40 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



47204 to 473 12— Continued. 



"Amnguis. A tree attaining a niediiim to large size, growing in the 

 forest at lower altitudes. The wood falls under the third grade, accord- 

 ing to Philippine classification. Collected at ^Vlount IMaquiling." 



47209. Okmosia calavensis Azaola. Fabacese. 



" Bahai. The seed is claimed to be of medicinal value for certain 

 cases of stomach ache. The tree is found at lower altitudes in the for- 

 est. Collected from a tree on the college farm." 



47210. Pahudia RiioxrBoiDEA (Blanco) Prain. Csesalpiniacese. 

 (Afzelia rhomboidea Vidal.) 



" Tindalo. A tree that usually is found in somewhat open situations at 

 low altitudes. The wood is very durable and beautifully colored ; it is 

 one of the best Pliilippine woods and is used for finer constructions. Col- 

 lected from Mount Maquiliug." 



47211. Pbemxa cumingiana Schauer. Aerbenacese. 

 " Magnilic. Collected from the college farm." 



47212. QuERCUS bennettii Miquel. Fagacese. Oak. 

 • " Pangvan. Collected on Mount Maquiling at an altitude of about 1,000 



feet." 



47213. CoRDEAUXiA EDULis Heuisl. Ctesalpiniacese. Yeheb nut. 



From Aden, Arabia. Presented by Mr. A. G. Watson, American vice consul. 

 Received March 1, 1919. 



The yeheb nut is the fruit of a bush or small tree found in the Somaliland 

 Desert in Africa. The conjpound leaves comprise G to S ovate-oblong, coriaceous 

 leaflets about 1 inch long. On the under surface of the leaflets are peltate 

 glandular hairs, which yield a i*ed secretion that stains the hand when one bruises 

 the foliage. The small flowers are borne in terminal corymbs and are followed 

 by the coriaceous, 1-seeded pods. The ovoid seeds, which are 1 to 2 inches long, 

 are greatly valued hy the natives lor food. The seeds are stewed in w^ater and 

 are preferred by the pooi-er classes to their iisual diet of dates and rice. 

 (Adapted from Kew Bulletin of Misvellaneoiis Information, 1008, p. 36.) 



The following analysis of the kernels gives a good idea of the food value of 

 these nuts: " ^loisture, 9.3 per cent; ash, .3.1 per cent; reducing sugar, 2..3 per 

 cent : cane sugar. 21.6 per cent ; carbohydrates (other than sugars), by difference, 

 :iT.l per cent; albuminoid proreids, 11. s per cent; amid protelds, 1.3 per cent; 

 fiber, 2.7 per cent ; oil, 1.0.8 per cent. Nutrient ratio, 1 : G.5 ; nutrient value, 92. 



" The nuts were tested for alkaloids and glucosids, but no indication of the 

 presence of such constituents was obtainetl. 



" The re.sults of the analysis indicate that the nuts are likely to prove a useful 

 foodstuff. A .satisfactory point is the presence of considerable quantities of 

 sugars and oil. 



" Judging from the analytical figures alone, the nutrient ratio, i. e., the ratio 

 of albuun'noids to carbohydrates and oil converted into their .starch equivalents, 

 is a very serviceable one, and the total ' nutrient value ' is high. The kernels are 

 rather tough, and this point raises some doubt as to the complete digestibility 

 of the carbohydrates other than sugars. 



" In preparing the nuts for use as food it is desirable that they should be 

 soaked in just such a (piantity of water as they can absorb, since if more be used 

 there is danger of the loss of the sugars, which would diffuse into the excess of 

 water." {Kew Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, 1908, p. .',3.) 



