90 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTlED. 



38117 to 38135 — Contd. (Quoted notes by Commander Stearns.) 



38117. Ade^tantheba pavonina L. Mimosacese. Coral-bean tree. 

 " Lopa. Has red berries that are used for necklaces." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 36866. 



"La Anlopa. A handsome deciduous tree. The heart of the wood (of 

 tlie larger trees) is a deep-red color. It is hard and durable and in 

 India is used at times as a substitute for red sandalwood. Yields a dye." 



38118. Calophyllum inophyllum L. Clusiacese. Mast wood. 

 "A valuable tree; grows tall, with heavy trunk; the wood cuts nearly 



white but grows red as exposed ; it is hard, curly, and heavy, suited to 

 cabinetwork on account of its beautiful red color. Canoes are made of 

 this wood, and it is much used for general purposes. The oil extracted 

 from the seeds is used as a medicine for eye diseases. In southern 

 Polynesia the green, fragrant oil from the nut is used for lamps and 

 as an external remedy for bruises and rheumatism. The resin from 

 the trunk is one of the tacamahac gums of commerce; it is agreeably 

 aromatic (in Tahiti it is used as a scent), yellowish green in color, and 

 soluble in alcohol." 



38119. Canna indica L. Cannacese. Canna. 

 "Fagamanu." 



"Fanamanu. In India the seeds are sometimes used for shot, and are 

 made into necklaces and other ornaments ; they yield a purple dye, bur 

 it is not very permanent. Starch may be obtained from this, but not so 

 good as that from another variety." 



38120. Cassia sp. Cfesalpiniaceae. 

 "Lauvai matui." 



38121. Capsicum frutescens L. Solanaceae. Bed pepper. 

 "Polo. Bush, small Chile pepper." 



38122. CoEDiA SUBCORDATA Lam. Boraginacere. 



" Very light wood ; serves for floats for fish nets. The berries are used 

 as paste for native cloth. The wood is rather soft, but it is durable and 

 of a rich walnut color ; it is much prized in Hawaii, where it is used for 

 cups and poi calibashes. When polished, the wood shows wavy bands of 

 light and dark." 



Distril)utio7i. — Southeastern Asia and Madagascar and eastward through 

 the Malayan Archipelago to Australia and Hawaii. 



38123. Cassia occidentalis L. Caesalpiniacese. 



"Fuefuesina. A small creeper. The leaves are used by natives as a 

 liniment, and were used in olden times to drive evil spirits from the 

 body." 



38124. Dysoxylum maota Reinecke. Meliacese. 



"Maota. A short, heavy tree with dense foliage ; wood is light colored, 

 straight grained, not durable. It is the favorite tree of the wild pigeon, 

 which eats its fruit." 



38125 and 38126. Gynopogon spp. Apocynacese. 

 38125. Gynopogon sp. 



"if a AU. A large tree, very abundant; wood light slate color, 

 coarse grained, but straight, dry, and light ; quite hard ; the odorifer- 

 ous gum is much used by the natives." 



