RAFFLESIA 413 RAGTIME Bencoolen, Sumatra, he went out in 1818 to fill this post; founded the settlement of Singapore, and returned to Europe in 1824. He died July 5, 1826. RAFFLESIA. named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the typical genus of Rafflesiaceas. The first and finest spe- cies discovered was R. amoldi, found by Raffles and Dr. Arnold in Sumatra in 1818. The flower (there is no stem) is more than a yard across. RAFFLESIACE^, rafflesiads; an order of rhizogens. Stemless plants, having flowers immersed among scales, and grovsang directly from the surface of leaves. Perianth globose or campanu- late, superior, limb five-parted, the throat surrounded by calli either distinct or constituting a ring. Column salver- shaped, or globose, with a row of anthers one or many-celled. Ovary inferior, one-celled, with parietal placentse, and many seeds; fruit indehiscent. Para- sites from the East Indies and South America. Known genera five, species 16. RAFT, a sort of float or framework, consisting of logs or other pieces of tim- ber fastened together side by side, for convenience in transporting them down rivers, across harbors, etc. Also a float- ing structure made and used in the emergency of shipwreck. Rafts are made of materials usually accessible on shipboard, spars lashed together by ropes, the flotative power being in- creased by empty casks lashed in the structure. When made and furnished as a part of a ship's equipment they are constructed with pontoons, and provided with stanchions and ropes, which form a protection against persons falling or being washed overboard. Such a raft is carried in a collapsed condition for com- pact stowage, and is more readily launched in that less bulky condition; after it is in the water it is brought into working shape by the purchases. Also a large collection of timber and fallen trees, which, floating down the great rivers of the western United States are arrested in their downward course by flats or shallow places, where they accu- mulate, and sometimes block up the river for miles. RAFTER, in building, one of the pieces of timber which follow the slox)e of the roof, and to which are secured the laths into which the shingle or slate nails are driven. Rafters, though all performing the same general duty, have specific names according to their particu- lar functions; as hip-rafter, jack-rafter, etc. RAGATZ, a spa of Switzerland, in the S. E. corner of the canton of St. Vol. VII — Cyo Gall, 68 miles S. E. of Zurich and 13 N. by W. of Chur (Coire), at the mouth of the ravine leading to Pfafers, from which town it gets its healing waters by means of a pipe (1838-1840) 214 miles long. Schelling, the German philoso- pher, is buried in the parish churchyard. RAGEE, or RAGGEE, an Indian grain (Elensine coracana) , very prolific, but probably the least nutritious of all grains. In the form of cake or porridge it is the staple food of the poorer classes in Mysore and of the Neilgherries. RAGGED SCHOOLS, a name applied to institutions founded during the 19th century for the moral reclamation and Christian instruction of the juvenile and adult necessitous poor in England. RAGHTJVANSA, a great Sanskrit epic, attributed to Kalidasa. The sub- ject is similar to that of the "Rama- yana," but begins with an account of Rama's ancestors, "the family of Rag- hu," an ancient King of Ayodhya (Oudh). The text, with a Latin trans- lation, was published by Stenzler (Lond. 1832). RAGLAN. FITZROY SOMERSET, LORD, a British military officer; born Sept. 30, 1788. He was the son of the 5th Duke of Beaufort. He joined the 4th Light Dragoons at the age of 16, went with the troops to Portugal, and fought in all the great Peninsular bat- tles, winning the notice and strong re- gard of the Duke of Wellington, who made him first his aide-de-camp, and then his military secretary. At Water- loo he lost his right arm. On the death of the Duke of Wellington, Raglan was appointed Master-General of the Ord- nance, and, at the outbreak of the war between France, England, and Russia, he was selected to take the command of the forces ordered to proceed to ths Crimea, commanded at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and was promoted to the i"ank of field-mar- shal. Grief at the unsuccessful attack on the Malakoff and the Redan, and the loss of life which it entailed, preyed on his mind. He died in 1855. RAGOUT, a dish of meat stewed and highly seasoned. RAGSTONE, in geology, a rough sili- ceous rock, breaking into rag-like frag- ments. It is well adapted for sharpening steel instruments. RAGTIME, s>Ticopated music, having its origin among the colored people of the Southern States and enjoy' ne great vogue in vaudeville and dance halls. Its characteristics are achieved by exagger- ated noise and strongly marked accents rr
