with innumerable minute seeds. The flower rots away not long after expansion, and the seeds are mixed with the pulpy mass.
"The male and female flowers can be distinguished by a section not only when mature, but at every stage of their progress. I have made drawings of every essential part, which I hope soon to be able to send home, together with a further account than I have yet had leisure to make.
"I remain. &c., '"William Jack."
The two principal desiderata respecting Rafflesia, namely the satisfactory proof of its being a parasite, and the discovery of the female flower, 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 I have ventured to consider as a production of an intermediate nature, partly derived from the root itself, and which I suppose will be found to exist before the bracteæ become visible.
Further details are also wanting respecting the circumstance of its being found both on the roots and stems of the Cissus or Vitis[1] no instance being, I believe, at present, [231 known of parasites on roots, which likewise originate from other parts of the plant. Many important particulars remain to be ascertained respecting the Pistillum.
From Mr. Jack's account it appears that the seeds are found in the substance of the column ; in other words, that the ovarium is superior. But as I have formerly remarked, that in the male flower the same internal structure seems to be continued below the apparent base of the column, it is
- ↑ As these two genera differ from each other merely in number of parts, I have formerly proposed to unite them under the name of Vitis (Tuckeys Congo,p. 465. Antè p. 151,)
