
          great demand throughout the Egyptian Delta. As the flesh is very soft 
and buttery when fully ripe, it is marketed as soon as it begins to 
color (about November 1). The fruit is a deep purplish black with lilac 
bloom, 2 inches long, 1 1/2 inches broad (maximum), broadly oval with a 
blunt tip terminating in a short, sharp point. There is a rather deep 
cavity around the stalk and some fruits show a slight fold. The flesh 
is about 1/3 inch thick; the pit is large, rough, with deep longitudinal 
furrows. It seems probable from the history of the culture of this 
tree and the remains of ancient oil mills, that this variety was used 
for olive oil as long ago as the Roman occupation of Egypt.

55465. ONCOBA ECHINATA. Gorli shrub. From Sierra Leone, Africa. 
Received from L. A. King Church, conservator of forests, Freetown. 
Chaulmoogric acid, used successfully in the treatment of leprosy, has 
been obtained commercially only from certain Asiatic trees, of which 
the most important are Taraktogenos kurzii, Hydnocarpus anthelminthica, and 
H. wightiana. These are all slow growing, and require many years to produce 
the fruits from which chaulmoogric acid is secured. In order to 
meet the increasing demand for this substance, a plant which requires 
fewer years to come into bearing is desired. Oncoba echinata may meet 
this requirement; it is described as a shrub which fruits within a few 
years of planting, and whose seeds contain 46.6% of fat, of which 87.5% 
is chaulmoogric acid, according to an analysis made at the Imperial 
Institute by Goulding and Akers. The cultural requirements of Oncoba 
are not definitely known, but it is believed the plant may succeed as 
far north as southern Florida. It should be tested in all tropical 
regions where leprosy is present.

46619. ONOSERIS SPECIOSA. From Huigra, Ecuador. Collected by J. N. 
Rose, associate curator, United States National Herbarium. A low-
growing composite with large flower-heads having long, handsome, sky-
blue rays and golden centers. Promising as an ornamental plant for pot 
culture.

48720. OPHIOPOGON JAPONICUS. From Mogi, Japan. Collected by J. 
B. Norton, Agricultural Explorer. A low-growing grasslike plant which 
stands prolonged drought and will succeed on ground heavily shaded by 
trees.

55992. OSTEOMELES SCHWERINAE. From Yunnan, China. Collected by 
J. F. Rock, Agricultural Explorer. A spreading shrub of the apple family,  
2 to 3 feet high, found in the Langchiung Mountains at an altitude 
of 7,500 feet. The flowers are pinkish white and very fragrant; the 
sweet, edible fruits are dull purple.

47748. OXYSPORA PANICULATA. From Darjiling, India. Presented by 
G. H. Cave, director, Lloyd Botanic Garden. A spreading shrub with 
drooping branches terminated by large loose clusters of rose-purple 
flowers. It is native to the Himalayas of Bhutan and Nepal.

55629. PANDANUS TECTORIUS. Screw Pine. From the Island of Hainan, 
China. Presented by F. A. McClure, Canton Christian College. A 
hansome ornamental hedge plant used extensively in Hainan, where it

-30- 
        