64 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



48262 to 48282— Continued. 



48267. DiLLENiA PENTAGYNA Roxb. Dilleniacese. 



A conspicuous deciduous tree, found in dry forests and open grass- 

 lands, as well as in the more open sal forests in northern India. Except 

 the teak, perhaps, it has the largest leaves of any of the Indian forest 

 trees, for they often reach 2 feet in length. The flowers, which appear in 

 the hot season, are yellow, in fascicles on the branches, and the fruit is 

 small and fleshy. The flovt'er buds and fruit are eaten and have a pleasant 

 acid flavor. The leaves are sometimes used for plates, and for thatching 

 huts. The wood is durable and has much the character of beech ; it 

 makes good charcoal ; it is used for construction purposes, for posts, 

 joists, etc. (Adapted from Gamble, Manual of Indian Timbers, p. 6.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 39109. 



48268. DuABANGA soNNEEATioiDES Buch.-Ham. Lythracese. 



A lofty deciduous tree, with light-brown bark which peels off in thin 

 flakes ; native to Assam, Cliittagong, Burma, Nepal, and eastern Bengal 



(ascending to 3,0(X) feet) . The gray, yellow-streaked wood is soft, seasons 

 well, takes a good polish, and neither warps nor splits. Canoes cut out 

 of the green wood are used at once, even whqn liable alternately to v.'et 

 and the heat of the sun. In northern Bengal and Assam it is now very 

 extensively used for tea boxes ; it is also made into cattle troughs and 

 other ordinary domestic utensils. The seeds are small, but germinate 

 freely, so that for planters this is one of the most useful of trees. 



(Adapted from Watt, Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, vol. 

 S, p. 196.) 



48269. Erianthus hookeri Hack. Poacese. Grass. 

 A tall perennial grass with a large, silky, densely branched panicle of 



villous, rusty-red .spikelets ; native to the Sikkim Himalayas, Bhutan, 

 and Calcutta. (Adapted from Hooker, Flora of British India, vol. 7, 

 p. 125.) 



48270. Gynuba nepalensis DC. Asteracese. 



A tall, handsome shrubby species, hoarily pubescent, leafy, with many 

 corymbose heads of yellowish or purplish flowers. The leaves are 3 to 

 7 inches long and hoary pubescent on both surfaces. Native to the temper- 

 ate Himalayas from Kumaon to Bhutan at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 

 5,000 feet and in the mountains near Moulmein, at Martaban at altitudes 

 of 4,000 to 5,000 feet. (Adapted from Hooker, Flora of British India, 

 vol. S, p. 333.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 39116. 



48271. Lobelia pyeamidalis Wall. Campanula ceae. Lobelia. 

 An herb, 2 to 7 feet in height, native to the Khasi Mountains, Pegu, 



and at altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 9,000 feet in the Himalayas from 

 Gurhwal eastward. The widely branched stem bears glabrous linear 

 leaves and many-flowered racemes of purple-rose or whitish flowers. 

 (Adapted from Hooker, Flora of British India, vol. 3, p. Jf26.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47707. 



48272. Maesa chisia D. Don. Myrsinacefe. 



An evergreen shrub or small tree, with thin reddish bark and soft 

 light-brown wood, common over large areas of country in the Darjiling 

 Hills, coming up gregariously on hill! slopes which have at one time 



