matter of mere accidence, but a condition essential to the further 
establishment of certain tall trees, among which seeds of this nature 
occur. The force of wind increases with altitude, so height is obvi- 
ously an advantage if seeds are to be conveyed unimpeded to some 
distance, and the lighter they are, the further afield can they be carried.” 
PTEROCARPUS OFFICINALIS. This is the first of the South 
American varieties to be offered here. It is a tall tree with a slender 
trunk and thin flange-like buttresses up to 7 feet high. It bears rather 
large yellow flowers in copious bunches. The sap turns red when 
exposed to the air. The tree grows extensively in swampy ground in 
the West Indies and Central America. Its wood is practically value- 
less. Occasionally, part of the flower is violet. Most of the Pterocarpus 
trees have yellow flowers, and the only other two-color effect of my 
acquaintance is offered by P. dalbergloides of the Andaman Islands 
which has “lovely green and violet panicles” of flowers. The tree is 
unknown in the United States. 
PTEROCARPUS ROHRII. This is another South American variety 
with yellow flowers. I raised the trees from seed obtained at the 
Royal Botanical Garden in Trinidad. 
PTEROCARPUS VIDALIANUS. This is an extremely rare tree 
from India, which is described briefly in Sturrock’s book, “Ornamental 
Trees for Florida and Cuba.” It had yellow flowers and is semi- 
deciduous. 
TIPUANA TIPU. (Papilionaceae). Tieurree. Ordinarily not 
more than 30 feet but in its native South America sometimes 100 
feet high, this beautiful tree is planted for shade and ornament along 
streets and in parks in many cities of Argentina, southern France, 
Algeria and rarely in the United States. The bright yellow butterfly- 
shaped flowers in sprays at the tips of the branches, described by 
Bailey’s “Hortus” as showy, unfold their color at leafing time. In 
Florida the tree is virtually evergreen and grows fast. 
CASSIA SPECTABILIS. An ornamental tree from Central Amer- 
ica, reaching from 15 to 60 feet, beaimg large yellow flowers in 
clusters. 
CASSIA TOMENTELLA. A variety of C. Brewsteri, native of 
Australia. Yellow flowers. 
CASSIA FERRUGINEA. Native of Brazil, where it is considered 
very ornamental for street and parkway planting. The yellow flowers 
are very fragrant, and in appearance are very similar to those C. fistula 
which is seldom seen in Brazil. 
CASSIA STANDLEYI. A rapid-growing small tree to 30 feet. 
My correspondent in Zarcero, Costa Rica, who sent this seed, writes: 
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