Miscellaneous. 
155 
and Beziikie ; I found it also on the mountain Watargan near Puger, 
on the south coast of the division of Bondowosso. The flower was 
brought to me from Jengawar in the same division. All these places 
lie in the lime formation, and I consider that the Rafflesia is an ex- 
anthem of the roots of Cissiis scariosa, Bl., and may occur wherever 
its mother-plant grows. It is still uncertain whether my specimens 
belong to the species which Blume found on Nusa Kambangan. 
Blume’s specimens must have been larger. The largest I possess do 
not attain so much as a foot in diameter, and mostly only f. This 
plant probably occurs also on Nusa Baron, and, it is likely, along the 
lime hills which nearly surround the whole south coast of Java. I 
have often seen on one root of Cissus scariosa three or more Raf- 
flesia. It does not occur on the sand of the coast, as many believe 
and assert, but mostly in the ravines and humid hollows of the lime 
rocks. The Javanese of Eastern Java name this flower Pidh mo, or 
Pidehmo. It is scarcely possible to conceive what idolatrous notions 
are entertained concerning the flower by this people. An ordinary 
man would not be able to find it until after he has fasted and prayed 
or been sanctified when he goes to search for it. The flower is pre- 
pared with other articles as a medicine which is used after delivery 
by women, in order completely to purify the matrix. It is also 
amongst the most reputed aphrodisiacs of the Javanese, although 
only for women of the higher classes. Common women would be 
taken sick were they to use this medicine. It is further said, that if 
a woman of the people has recourse to it, and afterwards going out 
on foot treads on some dirty place, she vvill ever after forfeit the in- 
clination of all men. The Javanese reckon the Rafflesia properly 
amongst the fungi, an opinion which is partly received in science ; at 
least in so far, that we have placed the plant in the natural system 
as a link between the sponges and the higher plants . — From the 
Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia for Aug. 1847. 
On the Gamboge of the Tenasserim Provinces. 
By the Rev. F, Mason, A.M. 
In conversation with a distinguished medical oflicer, and member of 
the Asiatic Society, I found that he was not at all aware that the 
Tenasserim Provinces produce Gamboge. It has therefore occurred 
to me that a brief notice of the Gamboge of these provinces might 
not be unacceptable to the readers of the Journal, and would con- 
tribute its influence to draw attention to a most interesting portion 
of the British provinces in the East ; one that is exceeded by few in 
the richness and variety of its natural productions. 
Three works in my possession describe Gamboge each as the pro- 
duct of a different tree ; a fourth represents all to be wrong, and a 
fifth suggests a different plant still. One refers it to Cambogia gutta, 
a plant which, as described by Linnseus, has probably no existence. 
He described a Ceylon plant ; and it is now quite evident, says Dr. 
Wight, “ that the character of the flower and ovary is taken from 
one specimen, and that of the fruit from a different one, owing to 
