30 
Mr. Brown’s Account of a new Genus of Plants , 
little in appearance from it, blit totally wants the globular an¬ 
thers, which are disposed in a circle round the lower side of the 
rim or margin of the central column of the male. 
“ In the centre of this column or pistillum in the female are 
perceived a number of fissures traversing its substance without 
order or regularity, and their surfaces are covered with innume¬ 
rable minute seeds. The dower rots away not long after expan¬ 
sion, and the seeds are mixed with the pulpy mass. 
“ The male and female dowers can be distinguished by a section 
not only when mature, but at every stage of their progress. 1 have 
made drawings of every essential part, which 1 hope soon to be 
able to send home, together with a further account than 1 have 
yet had leisure to make. 
“ I remain, &c. 
“ William Jack.” 
The two principal desiderata respecting Rajjlesia , namely, the 
satisfactory proof of its being a parasite, and the discovery of the 
female dower, are now therefore supplied. 
Additional information, however, on several points is still 
wanting to complete the history of this extraordinary plant. 
Thus, it would be interesting, by a careful examination of the 
buds in every stage, to trace the changes produced in the root 
by the action of the parasite, and especially to ascertain the 
early state of the reticulate base, which 1 have ventured to con¬ 
sider as a production of an intermediate nature, partly derived 
from the root itself, and which I suppose will be found to exist 
before the bracteae become visible. 
Further details are also wanting respecting the circumstance of 
its being found both on the roots and stems of the Cissusor J it is*, 
* As these two genera differ from each other merely in number of pats, I have for¬ 
merly proposed to unite them under the nane of / Vis. ( Tuckei/'s Coigo, p. 4(35.) 
no 
