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IMPOBTATION OF SEEDS AND PLANTS. 



As usual a large number of seeds and plants have been received 

 from Botanical Gardens all over the world, and from private persons 

 both in the Island and abroad, and I have to express now, generally, 

 my grateful thanks to the donors for their kind assistance. Details are 

 given in the Monthly Bulletin. 



From the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, have been received 

 during the year 172 plants in Wardian Cases, and 206 packets of various 

 seeds. 



Among the species may be specially mentioned the following : — 



Cqffea stenophylla. —This is the narrow -leaved, " wild," "bush," or 

 " native coffee" of Sierra Leone. It grows very freely, and appears to 

 yield quite as much as the Liberian, but is somewhat longer in coming 

 into bearing. Both the natives and French traders at Freetown say 

 that it has a superior flavour, and prefer it to the Liberian. 



Rhus succedanea and Rhus vernicifera. — Japan Wax is the pro- 

 duce of the first -named species, which is a small tree, with smooth 

 branches and pinnate leaves, whilst R, vernicifera yields the famous 

 lacquer so extensively used by the Japanese for lacquering various 

 articles of furniture and small ware. It exudes from wounds made in 

 the tree, and is at first milky white, but becomes darker and ultimately 

 black on being exposed to the air. 



Draccena Draco - This tree derives its common name from a resin- 

 ous exudation known in commerce as dragon's-blood. The resin has 

 been found in the sepulchral caves of the Guanches, and has hence 

 been supposed to have been used by them in embalming their dead. 

 It appears at one time to have formed a considerable branch of export 

 from the Canaries, and has never wholly fallen into disuse. 



Citrullus Colocynthis. — This is the Bitter Cucumber or Colocynth 

 which furnishes the well-known drug. The pulp in the interior of the 

 fruit is light and spongy, and very bitter ; from it a watery extract is 

 made, which is much employed as a purgative in the form of pills. An 

 oil is extracted from the seeds for burning in lamps. 



Copaifera Mcpane — This is an African tree and is called "Iron- 

 wood." The heart- wood is dark, heavy, and very durable. 



From the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden, Chiswick, 

 London, 15 packets of varieties of Tomato seeds. 



From the Botanic Gardens, Georgetown, Demerara, 108 cane tops, 

 4 parcels seeds, and 280 large seeds of Carapa guianensis. 



Carapa guianensis. — This is a large tree, 60 or 80 feet high, growing 

 plentifully in the forests of Guiana. The bark of the tree possesses 

 febrifugal properties, and is also used for tanning. Its timbers called 

 Crab-wood, is used in Demerara for making articles of furniture, for 

 shingles, and for the mast, and spars of vessels. By pressure the seeds 

 yield a liquid oil, called Carap or Crab oil, suituble for burning in 

 lamps, and which the natives use for annointing their hair. 



From the Royal Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, 1 7 parcels of various 

 seeds, black pepper cuttings, and 76 plants. Amongst the latter were : 

 Nicaraguan Creole cacao, Trinidad Creole white- seeded cacao, Monkey 

 cacao, Alligator cacao, etc. 



From the Botanic Gardens, Grenada, 5 packets, seeds. 



From Messrs. Reasoner, Bros., Florida, 38 packets of various seeds 



