1292 



variety , .discoid in form with the periphery crenated, 

 resemble very closely those of Chenopodium album and 

 Chenopodium paganum. The plant should not be confused 

 with the common forms of Amaranthus which are used 

 when young by the Mexicans as potherbs, and which have 

 jet black, very highly polished seeds." (W. E. Saf- 

 ford. ) 



Chenopodium quilitl (Chenopodiaceae) , 45721. From 

 Mexico. Presented by Mrs. Zelia Nuttall, Casa Alva- 

 rado, Coyoacan, Mexico City. "Native name, Xochuauhtli, 

 'Flowering huauhtli'. A plant cultivated near the 

 city of Mexico for the sake of its prolific branching 

 inflorescences, which are gathered before they are 

 quite mature and while the seeds are still soft. They 

 are cooked with other ingredients as a vegetable. This 

 variety, with yellowish or pale brown discoid seeds, 

 is the most popular. The inflorescences are known by 

 the Aztec name buauhtzontli, signifying 'huauhtli heads'. 

 Botanically the plant is closely allied to Chenopodium 

 paganum, and Chenopodium album. It is quite distinct 

 from Chenopodium quinoa, the celebrated food-staple of 

 the Peruvian highlands; and it must not be confused 

 with the plant called michihuauhtli, 'fish-egg huauhtli', 

 which is a white-seeded Amaranthus , not a Chenopodium. " 

 (W. E. Safford.) 



Coix lacryma-jobi ma yuen (Poaceae), 45767. Job's tears. 



From Soochow, China. Presented by Prof. N. Gist Gee, 

 Soochow University. This variety might be called the 

 cultivated edible Job's tears, and includes many forms, 

 all of which are characterized by having a thin, .loose, 

 easily broken shell. They are often longitudinally 

 striated, and in many examples are constricted at the 

 base into what is called an annulus . In the central 

 provinces of India, among the aboriginal tribes, this 

 grain forms an important article of food. In Japan, 

 where the plant has been introduced, the seeds are 

 pounded in a mortar and eaten as meal. (Adapted from 

 the Agricultural Ledger, No. 13, p. 217-225, 1904.) 



Colocasia esculenta (Araceae), 45779. Taro. From Sienkii, 

 Chekiang, China. Presented by Mrs. M. M. Loosley. 

 "Ts'ing yii, or blue yii, is a little bluish on the point 

 and stalks, and has a large leaf. This variety also 

 cooks mealy, but is said to be better to eat after a 

 few months keeping. It keeps well." (Loosely.) 



