1297 



small leguminous tree which occurs commonly on the 

 plains of the state of Minas Geraes, and is said by 

 Pio Correa to be distributed from Para, in northern 

 Brazil, to Sao Paulo in the southern part of the coun- 

 try. The bark contains a high percentage of tannin, 

 and is known as casca da virgindade; the seeds are said to 

 be poisonous, and the leaves to have medicinal quali- 

 ties. It is the bark, however, that seems to have 

 economic interest, being considered of value for use 

 in tanning. According to Brazilian authorities it 

 contains as high as 40 per cent of tannin; an analysis 

 made by the Bureau of Chemistry, United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture, gave the following results: 



Total dissolved solids 31.6 per cent 



Soluble solids in cold water 28.6 " " 



Non- tannins 6 . 7 " " 



Tannins... ...20.1 " " 



Tutcheria spectabilis (Theaceae), 45720. From Hongkong, 

 China. Presented by Mr. W. J. Tutcher, Botanical and 

 Forestry Department. A handsome, ornamental, small 

 tree or shrub, indigenous to the island of Hongkong. 

 The leaves are alternate, short-petioled, coriaceous 

 and shining. The flowers are about 2| inches in di- 

 ameter usually having 7 white, roundish-obovate petals . 

 Fruit is a woody capsule, the size of a small apple, 

 retaining at the base the persistent sepals, and con- 

 taining several large seeds. The plant flowers in May 

 and fruits in November. (Adapted from Champion, Trans- 

 actions of the Linnean Society vol. 21, p. Ill, 1850.) 



Vitis tiliaefolia (Vitaceae), 45797. Grape. From Zacu- 

 apam, Mexico. Presented by Dr . C. A. Purpus . "A small- 

 fruited wild grape excellent for jelly. This is es- 

 sentially a tropical grape." (Purpus.) A grape which 

 is widely distributed in the American tropics. It 

 varies greatly and of ten runs into white-leaved forms. 

 The cluster of fruit is long and long-peduncled , large 

 and compound; the purple berries are small and globose. 

 This species is considered promising as a pomological 

 grape for the tropics. (Adapted from Bailey, Standard 

 Cyclopedia of Horticulture, vol. 6, p. 3489.) 



