CCXCIX.-Y-DZI OF TONQUIN. 



(Coixgif/antea, Roxb.) 



In July 1881, there appeared in the Bulletin de la Societe (TAcclimo- 

 tution of Fiance a note on the economic value of the Y-dzi, a plant 

 native of Ann ina, and Tonquin. It was described 



as a grass closely allied to the common Job's teajrs (Coix Lachryma), 

 but believed to be a new species. The name Coix Ma-yiCen was sug- 

 gested for it. The siem was said to attain a height of between 6 and 

 7 feet. The fruits were smaller than those of the ordinary Job's 

 tears, softer in texture, and not marked with the grey marbling found on 

 the latter. The grains were believed to possess peculiar medicinal pro- 

 perties and to yield a valuable food, either parched, made into a 

 refreshing beverage, or a nutritious soup. In a further note which 

 appeared in the same Bulletin for December 1881, a chemical analysis of 

 the grains of Y-dzi was given. There was nothing remarkable indicated 

 in this. and. - ith analyses of 



of ordinary Coix : 



given to the merits of Y-dzi in Fl being made at 



K< \\ respecting lb. advi>abilit\ of introducing the plant to some of the 

 British Colonies. The impression which the French account produced 



Mr. E. J. Ackroyd to Royal Gardens, Kew. 



29, Oriental Place, Brighton, 

 Dear Sir, 1st March 1889. 



I beg to enclose an extract from a Hong Kong paper, The 



Catholic Ii<(/is!( r, respecting a shrub called the Y-dzi which is said to 

 grow in Annan and Tonquin. 



The article ascribes various valuable properties to this shrub, and I 

 should be much obliged if you would kindly let me know whether it is 



Seeing that it could be substituted for the Eucalyptus, I was thinking 

 (if that is really the case) of getting some seeds 

 Mauritius, Where they would prove invaluable if they really destroy 



I hope to return to Hong Kong in October, and, should your report 



. r think, through the Rev. Pere Limonier, Head of' the 



French Mission, I could obtain some of the seeds. I am spending only 



a few days here, my permanent address is St. George's Club, Hanover 



SiMiaie. London. 



(Sigi iems 



Regis 



Ho 



P.S.— If you think it would be worth while, I would bring the matter 

 to the notice of the Government in Hong Kong, and if I obtained M.me 

 of the seeds I would ask that the plant be cultivated in tin Government 

 Botanic Gardens there. \ believe I have, through Pere Limonier and 

 other persons connected with Tonquin whom I know, facilities of 



