1425 



crop and as a fiber plant. The tap roots of young 

 trees and the young roots of old trees are used as food 

 by the aborigines . When boiled, the roots have a flavor 

 similar to that of turnips, but sweeter. The seeds of 

 this and other species are edible and make a good bev- 

 erage. Cattle and sheep are fond of the leaves and 

 branches, and in some dry seasons have existed for long 

 periods on scarcely anything else. In parts of Riverina 

 (New South Wales) the trees are cut down as required 

 for this purpose. A strong fiber is obtained from 

 the bark; it is used by the aborigines for making 

 fishing nets, both in East and West Australia. (Adapted 

 from Maiden, Useful Native Plants of Australia, pp. 59, 

 140, and 633. ) 



Zea mays (Poaceae), 47109 to 47114. Corn. From 

 Brazil. Presented by Mr. H. A. Cardinell, Rio de Janeiro. 

 "A rather curious collection of corn grown by the va- 

 rious Indian tribes from the states of Matto Grosso 

 and Amazonas. This corn came from an exhibit prepared 

 by a commission from that dis trict f or the last nation- 

 al corn show held in Rio de Janeiro last August (1918). 

 The commission informed me that this corn is absolutely 

 wild in Matto Grosso and the Indians have made no at- 

 tempt at its improvement. The ears I am sending were 

 grown by the Amazon Indians over 1,500 kilometers (930 

 miles )'from the Madeira River which is a branch of the 

 River Amazon and forms half of the boundary between 

 the two above-named states; that is, it was brought 

 930 miles before it reached that river. This will 

 give you an idea of the distance this corn traveled 

 before reaching Rio." (Cardinell.) 



Zea mays (Poaceae), 47202. Corn. From Zamboanga, 

 Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. P. J. Wester, 

 Agricultural Advisor. "A corn variety discovered on 

 a recent visit to Kudurangan, Cotabato, Mindanao, that 

 matures 72 days from sowing and so may be of value to 

 your corn breeders. This corn has been grown for many 

 years (no one knows how many) by one of the wild tribes 

 in Cotabato." (Wester.) 



