66 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



42793 to 42798— Continued. 



42798. Pyrus sinai Pesf. Malaceae. Pear. 



(P. sinaica Dum.-Cours.) 



This pear, which is related to Pyrus amygdaliformls, is supposed to 

 have originated in Asia Minor or the islands of the Grecian Archipelago. 

 Its leaves in spring are white with down, becoming smooth and shiny later, 

 (Adapted from W. J. Bean, Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, 

 vol. 2, p. 278.) 



42799. Alpinia exaltata (L. f.) Roem. and Schult. Zinziberacese. 

 (Renealmia exaltata L. f.) 



Received through Mr. W. E. Safford, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, 

 May 8, 1916. 



"A plant belonging to the ginger family, widely spread in tropical America. 

 In Porto Rico it is commonly known as Bihao, or Vijao grande. The broad 

 thin membranaceous leaves, usually acuminate at the apex and tapering at 

 the base, are somewhat like those of a canna. The inflorescence is a long 

 simple raceme, with magenta-colored or reddish purple peduncle and bracts 

 and yellow flowers. The fleshy, obovoid, or oval fruit usually borne on a 

 recurved pedicel (when mature) is black at length and yields a dye of some 

 importance." (Safford.) 



42800 and 42801. Arachis hypogaea L. Fabacese. Peanut. 



From Tsingtau. China. Presented by Mr. Willys R. Peck. American consul. 

 Received May 18, 1916. 



42800. "The large ordinary peanut of trade, grown in Shantung Prov- 

 ince. This variety was imported into Shantung within comparatively 

 recent years. The writer recollects that some twenty years ago they 

 were a rarity In the province." (Peck.) 



42801. "A small wrinkled sort that, I am informed by an American 

 resident from the Southern States, is found in the southern part of the 

 T'nited Stales and is known colloquially as goober. This variety is in- 

 digenous, but has, in its turn, become comparatively rare. None were 

 obtainable in this consular district, these seeds having come from 

 Tsinanfu, 2H0 miles away." (Peck.) 



42802. Colocasia escitlenta (L.) Schott. Aracese. Taro. 



From Chungking, Szechwan Province. China. Tubers presented by Mr. E. 

 Widler. Received May 19, 1916. 



"The taro is cultivated in Szechwan in summer wherever a good water supply 

 is available. Each plant produces 7 to 15 egg-shaped tubers: they are cooked 

 whole or sliced and fried in sauce of various kinds. The plant lias been known 

 since before the Han period." {Widler.) 



42803 to 42805. 



From San Jose, Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Carlos Wercklfe", Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. Received May 23, 1916. 



