235 



ROSACEAE. 



Licania arborea Seem. Cana hulce. 



The seeds of a Licania (probably L. arborea) which grows about 

 Acapulco are very rich iti oil. According to Dr. E. Palmer the people 

 at Acapulco make from them a vegetable tallow which is added to other 

 oils in soap making. This tallow gives a green color to the soap. The 

 plant grows in the lowland and on mountain sides about Acapulco, 

 growing to the height of 4.5 to meters (15 to 20 feet). 



It is known under various names, such as cana dulce, cacahuate, 

 cacahuianche. 



LEGUMINOSAE. 



Entada polystachya DC. Bk.iuco dk amoek. 



Dr. Palmer furnishes the following data: 



"This is a vine, hanging for support upon other plants. Its numerous 

 large seed pods flapping in the wind are a novel sight. It has curious 

 hooks, by which it swings itself from tree to tree. The older wood of 

 this plant is cut up into suitable lengths, then pounded with stones 

 until the entire mass is separated into shreddike form, when it is tied 

 into bundles and sold in the market to be used as a substitute for soap 

 by the poor." 



Specimens were collected by Dr. E. Palmer at Acapulco, 1894-95. 

 (Ilerb. No. 159.) 



Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jrisel). Huinkcastlk. 



The bark and pods of Enterolobium eyelocarpum, called "huinecas- 

 tle," are used in place of soap for washing woolen clothes at Colomas, 

 a little hamlet in southeastern Sinaloa. 



EUPHORBIACEAE. 

 Ricinus communis L. Hkiuejulla. 



The castor-oil bean is largely grown in Mexico. It there often 

 assumes a treedike form, reaching a height of 4.5 to 6 meters (15 to 20 

 feet). The seeds furnish much oil. I saw the plant only on the table- 

 lands, but it seems to be common elsewhere. According to Dr. Palmer 

 this oil is also used in soap making. 



RHAMNACEAE. 



Zizyphus mexicana Rose. 



The fruits of Zizyphus mexicana^ according to Dr. Palmer, are highly 

 prized for washing woolen goods. He found them used in the State of 

 Colima, where they are seen for sale in the markets. 



MALVACEAE. 

 Gossypium spp. 



Dr. Palmer states that much cotton seed oil is used in soap making 

 in the States of Durango and Coahuila. He does not know which spe- 

 cies of Gossypium furnishes the seed, but it is probably G. herbaceum. 



