1281 
Vanilla pompom (Orchldaceae) , 45669. Prom Zacu- 
apam, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Presented by Dr. C. A. Pur- 
pus. "Wild vanilla which grows in brush-woods, and 
half-shady places in the low country at the limit of 
the Tierra caliente. Should be planted at the foot of 
small trees or large shrubs in leaf mold." (Purpus.) 
"A native of Mexico, yielding an inferior quality of 
vanilla known by the name of 'Vanillon' and 'Vanil- 
loes 1 . This is claimed to have advantages over proper 
vanilla, its pods not having a tendency to split, as 
well as being easily cured, whilst the vines are said 
to flower and fruit 3 or 4 times during the year." 
(MacMillan, Tropical Gardening and Planting.) 
Ziziphus mauritiana (Rhamnaceae) , 45625 to 45658, 
From Port Louis, Mauritius. Presented by Mr. G. Reg- 
nar.d. "If the Ziziphus trees are not cultivated in the 
strict sense of the word, they are, however, found in 
large numbers in the villages inhabited by Indians 
and Africans, in the warmer localities of the island, 
and the fruits are well appreciated not only by those 
people, but also by Europeans and they are sold in 
great quantities in the fruit markets during June, 
July and August (the cold season). On having fruits 
gathered from different trees, I have noticed that 
there are many varieties, probably more than pne 
hundred, of different size, shape, taste and color. 
The fruits on ripening may be green, pink, red or yel- 
low. The majority is of a certain shade of yellow. 
When over-ripe, that is when the fruit softens all the 
fruits have the same uniform yellowish-brown color. 
The fruits are eaten before they become what I call, 
"over-ripe" , and except for some varieties have a very 
good taste. Usually those fruits which have the lower 
extremity slightly pointed are considered to be the 
best, but this Is not always the case. The tree rarely 
attains more than 20 feet in height, with a trunk 6 to 
8 Inches in diameter. It grows all around the island, 
from the sea level to 500 to 600 feet elevation, but 
it appears, with a few exceptions, that the best pro- 
ducts are obtained from the regions where the heat is 
more regular, because they are sheltered from the 
winds which blow during most of the year from the 
southeast." (Regnard.) 
