﻿78 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



42861 to 42878— Continued. 



ternally, but internally consists of numerous regular whitish or yellowish 

 layers and contains a large quantity of carbonate of lime and other 

 mineral matters. It is also rich in saponin, a vegetable soap principle 

 found likewise in plants belonging to the cloverworts, soapworts, and a 

 few other orders; and on this account it is commonly used as a sub- 

 stitute for washing clothes, 2 ounces of the bark being sufficient to wash 

 a dress. It is also said to remove all spots or stains and to impart a 

 remarkable luster to wool; and is used to wash the hair, for which 

 purpose it is powdered between stones, then rubbed with the hands 

 in water, making a foam like soap. A preparation of it has been 

 brought into use in this country for promoting the growth of the hair." 

 (Lindley, Treasury of Botany, vol. 2, p. 952.) 

 See S. P. I. No. 3360 for previous introduction. 



42878. Schinus huigan Molina. Anacardiacese. Huigan. 



(8. dependens Orteg.) 



This characteristic spiny shrub of the arid hills in Chile has fragrant 

 leaves atid hard resistant wood, which is much used whenever the size 

 of development permits. The seeds are scattered by the breaking of the 

 epidermis of the fruit. It makes an excellent hedge plant. 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 33828. 



42879. Hibiscadelphus giffardianus Eock. Malvaceae. 



Hau Kuahiwi. 



From Honolulu, Hawaii. Presented by Mr. J. F. Rock, botanist, College 

 of Hawaii. Received June 5, 1916. 



"You may know that of this species there is only one tree in existence and 

 consequently seed is very scarce. I have a number of young trees growing in 

 Honolulu and thus hope to perpetuate the species." (Rock.) 



" The Hau Kuahiwi is a remarkable tree. At first appearance one would 

 think it to be the common Hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus), but at closer inspection 

 one can not but wonder at the most peculiar shape of the flowers, which are 

 of a deep magenta, and the large yellowish tuberculate capsules. It is rather 

 a low tree with a not-erect, but rather inclining, trunk of a foot in diameter, 

 with a many-branching round crown. The genus Hibiscadelphus, meaning 

 brother of Hibiscus, was described by the author and the species named in 

 honor of Mr. W. M. Giffard, of Honolulu, in whose company the writer col- 

 lected his first specimens. It differs from the genus Hibiscus in its very 

 peculiar flowers and mainly in the calyx, which is not persistent with the 

 capsules, but drops together with the bracts as soon as the capsules are 

 formed. Unfortunately, the tree is the only one in existence. It is unique 

 among all Hawaiian plants, and the author is sorry to relate that nothing has 

 been done to protect it. Like many other Hawaiian trees, it will succumb to 

 the ravages of cattle, which inhabit a great many of our native forests. This 

 single tree is found on a small kipuka of 56 acres called Puaulu, on the land 

 of Keauhou, near Kilauea Volcano, at an elevation of 4,200 feet, on the 

 island of Hawaii. It is surrounded by a great many rare trees, which will 

 share its fate sooner or later. Among them are beautiful trees of Sapinda^ 

 saponaria, Pelea, Zanthoxylum, Urera, Straussia, Ochrosia, etc. The genus 

 consists of three species, the above described one in Hawaii, one on Maui with 

 only a single tree left, and a third on Hualalai, Hawaii." (J. F. Rock, In- 

 digenous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands, p. 299.) 



