﻿70 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



42816. Gossypium sp. Malvaceae. Cotton. 



From the Canal Zone. Presented by Mr. S. P. Verner, Cristobal. Re- 

 ceived June 5, 1916. 



" From Arcia, Perez Place, Colon, Panama. It is interesting because it has 

 the habit of opening in the dry season, which all cotton here does not have.*' 

 (Verner.) 



" The fiber is fine and of good quality, with a length of 1\ to If inches, and 

 would undoubtedly find a market if produced in sufficient quantity." (0. F. 

 Cook.) 



42817. Coriaria thymifolia Humb. and Bonpl. CoriariaceaB. 



From Ambato, Ecuador. Presented by Prof. Abelardo Panchano, Ambato 

 Agricultural School, through Mr. Frederic W. Goding, American consul 

 general, Guayaquil. Received June 7, 1916. 



" This Coriaria is known under the Quichua name pinan, but in the north- 

 ern provinces the plant is talked about as Shanzlii or Zlianzlii. Its berries are 

 rather poisonous if eaten in some quantity, as I had reason to verify when 

 a boy. The bark and the roots are rich in tannin, as is the case in the Coriaria 

 myrtifolia of the European shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The ink 

 obtained from the fruit has a beautiful violet color that changes to black 

 and, within a few hours, to reddish; it has an ancient fame of being indelible, 

 and we believe this ink would be very good if we could, by some means, fix its 

 color. It is said that during the colonial times a Spanish ship sunk, and it 

 was possible to save some papers after they had been under the water because 

 they had been written with SJianzlii ink. It is added that there was a king's 

 order to write with this ink all papers of importance." (Panchano.) 



42818 and 42819. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Malvaceae. Boselle. 



From Donna, Tex. Presented by Mr. Eltweed Pomeroy. Received June 6, 

 1916. 



42818. " Special bright red, crop of 1915. This blossoms very early 

 and rather high up and may ripen fruit where the regular crop would 

 be cut off by frost. Of course, this is only a supposition which needs 

 proving." (Pomeroy.) 



42819. " Special dark red. crop of 1915. This blossoms low down and 

 is not very early in blossoming, but it is so protected by the branches 

 that it may escape frost where the fruit borne higher up and more on 

 the outside might be frosted." (Pomeroy.) 



42820. Begonia sp. Begoniacea?. 



From Rama, Nicaragua. Presented by Mr. Carlos Berger. Received June 

 7, 1916. 

 " Seeds of a plant which has some resemblance to Hydrastis canadensis. The 

 Indians use the rhizome as a violent emetic in case of snake bite, poisonings, 

 etc.. and it acts so strongly that it produces the vomiting of blood in certain 

 doses. The leaves are healing and are used in swellings and skin eruptions. 

 It is curious that the land turtles are crazy for the leaves of this plant, and if 

 there are any of such turtles around, you might be sure to find them near this 

 plant." (Berger.) 



