B alanophoracece . 477 



2. B. Thwaitesii, Eichl. iti DC. Prod. xvii. 146 (1873). [Plate 

 LXXXI.] 



Trim. Syst. Cat. Ceyl. 77 ; and in J ourn. Linn. Soc. xxii. 330. C. P. 

 200 (part). 



Fl. B. Ind. V. 238, 862. 



Very like B. indica but differs in the following respects: — . 

 Rhizome larger and more branched, pustules more numerous 

 and very large; flowering stems taller, 6-12 in., fewer, male 

 and fem. apparently on separate rhizomes, leaf-scales larger, 

 decurrent ; male head much larger, 2J-4I in., somewhat 

 stalked, bracts conspicuous, as long as or longer than ped., 

 thick and fleshy, strongly ribbed above and channelled 

 beneath so that the ends are crenate, fl. larger not very 

 crowded, per.-segm. over f in. ; fem. head clavate-ovoid, 3 in. 

 long, shortly stalked, ov. shortly stalked, inserted nearly 

 always on receptacle very rarely on bases of spadicels. 



Forests in the montane zone, above 4000 ft., rare. Raxawa, Dolos- 

 bagie (Thwaites) ; NuwaraEliya; Hantane. Fl. Nov.-Jan.; male heads 

 lemon-yellow, female purplish-brown. 



Endemic. 



Eichler's original description was made from a drawing of the male 

 plant in the Kew Herbarium (being a copy of the original in Peradeniya 

 Herb, here reproduced). When writing my note in Journ. Linn. Soc. 

 I was inclined to regard this plant as merely a large variety of B. indica 

 (as did Thwaites), but further examination of numerous specimens of 

 lioth sexes has induced me, though with some doubt, to let it keep its 

 specific rank. The whole plant is full of a waxy juice, and has a strong 

 mousy odour. 



