NAMED RAFFLESIA. 891 



its growth : and lastly, on finding these vessels in some 

 cases penetrating the ])asc of tlic column itsolf {platr 20 

 (22),/. 1).^ 



But to judge of the validity of these objections, it became 

 necessary to examine the nature of this connection in plants 

 known to be parasitic on roots ; in those especially, which i^^c 

 in several other respects resemble Bafflesia, as Cytinns, 

 Aphjteia, Cyiwmorium, and Balanoj^liora. On this subject 

 I cannot find that a single observation has hitherto been 

 made, at least with respect to the genera now mentioned. 

 Snfficient materials, indeed, for such an investigation are 

 hardly to be expected in collections, in which the parasite 

 is most frequently separated from the root ; and even when 

 found in connection with it, is generally in a state too far 

 advanced to afford the desired information. I consider my- 

 self fortunate, therefore, in having obtained specimens of 

 several species where the union is preserved ; and the re- 

 sult of the examination of these, though not completely 

 satisfactory, has been to lead me back to my first opinion, 

 namely, that the Great Flower is really a parasite, and that 

 the root on which it is found probably belongs to a species 

 of Vitis. 



An account of some of the more remarkable of this class 

 of parasitic plants, to which a few years ago I had ])aid par- 

 ticular attention, may hereafter form the subject of a sepa- 

 rate communication. At present I shall confine myself to 

 such general observations on the class as relate to the ques- 

 tion respecting Bqfflesia. 



In the first place, plants parasitic on roots are chiefly 

 distinguishable by the imperfect development of their leaves 

 and the entire absence of green colour; an observation 

 which, as applying to the whole tribe, Avas I believe 

 originally made by Linuteus.^ In both these points they 

 agree with BaJJIesia. 



A second observation which may be made respecting 

 them is, that tlieir seeds are small, and their end)ryo not 

 only minute, but apparently imj)erfectly developed ; in 

 some cases being absolutely undivided, and probably acoty- 



^ finujKs Melifensis, p. 3. Amau. Acad, iv, /). 353. 



