28 



The drink is sour, and has in it a large amount of vegetable fat, giving it a peculiar 

 greasy flavor. The bottled fruits keep for months if completely under water, and 

 'chicha' can be prepared from it at any time. The fresh ones are, however, prefer- 

 able. No medical properties are ascribed. Should be called to the attention of 

 makers of summer drinks. " (D. G. Fairchild. ) 



According to Baillon, the Nance-bark of Mexico is possibly Byrsonima crassifolia. 

 Speaking of this genus, which belongs to the Malpighiacese family, Medenzu says: 

 "The fruit of all the species are probably edible; the Indians of northern Brazil and 

 Guiana use as a stone fruit especially B. verbascifolia, B. crassifolia, B. serica, B. 

 intermedia, B. pachyphylla, and B. spicata. These fruits are called (probably because 

 of their small nutritive value) Moro-cy Murecy, Muriel, Murei, or Mureila, in French 

 Moureillev." Medenzu also states that some of the species are used for medicinal 

 purposes, tanning, dyeing, and in construction. (See No. 2943.) 



2945. Oryza sativa. Rice. 



From Panama, Colombia. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 114), 1899. 



' ' Shortest-kerneled variety known here. Said to have been sent to the States for 

 cleaning, but the mills there failed to remove the thin integument close to the ker- 

 nels." (D. G. Fairchild.) 



2946. Momordica charantia. Balsam apple. 



From Panama, Colombia. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 104), 1899. 



" A curious cucurbit grown by the Chinese near Panama, possibly introduced from 

 China. Flowers three-fourths inch across, lemon yellow; vigorous creeper, trained 

 on trellis; fruit, when young, green, with gray blotches; cucumber-shaped, but 

 tapering to a point; foliage luxuriant, leaves small. Fruit, when ripe, a showy 

 orange, with seeds in bright crimson pulp. Whole rind is soft and sweetish. Eaten 

 raw, and cooked as a vegetable. Fruit opens into three valves like a pod." 

 (D. G. Fairchild.) 



" This plant is nice as a condiment and an ingredient of curries and other table 

 preparations in the Tropics, especially of the Old World, where it is native. It is 

 also grown as an ornamental vine, and for this purpose is sold by American seeds- 

 men, along with an allied species. Mormordica balsamina, or Balsam apple." 

 ( Bailey. ) 



This fruit is known to the Chinese as La-kwa, K'u-kwa. Numerous forms are cul- 

 tivated in India, the rainy-season one being called Kareili, and the hot-weather 

 variety Karela. Edward Willminn suggests that it may be used in salad, as pickles, 

 or in curry. He further says in India the fruit is sliced, then fried. It is necessary 

 to boil it in water first, in order to remove a bitterness. 



2947. Convolvulus. 



From Panama, Colombia. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 112), 1899. 

 ' ' Grown as sweet-potatoes are grown, in raised ridges, but producing no enlarged 

 roots and running only scantily. The foliage and tips of the shoots are used as 

 greens; boiled like spinach. The plant was found growing in a Chinese garden near 

 Panama and very little information regarding the method of cutting was obtainable. 

 The plants were attacked by a white rust {Albugo), and care should be exercised to 

 prevent this disease from spreading to sweet-potatoes in regions where it does not yet 

 exist. (D. G. Fairchild.) 



2948. Citrus limltta. Lime. 



From Colombia, South America. Donated by Mrs. L. N. Webb, Takoma Park, 

 AVashington, D. C, through Mr. H. J. Webber; received March, 1899. 



2949. Acacia. 



From Colombia, South America. Donated by Mrs. L. N. Webb, Takoma Park, 

 Washington, D. C, through Mr. H. J. Webber; received March, 1899. 



