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



little in appearance from it, but totally wants the globular an- 

 thers, which are disposed in a circle round the lower side of the 

 rim or margin of the central column of the male. 



" In the centre of this column or pistillum in the female are 

 perceived a number of fissures traversing its substance without 

 order or regularity, and their surfaces are covered with innume- 

 rable minute seeds. The flower rots away not long after expan- 

 sion, and the seeds are mixed with the pulpy mass. 



" The male and female flowers can be distinguished by a section 

 not only when mature, but at every stage of their progress. I have 

 made drawings of every essential part, which I hope soon to be 

 able to send home, together with a further account than I have 

 j r et had leisure to make. 



" I remain, &c. 



" William Jack/' 



The two principal desiderata respecting Rajjlesia, namely, the 

 satisfactory proof of its being a parasite, and the discovery of the 

 female flower, are now therefore supplied. 



Additional information, however, on several points is still 

 wanting to complete the history of this extraordinary plant. 



Thus, it would be interesting, by a careful examination of the 

 buds in every stage, to trace the changes produced in the root 

 by the action of the parasite, and especially to ascertain the 

 early state of the reticulate base, which I have ventured to con- 

 sider as a production of an intermediate nature, partly derived 

 from the root itself, and Avhich I suppose will be found to exist 

 before the bractea? become visible. 



Further details are also wanting respecting the circumstance of 

 its being found both on the roots and stems of the Cissus or Vith* 9 



* As these two genera differ from each other merely in number of parts, [ have for- 

 merly proposed to unite them under the name of Vitis. (Tuckey's Cor^o, p. 465.) 



no 



