JUNE 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1920. 61 



51127 to 51141. 



From Buitenzorg, Java. Seeds presented by Dr. I. Boldlngh, acting head 

 of the Division of Plant Breeding, Java Department of Agriculture. 

 Received August 20, 1920. 



51127. Aeeca catechu L. Phoenicacese. Betel-nut palm. 

 Variety alba. The species is one of the most important and valuable 



palms and is widely distributed throughout the East; it forms an erect, 

 slender stem, bearing at its summit a crovpn of graceful leaves, among 

 which hang great clusters of egg-shaped fruits, each one formed when 

 ripe of a thick fibrous pericarp, inclosing one seed about the size and 

 shape of an ordinary nutmeg. Native to Cochin China and the Malay 

 Archipelago ; it does not succeed at any distance from the sea nor at 

 an altitude above 3,000 feet. The average yield of a betel-nut palm is 

 estimated at 300 fruits. The chief use of the seed is as an ingredient 

 in the preparation of pan for chewing, a universal practice among aU 

 classes. The seed or nut is found in all the bazaars either whole, sliced, 

 or cut into small pieces, the chewing of which is said to stimulate diges- 

 tion and to prevent dysentery. In the preparation of pan use is made of 

 lime, catechu, cardamoms, cloves, and other ingredients. Areca nuts are 

 used in medicine because of their astringent properties, and when reduced 

 to charcoal and finely powdered they are also used as a dentifrice. 

 (Adapted from The Garden, vol. 64, p. 282.) 



51128. Gary OTA mitis Lour. Phoenicacese. Palm. 



A palm, 15 to 25 feet in height, with a low, stoloniferous stem and 

 scurflly villous petioles, leaf sheaths, and spathes ; the few, very large, 

 broad, bipinnutisect leaves are 4 to 9 feet long. The bluish black 

 fruits are half an inch in diameter. Native to Mauritius. (Adapted 

 from Baker, Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles, p. 423.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 24616. 



51129. Dammaba alba Rumph. Pinacese. 

 (Agathis loranthifoUa Salisb.) 



A splendid tree, up to 100 feet high, with a stem 8 feet in diameter, 

 straight and branchless for two-thirds of its length. It is of great im- 

 portance on account of its yield of the transparent dammar resin, ex- 

 tensively used for varnish. Native to the Indian Archipelago and 

 mainland, extending to the Philippine Islands. (Adapted from Mueller. 

 Select Extra-Tropical Plants, p. 161.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 34071. 



51130. Dbymophloetjs sp. Phoenicacese. Palm. 

 Received as Actinopliloeus macarthurii, for which a place of pub- 

 lication has not been found. 



51131. Latania coMMEBSONn Gmel. Phoenicacese. Palm. 

 A dicecious palm 40 feet high, native to Mauritius, with dark-green 



fan-shaped leaves, 3 feet long, paler beneath, the blade deeply laciniate ; 

 the veins and margins of the lanceolate segments are tinged with red. 

 The petioles, 4 to 6 feet long, are slightly tomentose with smooth margins, 

 spiny in young plants. The globose drupes are li inches in diameter. 

 (Adapted from Baker, Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles, p. 381.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 45960. 



2210—23 5 



