THE AMERICAN BOTANIST, 



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That many of the seeds here enumerated, as well as 

 others, are capable of extended utilization cannot be 

 doubted. Job's tears, the seeds of Coix lachryma, are hj 

 no means uncommon in the windows of fancy jewellers,^ 

 made up into chains and bracelets, and there is no reason 

 why there should not be a much greater variety of vege- 

 table curios to choose from. Even with the Job's tears^ 

 there are several varieties used in India that are still 

 unknown in English commerce and are only seen on 

 native dresses, being used by certain tribes on account of 

 their ornamental character. 



Wanted. — Short notes of interest to the general bot- 

 anist are always in demand for this department. Our 

 readers are invited to make this the place of publication 

 for their botanical items. 



American Botanical Club. — The first Annual Report 

 of the American Botanical Club will soon be issued and 

 will contain the Constitution and list of members in addi- 

 tion to the officer's reports. 



An Edible Tuber of Spring. — According to C. F. 

 Saunders in the Philadelphia Record the tubers of the 

 spring beauty (Claytonia) are edible, having "a crisp 

 pleasant taste suggesting chestnuts.'^ The Indian is said 

 to have made extensive use of it. 



Use for the Nut-grass.— In parts of America, the 

 nut-grass {Cyperas esculentus) is a troublesome weed but 

 the people of Florida have found use for it as a food for 

 stock. According to the Florida Agriculturist it is better for 

 **making pork," as the phrase is, than any other feed, corn 

 not excepted, and in addition the hogs do their own har- 

 vesting by rooting out the tubers. In Florida the plant is 

 usually called chufa or earth almonds. 



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