412 ox THE TEMALE FLOWER AXJ) FRUIT OF
vascular build les existing in various parts of Ra/jlesia, I too hastily assumed the absence of spiral vessels, the expression used evidently implying that I had satisfied myself of their non-existence in the fasciculi or bvmdles examined ; instead of which I should only have stated that I had not been able to find them.
The absence of spiral vessels has since been affirmed by Dr. Blume with respect to his Bhizanfhece, consisting of Bafflesia and Brtff/mansia ; and still more recently by JNlessrs. Endlicher and Lindley, who, overlooking probably the very positive statement of Dr. von j\Iartius respecting Langsdorjia, have equally denied the existence of spiral vessels in Bala/wjjJtorea ; and partly, perhaps chiefly, de- termined by this supposed coiiforinity and peculiarity of structure, have referred BafflesiacecB and Balanophorece to the same natural class.
231] 1 have in the first place to correct my own error respect- ing Bafflesia, in various parts of the female flower of which 1 have found spiral vessels of the ordinary structure, con- sisting of a single, easily unrolled fibre ; and on re-examin- ing the same specimen of the male flower respecting which my former assertion was made, I found these vessels equally distinct. Professor Meyer has already stated their existence in the procumbent stems or rhizomata of Hydnora triceps ; in which I have also found them in Hydnora africana, as well as in other parts of the same species ; and in Cytinus they are still more obvious.
I may also add, that wherever I had specimens of Bala- 7iophorc(B in a fit state for minute examination, 1 have never failed to find spiral vessels in various parts of their tissue, particularly in Cynomorium coccineuni and Helosis gida- fiensis}
^ AlLhougli in Uafflesiaceoe and in the genera at present referred to BalanO' phoretc spiral vessels undoubtedly exist, in the greater number, indeed, sparingly, but in some cases in hardly reduced proportion, it may still perliaps be alleged, by those botanists who have ]n-opo^ed to unite both families into one natural class, that the vascular system of all these parasites is uniform and more simple than that of the far greater part of Phaiuogamous plants ; thai the spiral or slight moditicaiions of it is the only forni of vessel hitherto observed in any of them ; and that the large tubes or vessels, with frequent contractions, corresponding imperfect diaphragms, and variously marked surface, which have
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