1398 
lowlands. In fact, it might almost be termed the ' cheri- 
moya of the lowlands.' As is well known, the cheri- 
moya does not succeed in the tropics unless planted at 
considerable elevations, where the climate is cool. 
This species on the contrary, belongs in the lowlands, 
and the fruit is exceedingly similar in character to 
a good cherimoya." (Wilson Popenoe, in letter dated 
June 24, 1918, Tapachula, Mexico.) 
Caesalpinia vernalis (Caesalpiniaceae ) , 46949. Prom 
Hongkong, China. Presented by Mr. W. J. Tutcher. An 
ornamental shrub, native of Hongkong, climbing by 
the reversed prickles on the under side of the leaves. 
The bipinnate leaves are made up of 9 to 12 pairs of 
pinnae, each bearing 4 to 8 pairs of ovate leaflets 
1 inch long. The lemon-yellow flowers are borne in 
racemes about 6 inches long. (Adapted from Curtis, 
Botanical Magazine, vol. 133, pi. 8132.) 
Carina edulis (Cannaceae), 46821. Queensland arrowroot. 
From Hawaii. • Tubers presented by the Agricultural 
Experiment Station, Honolulu. "This plant, which is 
.exclusively cultivated in Queensland, grows to a great 
height, often rising to 8 or 9 feet. It has very large, 
broad, ribbed leaves; and as many as 15 to 20 stalks 
rise from a single stool, each stalk representing a 
large bulb. In the flowering season the plant sends 
up a long, straight spike from the head of which bursts 
a beautiful branch of bright scarlet flowers having 
the appearance of those of the common canna known as 
'Indian Shot' but far larger. The seeds do not often 
mature , however , as do those of the canna family gener- 
ally. The bulbs from which the arrowroot of commerce 
is prepared form a compact mass on and near the sur- 
face of the. soil, and so prolific is the plant that I 
have dug from a single stool as much as 60 lb. and even 
80 lb. weight of bulbs." (A. J.Boyd, Queensland Agri- 
cultural Journal, vol. 10, p. 32.) 
"The rootstocks are edible and palatable when 
properly cooked. More culinary experimentation with 
them, however, will be required before any definite 
decision regarding their probable popularity can be made . 
Mr. P. G. Krauss informs us that in Hawaii, where the Ex- 
periment Station officials have been growing an acre 
of C. edulis, it has been eaten after being boiled for 
30 minutes and then mashed like boiled potatoes; he 
declares it is a good substitute for the potato, and 
that it outyields the potato two to one. The tops have 
been used as forage for cattle and swine ." (Fairchild . ) 
