386 ACCOUNT OF A NEW GENUS OF PLANTS, 



Nepenthes, which has a superior ovarium, is related to 

 AsaritKS, as I am inclined to believe ; and on the other, by 

 considering Homalints, whose ovarium is inferior, as allied 

 to Tassiflorea, the order with which I shall now proceed 

 to compare Eafflesia. 



The comparison is suggested by the obvious resemblance 

 between the perianthium of our genus, and that of certain 

 220] species of Passijlora itself; or of other genera of the 

 order, as Deidamia, in which the inner series of segments is 

 wanting. Thus, they agree essentially, and even remarka- 

 bly, in aestivation of perianthium : the corona of JRqfflesia 

 may be compared with that of Murucuia, and the two 

 annular elevations at the base of the column with the pro- 

 cesses of like origin and nearly similar form in some species 

 of Passijlora. The affinity is also supported by the position 

 of the stamina on a central column. 



The peculiar structure of antherse in Bajftesia can hardly 

 be regarded as an objection of mu.ch weight to the proposed 

 association ; and it will at least almost equally apply to 

 any other family with which this genus may be compared. 



If the concentric processes on the disk of the column in 

 our plant are to be regarded as indications of the number 

 and disposition of pistilla, or of the internal structure of 

 ovarium in the female flower, they present a formidable 

 objection to its affinity with Passiflorew, in all of which the 

 ovarium is unilocular with parietal placentae. If, however, 

 these processes Avere considered as inner series of imperfect 

 stamina, the objection derived from their number and ar- 

 rangement merely, would be comparatively slight ; for in 

 some genera of Passiflorece, particularly in Smeathnannia} 

 the stamina are also numerous and perhaps even indefi- 

 nite. 



^ As Srneathmamiia forms a very remarkable addition to the order in whioli 

 I have proposed to place it, and is still unpublished ; I shall here give its 

 cliaracters, and add a few remarks in support of this arrangement. 



Smeathmannia. Soland. 3Iss. in Biblioth. Banks. 



Ord. Nat. Passifloreae. Br. in TucJcefs Congo, p. 439. {Ante p. 121.) 



Syst. Linn. Polyandria Pentagynia. 



Chak. Gen. Perianthium duplex, utrumque 5-partitum; exterius semicaly- 

 einum persistens ; inierius petaloideum maroescens. Urceolus simplex, membra- 

 naoeus, ex ipsa basi perianthii. Stamina numerosa, distinota, apioi columnse 



