1171 



Solanum sp. (Solanaceae. ) 44800. Seeds from Vene- 

 zuela. Presented by Mr. Henry Plttier. "An herbaceous, 

 trailing plant, bearing edible fruits; desirable for 

 cultivation in cool, shady places in a mild climate." 

 (Pittier. ) 



Ziziphus mucronata Willdenow. (Rhamnaceae . ) 44748. 

 Seeds from Kartoum North, Sudan, Africa. Presented by 

 the Principal, Central Research Farm, Education De- 

 partment, Sudan Government. A tree, 15 to 30 feet 

 tall, with alternate, crenate or serrate leaves, up 

 to 3 inches long; spine-like stipules; and small, 

 greenish flowers in axillary cymes, up to an inch in 

 length. The numerous dark red, globose fruits, about 

 one-half inch in diameter, are edible, and are believed 

 to be the lotus mentioned by Mungo Park as being used 

 for making into bread, which tastes like gingerbread. 

 A paste made of the leaves, and a decoction of the 

 root are used medicinally; the wood is tough and is 

 used for yoke-keys; and the seeds are used for making 

 rosaries. It is a native of tropical and southern 

 Africa. Arabic name Siddir or nabbak. (Adapted from T. 

 R. Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony p. 177, 178, and 

 from Kew Bulletin Miscellaneous Information, Addi- 

 tional Series 9, Part 1, p. 162, 1908.) 



Notes from Correspondents abroad. 



Mr. Wilson Popenoe writes from Guatemala City, 

 Guatemala, November 6, 1917: 



"I am forwarding this week, via the pouch, my 

 number 195, being 100 scions and budsticks of avocado 

 No. 32, from the property of Eulogia Duarte, near 

 Amatitlan, and my number 196, cuttings of Malpighia sp. 

 the "azerola" from Amatitlan. 



"This avocado, No. 32, (named Akbal) is a variety 

 which I have had under observation for several months, 

 and which I have been counting upon to complete my 

 set. It is a very early variety. Previous to obtaining 

 this number the set has included no very early forms, 

 the best probably being No. 6, from Antigua, which is 

 two to three months earlier than the majority of va- 

 rieties in that region. No. 32 appears to be an aber- 

 rant type which ripens at Amatitlan in September, 

 while the majority of varieties in the same region 

 do not ripen until January or February. I have found 



Remember that & fifty dollar Liberty Bond will buy 37 

 cases of surgical instruments for enlisted men's belts. 



