12 



year. This species is cultivated only along the maritime zone in eastern Sicily. It 

 is much smaller than the ordinary prickly pears of Sicily, and is marked by its numer- 

 ous rigid spines. It is called Opuntia dillenii in Sicily." [Swingle.) Distributed. 



3442. NoPALEA COCCINELLIFERA. CaCtUS. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Botanic 

 Garden of Palermo, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



"A nearly spineless forage cactus. The cochineal insect is said to be cultivated 

 on this plant. It is probably a native of southern Mexico, but is now widely culti- 

 vated in tropical countries. It is often referred to the genus Opuntia.'" (Swingle.) 

 Distributed. 



3443. Opuntia salmiana. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Palermo 

 Botanic Garden, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 

 A slender Brazilian species. Branches develop from the ripe fruits. Distributed. 



3444. Ophiopogon japonictjs. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Botanic 

 Garden of Palermo, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



' ' This plant makes a very pretty lawn in the Botanic Garden of Palermo, where 

 the climate is similar to that of southern California. It belongs to the lily family, 

 and should be tested in making lawns, both in Florida and in the Southwest." 

 (Swingle. ) Distributed. 



3445. Chiranthodendron platanoides. Devil's hand. 



From Sicily. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



" Mano di diavolo." This majestic tree from Mexico has large, red flowers, con- 

 taining within five bright red stamens in the form of a hand, from which peculiarity 

 it derives its name. It belongs to the family Sterculiacese. Distributed. 



3446. BOSEA YERVAMORA. 



From Palermo, Sicilv. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Palermo 

 Botanic Garden, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



A very large woody vine, native of the Canary Islands; very useful for shade. 

 Orchids are grown among its branches at the Botanic Garden at Palermo. Distributed. 



3447. FlCUS LEUCANTHATOMA. Fig. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Palermo 

 Botanic Garden, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



A Malayan ornamental fig. Distributed. 



3448. Ficus magnolioides. Rubber tree. 



From Sicily. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Palermo Botanic 

 Garden, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, April, 1899. 



"This new species of Ficus was received nearly half a century ago at the Palermo 

 Botanic Garden, from southern France, under the name of Ficus nervosa. Professor 

 Borzi finds it, however, to be quite different from this species and to constitute a new 

 species of the section ( kostigma. It is closely related to the rubber tree ( Ficus elastica) , 

 from which it differs principally in having leaves which become rust colored below, 

 causing them to resemble the leaves of Magnolia grandifiora. The leaves have longer 

 stalks and the fruits are also different. The tree attains a great size, the oldest speci- 

 men in the Palermo Garden covering a space of over 9,000 square feet ; that is, a circle 

 nearly 100 feet in diameter. It produces an abundance of aerial roots, which grow 

 directly downwards from the older branches. If these reach the soil they take root 

 and grow rapidly in diameter. This occurs frequently near the trunk, and in conse- 

 quence the trunk is nearly hidden by the confused mass of these roots. It grows very 



