The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-29
A FLORAL COLOSSUS
1t Is Miracle in beauty and . vorItable
Terror In Herfr,aoo.

A FLORAL COLOSSUS.
1t Is Miracle in Beauty and . Workable
Terror In Perfume.
In 1873 traveller in Western Sum-
atra. DR.. Beccari, wrote home that he
had discovered a plant of extraordinary
character. but his letter announcing
this botanical phenomenon, the amor
phOphallus titanum. was a very modest
one, taking into consideration the fact
that he had di covered veritable
wonder of the vegetable kin dom-the
largest and most distinctly unique
flower in the world. DR.. Beccari in his
letter stated that he found the gigantic
tuber and dug it up; that it was five
feet in circumference, and two men
could hardly carry tin fact they
dropped it. and the tuber was broken.
DR.. Beccari promised to send home
some tubers in perfect condition, but it
does not appear that he accomplished
this. But seeds were sent home. and
they arrived safely, shaped like an
olive, one and a half inches long and
bright red in color. These seeds were
terminated in Italy. and Seeding
presented to Kew Gardens, and it is
this Seeding which has finally de-
veloped the extraordinary blossom
figured. 1t has developed from a seed
ling year by year, the gigantic tuber
demanding larger pot from time
to time, and annually producing
its Titanic leaf As feet in cir
conference. This leaf was at first
thought to be trunk, but as
it grew, its three br inches, as thick as
a mans thigh, parted from it 10 feet
above the tuber, and proved to be veins
or ribs of the leaf nearly yards in
length. Startling as the leaf develop
ment had been, greater wonders were
in reserve for the savants and the pub
Lie. In March last the tuber was re-
ported to weigh 81 pounds, and meas
ured feet 8 inches in circumference.
In May last no signs of the usual leaf
development were given, but what
proved to be the flower had begun to
push it's way toward development.
Its progress at first was at the rate of
IN inch day; then two inches day
were added to its stature. until, in June,
its upward progress was almost visible.
Excitement among the habitues OF Kew
Garden, and scientific men at large,
was intense. Fancy" as an English
paper puts it, "a bud as tall and roomy
as one of those machines which open
at Christmas time at Drury Lane, dis
closing young woman in an attitude"
But though many were watching for
the unfolding of this great flower, its
singularly fugitive character was
destined to disappoint even some
of the vigilant who happened not
to be present during the few hours of
its unfolding. On the last Friday in
June last the flower began to unfold,
10 spread its great toothed rim shown
in the cut, and to exhibit the wonder
full maroon color of its lining 1t was
majestic in it's beauty-there was no
doubt of that-and by eight o'clock
p. m. of the same day the unfolding
process was finished and tho Titan of
its race stood in its completeness. But,
oh! the horror of it's smell, which filed
the spacious greenhouse to overlooking
and compelled even the enthusiasts to
flee hastily with handkerchief to nose
a stink such as the condemned fish of a
great city would hesitate to emit. This
vile odor is common to all the Aroid
family, to which this plant belongs. its
purpose being jointly for protection and
to induce fertilization. In this especial
case every fly and insect gathered about
in the gigantic spadix, which is the
central cone shown in the cut, instantly
fertilizing the tiny blooms which clothed
it to its summit. Boston Herald.