napoleotia (Flore d'Ozvare ii. p. 52.), has men- 

 tioned a genus allied to it, which has been since published by M . Desfontaines under 

 the name of Asteranthos. These two genera are without doubt nearly related ; and 

 even independent of the structure of fruit, which in both remains to be ascertained, 

 possess sufficient characters to separate them from every known family, as M. de Jus- 

 sieu is disposed to think; and certainly from Symplocea, where M. Desfontaines has 

 placed them. 



In adopting the generic name proposed by M . Desvaux for Napoleona, this order may 

 be called 



Belvise^e. 



Calyx monophyllus, limbo diviso, persistens. Corolla ? monopetala, plicata, (multiloba 

 vel indivisa ; simplex y. duplex) decidua. Stamina vel definita v. indefinita ; basi 



corollae 



