APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1910. 13 



27490— Continued. 



"The B. spinosa (=B. arundinacea) grows (when it is vigorous) in the manner best 

 adapted to protect its young stems from herbivora, Riviere says. The stems branch 

 out from the base, and their spiny branches, overhanging to the ground, prevent ani- 

 mals from approaching the truDk and eating the tender young stems. This makes it 

 difficult to establish hedges, for one has to spare the lateral branches from the base in 

 order to protect the young shoots of the following year, and under these conditions 

 transplantation is painful, or else it is necessary to protect the plants during their first 

 years, which is not practicable." (De Lehaie.) (Seed.) 



27491 and 27492. Pueraria spp. 



From Darjiling, Bengal, British India. Presented by Mr. G. H. Cave, curator 

 Lloyd Botanic Garden. Received April 6, 1910. 



Seeds of the following: 



27491. Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth. 



Distribution. — Common in northern and eastern India, Malacca, and the 

 southern part of China. 



27492. Pueraria sp. 



27493. Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Purchased from the Yokohama Nursery Co. at the re- 

 quest of Mr. Charles J. Brand. Received April 6, 1910. 



"The root of this plant is used by the Japanese as a size for their handmade papers, 

 which are prepared from the inner bark of Edgeworthia gardneri and several varieties of 

 the paper mulberry. The root is macerated in water and added to the paper pulp." 

 (Fairchild.) 



"The mucilage is obtained from the roots of this plant as follows: Wash off the dirt, 

 soak in fresh water for some hours, and crush them to pieces. The substance thus pre- 

 pared should then be put in a linen bag and soaked again in water. When the mate- 

 rial gets thoroughly soft, the juice comes out of the bag by manipulating in the vat in 

 which pulp has been previously mixed to receive the paste. The bag should be 

 squeezed now and then, as the mucilage does not come out by itself. The paper 

 maker can judge whether sufficient mucilage is in the water or not by its glutinous 

 consistency . This is the best mucilaginous plant extensively used in Japan . " ( Yoko- 

 hama Nursery Co.) (Seed.) 



Distribution. — Scattered throughout the Tropics; naturalized in the southern part 

 of the United States from Florida to Texas. 



27494. Diospyros tessellaria Poir. 



From Reduit, Mauritius. Presented by Dr. B. Boname, director, Agricultural 

 Station. Received April 6, 1910. 



"A tree, or shrub, with alternate, oval, or ovate, glabrous leaves. Flowers densely 

 clustered, sessile, arising from lateral nodules on the young branches. The fruit is 

 edible and is globular or ellipsoidal in form. The wood is valuable." (Extract from 

 Hiern, Transactions Cambridge Philosophical Society, vol. 12, pt. 1, p. 176.) (Seed.) 



Distribution. — In the forests of the highest parts of the island of Mauritius. Prob- 

 ably produces the ebony of Mauritius; fruits edible. 



27495 and 27496. 



From Kingston, Jamaica. Presented by Mr. Aston W. Gardner, manager, The 

 Tangley Fruit Co. Received April 7, 1910. 

 208 



