128 Plants Collected in Paraguay. 



Cliomelia obtusa, C. and S., Linnsea, 1829, p. 185. 



Asuncion (15T). November. = Balansa 1*755 a. 



A thorny shrub 3 or 4 m. high, with numerous, small, coriaceous, 

 shining leaves. Flowers small, a lurid purple, on long, thread-like 

 peduncles, almost hidden among the leaves. Fruit a purple, pulpy 

 berry, containing a flat bony seed, grooved on one side. In dense 

 thickets. 



Ctiiococca brachiata, R. and P., var. acutifolia, Miill. Arg. in Mart. 



Fl. Bras., vi, pt. 5, 53. 

 C. racemosa, H. B. K., not L. 



Asuncion (65Y). April. = Balansa 1T5Y. 



A small unarmed shrub, 6-9 dm. in height, with glabrous, shin- 

 ing leaves, common in thickets. Flowers small, numerous, green- 

 ish, in axillary clusters. Fruit a light purple-colored berry with 2 

 flat seeds. 



Coffea AraMca, L., Sp. PL, 172. 



Asuncion (212). Fruit December. 



The cofi'ee is cultivated to a very limited extent in Paraguay. 

 For some reason it does not succeed well in that country. I am 

 inclined to think that this is owing to the excessive humidity of the 

 climate and the variation of the annual temperature. At any rate, 

 I saw but very few attempts made at its culture, and the plants 

 looked unhealthy, the leaves drooping and showing yellow spots as 

 if attacked by a fungoid disease. Such berries as T saw ripened 

 appeared inferior in size and, I was told, were of inferior quality. 

 Probably if the right localities are chosen, and intelligent culture 

 given, the coffee might do very well in Paraguay. As mate, how- 

 ever, is the favorite beverage, the people have little inducement to 

 engage in cofl'ee-raising. 



Psycliotria alba, R. and P., Fl. Per., ii, 58, t. 205, f. a. 



Pilcomayo River (878 and 1059); Caballero (606). January- 

 June. = Balansa 1736. 



This shrub and no. 877 (Psycliotria crocea) grew side by side, 

 and so much resembled each other that at first I mistook them for 

 the same thing, but a close examination shows that they are dif- 

 ferent species. This has white flowers, while those of 877 are light 

 yellow. The branches gceen, in the other dark red. The persistent 



