SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 37 



probable the latter kind are only tbe full grown 

 males. 



" I must not omit to tell you, that, in passing 

 through the forest, we were, much to our inconve- 

 nience, greatly annoyed by leeches ; they got into 

 our boots and shoes, which became filled with blood. 

 At night, too, they fell off the leaves that sheltered 

 us from the weather, and on awaking in the morning 

 we found ourselves bleeding profusely. These were 

 a species of intruders we were not prepared for. 



" The most important discovery throughout our 

 journey was made at this place. This was a gigan- 

 tic flower, of which I can hardly attempt to give any 

 thing like a just description. It is perhaps the lar- 

 gest and most magnificent flower in the world, and is 

 so distinct from every other flower, that I know not 

 to what I can compare it. Its dimensions will asto- 

 nish you ; it measured across from the extremity of 

 the petals rather more than a yard ; the nectarium 

 was nine inches wide, and as deep, estimated to con- 

 tain a gallon and a half of water, and the weight of 

 the whole flower fifteen pounds. 



"The Sumatra name of this extraordinary pro- 

 duction is Petiman Sikinlili, or Devil's-siri (betle) 

 box. It is a native of the forests, particularly those 

 of Passumah, Ula, Manna. 



" This gigantic flower is parasite on the lower stems 

 and roots of the Cissus angustifolia of Bosc. It ap- 

 pears at first in the form of a small round knob, 

 which gradually increases in size The flower-bud 



