1183 



Guaiacum officinale L. (Zygophyllaceae . ) 44858. Guaya- 

 can seeds from Zacapa, Guatemala. Collected by Dr. 

 F. S. Johnson, and sent through Mr. Wilson Popenoe, 

 of this Bureau. "(No. 145a. June 5, 1917.) The gauya- 

 can sometimes called by Americans lignum vitae, is found 

 in abundance upon the plains of the lower Motagua val- 

 ley, in the vicinity of El Rancho , Zacapa, and other 

 towns. It is a small tree sometimes attaining a height 

 of 30 feet, and usually somewhat spreading in habit. 

 The trunk' is gnarled and twisted, with slender bran- 

 ches bearing small and delicate leaves. Toward the 

 end of the dry season, i.e., in February or March, 

 the tree comes into flower, and is then a mass of 

 Lavender purple, distinguishable for long distances 

 across the plains. It remains in bloom for several 

 weeks. The wood is exceedingly hard, and, though dif- 

 ficult to work, it is of value for cabinet purposes. 

 The heartwood is rich brown in color, while the sap- 

 wood which surrounds it is light yellow. Both take a 

 fine polish. The tree thrives in a warm climate, with 

 little rainfall. The soil upon which it grows is often 

 rocky and poor. Whether it will stand any frost can- 

 not be stated, but it seems likely that it may suc- 

 ceed in parts of California and Arizona, and perhaps 

 also in Florida. Small trees often flower profusely. 

 It should be given a trial as an ornamental in the 

 regions mentioned." (Popenoe.) 



Hydnocarpus alpina Wight. (Flacourtiaceae. ) 44896. 

 Seeds froom Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by Dr. J. C. 

 Koningsberger, Director, Botanic Garden. var. elongata. 

 Apparently an unpublished varietal name. The species 

 may be described as follows: A large tree, 70 to 100 

 feet in height, with very variable leaves (red when 

 young and deep green when old), up to 7 inches in 

 length and 2 inches in width, and dioecious flowers 

 in axillary racemes. The fruit is globose, about the 

 size of an apple, with a brown, hairy surface. The 

 seeds yield an oil which is used as fuel, and the wood 

 is employed for general carpentry. It is a native of 

 the Nilghiri Hills in southern India. (Adapted from 

 Watt, Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, 

 vol. 4, p. 308, and from J. D. Hooker, Flora British 

 India, vol. 1, p. 197.) 



Leptospermum scoparium Forester. (Myrtaceae.) 44848. 

 Manuka seeds from Avondale, Auckland, New Zealand. 

 Presented by Mr. H. R. Wright. "No. 1. Very hardy. 



