66 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



37872 to 37936— Contrl. (Quoted notes by Dorsett and Popenoe.) 



"(No. 136a. Januaria, Minas Geraes, Brazil. February 15, 1914.) 

 Here called pinha. Just now it seems to be the mosi important fruit 

 in Januaria ; the season is at its height and the fruits are hawked about 

 the streets at 2 vintens (40 reis) each. Tins tree bears so heavily 

 here and is of such fine quality that these few seeds are sent because of 

 the possibility that they may prove to be a superior strain.'' 



37909. Zea mays L. Poacea?. Corn. 



"(No. 137a. Bom Jesus da Lapa, Bahia, Brazil. February 17, 1014.) 

 Two ears of corn purchased in the village. The common type of corn 

 in this region, used for the manufacture of farinha (corn meal, for 

 human consumption) and for hog feed." 



37910. Attalea sp. Phcenieacea?. Palm. 

 "(No. 130a. Januaria, Minas Geraes. Brazil. February 15, 1914.) 



Seed of the palm sent in under No. 119a [S. P. I. No. 37899] from 

 Pirapora. A large species, growing along the banks of the Rio Sail 

 Francisco between here and Pirapora. Called palmeira by the natives. 

 Each fruit contains several seeds." 



37911. Annona spinescens Martius. Annonacese. Anona. 

 "(No. 140a. Urubu, Bahia, Brazil. February 17, 1914.) Seed of an 



araticum growing on low, marshy land near the river bank. Bushy 

 shrub 10 to 15 feet high, which because of its compact form and stout 

 spines may be of value as a hedge plant. The fruit, about 3 inches in 

 length and orange-red in color, is edible, but of little value. Hogs seem 

 to be very fond of it. We saw this plant first at Morrinhos; there it 

 was scarce, here it is the commonest plant along the riverside." 



For illustrations of this shrub in its native habitat and of its fruits, 

 see Plates V and VI. 



37912. Capsicum sp. Solanacese. Bed pepper. 



"(No. 141a. Barra, Bahia, Brazil. February 18, 1914.) Small pepper, 

 collected near a native hut at a binding above Barra where we stopped 

 to take on wood." 



37913. Sarcostemma apiculatum Decne. Aselepiadacese. 

 "(No. 146a. Xiquexique, Bahia, Brazil. February 19. 1914.) Seed of 



a sand-binding plant collected on the banks of the Rio Sao Francisco. 

 This plant is most vigorous in growth and forms a loose mat close to 

 the ground, as well as growing up to 4 or 5 feet high in a tangled mass 

 under favorable conditions. For trial in Texas and tbe Southwest." 



37914. Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiacea?. Castor bean. 

 "(No. 147a. Pilao Arcado, Bahia, Brazil. February 19. 1914.) Seeds 



collected from plants growing on the bank of tbe Rio Sao Francisco, in 

 an apparently naturalized state, a few miles above Pilao Arcado." 



37915. Vigna sinensis (Torner) Savi. Fabacea?. Cowpea. 



"(No. 148a. Barra, Bahia, Brazil. February 19. 1914.) Known here 

 as I'rijao gurutuba. In the dry regions of the interior it is said to 

 ripen in 60 days from the sowing of the seed, and to produce most 

 abundantly. Planted in October and November, the beginning of the 

 wet season, in hills 18 to 20 inches apart. Considered specially suited 

 to dry soils. Varieties badly mixed: should be separated into various 

 types if used for planting." 



37916. Jatropha acanthophvi.i.a Lofgren. Kuphorbiacea?. Favelleira. 



