NAMED EAFFLESIA. 395 



with iiinumei'a])le niiiiutc seeds. The flower rots away not 

 long after expansion, and the seeds are mixed with the 

 pulpy mass. 



" The male and female flowers can be distinguished by 

 a section not only when mature, but at every stage of their 

 progress. I have made drawings of every essential part, 

 which I hope soon to be able to send home, together with 

 a further account than I have yet had leisure to make. 



*' I remain. See, 



'* William Jack.'' 



The two principal desiderata respecting i?r/^^.S'm, namely 

 the satisfactory proof of its being a parasite, and the dis- 

 covery of the female flower, are now therefore supplied. 



Additional information, however, on several points is still 

 wanting to complete the history of this extraordinary 

 plant. 



Thus, it would be interesting, by a careful examination 

 of the buds in every stage, to trace the changes produced 

 in the root by the action of the parasite, and especially to 

 ascertain the early state of the reticulate base, which I have 

 ventured to consider as a production of an intermediate na- 

 ture, partly derived from the root itself, and Avliich I suppose 

 will be found to exist before the bractccc become visible. 



Further details are also wanting respecting the circum- 

 stance of its bein£]: found both on the roots and stems of the 

 Ci-ssfis or Fifi.s,^ no instance being, I believe, at present, [231 

 known of parasites on roots, which likcAvise originate from 

 other parts of the plant. 



]\[any important particulai's remain to be ascertained 

 respecting the FistiUum. 



From Mr. Jack's account it appears that the seeds are 

 found in the substance of the colunm ; in other words, that 

 the ovarium is superior. But as I have formerly remarked, 

 that in the male flower the same internal structure seems to 

 be continued below the apparent base of the column, it is 



' As these two genera dilTcr from each other merely in numi)er of parts, I 

 have formerl}' proposed to unite them under the name of }'i(h. {Titckefs 

 Co)jgOf p. 4G5. Jjiic; /;. 15 1 ,) 



