OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1922 27 



55993. Fraxinus micrantha Lingelsh. Oleacese. Ash. 



From Dehra Dun, India. Seeds presented by R. S. Hole, forest botanist. 

 Received December 21. 1922. 



A Himalayan ash with large leathery leaves about 9 inches long and lax 

 terminal panicles of minute flowers. It is very similar to another Himalayan 

 species, Fraxinus floribunda, from which it differs in leaf characters and in 

 having a looser panicle. (Adapted from Enffler, Botanische Jahrbiicher, vol. 

 HO, p. 217.) . 



55994 to 56018. 



From Yunnan, China. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural Ex- 

 plorer of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received Novem- 

 ber 21, 1922. Quoted notes by Mr. Rock. 



55994. Paeonia delavayi Franch. Ranunculace*. Peony. 

 "(Nguluke. September 12, 1922.)" 



For previous introduction and description, see S. P. I. No. 55898. 



55995. Peihula bulleyana Forrest. Priniulacese. Primrose. 



"(Heshwe. September, 1922.) Seeds of a very attractive primula 

 collected three days' journey north of Likiang at an altitude of 9,000 

 to 11,000 feet. It is not a bog-loving plant but grows in pine forests." 



55996. Pyeacantha sp. Malacea?. Fire thorn. 



'"(Likiang. September 11, 1922.) Seeds of a shapely shrub 10 to 

 15 feet in height, which grows along stream beds in limestone soil 

 throughout the Likiang Plain. It is common all along the road from 

 Talifu to Likiang, and even south of Likiang. When in flower it is 

 very ornamental, but it is especially attractive when loaded with its 

 bright-scarlet fruits from August until winter." 



55997. Pyracantha sp. Malacese. Fire thorn, 



"(No. 6527. September 14, 1922.) Seeds of a dense shrub 6 to S 

 feet in height, which grows with Phnsepia utilis in arid situations in 

 the valley beyond Lashipa, two days' journey south of Likiang. It has 

 bright-yellow berries instead of the scarlet fruits which are so common." 



55998 to 56016. Pyetjs spp. Malacea. Pear. 



"All these wild pears, of which I am sending seeds, are used as 

 * stock plants; they are not planted, but are so numerous that the 

 Chinese simply cut them down and bud them. The best pears come 

 from the region between Tienwei, Talifu, and Haitung." 



55998. Pyeus sp. 



"(No. 6503. Lashipa. September 13 and 14, 1922.) A very hardy 

 pear tree 15 to 20 feet high, found on the Lashipa Plain, one day's 

 travel south of Likiang, at an altitude of 10,000 feet. It has very 

 tough branches, small, oval-oblong, crenate, acute leaves, and bears 

 large numbers of fruits which are the size of small marbles, yellow, 

 acrid, and unpalatable. The tree is generally used by the natives as 

 a stock plant. Wherever the tree grows wild they cut the trunk 

 down to 2 feet from the ground and bud cultivated varieties of 

 pears on it. The tree is exceedingly hardy and drought resistant 

 and also can withstand being inundated." 



55999. Pyeus sp. 



"(No. 6508. Likiang. September 13, 1922.) A tree 20 feet tall, 

 which is wild all over the region north of Talifu ; collected near the 

 village of Luchu on the southwest end of the Likiang Plain. The 

 leaves are oblong, dark green with red veins and petioles, glossy 

 above, acute or rounded at the base and apex. The fruits are the 

 size of marbles, yellowish brown and spotted, acrid, and unpalat- 

 able. This tree had a cultivated variety budded on it; the lower 

 branches were loaded with the wild fruit, and the main trunk had 

 an unripe pear of the cultivated variety." 



