40 



forests. De Bosredon says of this species: "A variety of evergreen oak which is 

 never more than a bushy tree; it grows on the poorest lime soils and yields excel- 

 lent and very fragrant truffles, which are, in general, smaller than those produced 

 on the holly oak. The one merit of the Kermes oak is that it yields truffles sooner 

 than the holly oak. ' ' 



3027. Celtis sinensis. Nettle tree. 



From France. "Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



The Henoki from China and Japan. It is a tree that bears extreme cold. Wood 

 useful for carpenters' and turners' work. Fruit edible but small." ( Von Mueller.) 



3028. Hovenia dulcis. Raisin tree. 



From France. Keceived through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1889. 



The fruit has the flavor of raisins. These seeds are from a very productive tree. 

 The pulpy fruit stalks are the portion eaten. Fairly hardy. Requires rich, moist 

 soils. May be used in making sweet wine. (See No. 3310.) 



3029. Chamaerops humilis elegans. Palm. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



An ornamental variety of the common dwarf palm of the Mediterranean region. 

 (See No. 3025.) 



3030. Cocos insignis. Palm. 

 From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



A Brazilian palm cultivated in greenhouses for ornament. 



3031. Euphorbia canariensis. Spurge. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



A succulent much-branched spurge from the Canary Islands. Like the cacti, this 

 is grown as a garden curiosity or for ornament. Said to be extremely poisonous. 

 The drug Euphorbin is derived from this species. The milky juice coagulates into a 

 sort of rubber. 



3032 to 3034. Caesalpina coriaria. Divi-divi. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



A small leguminous tree 20 to 30 feet high, from the West Indies to Brazil. The 

 pods contain a high percentage of tannin and are largely exported to Europe. The 

 tree thrives only on the seashore or in salt marshes. For trial along the Florida 

 coast and in the tropical possessions. 



3035. Ilex paraguayensis. Mate. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



Paraguay tea. The leaves of this shrub or small tree are extensively used in South 

 American countries as a substitute for tea. This is a small tree reaching the height 

 of 15 or 20 feet, which grows all through southern South America. The leaves are 

 prepared by drying and roasting; but instead of being handled separately, as in pre- 

 paring Chinese tea, large branches are dried by a wood fire and then placed on the 

 hard floor and beaten with sticks until the dry leaves fall off. These leaves are then 

 used in much the same way as ordinary tea. It is used as a beverage by millions of 

 people in South America and is used as medicine to a small extent, The tree is not 

 cultivated in South America, but there are said to be numerous and extensive forests 

 where it is the predominating species. 



3036. Quercus ilex. Holly oak. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



The holly oak is one of the species especially planted in France for trufhculture. 

 It grows best on well-drained limestone soils, the trees should be started in nursery 

 beds and transplanted when 3 years old. When transplanted the taproot should be 



