1071 



Viroa surinamensis (Rol.) (Myristicaceae . ) 43424. 

 Seeds of Ucuuba from Para, Brazil. Presented by Mr. 

 George H. Pickerell, American Consul. "Myristicaceae 

 are more important as timbers than the Annonaceae, in 

 spite of being represented by amuch smaller number of 

 species, especially the two commonest species of the 

 Amazon, ucuuba branca (Virola surinamensis Warb.) and ucuuba 

 vermelha (Virola sebifera Aubl.) The first, especially, is 

 one of the most useful trees of the Amazon region, 

 not only for its easily worked wood, moderately hard, 

 but also for its seeds, which furnish a k-ind of vege- 

 table wax rich in stearin. While the ucuuba branca is 

 found principally in the varzeas (probably meaning 

 low, swampy valleys) it is not excluded from the terra 

 firma (meaning dry ground); the ucuuba vermelha, which is 

 distinguished by its larger leaves and smaller fruits, 

 is a tree of the dry land and is found principally in 

 the forests. Both these species have, especially when 

 young, a characteristic manner of growth, with slender 

 whorled branches furnished with regularly distichous 

 leaves. The regularity of its branching reminds one 

 of the European conifers. Without doubt other Ama- 

 zonian species of Virola and probably also some species 

 of Iryanthera furnish wood which could be utilized, 

 but I have no positive knowledge in regard to this." 

 (J. Huber, Mattas e Madeiras Amazonicas, Boletim de 

 Museu Goeldi, vol. 6, p. 174, 1910.) The wood of this 

 Brazilian tree is used for interior work and general 

 carpentry. The bark is medicinal and the fruits con- 

 tain 55 per cent of myristin, a waxy substance of the 

 consistency of beef tallow, used in the trade for 

 candles and soap. (Adapted from Correa, Flora do Bra- 

 zil, pp. 70, 71.) 



