1424 



attractive in appearance and in texture and quality. 

 It seemed to me to be a very great improvement over 

 the Kieffer and every other variety that I know which 

 is adapted to the far south. If the tree is satisfac- 

 tory and is reasonably resistant to blight, it seems to 

 me that there may be something in this variety which 

 w.ould be worth considering very carefully in connection 

 with the planting of pears in the south." (H.P.Gould.) 



Rhoicissus erytfirodes (Vitaceae), 47100. From Africa. 

 Presented by Mr . J. Burtt-Davy, Johannesburg. A shrubby, 

 suberect plant, native of Abyssinia. The leathery, 

 compound leaves are made up of 3 leaflets, the terminal 

 one obovate, 2 to 3 inches long, the lateral ones broadly 

 ovate; all are smooth and deep green above, but covered 

 with fine gray pubescence below. The scarlet flowers 

 occur in small, lateral cymes, and the globose fruits 

 are about half an inch in diameter. (Adapted from Oliver, 

 Flora of Tropical Africa, vol. 1, p. 401.) 



Salvia hispanica (Menthaceae) , 47126. Chia. From 

 Mexico. Seeds procured by Mr. Cornelius Ferris, Jr., 

 American Consul, San Luis Potosi. "This seed was ob- 

 tained in the semitropical region of the state of 

 San Luis Potosi and is known simply as chia. It is the 

 kind used in making the drink called 'chia'. (Ferris.) 



"Chia is widely used in Mexico for the preparation of 

 a 'ref resco ' , or as an addition to 'refrescos 1 prepared 

 with limes or other fruits. I have never observed the 

 plant in cultivation. The seed, which is often seen on 

 sale in the markets, is similar in appearance to mustard 

 seed, except in its grayish color. When soaked in water 

 it behaves somewhat as tapioca, each seed becoming 

 surrounded by a transparent gelatinous substance almost 

 without taste. A glass of sweetened water to which has 

 been added a few chia seeds is considered a good drink; 

 it lacks character, however, and may be considered 

 much better when lime juice is one of the ingredients. 

 This drink is a peculiar thing, difficult of description, 

 but not unworthy of introduction into other countries. 

 It may be mentioned that the state of Chiapas takes 

 its name from 'chia', meaning 'place where the chia 

 abounds'." (Popenoe.) 



Stereulia diver si folia (Sterculiaceae), 47153. Kurra jong. 

 Prom Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Seeds presented 

 by Mr. F. H. Baker. Found in Victoria, New South Wales, 

 and Queensland. Useful as human food, as a forage 



