228 3 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [SEPTEMBER 
The differences noted above, as far as they relate to the fruit, 
are well shown in the copy of Miers’s drawing, reproduced half- 
size in text fig. 1. 
The idea that B. excelsa Humb. and Bonp. is the source of 
commercial Brazil nuts has become so thoroughly grounded in 
popular and even in botanical literature that it seems to be accepted 
on faith and passes unchallenged. The extent of this belief will 
be apparent when we consider that of the following quotations 
only the last two, or possibly three, make any mention of a second 
species, to which, moreover, they assign a wholly subordinate 
position. 
Brazil nut.—One of the triangular edible seeds of a tall South American tre 
(Bertholletia excelsa).—Standard Twentieth Century Dictiona 
Brazil nut-—The seed of the fruit of Bertholletia excelsa.—Century Dic- 
tionary. 
Brazil nui.—An oily 3-angled nut, the seed of the lecythidaceous Brazilian 
tree Bertholletia excelsa.—Webster’s New International Dictionary. 
Cream nut (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. and Bonp.).—This is a common nut 
in our markets brought from Brazil; hence it is often called Brazil nut.—Nut 
culture in the U.S., p. 106, Div. of Pomology, U.S. Dept. Agriculture 
Brazil nuts, cream nuts, Para nuts.—These are edible nuts imported from 
Brazil. The nuts are the product of Bertholletia excelsa (Humboldt and Bon- 
pland).—U.S. Disp., roth ed., p. 1420. 
Bertholletia excelsa.—Brazil nut.—A large tree belonging to the family 
Lecythidaceae, and yielding the Brazil or Para nuts of commerce. A tree 100 
to 150 ft. high, ie throughout northeastern South America to the 
Island of Trinidad—Coox and Cotiins, Economic plants of Porto Rico, 
Contrib. U.S. Nat. Herb. é 291. 1903 
Beriholletia Humb. and Bonp. —Tall trees. One or two species. South 
erica. 
a. B. excelsa Humb. and Bonp.—Seeds, Brazil nuts, Para nuts, cream nuts, 
nigger toes, Castana nuts.—Lyons, A. B., Pl. names, sci. and pop., 2d ed., p. 71. 
Bertholletia.—Brazil nut, Para nut, cream nut, nigger toe.—Species 2, 
both of which furnish Brazil nuts——Hastines, G. T., in Bartey’s Cycl. of 
Hort. 
The Brazil nut, also called Para nut, from the port of shipment, is the seed 
of a large tree (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. and Bpl.).—Another species, B. 
nobilis Miers, also yields a similar nut.—WrnTon, A. L., Microscopy of vege- 
table foods, p. 312. 
This state of affairs seems to be due primarily to BONPLAND’S 
assumption, stated in connection with his description of B. excelsa, 
