KNDOGENS.

579

Order 0. IIaffi.f.siace/E, Endl.

Fig. 84.

Rafflesia Arnoldi.

In this Order is contained theRafflesia Arnoldi (fig. 84), one ofthe wonders of the vegetableworld. The diameterof its floweris 3J feet, the weight 15 lbs. Thehollow in its centre is capable ofholding twelve pints ! It growsin Java , on the stems and rootsof Cissus angustifolia (vi&eTrans.Linn. Society , vol. xiii.)

A decoction of this plant isused in Java as an astringentapplication in relaxed conditionsof the vagina.

2. ENDOGENEJE, De Cand. —ENDOGENS.monocotyledones, Ju&s.

Fig. 85.

Endogens, or Monocotyledons.

^ fansversc section of an endogenousstem, shewing the absence of medul-lary rays and of annual layers.

"teni anil leaves of an endogen, show-tug the alternated sheathing leaves,with parallel veins,terminating seed of Tradescantiacristata, showing the plumule rup-

turing the coleoptilum, with the radicleand radicels.

s. Section of a germinating seed, showing

the cotyledon remaining in the testa.

t. Germinating embryo of a grass, to show

the two alternate cotyledons of unequalsize, with the intermediate plumule.

j e Ntial Character.— Trunk usually cylindrical, when a terminal bud only is, ev eloped, becoming conical and branched when several develope ; consisting of cel-. **r tissue, among which the vascular tissue is mixed in hundles, without any dis-tinction of bark, wood, and pith, and destitute of medullary rays; increasing in'"nieter by the addition of new matter to the centre. Leaves frequently sheathing, l '>e base, and not readily separating from the stem by an articulation, mostly*ernate, w ith parallel simple veins, connected by smaller transverse ones. Flowerss Ual]y having a ternary division ; the calyx and corolla either distinct or undistin-huishable in colour and size, or absent. Embryo with but one cotyledon ; it with°. then the accessory one is imperfect, and alternate with the other; radicle usually'closed within the substance of this embryo, through which it bursts when gernii-{Lindley).