THE PALAEOTROPICS 223 



higher volcanic peaks, Dempo, over 10,000 feet elevation. At an 

 elevation of 3,500 feet there were extensive coffee plantations, above 

 which, at about 4,000 feet, the virgin forest began, and for about 

 2,000 feet was extremely luxuriant, evidently much like the similar 

 forests on the slopes of the great volcanic peaks of western Java. 



Flowers were scarce, except for some epiphytes and climbers, 

 but he discovered one remarkable new species, a strange parasite, 

 Brugmansia sp., related to the gigantic Rafflesia Arnoldi, also a 

 native of Sumatra. The latter is an extreme parasite living within 

 the tissues of a vine (Vitis sp.) very much like a parasitic fungus. 

 The flower buds break through the tissues of the host-plant, and 

 the huge flowers, sometimes nearly a yard across, look as if they 

 belonged to the vine upon which they are parasitic. These giant 

 flowers have a color and odor suggesting putrid flesh, and attract 

 swarms of carrion-flies and other insects which doubtless serve as 

 agents in pollination. Among the plants noted by Forbes in the 

 lowland forest, was the gigantic arum, Amorphophallas Titanum, 

 with leaves seventeen feet high I 



The forest shows the usual profusion of gingers, bananas, tree- 

 ferns, palms, aroids, etc. Forbes states that this region also, is 

 remarkably rich in flowering trees, one of which, Gordonia excelsa, 

 has two related species in the southern Atlantic states. Above 

 6,000 feet most of the palms, including the rattans, ceased, and the 

 trees became smaller. These trees were mostly of the myrtle 

 family, and their branches were heavily laden with epiphytes, 

 especially ferns in great variety. Still higher up, long gray lichens 

 became conspicuous, and Begonias, honeysuckles, and a very fine 

 orchid (Dendrobium secundum) were abundant. The tall forest 

 stopped at 8,600 feet, and changed to lower shrubby growths, largely 

 Ericaceae. Of these, a species of Vaccinium (V. Forbcm), became 

 a small tree. This was associated with scarlet rhododendrons, 

 and many ferns. A few raspberries and a gentian were also noted, 

 but the pitcher plants, so abundant on some of the mountains, 

 were almost entirely absent. 



While the trees of Sumatra are mainly Malayan types, they 

 include a single pine (Pinus Merkusii), found in the north of the 

 island, and several species of oaks. Pinus Merkusii probably marks 

 the southermost extension of the true pines, but Sumatra shares 

 with the rest of Malaya the Kauri-pines (Agathis) and Podocarpus. 



