Apocynaceae. 179 
Asia, Malay and Australia. There are only two trees in the Ter- 
ritory as far as the writer is aware ; both may be found in the prem- 
ises of Dr. W. Hillebrand on Xuuanu Avenue, who is responsible for 
its introduction to Hawaii. The tree is commercially known as Dita 
Bark, and occurs under various names in India, where it grows in 
the sub-Himalayan tracts up to 3000 feet elevation. Dita Bark is a 
valuable and highly ornamental tree which deserves to be cultivated. 
It is used medicinally and is listed in the Pharmacopaeia of India. 
The bark is an astringent and is given as a tonic. The milky juice 
is applied to ulcers and is also used to restore the tone of the stom- 
ach in debility, and the substance known as Ditain is considered equal 
to the best sulphate of quinine, and at the same time is free from 
the secondary disagreeable symptoms of the latter drug. Ditain was 
first separated from the bark in the form of an uncn stallizable prin- 
cipal, by a druggist in Manila. 
Ochrcsia elliptica La Bill. 
(Syn. O. calocarpa Miq. Lactaria calocarpa Hassk. ) 
Plate LXXI. 
Considerable confusion exists in regard to the nomenclature of 
this striking species. The writer saw the tree growing in the gardens 
of Peradenya, Ceylon, under the name of Ochrosia acuminata, and 
was found published in "List of plants grown in the Bot. Gard. of 
Peradenya," 1888, p. 51 (name only). Dr. Valeton of Java des- 
cribed and figured a species under 0. acuminata Trimen, which is, 
however, an entirely different plant, with yellowish-green, pointed 
fruits. The species here in cultivation has bright scarlet fruits, 
which have a violet odor, and is identical with Ochrosia elliptica 
La Bill., described from Australia. This latter name Valeton cites 
doubtfully as a synonym of Ochrosia calocarpa, which he figures and 
declares to be polymorphous species. One figure agrees exactly with 
our plant. Since elliptica is the older specific name it is here re- 
tained. 
Ochrosia elliptica La Bill, is a small, milky tree with leaves 
horizontally arranged in whorls of three or four or occasionally op- 
posite, and elliptical in outline. The flowers are cream-colored, fra- 
grant, and are arranged in corymbose cymes. The fruit, which 
consists of two drupes, is scarlet, each drupe is acuminate and an inch 
or two long. 
When in fruit this tree is quite conspicuous, the scarlet drupes 
being handsomely contrasted against the green glossy foliage. 
