102 Mr. Griffith on the Indian Species o/*Balanophora, 



Obs. III. — In the description which I originally made, there are remarks 

 which would lead me to suspect that a perianthium, or something- analogous 

 to it, (in which case it would approach nearer to Scybalium,) may exist; but in 

 my later examinations, by which I have been guided on this point, I find no 

 trace of any tube enveloping the style. 



The abortive pistilla have a considerable resemblance to those of Balano- 

 phora, but the tissue is much less lax and is obscured by brown colour. 

 Although there have appeared to me to be traces of a cavity in the upper 

 part of each, I have not been able to ascertain the existence of any body 

 analogous to an ovulum, or any pre-existing state of the subsequent embryo. 

 The structure of the style is also perhaps more indicated by analogy than by 

 actual observation, owing to its opacity. 



Obs. IV. — The results of all the examinations of the fruits have been the 

 same ; the embryo appears to be entirely cellular, and not to present any 

 obvious attachment. The cellular tissue is dense and firm ; if viewed under 

 pressure and by transmitted light, it appears to be homogeneous, the cells 

 containing a mucilaginous fluid and much molecular matter. 



This matter on its escape carries along with it an envelope of mucilage, 

 and assumes, when perfectly free in the field of the microscope, a globular 

 appearance. It may in this state be easily mistaken for a spore, or a grain of 

 pollen deprived of its outer coat. 



Obs. V. — The structure of the hairs in which the fruits are imbedded is re- 

 markable, from the analogy it appears to me to present with the paraphysi- 

 form appendages of Drepanophyllum and certain Neckerce, and also with the 

 bodies which I suspect are the male organs of Filices. 



Obs. VI. — I am ignorant whether this plant is a congener of or the same 

 with Balanophora gigantea, doubtfully proposed by Dr. Wallich as a new 

 genus in his Catalogue, No. 7249 *. 



Obs. VII. — The genus I take to differ essentially from Balanophora by the 

 presence of the remarkable paraphysiform hairs or processes which cover the 

 surface of the spike, by the areolation of this part, the sessile solitary ovaria, 

 deciduous styles, and the subpapillose apex of the fruit. The conformation of 

 the pistillum is also on the whole more perfect. 



* See note J on p. 94. — Secr. 



