886 
China. "A beautiful and characteristic Chinese pistache 
tree, having graceful, pinnate foliage, which, when just 
coining out is of wine-red color, then becomes glossy 
green, while toward fall it turns into flaming scarlet, 
purple and yellow hues. The tree is dioecious and the 
males become larger and taller than the females. It lives 
to be several centuries old and can reach truly enormous 
sizes when very old and when located in a good situation. 
A tree near the village of Tsai chia pu, Shensl province, 
has a girth of 16 feet, five feet above ground. Of value 
as a graceful park and avenue tree, especially for the 
milder semi-arid sections of the United States ." (Meyer ' s 
introduction and description.) Persons subject to poison- 
ivy poisoning should exercise care in handling this tree 
as-one or two cases of severe poisoning similar to that of 
Ivy have been reported. 
. . . ; : „. a s :' e ; ic ;i\ i :c a :. : , : 3.: so r> no.i"joo oar 
Prunus sargentii Rehder. (Amygdalaceae . ) 40623. Plants of 
the Sargent cherry from the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica 
Plain, Mass. "The first of the Japanese cherries to flow- 
er is Prunus sargentii . This is a tall tree in. the native 
forests of the northern island of Japan where it is valued 
as a timber tree. There are six specimens of different 
sizes on the Forest Hill Road, Arnold Arboretum, and they 
are now covered with clusters of large pink or rose-color- 
ed single flowers, for the color of the flowers of this 
tree varies considerably on different individuals. The 
small black, fruits which ripen in June are almost hidden 
by the large dark-green leaves, which in the autumn turn 
to shades of orange and red; the smooth shining, reddish 
bark adds to the beauty of this tree. Travelers who have 
seen cherry blossoms in many lands declare that Prunus 
sargentii should become a common tree if nurserymen will 
recognize its value and make a business of making it known 
to the public . " (Arnold Arboretum Bulletin of Popular In- 
formation, no . 20.) 
Psoralea coryHfoUa L. (Fabaceae . ) 40744. Seeds from near 
Kwel hsl en, Shensl, China. "An annual herb, growing from 
5 to 8 feet tall, cultivated here and there in patches, on 
rich bottom lands. Said to be utilized for medicinal pur- 
poses, only, the seeds being ground up and forming the 
main ingredient in Chinese kidney plasters. Of value pos- 
sibly as a fodder plant for the warmer sections of the 
United States. Chinese name Po ku chih, meaning 'great ill- 
ness medicine .'" (Meyer ' s Introduction and description.) 
Pyrus spp. (Malaceae . ) 40724-728. Seeds of pears from 
Kaftsji, Chlfta^:. jFJ-yq^ species o : v, varieties; of j>eam>,. some,; 
