1060 



Chayota edulis Jacq. (Cucurbitaceae . ) 43393-43401. 

 From Guatemala City, Guatemala. Collected by Mr. 

 Wilson Poponoe, Agricultural Explorer. "The chayote 

 which is here called guisquil, is one of the commonest 

 vegetables in this part of Guatemala, and exists in a 

 number of varieties. The following set includes those 

 which have been seen commonly in the market during the 

 past two weeks. Two classes of chayotes are distin- 

 guished in the markets, guisquiles proper, and guisquiles 

 pereros, or Peruvian guisquiles. The former includes prac- 

 tically all of the larger fruit, varying from green 

 to white in color, some prickly and some smooth, the 

 surface usually somewhat roughened, sometimes with 

 deep sutures from base to apex. The second class, 

 guisquiles peruleros, includes small fruits, white to green 

 in color, with the surface smooth and free from prick- 

 les or soft spines. Both classes are exceedingly 

 abundant in the markets." 



Chayota edulis Jacq. (Cucurbitaceae. ) 43477. Fruits 

 of Chayote from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Re- 

 ceived through Mr. Carl M. J. von Zielinski, American 

 Vice Consul in charge. "Information from reliable 

 sources states that the cultivation of this plant is 

 very simple. It should be planted in a moist soil 

 preferably where there is plenty of shade. Its growth 

 is said to be wonderful and after ninety days it is 

 known to produce over 100 fruits. There are two kinds 

 of tallote as the chayote is called here, found in this 

 country but the difference is said to be only in the 

 color of the skin which is either white or green. The 

 plant is very much liked by the natives and is pre- 

 pared in many ways for use in soup, and meat dishes; 

 also in the manufacture of candy. Native physicians 

 prescribe it not only as food for children and old 

 people, but also to be used externally. The leaves 

 are boiled and then used to cure rheumatism. Animals 

 are very fond of the fruit as well as the leaves." 

 (Zielinski. ) 



Chrysophyllum lucumifolium Grisebach. (Sapotaceae . ) 

 43454. Seeds of Aguay from Argentina. Collected by 

 Mr. H. M. Curran. A tree, found in Missiones and Cor- 

 rientes, Argentina, with beautiful broad green leaves 

 and axillary or lateral flowers. Only one seed ma- 

 tures In the oval fruit which is 12 mm. long. This 

 tree sometimes attains considerable size, and the 

 wood, which is flexible and easily split, is used for 



