Andean area, and Aellen (8) and others have considered 
it to be that species. The supposed diffferences in seed 
color are of no value. Hunziker (102), however, points 
out floral differences between the two plants. While 
C. Quinoa has close allies occurring wild in the Andean 
region, the situation as regards the Mexican Chenopodium 
is not clear. It may have been derived from the South 
American species in cultivation, though Aellen (1) im- 
plies a relationship to the North American C. Berlandieri 
Mogq. A careful study of these plants should be reward- 
ing, (1, 2; 8, 101, 102*, 148, 158, 159*, 172*,. 178) 
C. ambrosioides L. (Apazote or wormseed) is widely 
distributed and has medicinal uses. It is said to be cul- 
tivated at times (17, 194). 
Cnidosculus Chayamansa MecVaugh (Jatropha 
aconitifolia Mill.): Chaya, chay. 
The chaya is a shrub cultivated in the Yucatan area 
for its young shoots and leaves, which are eaten as a pot 
herb. It is related to C. aconitifolia (Mill.) I. M. Johnst. 
and C. Chaya Lundell, both of which are more abundantly 
supplied with the stinging hairs which have earned Cnid- 
osculus the generic name of ‘*Mala mujer’? in Mexico. 
The less objectionable forms of C. Chayamansa have 
doubtless been selected under cultivation. (113, 114*, 
118*, 166, 192, 198, 196) 
Cocos nucifera 1.; Coco, coconut. 
There has been a good deal of controversy concerning 
the pre-Columbian distribution of the coconut. There is 
now little doubt of its Old World origin. Bruman (29), 
after a review of the historical data, has concluded that 
the coconut did occur in Colima and probably elsewhere 
on the west coast when the first Europeans arrived. It 
was no doubt used by the natives, but may or may not 
have been cultivated. (29*, 177a, 191) 
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