854 
Abies spp. (Pinaceae.) 39860, 39983-987. Seeds of Jap- 
anese firs received through the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica 
Plain, Mass., from the collections of Mr. E. H. Wilson. 
Abies mariesii Masters, one of the rarest of silver firs, A. 
sachalinensis (Schmidt) Masters, attaining 130 feet in height, 
and probably very hardy, A. umbellcuta Mayr, a beautiful 
hardy tree, and a variety of A. veitchii Lindl . , with olive 
yellow cones, an especially handsome small conifer. 
Acer capillipes Maxim. (Aceraceae.) 39988. Seed of a 
Japanese maple received 'through the Arnold Arboretum from 
the collections of Mr. E. H. Wilson. A handsome maple 
closely allied to A. pennsylvanicwm , which it resembles in 
the shape of its leaf, but is distinguished by its lack of 
down on leaves and young wood. 
Amygdalus tangutica (Batal . )Korsh. ( Amygdalaceae . )39898. 
Cuttings of the Tangutlan almond from the village of Lan 
tsai, Kansu, China. "A bush almond found in rocks and 
cliffs along the right bank of the Siku river, collected 
at an elevation of 4200 feet. Shrubs from 4-10 feet high, 
in sheltered places reaching even a height of 20 to 25 
feet, densely branched, branches often running zigzag, and 
ending in spines. Foliage small and of a glaucous green 
color. Fruits very variable In size, looks and shape; skin 
downy and thin, stones ranging in size from a cherry stone 
up to a good-sized apricot stone, of many forms, some 
rpund and quite smooth, others pointed or heartshaped and 
grooved like peach stones, shells moderately thin, kernels 
all' on the average and quite bitter; they are, however, 
gerly collected by ground squirrels. Here and there 
cal Chinese also collect them and express a clear oil 
om the kernels for culinary purposes. These kernels are 
also sparingly eaten after having been boiled first so as 
to remove part of the bitter flavor. This Tangutian alm- 
ond occurs in many places in the province of Kansu, grow- 
ing at elevations from 4000 to 10000 feet. It is able to 
withstand a great amount of drought, cold and dry heat. 
It Is recommended as a factor in certain hybridization ex- 
periments, to create hardy bush almonds. As a stock for 
almonds it might be tested, but since it throws up so many 
shoots from the base it may not have any commercial value 
for this purpose. As a hedge plant for dry regions it al- 
so possesses value, while as an ornamental spring flower- 
ing shrub it possibly could be employed in gardens and 
palrks in the cooler parts of the semi-arid United States. 
Cbjinese name Yeh hsiao hsing, meaning 'wild small apricot,' 
also Mao tao'r meaning 'hairy peach.'" (Frank N. Meyer's 
Introduction and description. ) 
