RAFFLESIA ARNOLUI. 409 



this the nucleus, of similar form and dimensions, seems to 

 be more firmly attached at its upper extremity to the coat 

 by a short and very slender funiculus. 



The nucleus separated from its coat has an areolated 

 surface, and at first appears to be entirely composed of a 

 loose and uniform cellular tissue. Baton a more careful 

 examination this substance is found to contain another cel- 

 lular body, of nearly cylindrical form, adhering with some 

 firmness to the upper extremity of the including cellular 

 mass, whose vertical axis it occupies for nearly three fourths 

 of its length. 



This inner body, which I regard as the emhryo, consists 

 of large cells, disposed nearly, but not with absolute regu- 

 larity, in two longitudinal series, and so transparent, that 

 it may be safely affirmed that there is no included body 

 nor any perceptible difierence in the contents of any of the 

 component cells. 



This account of the embryo differs in some respects from 

 Mr. Bauer's representation of it, especially as to the point 

 of attachment, and in the distinct appearance and trans- 

 parency of cells.-' 



The seed of Hydnora in many essential points resembles 

 that of Roffiesia. Its nucleus consists of a dense albumen, 

 the cells of which are so disposed as to exhibit, when 

 slightly magnified, a kind of radiation in whatever direc- 

 tion it is cut. This albumen is much denser than that of 

 Bajlesia, the greater density arising, perhaps, from the 

 unusual thickness of the walls of each cell, its cavity bear- 

 ing so small a proportion to the supposed external dimen- 

 sions of the cell as to give it the appearance of a nucleus or 

 more opaque central body.^ 



Enclosed in the albumen a perfectly spherical embryo is 



1 I liave therefore added to Tab. 23 (XXV), a circumscribed figure, marked 

 R. Br., in wliioli I have endeavoured to represent (but not very successfully) 

 the structure as I have seen it. 



^ But these supposed cells with thickened walls, admitting them to have 

 been originally distinct, are in the ripe seed nearly or entirely obliterated, so 

 that the substance of the cartilaginous albumen consists of a uniform, semi- 

 transparent mass, in which the more opaque nuclei or cells, containing minute 

 granular matter, are, as it were, immersed. 



