OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1921. 



35 



54654 to 54658— Continued. 



"The light-yellow fruit is from 3 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) 

 in diameter, slightly oval, with a slight prominence at the stem end. 

 It has a pleasant odor and the flavor is delicate, similar to that of 

 the mangosteen which we sometimes get on the Canton market." 



54657. Gabcinia sp. ClusiaceiE. 



"The t"ee from which the fruit was secured is about 8 meters (26 

 feet) in height and 20 centimeters (8 inches) in diameter breast high. 

 It is growing in the edge of a thicket on a mountain side near Hue. 

 about 50 meters (164 feet) above sea level. 



" Unfortunately. I could get only a few seeds. The fruit evidently is 

 closely related to S. P. I. No. 54656. It is, however, more plump, and 

 flatter in shape, lighter yellow in color, and distinctly inferior in flavor 

 and quality. The fruit is found commonly for sale in the streets of 

 Hue. Local name : Tai VoV 



54658. Severixia buxifolia (Poir.) Ten. Rutacese. 



" Seeds from sand waste near Tourane, Anam. Secured October 2, 

 1921. Chinese name: Tsau peng lak, known also as saan kat and 

 kau ktcat lak. There was a great deal of variation among the plants 

 observed, some being tall (3 to 4 feet) with long thorns and large leaves 

 and others being short (1 foot), with short, very sharp thorns and small 

 leaves. I collected seeds from the specimens which seemed to be most 

 promising as grafting stock for citrus, being larger and freer from 

 thorns than usual." 



A handsome much-branched, spiny shrub which can withstand un- 

 usually large amounts of salt in the soil. It may be of use as a stock 

 for citrus fruits in regions having alkali in the soil or having salty 

 irrigation water. The boxlike leaves are shiny above and the small, 

 dark-red, berrylike fruits, half an inch in diameter, become nearly black 

 as they ripen. The plant is readily propagated from cuttings and is 

 suitable for hedges. Native to southern China, Annam, Formosa, and 

 Tonkin. (Adapted from Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, 

 vol. 6, p. 651.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 24433. 



54659. QuERCus ilex L. Fagaceae. Oak. 



From Nice. France. Seeds presented by Dr. A. Robertson Proschowsky. 

 Received November 23, 1921. 



A large handsome evergreen tree, sometimes reaching a height of 70 

 to 90 feet, native to the Mefliterranean region and cultivated in Europe 

 as an ornamental. The mature leaves are a dark glossy green and usually 

 narrowly oval. The tree prefers a warm light soil and is perfectly hardy 

 in the southern and western parts of England. (Adapted from Bean, 

 Trees and Shrnhs Hardy in the British Isles, vol. 2, p. 311.) 



54660 to 54662. Dioscorea spp. Dioscoreacese. 



From Orleans, France. Tubers presented by E. Versin, St. Jean le Blanc. 

 Received December 23, 1921. Quoted notes by R. A. Young. 



54660. Dioscorea batatas Decaisne. Chinese yam. 



" Chappellier. A somewhat short-tubered variety of the Chinese yam 

 which in the unimproved state produces very long, slender tubers. The 

 flesh is very white and of good quality. This species is adapted for 

 growing in temperate regions." 



54661. DioscoKEA japonica Thunb. Japanese yam. 



"A white-fleshed, thin-skinned yam of good quality. The tubers are 

 long and slender; a specimen 13 inches long was li inches in greatest 

 diameter and weighed 5 ounces." 



54662. Dioscorea vilix)sa L. Wild yam-root. 



"A slender-tubered yam with moist, white flesh of rather inferior 

 quality. A specimen 16 inches long was 1^ inches in greatest diameter 

 and weighed 9 ounces." 



