Biological Papers. 137 



study. A detailed account of this morphological research would 

 not fall within the province of this paper. 



Dioon edule is confined to an area not one-fourth as large as the 

 state of Kansas, and nowhere do sufficient numbers appear to con- 

 stitute a forest. Dioon spinulosuiii is very much more abundant, 

 and, being many times larger in habit, presents a far more impres- 

 sive appearance to the traveler. The uneducated classes in Mexico 

 call Dioon edule "Tio Tamal," which is interpreted "Uncle Tamale," 

 for from the seeds they procure a meal from which tamales are 

 made. Many beautiful trees are cut down by the natives to get 

 the cones, because it is the easy way. This thoughtless method 

 threatens the species with extinction, unless steps are taken imme- 

 diately to protect it. Among the educated Mexicans there is a 

 growing interest in the Palma de Dolores, as they call the tree. 

 It is to be hoped that they will preserve this rare cycad and show 

 their appreciation of an exclusive inheritance. 



