979 
tions; the lower ones being reflexed. These leaves would 
render the plant admirably suited to the formation of 
fences, in the nature of the spinous margins; for the upper 
half of the leaf has all the spines directed forward 
towards the apex, presenting a great obstacle to intrusion 
of man or beast in that direction, whilst those lower down 
the leaf (longer and stronger too) have their curvature 
downwards, so that if man or animal is so bold as to make 
his way partially through, the- decurved spines would pre- 
vent his retracing his steps with Impunity. The compound 
spike of flowers upon the column-like perfectly straight 
peduncle is remarkable for its size; the large full yellow 
(but Inclining to green) flowers and the copious bracteas 
. turning brown or black in age. This plant is called Cardon 
and Puya in Chill, where the soft substance of the stem is 
used for corks and bungs: the flowers yield a remedy for 
hernia, and the Indians use the spines of the leaves for 
fish-hooks." (Curtis's Botanical Magazine, vol. 9, pi. 4715. ) 
Ribes spp. (Grossulariaceae . ) 42223-42267. Cuttings 
of 45 varieties of black, red, and white currants from 
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Presented by Mr. W. H. Pair- 
field, Superintendent, Experimental Station for Southern 
Alberta. Introduced for experimental work of the Office of 
Horticultural and Pomological Investiations because of 
their success in the trying climate of Alberta and for dis- 
tribution through the North West. - 
Soja max (L.) Piper. (Fabaceae.) 42059. Seeds of 
soybean from Keljo, Chosen, Japan. Presented by Miss 
Katherine Wambold. "Kong. Cooked, pressed, hung all winter 
to rafters, then soaked in a brown liquid, called chang, 
used as a salty sauce on food. It is parched and eaten just 
so. A few partly cooked grains are often scattered in the 
rice as we use raisins In a rice pudding." (Wambold.) 
Spiraea veitchi Hemsley. (Rosaceae.) 42195. Seeds from 
Kew, England. Presented by Sir David Prain, Director, 
Royal Botanic Gardens. Considered by Mr. Wilson the best 
of Chinese Spiraeas. Produces arching shoots sometimes 6 
feet long wreathed from end to end with clusters of pure 
white blossoms. Hardy in the Arnold Arboretum. 
Viburnum rhytidophyllum Hemsley. (Caprif oliaceae . ) 
42199. Seeds from Kew, England. Presented by Sir David 
Prain, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens. A remarkable shrub 
which is one of the most distinct and striking of all the 
newer Chinese shrubs. This shrub has a curious habit of 
forming its Inflorescences and partially developing them 
in autumn, but they remain exposed all through the winter 
and until the blossoms expand the following May or June. 
(Adapted from W. J. Bean, Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the 
British Isles, vol. 2, p. 655.) 
