THE PIvANT WORIvD 207 



flowers. The plant takes root in the soil, but on coming in contact with 

 another plant, it twines closely about it, sending forth root-like processes 

 from the stem through which it thenceforth derives its nourishment from 

 the plant to which it has attached itself, after which the original root 

 dies, as in the case of the dodders. 



Des77iodmm gangeticiim, or rather Meibomia gangetica, as I suppose I 

 must now call it, is a widely-spread tropical weed which I have collected 

 before. This is the first time, I think, that it has been found in Guam. 

 It is highly esteemed as a medicinal plant in India, where it forms one 

 of the chief ingredients of the Hindu preparation dasamula koatha, so 

 frequently alluded to in Sanscrit works. It is regarded as a febrifuge 

 and anti-catarrhal. 



Wednesday , October 18. — This day the Hospital Ship Relief came to 

 anchor in the harbor of Apra, bringing as a passenger Mr. Stimpson, 

 a civilian, who represents the Western Commercial Company of San 

 Francisco. Mr. Stimpson has come to Guam with the view of establish- 

 ing a commercial house, to buy lands, if it seems practicable, and to en- 

 gage in any business enterprise which may seem profitable. At present 

 most of the goods brought to this island come from Japan, whence they 

 are brought in trading schooners. There is no reason why American 

 goods should not find a market here and that the copra produced by this 

 island should not find its way to the United States. This product — the 

 dried meat of ripe coconuts — is the only article of export produced on 

 the island. From it a valuable oil is extracted much used for making 

 soaps and also entering into the manufacture of candles. Soaps made 

 from coconut oil are especially valuable for use on board sea-going ships, 

 as they produce a profuse lather in salt water. In Germany an excellent 

 food product resembling butter is now made from it ; but the secret of its 

 manufacture is not known. The greatest difficulty is to neutralize the 

 fatty acids and rancid properties of the oil. American flour and tinned 

 meats would always be in demand on this island ; kerosene would find 

 a ready market ; and the natives would be sure to buy quantities of 

 cod-fish, which they esteem as a great luxury. It is doubtful, however, 

 whether our rice could compete with that from Japan. 



Saturday, October 21. — All the officers of the Brutus except the doctor 

 and chief engineer were this day detached and ordered to take passage in 

 the Relief lor Manila. lyieutenant Robert E. Carmody of the Marine Corps, 

 who has been stationed at Agafia, also leaves on account of ill-health. 

 Several of the officers have been indisposed lately. Nearly all of them 

 find the life here irksome and long for detachment. Carmody has been 

 very home-sick and said this morning that he could hardly realize he was 

 going ; he couldn't believe he would get away from this island alive. 

 He has been very efficient as recorder of our military court, and is well 



