JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1917. 15 



44994 to 44999— Continued. 



over 4 iuclies high and already had two to four fully characterized 

 leaves. When quite small it strongly resembles Cocos ^oeddelliana, but 

 the pinn?e are somewhat broader and not so numerous. For fern dishes 

 in the Northern States it should have great value. 



" When mature, the plant has a slender trunk, perhaps half an inch 

 thick and 2 feet high. The leaves are a foot to 18 inches in length, rather 

 finely pinnate, deep green, graceful, with the rachis stiff but arching 

 slightly. In Vera Paz the flowers are produced in June and July, and 

 the small, round seeds, about as large as small peas, ripen in December. 



" Since it is found at considerable elevations in Vera Paz, it seems 

 likely that this palm will be sufficiently hardy for cultivation in the open 

 in California and Florida. It should be provided with ample shade, how- 

 ever, and planted in a very moist situation in soil containing a large pro- 

 portion of leaf mold. 



" As a house plant for the Northern States and for use in fern dishes 

 it seems to me that this plant possesses unusual possibilities, and I 

 strongly recommend it for trial." 



For an illustration of the pacayito palm, see Plate I. 



44995. Salvia hempsteadiana Blake. Menthacese. 



"(No. 151. July 9, ]917.) Plants of an herbaceous perennial collected 

 on the banks of a small stream at Purula, Department of Baja Vera Paz 

 (altitude 5,200 feet). 



" The plants commonly grow 1^ to 2 feet in height, and soon after the 

 beginning of the rainy season (May) send up spikes of brilliant blue 

 flowers, tubular in form and about an inch long. It is a conspicuous 

 thing when in bloom, and is strongly recommended for trial in California 

 and Florida, where it should be hardy." 



44996. Persea sp. Lauracese. 



"(No. 152a. Seeds from the Chuacus Mountains, near Rincon Grande, 

 about 5 miles from Salama, at an approximate altitude of 3,000 feet. 

 July 9, 1917.) 



" I do not know what this species may be ; possibly it is as yet unde- 

 scribed. Only one tree has been seen up to the present, and this was 

 erect, rather slender in habit, and 30 feet in height. The foliage strongly 

 resembles that of Persea aniericana, but is more heavily pubescent beneath 

 than is common in that species. In foi'm and size the leaves could not 

 be distinguished from some of the cultivated avocados. The young leaves 

 and branchlets are covered with a velvety tomentum. 



"The fruits, which ripen in June, are oval or oblong-oval in outline, 

 about 1* inches in length, shining black in color, with a membranous 

 skin and a very small amount of greenish pulp having a strongly resinous 

 taste. The seed is quite large in comparison with the size of the fruit, 

 elliptical in outline, with the seed coats thin, brownish, and brittle, and 

 adhering closely. The cotyledons are whitish, with the embryo at the 

 base of the seed. The fruit is distinct from that of the avocado in having 

 a large, fleshy, bluntly toothed calyx, pinkish or whitish in color, which 

 remains on the tree when the fruit falls. 



"This species is introduced in connection with the experiments now 

 being carried on with a view to determining tlie best stock on which to 

 bud the avocado." 



44997. DiPHYSA sp. Fabacese. 



"(No. 153a. July 9, 1917.) Seeds of a leguminous shrub common in 

 the mountains of the northern part of the Department of Baja Vera Paz, 



