APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1915. 75 



40677 to 40770— Continued. (Quoted notes by Mr. F. N. Meyer.) 



40744. Psoraeea corylifolia L. Fabacea?. 



"(No. 2269a. Near Kweihsien, Shensi, China. September 11, 1914.) 

 An annual herb, growing from 5 to 8 feet tall, cultivated here and there 

 in patches on rich bottom lands. Said to be utilized for medicinal pur- 

 poses only, the seeds being ground up and forming the main ingredient in 

 Chinese kidney plasters. Of value possibly as a fodder plant for the 

 warmer sections of the United States. Chinese name Ku p'u chili, mean- 

 ing ' great illness medicine.' " 



40745. Astragalus sp. Fabacese. 



"(No. 2270a. Near Yangsa, near Titaochow, Kansu, China. November 

 30, 1914.) An annual herb, found among scrub at an altitude of 8.000 

 feet above the sea, producing much herbage ; of value possibly as a forage 

 plant for the cooler sections of the United States." 



40746 and 40747. Hedysarum sp. Fabacese. 



40746. "(No. 2271a. Near Liangsui, Kansu, near Fenghsien, Shensi, 

 China. October 18, 1914. ) A low-growing perennial herb, found in 

 dry places, amidst stony debris, and on decomposed slate rocks. 

 Produces large spikes of beautiful rosy flowers; seed pods slightly 

 spiny. Of value as an ornamental rockery plant for dry regions ; 

 also possibly of use as a forage plant." 



40747. "(No. 2272a. Near Liangtang. Kansu, China. September 

 24, 1914.) A semiwoody, small shrub, growing about 2 feet in 

 height, found on loess mountain slopes. Of interest as a possible 

 forage shrub." 



40748 and 40749. Medicago spp. Fabacese. Alfalfa. 



40748. Medicago sativa L. 



"(No. 2273a. Near Titaochow, Kansu, China. December 2. 1914.) 

 An alfalfa, found wild along the Tao River among briers and scrub 

 at an altitude of 7,000 feet above the sea. To be tested in dry north- 

 ern localities." 



40749. Medicago ruthenica (L.) Trautv. 



"(No. 2274a. Near Kiucheng (New Taochow), Titaochow, Ching- 

 ningchow, etc., Kansu, China. November and December, 1914, and 

 January, 1915.) A small alfalfa, of low, crawling growth, found 

 along embankments and on loess table-lands at altitudes between 

 7.000 and 10,000 feet above the sea in a semiarid climate. Of value 

 as a pasture plant for dry, highly elevated localities." 



40750. Erodium sp. Geraniacese. Crane's-bill. 



"(No. 2275a. Central Shensi, China. September 2 to 18, 1914.) A 

 crane's-bill found along roadsides and on pebbly embankments; of vigor 

 ous growth. Of value apparently as a forage plant for the drier sections 

 of the United States. Also to be tested as a winter crop along the 

 Pacific coast." 



40751. Lhjum sp. Liliacese. 



"(No. 2276a. Hweihsien, Kansu, China. September 28, 1914.) A lily 

 of robust growth, being from 4 to 6 feet high; leaves Large; flowers said 

 to be white with dark spots. Obtained from the garden of the Roman 

 Catholic Mission in Hweihsien ; the bulbs originally were collected in the 

 mountains south of Hweihsien." 



