726 
tough and leathery and not easily broken, but separating 
readily from the flesh, which comes out In a body when the 
skin is broken; flesh translucent, whitish, jelly-like in 
consistency, full of juice; flavor vinous, with a peculiar 
twang of its own; seeds normally four, but one to three 
sometimes abortive. Three seems to be the commonest 
number, but two is also common, and a few have been seen 
with five. Shape oval to almost round, flattened lateral- 
ly, three-eighths to one-half inch long, one-eighth thick; 
seed coats very thin. 
"Practically no cultivation has been given the trees 
we have seen, and we have heard of no other way of propa- 
gating than by seed." (Dorsett, Popenoe and Shamel intro- 
duction.)' For distribution later. 
Phoenix dactylifera . (Phoenicaceae . ) 36818-825. Off- 
shoots of the Bent Mooda date from Dongola, Sudan. Col- 
lected by Mr. S. C. Mason, of this Bureau. "The find 
which is worth the whole journey is the Bent Mooda, a Suc- 
cotha variety which is very rare. A man of consequence 
may have two or three trees. The gift of an offshoot to a 
friend is a mark of distinction. I was at once told both 
by Gov. Jackson and his head man that one could not go out 
and buy a stock of these. I really think the Bent Mooda 
variety ranks with the Deglet Noor and Menakher. The 
stone is small and clean and it has the appearance and 
flavor to give it a place in the first rank." (Mason.) For 
distribution later. 
Phoenix dactylifera. (Phoenicaceae.) 36826. Offshoot of 
the Berakwy date from Dongola, Sudan. "BeraJcwy is the 
great food staple and export date and is said to reach 
Cairo under the name Ibrimu, though there may be a dis- 
tinct variety of that name. It is 2% inches long or long- 
er, narrow, tapering from base to apex; dull purplish red, 
drying bone hard but sweet and of a wheaty flavor, said to 
resist the weevil and to keep two or three years. The 
people say that these dates put in a tightly closed vessel 
of water for a day or two becomes as good as fresh dates 
and the water makes a very pleasant drink." (Mason.) For 
distribution later. 
Phoenix dactylifera. (Phoenicaceae.) 36827. Offshoot of 
the Gundala date from Dongola, Sudan. "The* Gundala (as 
these people have it), or.Jendila, is an oblong or oval, 
blocky date, 'antimony yellow', ripening to a 'chestnut 
brown'. It is a 'semi-dry' date as it ripens but exposed 
to the sun two hours each day it is made quite dry, but 
has to be carefully guarded against weevils. It only 
reaches Cairo by special orders or as presents. It is one 
