1638 
globose berries, the size of a carbine bullet, are 
borne on pendulous, purplish-red spadix branches. The 
trunk is much used for making posts. Native to borders 
of paddy swamps in Malacca, and in forests in Lainear. 
(Adapted from Calcutta Journal of Natural History, 
vol. 5, p. 465,) 
Sau88urea lappa (Asteraceae) , 51852. From Rawalpindi , 
Punjab, India. Seeds presented by Mr. R. R. Stewart. 
The aromatic root of this tall perennial, native to 
Kashmir, at altitudes of 8,000 to 12,000 feet, is of 
medicinal value. The annual export has been as much as 
one thousand tons, a large portion used for incense, 
also as an insecticide, keeping moths from cloth. The 
leaves are also used for a similar purpose. (Adapted 
from Mueller, Select Extra-Tropical Plants, p. 492.) 
Field Notes from Agricultural Explorers. 
The following excerpts are from letters of J. P. Rock : 
Kuala Lumpor, Federated Malay States. 
September 26, 1920. 
"Today I went into the jungle called the Ranching 
forest reserve at Ulu Selangor, about 20 miles fromhere . 
The forest there is mainly Borneo camphor {Dryohalanops 
aroniatiea) . This seems the flowering season here, and 
most of the trees, of which there are many species, 
were all in flower. The slightest breeze brought down 
a shower of the white fragrant corollas resembling a 
snowfall. It was wonderful. Back of the agricultural 
department there is a stand of the Dryobalanops which 
is now 23 years old and the average height is 66 feet,- 
some are 100 feet in height; beneath them there is a 
solid stand of seedlings, all volunteers. The wood is 
very highly prized and I think it is one of the finest 
forest trees owing to Its rapid reproduction. When I 
come here in December there will be many seeds and I 
shall be enabled to bring many with me." 
"Today I saw my first King cobra (wild), a huge 
beast, only about 15 feet away from me; it disappeared 
rapidly under Dipterdcarp leaves with which the ground 
was littered. I Walked somewhat carefully after that. 
Two weeks ago a tiger was seen there and also a black 
panther, but we saw nothing today except that huge 
snake." 
Bangkok, Slam. 
■October 5, 1920. 
"That forest at Ranching is the most glorious I 
have ever seen, it is of course not a pure stand of 
