48 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



bright-yellow soap, the green pigment of the oil having been changed into a 

 bright yellow. This oil is bitter and aromatic; its specific gravity is 0.942; 

 and it solidifies at +5°. 



The strong, durable reddish wood is useful for the joiner and cabinetmaker; 

 in India it is used for masts, spars, railway sleepers, machinery, etc. The 

 weight is 63 pounds per cubic foot. (Adapted from Maiden, Useful Native 

 Plants of Australia, pp. 284, 390.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 38118. 



52596 and 52597. 



From Santiago, Chile. Seeds presented by F. Albert, consulting forester, 

 Forestry Department, through the United States Forest Service. Re- 

 ceived March 5, 1921. 



52596. Philesia magellanica Gmel. Liliacese. 



A shrub 3 to 4 feet high, bearing pendulous bright-red flowers. It is 

 native to South America from Chile to the Straits of Magellan. It is 

 said to be remarkably strong in withstanding the effects of a deleterious 

 ^ltmosphere, for it grows well in the noxious fumes of the copper-smelting 

 works in Chile. It is hardy in favored districts of Britain south of the 

 Thames. It requires a light peaty soil. (Adapted from Gardeners' 

 €?ironicle, 3d ser., vol. 55, p. 39S.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 31744. 



52597. Tricondylus obliqua (Ruiz and Pav.) Kuntze. Proteacese. 

 (Lomatia obliqua R. Br.) Badal. 



An evergreen tree up to 35 feet in height, with somewhat grooved 

 branches, alternate leathery leaves with shining upper surfaces, and 

 axillary racemes of white flowers. The leaves are fragrant, reminding 

 one of the European walnut; an infusion of the bark has purgative 

 properties utilized in medicine. Native to Chile. (Adapted from 

 Castillo and Dey, Jeografia Vejetal del Rio Valdivia, p. fyl.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 49278. 



52598. Ficus carica L. Moracese. Fig. 



From Palermo, Italy. Cuttings purchased through Louis G. Dreyfus, 

 jr., American consul. Received March 8, 1921. 

 Cuttings of a fig growing in the orchard of Agostino Lamouica, Castel- 

 daceia Italia, Palermo, about 12 miles from the city of Palermo. The fruit is 

 said to be the size of a saucer. 



52599. Cassia occidentalis L. Csesalpiniacese. 



From Bahia, Brazil. Seeds presented by H. M. Curran, Received March 

 11, 1921. 



" Seeds of this plant, ground after washing, make a fair coffee substitute 

 which is in common use among the poor people of South American countries 

 from Colombia to Brazil. The plant is a . rapid-growing coarse annual weed, 

 bearing great quantities of seed." {Curran.) 



52600. SoRBus TRiLOBATA (Labill.) Heynh. Malacese. 

 {Pyrus trilottata DC.) 



From Paris, France. Cuttings presented by Prof. Georges Poirault, Uni- 

 versite de Paris, !6cole Sup§rieure de Pharmacie. Received March 11, 

 1921. 



