605 
grows in the far western part of the Kalahari desert, and 
the eastern parts of Great and Little Bushmanland and Namaqua- 
land. Together with the Tsama melon (No. 34484) it is the 
principal stock and game food of the country." (Burtt-Davy . ) 
For distribution later. 
ASPARAGUS ACUTIFOLIUS . ( Convallariaceae . ) 34620. Seeds 
of a wild asparagus from Nice, Alpes Maritimes, France. 
Presented by Dr. A. Robertson Proschowsky. "This plant is 
abundant here in the wild state and the young shoots are 
gathered and form a regular article of commerce in the market. 
The shoots are much thinner than those of Asparagus offici- 
nalis (in its cultivated form) but are very delicate of taste. 
The plant grows in the very worst places as concerns absence 
of soil (in fissures of rocks, high on the slopes of gravel, 
etc.), as well in the full burning sun as in deep shade and it 
seems to me that so drought-resistant a plant would be worth 
introducing for use in desert regions." (Robertson Proschow- 
sky.) For distribution later. 
ASPIDOSPERMA SPP. ( Apocynaceae . ) 34357-358. Seeds 
from Piracicaba, Brazil. Presented by Dr. Clinton D. Smith, 
Director, School of Agriculture. Two of the most valuable 
woods of Brazil, used for building and finishing, as well as 
for agricultural implements. For distribution later. 
BACCAUREA MOTLEYANA. ( Euphorbiaceae . ) 34495. Seeds 
from Singapore. Presented by Mr. F. W. Popenoe, Altadena, 
California. "A tree of rather large size, native of the 
Malayan region, and commonly planted in gardens in Singapore 
and Penang. It forms a dense umbrageous head of foliage and 
is of very symmetrical growth. The leaves are oval, entire, 
dark green in color, about six inches in length and four 
inches in breadth. The fruit which is produced in great pro- 
fusion in long pendant clusters on the old wood is oval, straw 
colored with a thin grayish tomentum, sometimes with russet 
patches, with tough, leathery, thick skin, and whitish trans- 
lucent pulp, soft, melting and very juicy. The flavor is sub- 
acid, resembling that of a fully ripe gooseberry, pleasant; 
season, August to September. It is one of the commonest 
fruits in the Penang markets. It does not seem to be esteemed 
by Europeans, however, and cannot be considered to possess 
more than ordinary merit." (Popenoe.) For distribution 
later. 
CANARIUM OVATUM. ( Burseraceae . ) 34368. Seeds of pili 
nut from the Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. E. D. 
Merrill, Botanist, Bureau of Science, Manila. "The 'pili' nut 
is locally very highly esteemed, and is now being exported in 
considerable quantities. Treated exactly as 'salted peanuts' 
