IN BORXEAX FORESTS [chap, viii 



in the vicinity other specimens of the same tree, quite as gigantic. 

 Searching for the Rafflesia as we walked along, I came across 

 several fungi, especially agarics, amongst them one which appeared 

 to be identical with our own poisonous Amanita phalloides, whilst 

 in another I recognised the common and edible Cantharellus cibarius. 

 From the dead leaves and fruits which formed a thick layer on the 

 ground. I was able to ascertain that the forest was chiefly composed 

 of Bombacece, Artocarpece, Myristica, Sterculia. Diospyros, Quercus, 

 Dipterocarpus, etc. Here, perhaps, as much as in any place in 

 Borneo that I examined, was the oldest primeval forest, the most free 

 from shrubby or herbaceous undergrowth. On the ground, however, 

 many stems of creepers and rotangs contorted and intertwined in 

 every direction, and trailed like huge serpents ere raising themselves 

 upwards to the light and air by aid of the great tree-trunks. 



We were now on the spot where the Rafflesia grew, but the 

 irregularities of the ground as vet hid it from us. A minute and 

 careful search, however, had its reward, and I at length caught sight of 

 the long sought-for botanical treasure — an open flower level with the 

 ground, inserted on the rampant stem of a climber of the genus 

 Cissus. The newly expanded flower measured rather over 22 inches 

 in diameter (Fig. 23). 



In Rafflesia the flower alone is actually all there is to be seen 

 of the plant, for the growing portion is buried in its host, and is so 

 intimately connected with the tissues of the plant on which it is 

 parasitic, that it is not onlv impossible to separate them, but is 

 also very difficult to distinguish them by careful microscopic 

 examination. The flower is very fleshy, of a deep vinaceous colour, 

 and it gives off a most offensive stench much like that of putrid 

 flesh, or, to be botanicallv exact, like that of the spadix of Arum 

 dracunculus, and of certain kinds of Amorphopliallus. It makes 

 its first appearance as a tumour on the stem of its host, and grows 

 before expanding quite to the size of a child's head. I found a 

 specimen in this stage of development, covered with brown scales, 

 which reminded me, except for its colour, of a well-grown cabbage. 

 The globe on expanding shows five almost circular petals inserted 

 round a great central cup, in which are the reproductive organs. 

 The Lundu and Sadomak Dyaks call this Rafflesia " bua pakma " 

 (pakma fruit) ; evidently a corruption of " patma " or ' ; padma," the 

 sacred lotus (Xelumbium speciosum) of the Hindus, which is not a 

 native of Borneo. This is, no doubt, one of the many traces of the 

 ancient faith once professed by the Dyaks, who have preserved 

 the memory of the emblematic flower, transferring its name to 

 that of another plant conspicuous for its size and singular appear- 

 ance. In Java, as well as in Sumatra, the Rafflesia is known as 

 " patma " ; but there the fact is not surprising, for the prevalence 

 of Hinduism in those islands is a matter of not very remote history. 



102 



