402 ON THE FEMALE FLOWER AND FRUIT OF 



An examination of complete specimens of Hydnora 

 africana has confirmed this view ; and as there are points 

 in its structure which seem to throw some light on one of 

 the most difficult questions respecting Rafflesia, I have in- 

 cluded an account of this genus in the present paper. 



The accompanying drawings of Hydnora africana, which 

 so admirably display its structure, were kindly made from 

 these specimens by my lamented friend and fellow-traveller 

 Mr. Ferdinand Bauer, when he revisited England in 1824 ; 

 they were probably the last drawings he ever made of an 

 233] equally interesting and difficult botanical svibject, and I 

 consider them his best.^ 



Since the publication of my former memoir, much light 

 has been thrown on the structure and economy of Bqfflesia, 

 chiefly by Dr. Blume, who in his ' Plora Javse' has given a 

 very full history of a nearly related species, his Bafflcfsia 

 Patina, as well as of Brugmansia, a parasite of similar 

 economy, very distinct as a genus, but evidently belonging 

 to the same natural family. Before, however, noticing more 

 particularly what has been done by others, I shall resume 

 the subject where I left it at the conclusion of my former 

 memoir, in adverting to those points which I then regarded 

 as the principal desiderata in the botanical history of this 

 extraordinary plant. 



The first of these related to the reticulate base, which I 

 ventured to consider a production of an intermediate kind, 

 or rather as one derived from the stock or root of the Vine, 



1 Since this paper was read, tlie Linnean Society have had to lament the 

 loss of Francis Bauer, who died in 1841 at the advanced age of eighty-three. 

 Like his brother Ferdinand, he continued, till within a short time of his deatli, 

 to take the same interest in those scientific investigations which formed the 

 constant occupation and the chief pleasure of a long life. 



1'he figures of Rafflesia and Hydnora, which so admirably illustrate, and 

 form the more valuable part of this communication, are among the best speci- 

 mens of the unrivalled talent of the two brothers Francis and Ferdinand Bauer, 

 who, as botanical painters, equally united the minute accuracy of the naturalist 

 with the skill of the artist. 



To this brief note I may be permitted to add how fortunate I consider 

 myself in having so long enjoyed the friendship and so often been indebted for 

 th'e important assistance of these two distinguished men, whose merits in the 

 branch of art which they cultivated have never been equalled, and to both of 

 whom the illustrations of the present paper, so happily connected, may form an 

 appropriate monument, the work of their own hands. 



