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THE BURMANNIACEA OF. TH 
MALAY PENINSULA. 
BY 
FL AN RE DEE YMA. FS 
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a HE curious little plants known as Burmanniacez, 
F though distributed over the whole tropical world, 
seems to be most abundant in the Malayan eeu 
Ps A large number of very extraordinary forms ha 
been described and figured by Professor Bree 
in “Malesia,” vol. i, from the specimens collected by 
him in Borneo, New Guinea and other Malayan islands. Only 
three kinds are included in the ‘(Flora of British India’? from 
the Malayan Peninsula, but these are not all that occur here. 
At present seven species are known to be found within this 
region, representing three genera, and more will surely be 
found as the botany of the Peninsula is worked up. These 
plants are constantly neglected by collectors, as they are 
usually difficult to find and very inconspicuous, and further- 
more some of them require to be preserved in spirits of wine, 
being indeed so succulent that they shrivel up to nothing 
when an attempt is made to dry them. They should be care- 
fully sought for in deep forests, at the roots of large and 
old trees. Frequently two or three kinds grow in one spot. 
Thus if Burmannia tuberosa is found growing in the jungle, 
it is probable that Gymnositphon and perhaps T7hismva are 
close at hand, and should be carefully looked for. 
The three genera which are found in the Peninsula are 
Burmannia, five species; Gymnosiphon and Thismia one each. 
The Burmannias may be divided into two sections—sapro- 
phytic and non-saprophytic. ‘The latter grow in open places, 
among grass, etc., the former in the dense jungle as aforesaid, 
