JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1016. 39 



are 1^ inches across, and there are two blooming periods each year. Tlie 

 round fruits, about the size of a mandarin orange, ai'e borne from buds pro- 

 duced near the tips of short branches, mainly on the outside of the tree. The 

 rind is thick and the flesh divided into segments much lilie the orange. The 

 texture resembles a well-ripened plum, and the taste is delicious. In the 

 East Indies it is planted by the natives as a dooryard tree. It is very hard to 

 establish the young trees, which accounts for the small plantings which have 

 been made. (Adapted from Bailcij, Standard Cyclopedia of Hoiiieulturt, vol. Jf, 

 pp. 1889 and 1890.) 



43286. Canavali obtusifolium (Lam.) DC. Fabacese. 



From Durban, Natal, Union of South Africa. Presented by Mr. P. van de 

 Bijl, mycologist. Natal Herbarium. Received September 12, 1916. 

 A creeping perennial beau, called palang-palang, akan-kan-tasi, etc., with 

 trifoliolate leaves, and bright pink (sometimes white) flowers. The pods are 

 oblong with a few chestnut-colored seeds, which, according to Maiden, are eaten 

 after cooking by natives of Australia. This vine is widely distributed on 

 tropical shores and is useful as a binder for loose sand. (Adapted from 

 Safford, Useful Plants of Guam, p. 211.) 



43287 and 43288. 



From Darjiling, India. Presented by Mr. G. H. Cave, Lloyd Botanic 

 Garden. Received September 11, 1916. 



43287. Dendeocalamus hamiltonii Nees and Arn. Poacere. Bamboo. 

 "A tall, freely growing bamboo. Used for building, water pipes, and 



other purposes locally." [Cave.) 



This bamboo abounds at about 4,000 feet in the Himalayas, where it 

 attains a height of 40 to 80 feet, with grayish white culms which are 

 naked below and much branched above and which become dull green 

 when old. The culm sheaths are long and stiff, up to 18 inches long on 

 the lower part of large stems, are glabrous and shining within and rough 

 and with scanty patches of brown, stiff hairs or glabrous without. The 

 leaves are variable, up to 15 inches long, and the inflorescence is a huge, 

 much-branched panicle. From this bamboo baskets and mats are made, 

 and the young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. The plant is conspicuous 

 for its bright purple-red flowers. (Adapted from Gamble, Bambusece of 

 British India, pp. 85 and 86.) 



43288. TooNA ciliata Roemer. Meliacese. Toon tree. 

 {Cedrela toona Roxb. ) 



A large, rapidly growing deciduous tree, 50 to 80 feet high and some- 

 times 20 feet in diameter, growing chiefly near streams in tropical 

 Himalayan regions ; also at low altitudes in western and southern India. 

 The wood obtained from this important timber tree is not eaten by white 

 ants, is durable, and is not liable to warp. It is used for furniture, 

 carvings, and cigar and tea boxes. The bark is used as a tonic, and the 

 flowers are a source of red and yellow dye. The seeds, young shoots, 

 and leaves are given to cattle as fodder. (Adapted from Watt, Commer- 

 cial Products of India, p. 290.) 



43289 to 43291. Amygdalus persica L. Amygdalaceae. Peach. 



(Prunus persica Stokes.) 

 From Canton, China, Presented by Mr. P. H. Josselyn, American vice 

 consul in charge. Received September 15, 1916. 



