1425 
crop and as a fiber plant. The tap roots of young 
trees and the young roots of old trees are used as food 
by the aborigines . When boiled, the roots have a flavor 
similar to that of turnips, but sweeter. The seeds of 
this and other species are edible and make a good bev- 
erage. Cattle and sheep are fond of the leaves and 
branches, and in some dry seasons have existed for long 
periods on scarcely any thing else. In parts of Riverina 
(New South Wales) the trees are cut down as required 
for this purpose. A strong fiber is obtained from 
the bark; it. is used by the aborigines for making 
fishing nets , both in East and West Australia. (Adapted 
from Maiden, Useful Native Plants of Australia, pp. 59, 
140, and 633. ) 
Zea mays (Poaceae), 47109 to 47114. Corn. Prom 
Brazil. Presented by Mr. H. A. Cardinell, Rio de Janeiro. 
"A rather curious collection of corn grown by the va- 
rious Indian tribes from the states of Matto Grosso 
and Amazonas. This corn came from an exhibit prepared 
by a commission from that district for the last nation- 
al corn show held in Rio de Janeiro last August (1918). 
The commission informed me that this corn is absolutely 
wild in Matto Grosso and the Indians have made no at- 
tempt at its improvement. The ears I am sending were 
grown by the Amazon Indians over 1,500 kilometers (930 
miles) from the Madeira River which is a branch of the 
River Amazon and forms half, of the boundary between 
the two above-named states; that is, it was brought 
930 miles before it reached that river. This will 
give you an idea of the distance this corn traveled 
before reaching Rio . " (Cardinell.) 
Zea mays (Poaceae), 47202. Corn. From Zamboanga, 
Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. P. J. Wester, 
Agricultural Advisor. "A corn variety discovered on 
a recent visit to Kudurangan, Cotabato, Mindanao, that 
matures 72 days from sowing and so may be of value to 
your corn breeders. This corn has been grown for many 
years (no one knows how many) by one of the wild tribes 
in Cotabato." (Wester.) 
