1573 
Acacia scorpioides (Mimosaceae) , 50110. Babul. From 
Burttholm, Vereeniging, Transvaal. Seeds presented by- 
Mr. J. Burtt-Davy. "Variety Krausslana from Waterburg 
District, Transvaal." (Burtt-DaVy . ) 
The typical £orm of this species Is a pubescent 
yellow-flowered shrub which produces the white trans- 
parent gum arabic called gum-thur. The wood Is strong 
and durable, and Is used for many purposes. A decoc- 
tion of the bark Is used for soap, and the pods are used 
for tanning. (Adapted from Don, General History of 
Dlchlamydeous Plants, vol. 2. p. 414; and Holland, 
Useful Plants of Nigeria, pt. 2, p. 288.) 
Acanthogieyos horrida (Cucurbitaceae ) , 50115. Prom 
Burttholm, Vereeniging, Transvaal. Seeds presented by 
Mr . J. Burtt-Davy . "Narra seeds; Protectorate of South- 
west Africa. A very hot, arid region." (Burtt-Davy.) 
This plant, which belongs to the gourd family, is 
found on the dunes on the coast of the Protectorate of 
Southwest Africa; it continues to grow with the height 
of the dune , sending down roots to a considerable depth. 
The natives are very fond of the juicy flesh of the 
roundish fruit , which is about 9 Inches in diameter. The 
seeds, which are very nutritious, have been used by 
Europeans in Cape Town as a substitute for almonds, 
and the natives are very fond of them. (Adapted from 
Kew, Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, 1907, p. 
342 . ) 
Astrebla pectinata curvi folia (Poaceae), 50340. Grass. 
Prom Brisbane, Queensland. Seeds presented by Mr. C. 
T. White , government botanist. "Curly .Mitchell grass." 
(White.) 
One of the best pasture grasses of Queensland, 
forming erect tufts, 1 to 2 feet high, with narrow, much- 
curved leaves and woolly spikelets . The seeds furnished 
the Queensland aborigines with a large proportion of 
their food. ..(Adapted from Bailey, Queensland Flora, 
pt. 6, p. 1897. ) 
Brachystegia sp . (Caesalpiniaceae) ,50128. From Burtt- 
holm, Vereeniging, Transvaal. Seeds presented by Mr. 
J. Burtt-Davy. "A tree known as 'Banglrl,' found at 
Villa Pontes oh the Zambezi River. Rather like a pop- 
lar but with darker leaves. The wood seems rather soft, 
and the bark scales -off like silver paper. The tree 
gfrows about 40 or 50 feet tall, perhaps bigger, and 
the hoys say that the natives use them to make canoes. 
Collected by R. Gordon." (Burtt-Davy.) 
