22 Mr. Brown’s Account of a new Genus of Plants , 
position of the ovarium in the female flower; but that from 
another consideration there seems a somewhat greater probabi¬ 
lity of its being superior. If, however, it were even inferior, 
the objection to the affinity in question would not be insupe- 
perable, the relationship of Homalincz to Passiforece being ad¬ 
mitted. 
If Napoleona or Belvisia be really allied to Passiforece , which 
is very doubtful, however, and can only be determined by an 
examination of the fruit, it may also be compared with Raf- 
flesia. At first sight this singular genus seems to resemble our 
plant in several respects, particularly in the manner of insertion 
of its sessile flower into the branch, in the bracteae surrounding; 
the ovarium, the confluence and dilatation of its filaments, and 
in the existence of a double corona. But some of these points 
are obviously unimportant; and the comparison between the co¬ 
rona of the great flower and the double corolla of Belvisia will 
probably be considered paradoxical 
It seems unnecessary to compare Rajflesia with Cucurbitacece, 
to which it could only be considered as approaching, if its affi¬ 
nity to Aphyteia should appear probable, and the relationship of 
that genus to Cucurbit acece, suggested chiefly by the structure of 
antherae, were at the same time admitted. The 
* M. de Beauvois, in his account of Napoleona (Flore d’Orcarc ii. p. 32.), has men¬ 
tioned a genus allied to it, which has been since published by INI. Desfontaines under 
the name of Asteranthos. These two genera are without doubt nearly related; and, 
even independent of the structure of fruit, which in both remains to be ascertained, 
possess sufficient characters to separate them from every known family, as M. de Jus¬ 
sieu is disposed to think; and certainly from Symplocea, where M. Desfontaines has 
placed them. 
In adopting the generic name proposed by M. Desvaux for Napoleona, this order may 
be called 
Belviseje. 
Calyx monophyllus, limbo diviso, persistens. Corolla ? monopetala, plicata, (multiloba 
vel indivisa; simplex v. duplex)decidua. Stamina vel definita v. indefinita; basi 
corollae 
