1911] YOUNG—BRAZIL NUT 231 
figs. 2 and 3, which illustrate pyxidia obtained from different 
sources. A comparison of the photograph with Mrers’s descrip- 
tion of B. nobilis will leave no doubt of their identity. Most if 
not all of the pyxidia which the writer has examined were brought 
to this country by the importers of Brazil nuts, and represent the 
source of the nuts in which they deal. 
3. The testimony of others, although comparatively scanty, 
should not be overlooked, since it is improbable that the authorities 
quoted as stating that the Brazil nut is the seed of B. excelsa have 
given the matter any exhaustive study. After this description 
of B. nobilis, Miers states ‘‘these seeds are known in commerce 
as Brazil nuts,’ and proceeds to give statistics regarding their 
exportation and use. Moreover, BERG’s error regarding B. excelsa, 
although perhaps adding to the confusion, is in reality indirect 
evidence of the same fact, since it is doubtful whether he would 
have confused the two species had he not been sure that the speci- 
mens from which he made his description were those of the Brazil 
nut, which he, in common with others of his time, regarded as B. 
excelsa. 
Norte.—Acknowledgment is due Mr. H. C. SKEELS of the Office of Foreign 
Seed and Plant Introduction, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, who has reviewed the 
work and confirmed the conclusions of the writer. 
U.S. Derr. or AGRICULTURE 
WasaincTon, D.C. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII 
Bertholletia nobilis Miers.—The form of the operculum and opercular 
opening, and the loose, broken cortex are characteristic of this species. 
Fic. 1.—Opercula from So Brazil nuts; x. 
Fic. 2.—Entire pyxidia; 
Fic. 3.—Pyxidium cut open me show structure; nuts in piace; small speci- 
men; natural size. 
