OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1916. 33 



famed as one of the most delicious fruits of the Tropics, some writers de- 

 scribing it as 'perhaps the most luscious fruit in the world, partaking of the 

 flavor of the strawberry and the grape.' The delicate white juicy pulp sur- 

 rounding and adhering to the seed is the part eaten. In striking contrast to 

 it is the dense, thick, reddish rind, containing tannic acid and a dye. The tree 

 is of very slow growth and does not usually come into bearing till about 9 

 or 10 years old. The essential conditions for it are a hot climate and deep, 

 rich, well-drained soil. Propagation is usually by seed, but may also be effected 

 by gootee or layering. Sow seeds in pots under cover. The plants are of very 

 slow growth, taking about two years to become large enough for planting "out, 

 being then only about 12 inches high."' (ilacmillan, Handbook of Tropical 

 Gardening and Planting, pp. 164 <*nd 165.) 

 See S. P. I. No. 43446 for further description. 



43482. SiMABA CEDRON Plancli. Simaroubacese. Cedron. 



From Cristobal, Canal Zone. Presented by Mr. O. W. Barrett. Received 

 October 18, 1916. 



" Mr. Sandberg believes that these nuts are high in tannic-acid content and 

 also possess some good medicinal qualities, since they are used in several 

 native remedies about here. The tree reaches some 15 to 25 feet in height and 

 bears great quantities of these brownish fruits, consisting of the large seed 

 and a layer. ." to 15 mm. thick, of reddish yellow flesh, bitter and acrid." 

 (Barrett.) 



A short, erect, graceful tree with a trunk about 6 inches in diameter and 

 large, alternate, pinnate leaves, composed of 20 or more pairs of leaflets. The 

 white flowers occur in long racemes, similar to those of Simaha tricMUoides. 

 The oval fruits, which are 6 cm. (2i inches) long, are edible. A bitter principle 

 is found throughout the plant, but only the seeds are used medicinally. These 

 seeds are inodorous but intensely bitter and are used as a remedy for snake 

 bite, hydrophobia, and in treating fevers and dysentery. If more than 25 or 

 30 grains are given in a single dose, death may result. This tree is found in 

 Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica. (Adapted from H^ravd, Nouveau Diction- 

 naire des Plant es M^dicinales, pp. 563-565, and from Hooker's Journal of 

 Botany, vol. 5, p. 566.) 



43483 and 43484. 



From Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico. Presented by Mr. G. Itie, director, 

 Agricultural Experiment Station. Received October 24, 1916. Quoted 

 notes by Mr. Iti4 unless otherwise stated. 



43483. AcRocoMiA mexicana Karw. Phoenicacese. Cocoyol palm. 



" Cogol de saliana or cocoyol. The inhabitants use the fruit in making 



a dessert, cooking it with brown sugar. Rings are made from the shells." 



A prickly palm, about 20 feet high, with a brown woolly trunk up to 

 I5 feet thick and terminal leaves from 6 to 8 feet in length. The 

 sheathing bases of the leaves are armed with long black spines, and the 

 spathe is very spiny. The yellow flowers are very odorous, and the 

 round fruits are about an inch in diameter. This palm is found in the 

 cooler regions of Mexico up to 3,000 feet above the sea and is said to be 

 hardy at Santa Barbara, Calif. (Adapted from Mueller, Select Extra- 

 Tropical Plants, p. 19, from Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, 

 vol. 1, p. 211, and from Martins, Historia Naturalis Palmarum, p. 285.) 



30824°— 21 3 



