1361 



Aphloia thvaeformis (Flaccurtiaceae) , 46389. From 

 Tamatave, Madagascar. Presented by the Envoi de la 

 Station Experimentale d 'Agriculture du Government 

 Ivoloina. A low tree found on the slopes of the moun- 

 tains in Madagascar. The small white berries, which 

 literally cover the tree, are edible and very wholesome 

 although slightly bitter. The leaves are said to possess 

 medicinal virtues. (Adapted from Heckel, Plantes Utiles 

 de Madagascar, p. 256 . ) 



A zadirach ta indica (Meliaceae), 46573. Neem tree. 

 From India. Seeds presented by Mr. G. T. Lane, Curator, 

 Royal Botanic Garden, Sibpur, near Calcutta. A large 

 tree, sometimes 50 feet tall, native of India. The 

 pinnate leaves are made up of 9 to 15 ovate, serrate 

 leaflets. The white, fragrant flowers hang in graceful 

 panicles and are followed by clusters of ovoid, dark 

 purple drupes the size of an olive. The wood resembles 

 mahogany and takes a beautiful polish. It is used in mak- 

 ing furniture, carts, ships, agricultural implements, 

 and Hindu idols. The sap is used in the spring in 

 making a cooling drink. A gum, which exudes from the 

 bark, is used as a stimulant. Margosa oil, extracted 

 from the pulp of the fruits by boiling or by pressure, 

 is an acrid, bitter oil used in medicine and in dyeing. 

 The seeds are employed in. killing insects. (Adapted 

 fromBrandis, Forest Flora of India, p. 67.) 



Belou marmelos (Rutaceae), 46477. Bael fruit. From 

 Shahjahanpur , India. Presented by Mr. N. L. Rockey, 

 District Superintendent, Methodist Episcopal Church. 

 "The bael fruit grows plentifully in India. It is prized 

 as a fruit from which to make sherbet. Some of the 

 fruits are very fine; others are useless. It has the 

 flavor of concentrated peaches . The fruit is extremely 

 valuable in the treatment of dysentery, as it is a mild 

 astringent. At the same time it is a food." (Rockey.) 



Brabejum stellatifolium (Proteaceae) , 46474. From 

 Pretoria, South Africa. Presented by Mr. I. B. Pole 

 Evans, Chief, Division of Botany, Department of Agri- 

 culture. A shrub or small tree 8 to 10 feet high, found 

 in the western part of South Africa. The purplish twigs 

 bear lanceolate, serrate, coriaceous leaves in whorls 

 of six. The white, sweet-scented flowers are borne in 

 dense, axillary racemes, 3 to 6 inches long, and are 

 followed by ovoid, densely velvety fruits , 1 to 2 inches 

 long, each containing a single seed. The seed may be 



