1916 
ions through the mountains of Hupeh Province, will be watched with in- 
terest." (Wilson Popenoe. ) 
elaeis melanococca (Phoenicaceae) , 57801. Palm. From Balboa 
Heights, Canal Zone. Seeds presented by Holger Johansen, agronomist, 
Plant Introduction Garden, Summit. A large spreading low palm which 
grows in low, moist land. It is closely related to the African oil 
palm Elaeis guineensis, and a clear oil is extracted from the kernels in 
small quantities by the natives ^ who prize it highly for cooking. 
gladiolus psittacinus (Iridaceae), 57797. From Pretoria, Transvaal, 
Union of South Africa. Bulbs presented by E. Percy Phillips, chief, 
Division of Botany. A South African gladiolus with a large', globose 
corm, a stem 3 feet or more in length, and usually four rigid, sword- 
like leaves 1 or Z feet long. The many-flowered spike is very lax, 
reaching a foot Or more in length. The upper segments of the flowers 
are dark crimson, while the much smaller lower segments, reflexed at 
the top, are red and yellow mixed. (Adapted from Thiselton-Dyer, 
Flora Capensis, vol. 6, p. 158.) 
musa textius (Musaceae) , 57694 to 57696. Abaca. From the Philip- 
pine Islands. Seeds obtained by L. H. Dewey, United States Department 
of Agriculture. "The plants grow in the Philippine Islands chiefly 
in volcanic soils of rather loose texture where there is an abundant 
rainfall but excellent natural drainage. The abaca will probably grow 
only in warm, moist, tropical regions, and it is possible that it will 
succeed in the Canal Zone." (Dewey.) 
57694. No. 1. 
57695. No. 2. 
57696. No. 3. 
pancratium tortuosum (Amaryllidaceae) , 57795. From Aden, Arabia. 
Bulbs presented by Raymond Davis, American consul. "The leaves remain 
green throughout most of the season even in the arid deserts around 
Aden, but the flowers appear only after one of the rare rainy periods, 
generally within 4 to 7 days. The plants grow abundantly on cliffs and 
rocky wastes of Arabia and Egypt." (Davis.) 
A relative of the well-known American spider-lily iHymenoeallis), with 
beautiful white flowers 3 to 6 inches long, and a handsome, toothed 
crown within the corolla, as in Narcissus. The long linear leaves are 
spirally twisted. 
protea argentea (PrOteaceae ) , 57796. From Pretoria, Transvaal, 
Union of South Africa. Seeds presented by the Chief Conservator of 
