235) key out close to Saurawia Radlkoferi Buse. Al- 
though I have not seen the type of S. Radlkoferi (the 
precise locality of which is unknown), a careful examin- 
ation of the description and the figure of it indicates that 
no close relationship exists between S. Radlkoferi and S. 
speluncicola. It is true that the indument of the under 
surface of the leaf of both species is finely stellate-pilose, 
but the two are readily differentiated by conspicuous 
floral and vegetative characters. 
Saurauia speluncicola appears to be related to several 
other species of northeastern Oaxaca, but the degree of 
relationship is not clear because of the lack of sufficient 
comparative material. In a number of respects, S. spe- 
luncicola agrees with S. Conzatti Buse., S.aspera Turez. 
and S.villosa DC., but it is unmistakably distinct from 
these three allies. It differs from all of them in a number 
of minor characters and can be distinguished from S. Con- 
zattu and S. aspera immediately because of the stellate- 
pilosity on the under surface of its leaf. 
In the District of Teotitlin, the Mazatec Indians use 
the sweet, mucilaginous fruits of Saurauia speluncicola 
as food. The plant is said to fruit very heavily. The 
fruits are eaten fresh or are cooked. No medicinal use is 
made of this species of Sawrauwia among the Mazatecs. 
Saurauia speluncicola is called by the Mazatecs shha-ya- 
no, the same name by which they refer to Saurauia as- 
pera; the fruits of Sauwrauia speluncicola are called to-no. 
The plant is known among the Spanish-speaking natives 
as mameyito and pipicho. 
[ 199 ] 
