24 
Mr. Bbown’s Accouni of a neri' Genus of Plants , 
That such was probably the case, occurred to me on first in¬ 
specting the flower-bud; the opinion being suggested not only 
by the direct origin of the flower from the root, but more parti¬ 
cularly by the disposition, texture and colour of the bracteae ; in 
which it so nearly resembles certain plants known to be para¬ 
sites, as Cytinus, Cynomorium , Caldasia of Mutis*, Balanophora, 
and Sarcophytc. 
In this opinion I was confirmed on seeing the figure of the 
plant mentioned in Dr. Arnold’s letter, as probably related to 
the Great Flower, though not more than three inches in dia¬ 
meter. 
The plant in question, which had been found in Java by Dr. 
Horsfield several years before the discovery of Rajflesia Ai-noldi, 
only, however, in the unexpanded state, is represented in the 
figure referred to as springing from a horizontal root in the same 
manner as the Great Flower; like which also it is enveloped in 
numerous imbricate bracteae, as having a perianthiumof the same 
general appearance, with indications of a similar entire annular 
process or corona at the mouth of the tube, a pustular inner 
surface, and a central column terminated by numerous acute 
processes. It is therefore unquestionably a second species of 
* In the Journal of Science, vol. iii. p. 127, from El Semanario del Nuevo Reyno 
de Granada, for 1810. To this genus belong Cynomorium jamaicense, and perhaps 
cayanense of Swartz, an unpublished species from Brazil, and some other plants of 
equinoctial America. Before the appearance of Caldasia in the Journal of Science, 
I was aware that these plants formed a genus very distinct from Cynomorium (Jour¬ 
nal of Science, iii. p. 12f).), but I had not given it a name, which is still want¬ 
ing, that of Caldasia having long been applied to a very different and well known 
genus. 
The new name, however, may be left to M. Richard, who is about to publish, and 
who will no doubt illustrate with his usual accuracy, the plants formerly referred to 
Cynomorium, of one of the species of which (C. cayanense) he is himself the disco¬ 
verer. 
the 
