COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO, 251 
similarity of the nuts. It is scarcely necessary to add that the almond is a close 
relative of and very similar to the peach. while the Porto Rican ** almendro” is 
a member of the tropical family Combretaceae, to which belongs the ‘* mangle 
blanco,”* or white mangrove, Laguucularia racemosa, forming a large part of the 
mangrove swamps behind Catatio and probably elsewhere in Porto Rico. The 
present species is, however, a native of the East Indies, though widely known in 
the Tropics. 
While similar in shape and texture to almonds the nuts of Terminalia have not 
the characteristic flavor, though generally considered quite palatable. There 
seems to be no published account of experiments with their keeping qualities or 
of other efforts at placing them upon the market. We saw none in the dried 
condition, but while green the somewhat fleshy husk shows no tendency to sepa- 
rate from the shell of the nut proper. As with other species of Terminalia a 
black dye may be obtained from the bark and leaves of the tree. A silkworm is 
also raised upon the leaves in India. The fruitsof other species are also astringent 
and have a place in commerce among dyestuffs under the name ‘* myrobalans.”’ 
A photograph of Terminalia has been published in Mr, Wilson’s paper (Pl. V) 
over the title ‘* Bent mango trees, San Juan.” 
Grosourdy (2: 360) states that the wood is brownish with a specific gravity 
of 0.699 and has no use. He gives the name Almendro de Indias. 
Ternstroemia elliptica. See 7Ternstrocmia stahlii, 
Ternstroemia heptasepala. 
A specimen is in the National Herbarium from the Sierra de Luquillo, 
Ternstroemia luquillensis. Pano coLORADO. 
A tree 6 to 20 meters in height, known only fromthe Luquillo region. This is 
also true of T. heptasepala, a smaller tree or shrub of 2 to 8 meters. 
Ternstroemia stahlii. MAmry DEL CURA. 
A sinall tree of 12 to 15 feet (38.5 to 4.5 meters) common in thickets ia sandy 
soil near the sea, in the vicinity of Bayamon. 7. pedunciularis stenophylla, from 
Fajardo, and 7. pachyphylla, from El Yunque, are related species without local 
names yet reported. 7. elliptica, of Stahl’s Flora, is a synonym of 7. stahdii. 
Tetade burro. See Hirtellatriandra and H. rugosa; also Chrysophyllian mono- 
pyrenum, 
Teta de curra. 
A tree from all parts of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diam- 
eter, 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters); wood pinkish, hard; specific gravity, 
0.816; not used. (Exp. 1857.) . 
Tetragastris balsamifera. Masa. 
Family Burseraceae. A common forest tree, 10 meters high, yielding balsam. 
(Stahl, 4: 50.) 
Grosourdy gives this species the name Tabanuco and describes it as a wild tree 
growing in the center of the Antilles, reaching 45 to 60 feet (13 to 18 meters) in 
height. with a long straight trunk 5 hands (* cuartas”*) in diameter. more or less, 
From the cracks in the bark and cuts made for this purpose exudes a white, 
very aroinatic resin, The wood is rather light, moderately hard, fibrous in tex- 
ture, with a rather fine grain, rose-colored or gray tinged with a light flesh color 
and yellow. It is rather strong, resistant, and much appreciated because of its 
beauty and durability. It is also free from the attacks of insects, because of the 
resin which it contains. It is used for the interior work of houses and other fine 
carpenter work. (Grosourdy, 2: 363.) 
Tetrapteris citrifolia. Brsuco pe PARALEJO, 
Fainnily Malpighiaceae; a high, trailing climber. 
