88 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPOKTED. 
proportion of starch also is abundant, so that it can be brought to market at so cheap a 
rate as to admit of being employed by the calico printers in place of potato starch. 
"The Kew Bulletin for 1889, page 17, quotes from letters from Dr. Trimen, Director 
of the Botanic Gardens in Ceylon, pointing out that the pods when young are not 
poisonous, but may be eaten like French beans. He wrote: 'They are quite new to 
Ceylon * * *. The young pods served like French beans are an admirable 
vegetable, tender and sweet * * *. What constitutes their superiority over the 
ordinary French beans is the absence of any fibrous string along the sutures of the pod. 
The large size is also an advantage; they are often 10 or 12 inches long.' 
"In Jamaica the seeds are generally sown in March or April. But they can be sown 
at any time. At Hope Gardens seeds were sown in September. The pods are ready 
for use as French beans seven months after sowing, and when pods are quite ripe, 
nine months after sowing, the yams are fit to dig. From one seed sown at Hope 
Gardens five yams were dug weighing altogether 14 pounds. They generally vary in 
size from 1 foot to 18 inches long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter." (Bulletin No. 44 
of the Botanical Department of Jamaica, June, 1893, p. 4-) 
33259 and 33260. 
From Para, Brazil. Presented by Mr. Walter Fischer, Campo de Cultura Experi- 
mental Paraense. Received March 29, 1912. 
Seeds of the following, taken from fruits brought in by Mr. Fischer: 
33259. Lecytjeis usitata Miers. Sapucaia nut. 
"This is a large tree of the monkey-pot family, native of forests in the region 
of the Amazon. It has large, urn-shaped fruits of a hard, woody texture, about 
6 inches in diameter, with lids measuring about 2 inches across. When ripe the 
lid separates from the capsule, emitting a sharp sound, which when heard by 
the monkeys is a signal that the nuts are falling and a scramble and fight to be 
the first to obtain them ensues; on this account few are left for the trader, and 
the export is consequently small. The common name of monkey-pot is ap- 
plied to the capsule when empty. " (Dictionary of Popular Names of Economic 
Plants, John Smith, 1882.) 
See No. 25435 for previous introduction. 
33260. Theobroma grandiflora (Willd.) Schum. Cupuacu. 
"This is a very common fruit here. Its odor and taste may be somewhat 
nauseating to some, at least if received in too large quantities, but it is really 
a very luscious fruit. It is used here considerably for making jellies and pre- 
serves, which have an aftertaste which may not be liked at first, but which, 
like that of the guava, when once acquired would become very popular. " 
(Fischer.) 
Distribution. — Damp shady places in the forests of the Amazon Valley in the 
provinces of Amazonas and Para, in Brazil. 
33261. Eugenia sp. 
From Para, Brazil. Presented by Mr. Walter Fischer, Campo de Cultura Experi- 
mental Paraense. Received March 29, 1912. 
"This is a small-sized tree about 6 inches in diameter and 20 feet high. The fruit 
is bright red like a wild goose plum and of the same size. The peel or rind is some- 
what thick, but edible like the soft juicy pulp that surrounds the one or two large 
hairy seeds; the flavor is slightly resinous and also suggests strawberry. It makes a 
good sauce when stewed and is also very good raw. " (Fischer.) 
282 
