979 



tions; the lower ones being reflexed. These leaves would 

 render the plant admirably suited to the formation of 

 fences, in the nature of the spinous margins; for the upper 

 half of the leaf has all the spines directed forward 

 towards the apex, presenting a great obstacle to intrusion 

 of man or beast in that direction, whilst those lower down 

 the leaf (longer. and stronger too) have their curvature 

 downwards, so that if man or animal is so bold as to make 

 his way partially through, the decurved spines would pre- 

 vent his retracing his steps with impunity. The compound 

 Spike of flowers upon the column-like perfectly straight 

 peduncle is remarkable for its size; the large full yellow 

 (but inclining to green) flowers and the copious bracteas 

 turning brown or black in age. This plant is called Cordon 

 and Puya in Chili, where the soft substance of the stem is 

 used for corks and bungs: the flowers yield a remedy for 

 hernia, and the Indians use the spines of the leaves for 

 fish-hooks." ( Curt is 's Botanical Magazine , vol. 9, pi. 4715. ) 



Riles spp. (Grossulariaceae. ) 42223-42267. Cuttings 

 of 45 varieties of black, red, and white currants from 

 Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Presented by Mr. W. H. Pair- 

 field, Superintendent, Experimental Station for Southern 

 Alberta. Introduced for experimental work of the Office of 

 Horticultural and Pomological Investiations because of 

 their success in the trying climate of Alberta and for dis- 

 tribution through the North West. 



Soja max (L.) Piper. (Fabaceae.) 42059. Seeds of 

 soybean from Keijo, Chosen, Japan. Presented by Miss 

 Katherine Wambold. "Kong. Cooked, pressed, hung all winter 

 to rafters, then soaked in a brown liquid, called cha?ig, 

 used as a salty sauce on food. It is parched and eaten just 

 so. A few partly cooked grains are often scattered in the 

 rice as we use raisins in a rice pudding." (Wambold.) 



Spiraea veitchi Hemsley. (Rosaceae.) 42195. Seeds from 

 Kew, England. Presented by Sir David Prain, Director, 

 Royal Botanic Gardens. Considered by Mr. Wilson the best 

 of Chinese Spiraeas. Produces arching shoots sometimes 6 

 feet long wreathed from end to end with clusters of pure 

 white blossoms. Hardy in the Arnold Arboretum. 



Viburnum rhytidophyllum Hemsley, (Capri foliaceae .) 

 42199. Seeds from Kew, England. Presented by Sir David 

 Prain, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens. A remarkable shrub 

 which is one of the most distinct and striking of all the 

 newer Chinese shrubs. This shrub has a curious habit of 

 forming its inflorescences and partially developing them 

 in autumn, but they remain exposed all through the winter 

 and until the blossoms expand the following May or June. 

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

 British Isles, vol. 2, p. 655.) 



