OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1916. 59 



43642 to 43671— Continued. 



43664. ScHiNus terebinthifolius Raddi. Anacardiacese. 



A small evergreen tree, native of Brazil, with alternate leaves com- 

 posed of two to seven pairs of oblong, sessile leaflets with serrate mar- 

 gins. The flowers occur in terminal panicles and are followed by globose 

 vermilion fruits. All parts of this tree, and especially the bark, are more 

 or less resinous ; the native fishermen smear this resin on their nets to 

 protect them from the water. The leaves are used as an application 

 to wounds and sores. In Minas Geraes the young twigs are used as 

 toothbrushes, cleaning the teeth and hardening the gums. (Adapted from 

 Rodrigues, Hortus Fluminensis, p. 102.) 



43665. SoLANUM MACRANTHUM Dunal. Solanacese. 



An ornamental tree, native of Brazil, attaining a height of 12 to 14 

 feet and probably more. The ample, alternate leaves, with acutely lobed 

 margins, have prickly veins. These prickles become large and stout on 

 the lower surface, especially on the midrib. The flowers, which occur 

 in axillary racemes, are large and pale lilac in color, with darker dashes 

 and pale lines. This tree has long been cultivated at the Royal Botanic 

 Gardens, Kew. It is readily propagated from cuttings. (Adapted from 

 Curtis'' s Botanical Magazine, pi. ^138.) 



43666. Spartium junceum L. Fabacese. Spanish broom^. 



A tall shrub of rather gaunt habit, native of southern Europe, with 

 erect, cylindrical, rushlike stems, smooth and dark green, which take 

 the place of leaves. The leaves are very few and deciduous, and the 

 fragrant flowers, which occur in terminal racemes up to 18 inches in 

 length, are of a rich glowing yellow. The pods are from 1^ to 3 inches 

 long and contain from 5 to 12 seeds. This shrub is grown for its showy 

 flowers, which appear from June to September, and also for the fiber, 

 ^ which is obtained from the branchlets by maceration. This fiber is 

 worked up into thread, cordage, etc. The plant must be raised from 

 seeds and kept in pots until ready to be set out. (Adapted from Bean, 

 Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, vol. 2, pp. 522, 523.) 



43667. Sphaeralcea umbellata (Cav.) Don. Malvacese. 

 (Malva umbellata Cav.) 



A woody plant, native of Mexico, attaining a height of a foot and a 

 half, covered with dense hairs. The heart-shaped leaves are somewhat 

 seven lobed and dark green, and its numerous scarlet flowers occur in 

 clusters of three, or rarely of four or five. (Adapted from Edwards's 

 Botanical Register, vol. 19, p. 1608.) 



43668. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight and Arn. Combretacese. 



A very large tree with smooth green or whitish bark found on the 

 banks of rivers and streams throughout central and southern India. 

 The leaves are narrowly oblong and up to 9 inches in length. The 

 flowers, which appear in April and May, occur in terminal panicles, and 

 the fruit is a 5-winged drupe about 2 inches long. This tree yields a 

 clear, transparent gum, which is used as a drug in northern India ; the 

 bark is used as a dye and for tanning, and the wood, which is apt to 

 split in seasoning, is used for carts and agricultural implements. The 

 ash from this wood contains a very high percentage of lime. (Adapted 

 from Watt, Commercial Products of India, p. 107, and from Beddome, 

 Flora Sylvatica of India, vol. 1, pi. 28.) 



