1777 
cemes late in October. The roots of the "barajlllo" 
are very large and penetrate deeply into the soil; 
the tubercles formed by the nitrogen-gathering bac- 
teria are usually found only on the upper third of the 
root. All kinds of cattle are exceedingly fond of this 
plant ; furthermore , it is capable of enduring prolonged 
drought and of thriving in very poor soil. (Adapted 
from Revista de Agricultura Tropical, El Salvador, 
vol. 1, p. 65. ) 
Melastoma repens (Melastomaceae) , 55443. Prom Foo- 
chow, China. Seeds presented by C. R. Kellogg. "A low 
perennial shrub which bears beautiful roselike flowers 
all summer long. The flowers last only one day, but 
because of their great number the shrub is always well 
covered. The fruits are said to be eaten, but have the 
lack of flavor so common in Chinese fruits." (J. B. 
Norton. ) 
Microcitrus inodora (Rutaceae), 55447. Russell River lime. 
From Brisbane, Queensland. Seeds presented by C. T. 
White, Botanic Museum and Herbarium, Botanic Gardens. 
In general appearance the Russell River lime resem- 
bles the orange, having the same dark-green foliage. 
The very small white flowers are odorless, and the 
oval or oblong ribbed fruits are about 2$ inches long, 
with pulp having a sharp but agreeable flavor. This 
tree is native to the Bellenden-Ker region of North 
Queensland , and is the only species of the genus which 
yields fruits of sufficiently good quality to be of 
promise for culture even without any improvement by 
cross-breeding or selection. (Adapted from Swingle, 
Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, vol. 
5, p. 577, and from Bailey, Report of the Government 
Expedition to Bellenden-Ker Range, p. 34.) 
Phaseolus semierectus (Fabaceae), 55418. From Gatun, 
Canal Zone. Seeds presented by J. A. Close. "The long 
narrow pods are of a leguminous plant which I am try- 
ing out as a cover crop. I first noticed the dark- 
purple flowers , about the size and shape of sweet peas, 
along the railroad track at Gatun, but the plant did not 
grow well in the gravel. When planted in heavy clay 
mixed with charcoal, however , It developed wonderfully, 
and the vines formed a dense mat which allowed no other 
vegetation to grow under or through it. The plants 
grow about 3 feet high, and in the last month of the 
dry season the ground was covered with the decaying 
