﻿OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1916. 19 



43425 to 43440— Continued. 



strong and suggests that of a cantaloupe. Not to be recommended for 

 cultivation as a comestible, but may be of interest to those studying the 

 cucurbits. Seeds from one melon." 



See also S. P. I. No. 43440. 

 43428. Carica papaya L. Papayaceae. Papaya. 



"(No. 30a. City of Guatemala, Guatemala, September 20, 1916.) Red- 

 fleshed papaya. A remarkable variety of papaya which seems to be fairly 

 common in the markets here and is said to come from Escuintla. The 

 fruit from which these seeds were taken was cylindrical in form, 13^ 

 inches long by 6 inches thick, pointed at the apex. The flesh was thick, 

 varying from 11 to If inches, firm, and not at all musky in flavor. It 

 was rather lacking in sweetness, but this may have been due in part to 

 the fact that the fruits are sometimes picked before fully ripe, to permit 

 shipment. The great peculiarity of this variety lies in the color of the 

 flesh, which was a deep reddish salmon. The seeds were oval in form 

 and quite numerous. Other specimens of this same variety which have 

 been seen in the market were similar to the one described but smaller. 

 This interesting form should be tried in connection with the investiga- 

 tions in papaya culture now being carried on in southern Florida." 

 43429'. Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) H. B. K. Malpighiacese. Nance. 



"(No. 31a. City of Guatemala, Guatemala, September 20, 1916.) Nance, 

 a small tree frequently seen in gardens, especially in villages along 

 the west coast, where it is a common dooryard tree. It is erect, with 

 a slender trunk sometimes dividing near the base and up to 35 feet 

 in height. The leaves are oblate-elliptic to elliptic, acute, 3 to 4 inches 

 long, thickly chartaceous, deep green and glabrous above, covered with 

 thick tawny hairs beneath. The fruits are borne in short terminal 

 racemes 2 to 3 inches long. Individually they are the size of cherries, 

 bright yellow in color when fully ripe. The single rough seed is about 

 the size of a cherry stone. The flavor is acid, sometimes rather strong. 

 The nance grows here at elevations from sea level up to 4,000 feet or 

 more, usually on rich loamy soils. It may succeed in California when 

 grown at such places as Santa Barbara which do not experience a great 

 deal of frost, and it ought to succeed in southern Florida." 



43430. Crataegus stipulosa (H. B. K.) Steud. Malacese. Manzanilla. 

 "(No. 32a. Seeds procured in Mazatenango, Guatemala.) Manzanilla, 



a common fruit in the markets of Guatemalan towns and villages, coming, 

 it is said, from the highlands. I have seen no plants as yet. The fruits 

 look like small apples ; they are nearly spherical in form, 1 to li inches 

 in diameter, deep yellow in color, with russet dots and one cheek frequently 

 blushed with red. The thin skin incloses a rather dry, mealy pulp and 

 three irregularly shaped seeds. The flavor resembles that of some of the 

 northern haws, but is, perhaps, better; the fruit is extensively used 

 here for the preparation of dulces of various sorts, such as jams and 

 jellies. This plant would probably succeed both in California and 

 Florida." 



For an illustration of the manzanilla, see Plate II. 



43431. Persea Americana Mill. Lauraceae. Avocado. 

 (P, gratissima Gaertn. f.) 



"(No. 33a. City of Guatemala, Guatemala, September 29, 1916.) Seeds 

 of a curious variety of avocado found in the market. It is said to have 



