19 



many feet in length and 8 or 10 inches in diameter, may be planted as cuttings. 

 Such branches have at their base aerial roots, which at once develop into soil roots 

 when planted. This, he claims, leads to a saving of time amounting to many years 

 in starting new plantations. 'The wood is very difficult to season; is of a pale brown 

 color, with a beautiful wavy fiber on a dark brown. This wood is so very handsome 

 when properly selected that it is a pity it does not have other properties to recom- 

 mend it.' (Maiden.) The fibers of the root are very durable, and are used by the 

 Australian blacks in making fish nets. Warburg considers Borzi's F. Magnolioides 

 (No. 3448) to be identical with this species." (Swingle.) Distributed. 



3495. Sterculia acerifolia. Flame-tree. 



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

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



There are two species bearing this name, one native of Mexico and one of Australia. 

 It can not be decided at present which is included in this number. Distributed. 



3496. Platanus orientalis. Plane-tree. 



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

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



"This handsome tree, much used for park and street planting in Europe and 

 America, is native from Italy to the Himalayas. It is one of the largest trees in 

 southeastern Europe and western Asia. It grows rather more slowly than the 

 American plane tree or sycamore, but is more graceful, and is probably less injured 

 by the smoke in cities. It does not require so moist a soil as the American plane 

 tree. The fruits are borne in chains of two or four instead of singly, as in the common 

 American species. The wood is close-grained and takes a high polish." (Swingle. ) 



3497. Ficus magnolioides. Rubber tree. 



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

 Garden of Palermo, through Mr."W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. (Same as No. 

 3448. ) Distributed. 



3498. DlJRANTA PLUMIERI. 



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

 Garden of Palermo j through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. (See No. 3487. ) 



3499. Phoenix dactylifera. Date. 



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



M' Kentichi degla or JSP Ch? degla. ' ' A late, dry date of superior quality and keeping 

 a year or more. Said by Arabs near Biskra to be much better than M' Kentichi, 

 which was said by M. Yahia to be a poor sort also in M'Zab. This is placed at the 

 head of the list of dry dates at Biskra. Specimens from Chetma, near Biskra, were 

 | by 1 J inches, yellow, free from fiber, and very good flavor. ' ' (Swingle. ) Distributed. 



3500. Phoenix dactylifera. Date. 



From Algeria. Received through Mr. TV. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



Itima (The orphan) . ' ' A soft date highly esteemed in Ziban, very sweet, probably 

 one of the very best sorts. Specimens from Filiache, near Biskra, were of the color 

 of deglet nour dates, 1 by If inches, very soft and exceedingly sweet." (Swingle.) 



"The palm is of medium size and bears from 12 to 13 fruit clusters. The dates are 

 cream colored, large, and very good. ' ' ( Reboisement Division d' Alger. ) Distributed. 



3501. Phoenix dactylifera. Date. 



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



Hamrdia or Hamardia (The red) . "A large, red, half-dry early date of superior 

 quality, very common in the markets of Biskra; keeps six months. Palm of medium 

 size, bearing 10 to 12 fruit clusters." Specimens from Filiache, near Biskra, were 

 | by 2 inches. (Swingle.) Distributed. 



