520 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



RHIZOGENS. 



The anomalous plants which compose the class of 

 Rhizogens or Rhizanths, constitute a singular tran- 

 sition series between the two Sub-kingdoms of Vege- 

 tables. Destitute of stems or of true leaves, they 

 present an amorphous appearance, closely resem- 

 bling various Fungi; but being furnished with 

 flowers containing undoubted organs of fructifica- 

 tion, they are entitled to rank among Phanero- 

 gamia. Their mode of life is parasitic, being attached 

 to the roots or stems of various plants ; they are 

 never green, but are generally brown or some dull 

 colour, and they stain any fluid, in which they are 

 immersed, red. The species have hardly any econo- 

 mical importance ; some which contain an astringent 

 principle have been employed as styptics. The most 

 curious among them is the Brobdignagian Javanese 

 parasite Rafflesia, named in honour of Sir Stamford 

 Raffles, the flower of which can hold about twelve 

 pints of fluid. 



V. CLASS.— RHIZOGENS (Rhizogens). 



Leafless ; often stemless ; never green ; flowers 

 usually monoecious or dioecious; fructification spring- 

 ing from a thallus. Parasitic. 



1. Family. — Patma-worts (Rafflesiacese). Stemless ; 

 flowers sessile on the branches of trees, soli- 

 tary ; perianth superior, 5-lobed, with colli 

 in the throat ; anthers attached to a column, 

 2-celled ; dehiscing by pores ; ovary 1 -celled ; 



