NAMED RAFFLESIA. 393 



a parasite, though highly probable, cannot be considered as 

 absolutely ascertained.'^ 



ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS. 



Read November 21st, 1820. 



Since my paper on Bqfflesia, or the Great Flower of 

 Sumatra, was read to the Society, further information re- 

 specting it has been received from Sir Stamford Raffles 

 and Mr. Jack, which will form an important addition to my 

 former account. 



Sir Stamford, in a letter to Mr. Marsden, states the fol- 

 lowing particulars : 



" I find the Krubut or Great Flower to be much more 

 general and more extensively known than I expected. In 

 some districts it is simply called Amhun Arnbiin. It seems 

 to spring from the horizontal roots of those immense CHmb- 

 ers, which are attached like cables to the largest trees in 

 the forest. We have not yet met with the leaves. The 

 fruit also is still a desideratum. It is said to be a many- 

 seeded berry, the seeds being found in connection with the 

 processes on the summit of the pistillum. I have had buds 

 brought in from Manna, Sillibar, the interior of Bencoolen 

 and Laye : and in two or three months we expect the full- 

 blown flower. It takes three months from the first appear- 

 ance of the bud to the full expansion of the flower ; and 

 the flower appears but once a year, at the conclusion of the 

 rainy season." 



The first communication from my friend Mr. Jack con- psg 

 sisted of a description of recent flower-buds, at that time 

 regarded by him as hermaphrodite, but which he has since 

 ascertained to be male. It is unnecessary to introduce this 



' Annals of Philosophy for September 1820, p. 225. 



