DESCKIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 347 



east coast of the island. The strength ami durability of the i-<i]ies are much increased 

 by tarriii<r. If they are not thus trcateil and arc left uncared for they are soon 

 ruined Ijy attacks of insects. The Caroline Islanders split the inner l)ark into narrow 

 strips, which they soak and scrape, and weave into breechcloths or aprons worn by 

 the women. In Tahiti also mats are made of it. The wood is light, durable, and 

 tiexible, so that it can be readily bent into any required shape. This renders it 

 suitable for frames of boats, and the lightness of the wood fits it for outriggers of 

 canoes. In Samoa most of the outriggers are of fan wood. 

 References: 



FarUi tllhuTiuu (L.) A. St. Ilil. Fl. Bras. Mer. 1: 2i\Q. 1825. 



Illljixriis i;i!(((rus L. Sp. PI. 2: (594. 1753. 



Paritium. tiliaceum. Same as Pariti tilhtnmm. ■ 



Parmentiera alata IVIiers. Same as Crexcrvtiti <ilittit. 



Parra (Spanish). See Villa. 



Parsley. See Petroselmum petroselinum. 



Pasotes (Guam, Philippines). See Chenopodium amhrnmoide.^. 



Paspalum cartilagineum. Same as Pasiialnin Kcroliicnlntniu. 



Paspalum scrobiculatum. Kono millet. 



Family Poaceae. 



An erect iannual grass, millet-like; leafy, glabrous, rarely hair j^; leaves acuminate; 

 ligule short, membranous; peduncle rather slender; spikes 2 to 8, 8 mm. long, 

 alternate, erect or spreading, rachis 2 to 2.5 mm. broad, margins ciliate or serrulate; 

 spikelets in 2, rarely in 3 or 4 rows, imbricate, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, 

 sometimes geminate on a common pedicel. 



This grass was first collected in Guam by Haenke. It often grows on the savan- 

 nas associated with Gleichenia dichotoma. It is Avidely distributed in the warmer 

 regions of the world, and in India is cultivated for food. The grain, however, can 

 not be considered wholesome. Unless special precautions are taken it is apt to act 

 as a narcotic poison, producing delirium and vomiting. Although every part of the 

 grain is poisonous, the husk and testa are especially so, the natives separating the 

 light from the heavy grain by means of water. It is a common article of food with 

 all the poor people of India. They prepare it by macerating it for three or four 

 hours in a watery solution of cow dung, throwing away the scum and chaff which 

 rise to the surface, and spreading out the good grain in tiie sun to dry. Boiling does 

 not entirely destroy the poison. « Cattle and carabaos eat the grass when it is young, 

 but they should not be allowed to feed on it when it is ripening. 

 References: 



Paf!}>alnm scrobiculatum L. Mant. 1: 29. 1767. • 



Pasotes (Guam, Philippines). Name of Mexican origin for Chenopodium (imliro- 



sioides. 

 Patani (Philippines). See Phaxeolus Innatus. 



Pau-dedo ((iuam). 



A shrub with opposite leaves and with flowers having a disgusting fetid odor, 

 growing in terminal and axillary umbels. Not identified. 



Pea, pigeon. See Cqjan cajan. 



Peacock-flower (India, Ceylon). See Poinciaud pidcherrima and Delonix regia. 



Peanut. See Arachi.H liypogaea. 



Pega-pollo (Spanish). See Boerhaaria diffusa. 



« Watt, Economic Products of India, vol. (5, pt. 1, \). 113, 1892. 



