30 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



41432 to 41443— Continued. 



along with the fruit. Occasionally it is thrown into indigo vats to aid in 

 precipitating the fecula. Hooper states thai a sample of bark from 

 Madras gave 1 1 per cent of tannin, and a sample of thick rool examined 

 at Dehra Dun pave 2.6 per cent, while some thin roots afforded 9.3 per 

 cent. Mosl parts of the tree are employed in native medicine. The 

 fruit of the wild ber, which ripens in the cold weather — the cultivated 

 one almost in any season — resembles the crab apple in flavour and ap- 

 pearance and is much eaten, as well as that of most species, by the poorer 

 classes: in fact, in times of scarcity these fruits are especially prized. 

 T'.y cultivation it is greatly improved both in size and flavour, and there 

 is great variety among the cultivated forms. According to Marshall 

 Woodrow, ' the best are elliptical, 2 inches in length by 1 in thickness, 

 and are propagated by inarching or budding on seedlings of the common 

 sort.' The unripe fruit is pickled; the ripe pulp is dried, mixed with 

 salt and tamarinds, to form a condiment, or is made into chutnies. The 

 kernels are also eaten, and the leaves constitute a useful fodder for 

 cattle and goats. The wood is hard and reddish in colour, weighing on 

 an average 48 pounds per cubic foot. It is largely employed in ordinary 

 constructive work and has been recommended for furniture. It is also 

 said to make excellent charcoal." {Watt, Commercial Products of 

 India, p. 11 j3.) 



41444 and 41445. 



Seeds from Sibpur, near Calcutta, India. Presented by the curator. Royal 

 Botanic Gardens. Received by Mr. W T. Swingle, October 15, 191". . 



41444. Ataeantia ceylanica (Arn.) Oliver. Rutacese. 



A much-branched spiny shrub or small tree native to Ceylon and India, 

 where it is known as yaTcinaran or peykurundu. Chiefly of interest for 

 trial as a stock, since its large seeds would be likely to produce vigorous 

 seedlings. The dry fruit makes it unpromising for breeding purposes. 

 (Adapted from Swingle. In Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horti- 

 culture.) 



41445. Pleiospermiitm alatum (Wight and Arnott) Swindle. Rutacese. 

 (Liiuo)iia alata Wight and Arnott.) 



A small tree, common in southern India and Ceylon, especially in the 

 dry regions; known as tumpat-kiirundii. The wood is hard and close 

 grained, much like that of Chalcas exotica. Of possible value for stocks. 

 (Adapted from Stcingle. In Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horti- 

 culture. ) 



4.1446. Berberis angulosa Wallich. Berberidaceae. Barberry. 



Seeds from Kew, England. Presented by the director, Royal Botanic Car- 

 dens. Received October 22, 1915. 

 A deciduous Himalayan barberry with clustered dark-green leaves, unusually 

 large flowers, and large palatable berries. 



See S. P. I. Nos. 33016 and 40143 for previous introductions. 



41447 and 41448. 



Seeds from Kamerunga, via Cairns, Queensland. Presented by Mr. J. A. 

 Hamilton. Received October 18, 1915. Quoted notes by Mr. Hamilton. 



