APPENDIX 



Blue and violet are less frequent, and are to be found in some Melasto- 

 macece, in a few Gesneracece (Didymocarpus), and Acanthacece (Eran- 

 themum). 



I have noted about sixty species of trees and shrubs in Borneo 

 which produce flowers with a fragrant odour, which in not a few cases 

 is extremely pleasant. This occurs especially in the following families — 

 Rubiacce, Anonacece, Dipterocarpece, Orchidece, and Bombacece. Amongst 

 the Rubiacece some species of Randia have pleasantly scented flowers, 

 but those of two species of Gardenia (P. B., No. 1986, 3230), which recall 

 the well-known perfume of G. florida, are especially sweet. The odour 

 of the flowers in some of the Anonacece greatly resembles that of certain 

 fruits, especially melons ; while that of the flowers of a Xylopia (P. B., 

 No. 3488), of Goniothalamus suaveolens, Becc. (P. B., No. 2527), of a 

 Drepananthus (P. B., No. 2543), and of several Artabotrys, is peculiarly 

 grateful. At least two species of Talauma have flowers smelling much 

 like those of some Anonacece. Amongst the Dipterocarpece, whose flowers 

 are often delicately scented, those of Isoptera Borneensis are peculiar 

 for their vanilla-like scent. Fragrant flowers are also met with in some 

 of the Garcinias, and in various Meliacece and Connaracece. An Apocynea 

 (Epigynum ? P. B., No. 1858) has flowers which in odour and appearance 

 resemble those of white jessamines. None of the Enphorbiacece , a family 

 so largely represented in Borneo, produce flowers, as far as I can remember, 

 which are in any way odorous. 



Plants with foetid and disgusting flowers are not wanting in Borneo, 

 but they are far less numerous than the fragrant ones. Amongst the 

 more unpleasant I may mention first Bidbophyllum Beccarii, Reich., 

 whose flowers smell strongly of putrid flesh ; next a Kantium (P. B., 

 No. 3482 and 3916), and Musscendopsis Beccariana, both Riibiacece, 

 whose flowers have the stench of excrement. 1 Thus it is amongst the 

 Riibiacece in Borneo that the greatest number of species with fragrant 

 flowers is met with, and at the same time some of the most foetid. 



Odorous, but unpleasantly so to us, are the flowers of a Parkia (P. B., 

 No. 1447) and of Horsfieldia (Myristica) reticulata, Warb.. Distinctly 

 foetid too are those of Palaquium rigidum, Pierre, Helicia, sp. ? (P. B., 

 No. 3216), a Taraktogenus (P. B., No. 3972), some Mangifera, a Crypto- 

 carya, several Elceocarpus, etc. 



Regarding the relations of the odour of flowers and their colours, 

 I have come to the conclusion that in Borneo the more fragrant flowers 

 are white. I have no recollection of any bright red flower in Sarawak 

 which is notably fragrant ; but Unona flagellaris, Becc, which is 

 brownish-red in colour, has remarkably sweet-scented flowers. 



Lianas. — In the tropical forests all over the globe lianas abound, a 

 fact which may be regarded as not unnatural, since shade has the effect 

 of lengthening the tissue cells in plants, and consequently the stems 

 also. There has always been in forests a tendency in most plants to 

 attempt to outgrow each other in order to get above the tree-tops and 

 expose the leaves and flowers to the air and light. 



1 A wood called by the Malays " Kayu tai " (dung wood), has the same offensive 

 odour, but the plant which produces it is unknown to me. This wood is more 

 foetid when wet, though the specimen I possess has with time almost lost its smell, 

 even when wetted. 



390 



