18 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



50711 to 50735— Continued. 



ward, in Bengal, Burma, central and southern India, ascending to 5,000 

 feet in altitude. The bark is used in tanning ; and the oil extracted from 

 the astringent seeds is considered useful in leprosy. The leaves are used 

 for camel fodder, and the tree is often cultivated for this purpose. It may 

 be propagated readily by cuttings, grows rapidly, and flourishes in almost 

 any soil, especially on canal embankments and roadsides, affording both 

 fodder and fuel where these are otherwise scarce. The sap wood is 

 white, and the heartwood is dark brown, hard, shining, mottled, with 

 deeper longitudinal streaks. It seasons, works, and polishes well, and 

 is fairly durable. It is used for picture frames, sugar-cane crushers, 

 furniture, buildings, canoes, and wlieelwork. (Adapted from Watt, Dic- 

 tionary of the Economic Products of India, vol. 1, p. 156.) 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No, 42809. 



50714. Alnus nepalensis D. Don. Betulacese. 



A deciduous tree with elliptic-lanceolate entire or subentire leaves and 

 fruiting spikes in large erect panicles ; the nutlets have a membranous 

 wing. Native to the temperate Himalayas and the Khasi Hills. 

 (Adapted from Hooker, Flora of British India, vol. 5, p. 600.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47635. 



50715. Beebebis napaulensis (DC.) Sprang. Berberidacese. Barberry. 



A shrub, native to the temperate Himalayas and the Khasi Hills, 

 3 to 20 feet high, leafy near the top only. The bipinnate leaves, are 

 coriaceous and the erect racemes of fascicled yellow flowers are fol- 

 lowed by bitter, violet-glaucous berries. (Adapted from Hooker, Flora 

 of British India, vol. 1, p. 109.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47646. 



50716. BoMBAX MALABARicuM DC. Bombacacese. 



A very large deciduous tree with branches in whorls, spreading hori- 

 zontally, and the stem with large thorny buttresses. It is native to the 

 hotter forests of India and Burma, and is the largest and most character- 

 istic tree of eastern Rajputana. The trunk and branches are covered 

 with large corky prickles. The inner bark yields a good fiber, suitable 

 for cordage ; the seeds yield the so-called silk cotton,, too short and too 

 soft to be spun, but largely used for stuffing pillows, etc., and for gun 

 cotton. The flower buds are eaten as a potherb. The leaves and twigs 

 are lopped for fodder. (Adapted from Watt, Dictionary of tJie Economic 

 Products of India, vol. 1, p. 156.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 48025. 



50717. Eriobotbya hookeeiana Decaisne. Malaceje. 



A small robust tree with elliptic-lanceolate coarsely serrate coriaceous 

 leaves, thickly covered with rusty tomentum when young, glabrous when 

 old. The panicles of white flowers are followed by yellow eUipsoid fruits, 

 three-fourths of an inch long. Native to the eastern Himalayas, Sik- 

 kini, and Bhutan, at altitudes of 4,000 to 6.500 feet. (Adapted from 

 Hooker, Flora of British India, vol. 2. p. 311.) 



50718. Lobelia rosea Wall. Campanulacere. 



A tall suberect herb, 4 to 12 feet high, with short branches, hori- 

 zontal with drooping tips, and narrowly lanceolate leaves, 6 inches long. 



