OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1908. 19 



23930 to 24113— Continued. 



bamboo boxes aboard S. S. Ashtabula, while en route to America, the soil 

 coming from near Hangchow, Chekiang, China." (Meyer.) 



23932. Lagexaria vulgaris Ser Gourd. 



From Chinanfu, Shantung, China. "(No. 988a, September, 1908.) A 

 small-fruited ornamental gourd, out of which the Chinese manufacture little 

 carved vessels for ornaments."' (Meyer.) 



23933. Cucurbita sp. 



From Spask, eastern Siberia. " (989a, Oct. 20, 1906.) An ornamental gourd, 

 producing remarkable quaint fruits which vary in all ways. Given to me by 

 a Russian farmer. ' ' ( Meyer.) 



23934. Cucurbita pepo L. Squash. 



From Pangshan, Chihli, China. " , (Xo. 990a, November, 1907.) A large 

 turban-shaped gourd, one part of which is orange-yellow colored while the 

 other part is green with orange stripes. Quite ornamental.*' (Meyer.) 



23935. Cucumis sativus L. Cucumber. 



From Peking, Chihli, China. "(No. 991a, Mar. 25, 1908.) A Chinese cucum- 

 ber called Huang kua; grown on trellises in the open ground." (Meyer.) 



23936. Cucumis melo L. Muskmelon. 



From Peking, Chihli, China. " No. 992a, Mar. 25, 1908.) A small musk- 

 melon; grown on light sandy soil. Chinese name Hsien kua." Meyer.) 



23937. Luffa cylixdrica (L.) Roemer. 



From Peking, Chihli, China. "(No. 993a, Mar. 25, 1908.) -A dishrag gourd, 

 the tender young fruits of which are eaten by the Chinese. Chinese name Shi 

 kua." (Meyer.) 



23938. Bexixcasa cerifera Savi. Gourd. 



From Peking, Chihli, China. "(No. 994a, Mar. 25, 1908.) A gourd eaten by 

 the Chinese. Chinese name Tung kua." (Meyer.) 



23939. Actixostemma sp. 



From Peking, Chihli, China. "(No. 995a. Mar. 25, 1908.) A very rare cucur- 

 bitaceous plant, called in Chinese Ly kua tze." ( Meyer.) 



23940 to 23945. Lagexaria vulgaris Ser. Gourd. 



From Peking, Chihli, China. (Mar. 25, 1908.) 



.23940. "(No. 996a.) Chinese name Ya ng hu hi." 



23941. "(No. 997a.) 'Chinese name Yohhulu" 



23942. "(No. 998a.) Chinese name Ko ko hu hi." 



23943. "(No. 999a.) Chinese name Shoo yar yow hu lu" 



23944. "(No. 1000a.) Chinese name Ta yar yow hu lu." 



23945. "(No. 1001a.) Chinese name Ta pauw hu hi." 



"The above Lagenarias are grown by the Chinese on trellises in their gardens; 

 the very young fruits are often eaten stewed as a vegetable; the old, well- 

 ripened gourds are used as bottles for oil, wine, and water ; or when cut in two 

 lengthwise are used for water dippers and for pans in which to keep things. 

 The large round gourds serve the country Chinese for the same purpose as our 

 drawers in cupboards do, viz, to keep things stored in; and lastly these Lage- 

 naria seeds are often boiled with salt and sold as an appetizing delicatesse." 

 (Meyer.) 

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