106 VOYAGE FllOxM INDIA TO SIAM AND MALACCA. 



a man ; the stalks were single and had leaves which did not stand 

 more than three inches apart; they were spreading-, oblong, and 

 pointed, of the same character as those that all these plants have. 

 Near the end the stalks were bent in a spiral and bore a spike 

 which was as thick as a fist and about a span long\ The blossoms 

 grew close together and formed nhie regular rows, being 

 separated by deep furrows, which were due to the fact that the 

 calyx was thinner at the end ; these furrows terminated in a 

 spiral. The colour of the calyx was blood-red, smooth, and 

 shiny, and looked very pretty. The blossom was big. I only 

 found one on every spike which was in full bloom ; they are bell- 

 shaped. opening wider at the end and having an irregularly serrated 

 edge. At the back it splits as far as the tube near the ovarj-, 

 and the left folds over the right, and so gives the appearance of 

 a paper bag, but in the calyx they open again wide over the back 

 of the stamen and join the outer corolla. This corolla which I 

 have first described is only the inner one, but it shows more on 

 account of its size. The outer corolla consists of three equal 

 lancet-shaped parts ; they are pressed to the inner one, pointed, 

 and have smooth edges. They are beautifully white, smooth, 

 fleshy, and shorter than the inner ones. There is still to be added 

 that the shorter corolla curves a little, so that it stands quite 

 horizontal, and has the appearance of a convolvulus blossom. 

 The detailed description is among the description of the 

 Monandrists.'' 



I obtained many specimens of all these plants to dry and 

 describe, and also some roots for transplanting. 



5. — During the whole morning we had a strong storm, so 

 that the lightning seemed to come from all directions and there 

 w^ere also some heavy showers of rain. I examined my yester- 

 day's conquests, and put them as much as possible into proper 

 order ; but the plants dried very slowly in this rainy weather. 

 For a few weeks there has been continual rain, either in the da j- 

 time or \&cy strong showers during the night. At midday it is 

 very hot, and the mornings and evenings are cool. This has 

 great influence on people's health, many of them feel ill by the 

 constant change of temperature. Some of them had great pain 

 in their feet combined with fever, others suffered with dysentery. 

 This atmosphere also affects the plants "Tvhich I meant to dry • 

 €. Evidently Cftxtvs spen'osus. 



