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RAFFLESIA ARNOLDI. 
Among the multitude of curious, rare, or valuable objects of botanical interest 
which have of late years become captive to the industry and persevering- researches 
of our countrymen, few, if any, have approached the singular plant which bears the 
above title. It is very true that many of the plants of which we have long been in 
possession, as well as those of more recent introduction, present fairer features' or 
greater delicacy of structure to the eye of the florist or botanical collector, but for 
magnitude of dimensions and grandeur of design, they must yield the palm to this 
truly astonishing ornament to the phsenogamous tribe. It was found at Pulo Lebbar, 
on the Manna River, by Dr. Arnold, an eminent naturalist, during a journey with 
Sir Stamford Raffles from Bencoolen into the interior, in the year 1818, and is 
known by the natives under the names of Krubut and Ambun Arnbun. 
Its diameter proved on measurement to be fully three feet, and the nectarium 
was supposed to be capable of containing a gallon and a half ; from the centre of 
this latter portion of the flower rose a large pistil terminating in about 20 points, 
rather curved, and resembling small horns. 
In this country it exists only in the shape of models, a few of which were made 
from the remnants of the original flower preserved in spirits, and from coloured 
drawings taken at the time of its discovery. In these models it is represented as 
attached to the stem of a species of Vitis, on which or on the Cissus angustifolia 
it grows parasitic. The annexed is a sketch of it. 
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