48 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



46896 and 46897. 



From Zacuapam, Mexico. Presented by Mr. G. A. Purpus through th« 

 American consul at Vera Cruz. Received December 27, 1918. 



46896. Chenopodium ambbosioides L. Chenopodiacese. 



An annual plant from 1 to 2 meters in height, with alternate lanceolate 

 leaves. The inflorescence consists of simple leafy spikes of very small 

 greenish flowers. The seeds are small and black. The whole plant has 

 a pronounced odor. An infusion of the plant has been used in Europe 

 with good results as a cure for nervous affections. (Adapted from 

 The Pharnmceutical Journnl and Transactions, 3d ser., vol. 9, p. 713.) 



46897. (Undetermined.) 



" Fruits of a valuable tree, belonging to the Anacardiacese and called 

 here cacao. This has a beautiful purplish brown, extremely hard wood." 

 {Purpus.) 



46898 to 46901. Theobroma cacao L. Sterculiacese. Cacao. 



From the British West Indies. Presented by the Trinidad and Tobago 

 Department of Agriculture. Received December 27, 1918. 



Four lots of seeds and pods of cacao without Information as to the different 

 varieties. Given separate numbers for convenience in recording distribution. 



46902 to 46904. 



From Johannesburg, South Africa. Presented by Mr. J. Burtt Davy. Re- 

 ceived December 27, 1918. Quoted notes by Mr. Davy. 



46902. Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels. Mimosaceae. 

 (E. burchellii Benth.) 



" The underground stem is used for tanning leather and dyeing stuffs a 

 brown color." 



46903. MoMOBDiCA balsamina L. Cucurbitacese. Balsam-apple. 

 The balsam-apple is known to American gardeners as an ornamental 



annual vine. The palmately 3 to 5 lobed leaves are cordate-orbicular in 

 outline, with acutely notched lobes. The solitary yellow flowers are 

 nearly an inch across and the orange-colored fruit, 2 to 3 inches long, is 

 ovoid and either smooth or tuberculate. (Adapted from Bailey, Stand- 

 ard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, vol. 4, P- 2060.) 



" The balsam-apple grows in Syria and is famous for curing wounda. 

 The unripe fruit is infused in sweet oil and exposed to the sun some 

 days until it becomes red. This, applied on cotton to a fresh wound, is 

 esteemed by the Syrians next to Balsam of Mecca." {Hogg, The Vege- 

 table Kingdom, p. 334-) 



46904. PoDALYBiA sp. Fabacese. 



"An ornamental leguminous shrub from the coastal districts of the 

 Cape Province." 



46905 to 46942. Nicotiana tabacum L. Solanacese. Tobacco. 



From Montevideo, Uruguay. Presented by Sr. R. S. Silveira. Received 

 December 27, 1918. 

 "A collection of tobacco seeds, the result of three years of selection work wi';h 

 the best varieties sent to us from various localities." (Silveira.) 



