1613 
They weigh in their husks on the average 0.7 mg. , so 
that over 40,000 go to an ounce. As one raceme may- 
contain as many as 200 splkelets, a single head may 
yield between 1,000 and 2,000 grains." (Kew Bulletin 
of Miscellaneous Information, No. 8, 1915, p. 38l.) 
Ipomoea gp. (Convolvulaceae) , 51639. Morning glory. 
From Africa. Seeds collected by Dr. H. L. Shantz, ag- 
ricultural explorer. "(No. 999. Uaso Nyiro River, 
Kenia Province, Kenia.) A large, leafless (at flower- 
ing time) Ipomoea with large purple flowers. It makes 
a very attractive desert shrub." (Shantz.) 
Mezoneurum scorteehinu (Caesalplniaceae) , 51253. Prom 
Burringbar, New South Wales. Seeds presented by Mr. 
B. Harris'on. "A vine or trailing shrub called 'bar- 
isber, ' which would make a first-class hedge if 
trained on a wire fence. It is a strong, thick, prick- 
ly vine with splendid fernlike foliage and large ra- 
cemes of bright yellow flowers." (Harrison.) 
Momordiea sp. (Cucurbitaceae) , 51640. Prom Afri- 
ca. "(No. 997. Meru, Kenia Province, Kenia). A cucum- 
berlike fruit with ribbed outer surface; reddish 
yellow inside with very red seeds surrounded by edi- 
ble pulp . " ( Shant z . ) 
Olneya tesota (Fabaceae) , ! 51254. From Coachella, 
Calif. Seeds presented by Mr. Wm. R. Faries. A hand- 
some flowering tree, with a dark, heavy, hard wood 
like ebony, and with nutritious foliage and flowers 
that are eaten with avidity by animals. The tree 
bears heavy crops of pods not unlike those of garden 
beans and each pod may have several seeds of the size, 
appearance, and texture of small peanuts and having 
the same agreeable flavor when roasted. The fleshy 
young pods probably could be cooked and eaten like 
green beans, since they do not taste bitter, even in 
the raw state. The largest pods have 9 fully developed 
and 2 abortive beans. 
The Olneya is the largest as well as the most 
attractive native tree in the driest southwestern 
deserts, away from the stream beds and with full ex- 
posure to heat and drought. The large taproot re- 
mains entirely unbranched for 7 or 8 feet. Such a 
habit of growth would indicate little or no interfer- 
ence with surface crops and would suggest the value 
of the tree for planting in or near cultivated lands 
