NAMED KAFfLESIA. 385 



analogous to the concentric series of processes in the apex 

 of the {olunni of Ilafflcsia. 



In all these genera of Amrince and in Braf/anlla of 

 Loureiro, which is also referable to the same order, the 

 flowei's are liermaphrodite ; but in Cijtinn^, which, if not 

 absolutely belonging to this order, is at least very nearly 

 related to it, they are diclinous. 



The affinity is also in some degree contirmed by the 

 appearance of the inner surface of the tube of the perianthiuni 

 of some Asarince, especially ArisfolocJda grandijiora, and by 

 the thickening or annular projection of the faux in the :~i9 

 same plant, as ^vell as in a new species of Brcif/antia dis- 

 covered in Java by Dr. Horsfield. 



It may also be noticed in support of it, that some of the 

 largest flowers which were known before the discovery of 

 Bajlesia belong to Asarince, as those of Aristolochia (jrandi- 

 Jlora, and particularly AristoIocJtia cordiflora of j\Iutis, 

 which, according to M. Bonpland. are sixteen inches in 

 diameter, or nearly half that of our plant.-^ 



The first objection that occurs to this approximation is 

 the ternary division of the perianthium in the regular 

 flowered genera of Asarince, opposed to its quinary division 

 in Baffletsia ; but in Cytinus it is divided into four segments, 

 a number more G;enerallv connected in natural families with 

 five than with three.'" 



A second objection would exist, if it be considered more 

 ])robable that the ovariiuii of Bafflesia is superior, or free, 

 than inferior, or coheiing with the tube of the perian- 

 thium. 



There is indeed nothing in the structure of the column 

 itself indicating the })articular position of the ovarium. 

 But if it be admitted, that a base of a form equally calcu- 

 lated for support should exist in the female flower, as is 

 found in the male, it might perhaps be considered some- 

 what more probable that such a base should be connected 

 with a sujierior than with an inferior ovarium. 



Even admitting this objection, however, it would be con- 

 siderably weakened, on the one hand, by allowing that 



' Ilnmboldt BoHpl. et Ktmih Xov. Gen. et Sp. ii, p. US. 



J>5 



