13 



rapidly in the semiarid climate of Palermo. Professor Borzi considers it one of the 

 most desirable ornamental plants of Palermo. The rounded crown of this tree is 

 composed of a dense mass of evergreen leaves, russet brown beneath, which give 

 the plant a splendid effect. It will probably succeed in Florida, along the Gulf 

 States, and in California. It has been suggested as a rubber plant for dry situations. 

 Warburg considers this species identical with F. rnacrophylla" {Swingle.) (See 

 No. 3494.) Distributed. 



3449. FOURCR^EA CUBENSIS. 



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

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



A West Indian fiber plant, growing to enormous proportions. The leaves are 

 yellow margined; the trunks often grow 10 feet high and 2 feet in diameter in the 

 semiarid subtropical climate of Sicily. According to Von Mueller it has been used 

 for fiber and for making hedges. Distributed. 



3450. FOURCR^EA ALTISSIMA. 



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

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



Smaller and more graceful than the preceding, No. 3449. A fine ornamental plant 

 for Florida and California. Distributed. 



3451. VlLLARESIA (?). 



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

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

 An ornamental evergreen tree. Labeled "Echinea citrifolia" Distributed. 



3452. Opuntia robusta. Cactus. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by the chief gardener of the Villa Tasca, through 

 Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



"Said to produce edible fruits 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Called 0. piccolominiana 

 in the garden of the Villa Tasca— a name said by. Schumann in his Monograph of 

 Cactacess to be synonymous with the above." (Swingle.) Distributed. 



3453. Opuntia ficus-indica. Prickly pear. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by the chief gardener of the Villa Tasca, Palermo, 

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



A cactus with edible fruits. Distributed. 



3454. Opuntia. Prickly pear. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by the chief gardener of the Villa Tasca, Palermo, 

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



A remarkably fruitful sort. Quality unknown. For use in plant breeding. Dis- 

 tributed. 



3455. FlCUS RUBIGINOSA. 



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

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



' ' A rampant grower. From Australia. Makes a thicket in a few years. This is 

 one of the most hardy species of fig trees, and has been recommended as an evergreen 

 shade tree for planting along roadsides, but from its irregular manner of growth it 

 would seem poorly adapted for this purpose. It makes splendid masses of evergreen 

 foliage in ornamental planting, however, and should be tested in the South and in 

 Arizona and Calif ornia. " (Swingle.) Distributed. 



3456. FlCUS PROCERA, CHANVIERI. 



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

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



A pretty ornamental from Java, with yellow fruits about 1 inch in diameter. Dis- 

 tributed. 



