26 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



47996. Brosimum ALicASTRUM Swartz. Moracese. Breadnut tree. 



From Ojitas, Yucatan, Mexico. Presented by Mr. E. H. Thompson, through 

 Mr. George Totten, jr., Washington, D. C. Received September 4, 1919. 



" Two quarts of ramon [breadnut] seed, from a fine tree. The leaves of the 

 ramon tree form the principal source of fodder for the cattle of Yucatan." 

 (Totten.) 



47997 and 47998. 



From Bogota, Colombia. Presented by Mr. M. T. Dawe. Received Sep- 

 tember 8, 1919. 



47997. AsTBOCARYUM sp. Phoenicacese. Palm. 



" In my recent journeys I came across a palm known as gucre. It is 

 found in the forests of the Darien country and grows from sea level to 

 altitudes of about 400 meters. The palm is about 10 meters in height 

 and bears large hanging racemes of scarlet-colored fruits, the nuts of 

 Avhich yield a useful oil." (Dawe.) 



47998. Pbioeia copaifeka Griseb. Csesalpiniacese. 



" Seeds of the cativo tree. This tree is abundant in the Gulf of Uraba 

 and yields a resin known locally as ' cativa,' which is used for calking 

 boats. I understand that the tree is also found in the Canal Zone, so 

 it, or its product, is probably well known. I may mention that the tree 

 is very abundant in the lowlands of this country and that the resin could 

 be obtained in very large quantities should it possess any commercial 

 value." {Dawe.) 



47999. Ertngium foetidum L. Apiacese. 



From Santiago de las Vegas, Cuba. Presented by Dr. Mario Calvino. Re- 

 ceived September 8, 1919. 



A wild herbaceous plant, widely distributed throughout the West Indies and 

 South America, Avhich, because of its very agreeable odor, is used as a condi- 

 ment in Cuba and Porto Rico. In the former country it is especially popular 

 as a green dressing with " Pescado a la islena," literally, " fish a la Canaries." 

 An infusion of the plant is considered efficacious as a febrifuge. (Adapted 

 from Revista de Agricultura, Comercio y Traiajo, Cuba, vol. 2, p. 343.) 



48000. Myrica RUBRA Sieb. and Zucc. Myricaceae. 



From Del Monte, Calif. Presented by Mr. T. Lee, Hotel del Monte, from 

 trees grown at Del Monte. Received September 10, 1919. 



"Tang mei. The beautiful dark-purple fruits are the size of crab apples and 

 can be eaten out of hand, made into compotes, pies, sirup, and wine. There is 

 great variation in the habit and productivity of the trees, and also in the color, 

 size, and taste of the fruits. The trees are evergreen and thrive best in weU- 

 drained rocky terraces. The localities that will best suit them in the United 

 States will probably be the southern sections of the Gulf Coast States and the 

 milder parts of California." {Frank N. Meyer.) 



