162 MM. Vrolik and De Vriese on the Alteration 



the breadth at the longest diameter was 0*68. The spadix 

 was nearly as large again as usual. 



We must avail ourselves of this opportunity to observe, 

 that we have already (in 1835) declared our opinion regard- 

 ing the identity of Colocasia odora with Arunfi cordifolium, 

 briefly described by Bory de St. Vincent*. This learned gen- 

 tleman has confirmed in every respect the opinion which we 

 gave in 1835, in our first treatise on the elevated temperature 

 of Colocasia odora. Our opinions on that subject were fully 

 given in the French translation of the treatise, which was 

 sent to the Editors of the ^ Annales des Sciences Naturelles.' 

 If thus une faute d' erudition hotanique has taken place, by 

 whomever it may have been, it has not been committed by usf. 

 In Froriep's ' Notizen^ of 1836, our treatise was inserted from 

 the ^Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis ;' and there 

 also the conviction may be obtained, that we had not from 

 the beginning any doubt of the identity of Colocasia odora 

 with Arum cordifolium. Perhaps at some future period we 

 shall revert to this subject. 



After this short digression, we now subjoin the table of our 

 observations on the 9th of July, 1839: — 



On that day the development of heat gradually decreased, 

 and even on the following day at noon it was scarcely observ- 

 able for half an hour. The air in the jar was then chemically 

 analysed ; oxygen was not found in it, but it was proved that 

 this gas had been replaced by carbonic acid gas. 



It is a most remarkable phaenomenon, that while the increase 

 of heat had generally been observable for three days, it now 

 nearly ceased on the first day. In our opinion, the disappear- 



* Voyage dans lesquatres grandes ilesde la mer d'Afiique, fait en 1802, 

 II. Paris, 1804, p. 66. 



t Vid. I'Institut, Mai 30, 1839, No. 283, p. 184; Sept. 5, 1839, No. 297, 

 p. 312. 



