We report the first direct observation of B meson decays into Λ c + baryons using the decay channel Λ c + → pK − π + . The product of branching ratios Br(B→Λ c + X)·Br(Λ c + →pK − π + = (0.30±0.12±0.06)% is derived from an observed signal of 208±89 events. Using previous measurements of inclusive baryon rates we find a branching ratio for Λ c + → pK − π + of (4.1±2.4)%. The measured Λ c + momentum spectrum indicates that the multi-particle final states dominate the decay B→Λ c + X.
ACCEPTANCE CORRECTED.