JUNE 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1920. 63 



51127 to Bl 141— Continued. 



the leaves are long, sword shaped, armed with spines on the margin 

 and keel, differing in color and texture from those of Guam, being 

 glaucous and of great textile strength. Only one sex occurs on the island, 

 so that it must be propagated by cuttings. These take root readily; 

 indeed, a branch lying on the surface will often send out roots which 

 penetrate the ground. The natives frequently plant this species in 

 hedges, which serve the double purpo.se of defining their boundaries and 

 of furnishing material for cordage and for mats, hats, and bags. 



" Dried leaves stripped of the rigid, spiny keel are used either in their 

 simple form or twisted together as lashings for the framework of build- 

 ings and for securing thatch to the roof. For making mats, hats, and 

 bags, the leaves are steeped in hot water, scraped, and split into strips 

 of various widths according to the fineness of the fabric desired, dried 

 In the sun, and thoroughly cleaned. Mats are braided with the strips 

 crossing diagonally, as in the mats of the eastern Polynesians, not 

 woven with warp and woof, as are the mats of many of the Micro- 

 nesians. Some of the hats and small bags are very fine. In the early 

 days the natives of Guam made their sails of aggak leaves. The plant 

 was undoubtedly introduced into the island in prehistoric times." {Saf- 

 ford, Useful Plants of Guam, p. 3^.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44779. 



51139. RoYSTONEA EEGiA (H. B. K.) O. F. Cook. Phoenicacese. 

 {Oreodoxa regia H. B. K.) Cuban royal palm. 



The royal palm grows wild throughout the Antilles and also in south- 

 em Florida, Mexico, Central America, and in the northern part of 

 South America. It is especially abundant on damp, fertile soil, Kuch 

 as is suitable for tobacco cultivation. In the west of Cuba it is found 

 on land which was formerly cultivated but has since been abandoned. 

 The trunk is often 70 to 85 feet high, with a diameter of nearly 2 feet. 

 The wood is considered unsuitable for constructive purposes, but the 

 external layer of hard wood is much used for walking sticks, stakes, 

 fences, posts, tables, coffee mortars, and the partition walls of houses. 

 The most useful portion of the tree is the yagua, or dried leafstalk. The 

 large terminal leaves have clasping leafstalks, 4 to 9 feet long, and as 

 wide as the circumference of the stem. Every three or four weeks a 

 leaf falls; this is damped, flattened by means of weights, and dried. 

 The dried leafstalks are sold per truss and provide the best packing 

 material for export tobacco. The leaf bases supply a fiber from which 

 ropes and string are made. In Cuba yagua is also used in the construc- 

 tion of the poorest houses. The terminal bud is edible, but its removal 

 causes the death of the tree. This is one of the most elegant palms 

 for planting in avenues. (Adapted from La Hacienda, vol. 8, p. 91.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 34747. 



51140. ScHEELEA iNsiGNis (Mart.) Karst. Phoenicacefe. Palm. 

 A palm with an erect stem, 50 to 60 feet in height, with 15 to 20 smooth, 



erect, pinnate fronds crowded into a dense crown. The yellowish green, 

 smooth, 'fleshy, pistillate flowers are sessile on a spadix inclosed in a 

 green spathe. The pale yellowish white, staminate flowers are incon- 

 spicuous. (Adapted from Martius, Historia Naturalis Palmarum, vol. 2, 

 p. 133.) 



