61 R THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 
37 
probable the latter kind are only the full grown 
males. 
** I must not omit to tell you, that in passing 
through the forest, we were, much to our inconve- 
nience, greatly annoyed by leeches ; they got into 
our boots and shoes, which became tilled with blood. 
At night, loo, they fell off the leaves that sheltered 
us from the weather, and on awaking in the morning 
we found ourselves bleeding profusely. These were 
a species of intruders we were not prepared for, 
“ The most important discovery throughout our 
journey was made at tins place. This was a gigan- 
tic flower, of which I can hardly attempt to give any 
thing like a just description. It is perhaps the lar- 
gest and most magnificent flower in the world, and is 
so distinct from every other flower, that l know not 
to what I can compare it. Its dimensions will asto- 
nish you ; it measured across from the extremity of 
the petals rather more than a yard ; the nectarium 
was nine inches wide, and as deep, estimated to con- 
tain a gallon and a half of water, and the weight of 
the whole flower fifteen pounds. 
“ The Sumatra name of this extraordinary pro- 
duction Is Petiman Sikinlili, or DevtlVsiri (betle) 
box. It is a native of the forests, particularly those 
of Pass um ah, Ulu, Manna. 
t! This gigantic flower is parasiteon the lower stems 
and roots of the Cisaus an gusti folia of Bose. It ap- 
pears at first in the form of a small round knob, 
which gradually increases in size. The flower-bud 
