THE WORK OF FLOWERS 115 



which bears balloon-Hke flowers, so big that children 

 sometimes draw them over their heads, for fun, hke 

 caps. 



But the one which carries away the palm for size 

 is a " Rafflesia " ^ found in the island of Sumatra. 



RAFFLESIA FLOWER. 



This plant is a parasite; it does not draw its nourish- 

 ment from the soil, but sends its roots into the trailing 

 stem of a vine, and feeds on it. Living upon another 

 is not a fine manner of life; and we all speak with 

 contempt of " parasites." 



The flower blooms close down on the Vine-stem, with 

 no stalk. It is very thick and fleshy; and is said to 



^ Rafflesia Arnoldi. 

 I 



