JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1914. 



55 



37382 to 37392— Contd. (Quoted notes by Mr. Dorsett and others.) 



" The leaves are very graceful and somewhat finer than Cocos phinwsa. 

 As an ornamental plant this palm should be of value. The fruit is 

 produced in clusters sometimes weighing 30 to 40 kilograms. The hard 

 kernel is surrounded by a thick layer of white starchy material, some- 

 what mucilaginous in texture. Hogs are very fond of the fruits ; accord- 

 ing to Prof. Hunnicutt, of the Escola Agricola, they will eat them in pref- 

 erence to corn, and they are said to be very fattening." 



37383. CuPRESSus sp. , Cypress. 



"(No. 65a. January 22, 1914.) Seed from a coniferous tree along the 

 main walk leading to the Gymnasio de Lavras. A very handsome tree, 

 compact and symmetrical, glaucous in color. At present the trees are 

 about 20 feet in height. They were introduced here from Sao Paulo." 



37384. Rheedia edulis (Seem.) Planch, and Triana. 



"(No. 66a. January 22, 1914.) Seeds from a row of trees growing in 

 the grounds of the Instituto Evangelico. The fruit, which is now ripe, 

 is called liindo do matto (lemon of the forest) by the natives. The 

 trees are 20 to 25 feet in height, pyramidal in form, and handsome in 

 appearance with their deep-gi-een, glossy foliage. The leaves are 4 to 6 

 inches in length, oblong lanceolate, acute at the apex, thick, stifC, the 

 veins scarcely visible on the upper surface, prominent beneath. In gen- 

 eral characteristics the fruit is almost identical with that of Rheedia 

 brasiliensis. The form is elliptical, frequently tapering at both ends, 

 and even prominently pointci at the apex. The length is about 2 inches, 

 diameter 1^ inches, color bright orange-yellow. Stem three-fourths of 

 an inch to 1 inch in length, stout ; skin one-eighth of an inch or more in 

 thickness, terebinthine and disagreeable in taste, rather brittle, easily 

 separable from the snowy white pulp which surrounds the seeds. The 

 flavor is acid unless the fruit is almost overripe, and strongly resembles 

 that of Lansium domesticum. The character of the pulp is similar to that 

 of the mangosteen, melting, juicy, and beautiful in appearance. The seeds 

 vary from one to three, two being the commonest number, and they are 

 oblong-oval in form, about 1 inch in length, adhering closely to the pulp ; 

 when cut, a yellow gamboge oozes out of them. Boys are very fond of 

 this fruit, but the Americans here do not care for it. It is said to make 

 a very superior doce or preserve. For trial in California and Florida.'* 



For an illustration of the Rheedia edulis tree, see Plate VIII. 



37385. Eugenia sp. 



"(No. 67a. January 22, 1914.) A small, guavalike fruit, about three- 

 fourths of an inch in length, oval, orange-yellow in color, produced by a 

 tree 40 to 50 feet in height growing in the virgin forest here. Xhe 

 flower is rather acid but agreeable, and the fruit is very attractive in 

 appearance. For trial in California and Florida." 



37386. Begonia sp. Begonia. 

 "(No. 69a. January 22, 1914.) A flowering vine growing along the 



railroad track at Cambuhy, State of Minas Geraes. To be tried in Cali- 

 fornia and Florida." 



37387. Zea mays L. Corn. 

 "(No. 70a. January 22, 1914.) Yellow flint corn grown by Pedro de 



Paulo Lemos, at Pratinha, State of Minas Geraes." 



