JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1916. 15 



41718 to 41721— Continued. 



4179. Citrus nobilis deliciosa (Ten.) Swingle. Rutacese. 



Mandarin orange. 



" Chu tzu. Has no pith and is of very good flavor. The skin is dried 

 and boiled and the infusion drunk as a medicine." 



41720. Ficus lacor Buch.-Harn. Moracese. 



" Huang ko shu. A tree 150 feet high, 12 feet in circumference, grows 

 best among rocks in a subtropical climate. It takes about 15 to 20 years 

 to mature in good soil ; flowers white. It is used principally for shading 

 purposes on the highroad and in the temples. It is of no commercial 

 value. Seeds yellow, inclosed in a pod." 



41721. Momordica charantia L. Cucurbitacese. Balsam pear. 

 "K'u kua. A creeping plant 10 feet or more, grows best in a climate 



of 70° to 90° F. It takes about two months to mature ; bears white and 

 yellow fruits in autumn. The fruit is about 1 foot long and 3 or 4 inches 

 in circumference. It is used in soups and as a vegetable and is prepared 

 by boiling. It sells in the market for about 20 cash each. Seeds yellow." 



41722. Parmentiera cereifera Seem. Bignoniaceee. Candle tree. 



From Mayaguez, Porto Rico. Presented by Mr. C. F. Kinman. horticulturist, 

 Agricultural Experiment Station. Received January 4, 1916. 



A tropical American tree, with simple or trifoliate leaves, white flowers, and 

 fleshy, cylindrical, yellow fruits, often 4 feet long, resembling wax candles and 

 having a peculiar applelike odor. Cattle are sometimes fattened on these fruits. 

 (Adapted from Lindley, Treasury of Botany, vol. 2, p. 848.) 



See S. P. I. Nos. 26206 and 28674 for previous introductions. 



41723. Diospyros ebenaster Ketz. Diospyracea?. Black sapote. 

 From Honolulu, Hawaii. Presented by Mr. Gerrit P. Wilder. Received 



January 4, 1916. 



"The ssapote prieto or zapote negro (black sapote) of Mexico, an interesting 

 fruit belonging to the persimmon family. The tree grows in compact, shapely 

 form and is of very ornamental appearance with its oblong-oval glossy leaves 

 about 4 inches long. In appearance the fruit greatly resembles some varieties of 

 the kaki or Japanese persimmon ; instead of being bright orange, however, they 

 are light green when ripe, and measure 2\ to 3 or even 4 inches in diameter. In 

 shape they are oblate or distinctly flattened, and the persistenl light-green calyx 

 is quite prominent. The interior of the fruit, when ripe, is anything but attrac- 

 tive in appearance, the flesh being dark brown or almost black in color and of a 

 greasy consistency. The flavor is sweet, bu1 lather lacking In character; Eor 

 this reason the Mexicans frequently serve the fruit cut up, or mashed up, with 

 orange juice; it is a first-rate dish. The seeds look like those of the persimmon 

 and are not very numerous." (Wilson Popenoe.) 



See S. P. I. Nos. 39719, 4033S, and 41568 for previous Introductions. 



41724. Abelmoschus esculent! is (L.) Moench. Malvaceae. Okra. 



(Hibiscus esculentus L.) 

 From Athens, Greece. Presented by the director of the Royal Agricultural 

 Society. Received January 11, 1916. 

 "A half-hardy plant introduced into the United States and West Indies from 

 Africa and cultivated for its fruit pods, which are used in soups, slews, catsups, 



