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S WW = S| is) a \3 3} = OG) fi. : mi WS > Wwasns m INOSWASS 2 AD w ‘ *. am . ap} ies i = SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILALILSNI_ NVINOSHLIN J a . : = = BA ram bu) ra 70 apy a (a) br j z un z oD ILALILSNI 5 g : z : oh fa = A es fy 2 Yip = S Uy © 2 = = “PY = = ou See ne BRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILOLILSNI_NVINOSHLIWS : & : & QQ = > = “Le pias rE eas = a fe 7p) ae Ci eee a z ? z SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILOLILSNI NVINOSHLIWS = ye = =< = = SY. ea ; 2 2 Yi: & ” sep JEU n 2 - 2 fa = ILNLILSNI_NVINOSHLINS SA1YVY@IT_ LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN an : 5 2 oc = w = rete 2 Gy ( shy m » : . > wast’ m INOSASS > wi NOSK <2) _ (ap) = INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS SA3lu¥vudly ARIES SMITHSONIAN S ss LILSNI NVINOSHLIWS NVINOSHLIWS SMITHSONIAN NVINOSHLINS SMITHSONIAN NVINOSHLIWS SJIYVYUEIT LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION is po ~ ( 2 “ j : é | aa oc = a 1 | a a = < “eC | = oc 4 oe bar | a fo 5 ma. ro) | = ca ea | 2 any PA owl 2 ARIES Se USN a SAL eet Dio rae NVINOSHLINS S3JIY¥VygIT a im Zz S) 465 Se) = 2 ‘= ie = ae = =i = 5 e = a ca i o = 2 = nn z w Nes ee NOSES 2 1uvud tl BRARI BS ee NST Ton z g i < wee ‘ = =z NS. f 5 Zz 4 REA ot Ny ' S SSS WS a z bo? b Gf 2S B p= se = N 2 : Uy Kaw = 4, —. NS — — ae = a se a ARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILALILSNI NVINOSHLINS S31YVudII oe Ae ie i us : & am 7B mm TS aya OA oD cai, (a ina =] DER oc th fy ey = = = Se Wud) = Guu) RY wy a YF = 2 = a pe is Pe pa Pas 2] LLILSNI NYVINOSHLINS S3!IY¥VYUEIT LIBRARIES eins Zz rc Z i a 2) a 2 w es] ex x Lae 0 =) = i > = > E pea a ie ae Ee ati, m m w z is Z a ARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS SAI1uYVvual] : : : Z ae oo = \, = z 5 NS fi YL 2 5 WA a8 : SSN oO ae NES fe) ae fe) \ Y Zz Ee QS 2 = Zz ‘S\N = — WY NS 4 = ~ = Se nee B = PSNI _NVINOSHLIWS Sa lYVdd!lT LIBRARI BO MIT SONIEN NS Zz ans 2 Zz n ae us by : : g * Uy, % : < : © Ol: A 5S 5 NS ay cea ign P| 3 ze So rl iS FZ a. Zz J = ARIES pe CONTENT Me TOLION NOILALILSNI NVINOSHLINS S31YVvedgl) Ze o) = fo) a Ne 6 fe > 5) - Se \ 3 E any kK > = —_ fe E ou r= pd m ” = 7) OBE EE ee =e, 5 — ll PLATE XIII. way Sa = ye —=> a = SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PONTE Di SrA Es oN Agr ON Adcom USE UM 7CONTEIBY TIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL HERBARIOM VotuME VIII, PART 2 Pe@nOVwic PLANTS OF PORTO RICO EVO ie. OOle anc GAeNi CC @wIE INS WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1903 WOTE. IsSUED JUNE 27, 1903. JP Jes, Jy Irs O 1a. One influence of the extension of American jurisdiction over Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands, in the year 1898, was fo create a demand for information about the vegetation of those islands. All contained a tropical flora, and American botanists had devoted little attention to the study of tropical plants. The information demanded regarding the Porto Rican flora was largely of a popular and com- mercial character and was not at all to be satisfied by the existing and available technical works on the West Indian flora. In the course of their investigations on tropical agricultural plants in Porto Rico, Mr. O. F. Cook, botanist in charge of investigations in tropical agri- eulture, Department of Agriculture, and his assistant, Mr. G. N. Collins, have collated a large amount of information on the economic plants of that island such as is not suitable for incorporation in their detailed reports on staple and special agricultural plants, which are published by the United States Department of Agriculture. This information has been brought together in the present paper on Eco- nomie Plants of Porto Rico. Fortunately the plant names in use among the people of Porto Rico are applied with approximate pre- cision, so that by adding the botanical identification of a plant to its Porto Rican popular name we have in most instances a direct key to its botanical name and position. The use of illustrations reproduced from good photographs conveys in a simple and direct way informa- tion which no amount of technical description could replace. Avail- ing themselves of personal observation, the facts published by others, a study of collections, the use of photographs, and the intimate per- sonal knowledge the Porto Ricans have of their useful plants, the _authors have produced a work which will be of great value to botan- ists and to all other persons seeking information about the common and useful plants of Porto Rico. FREDERICK V. COVILLE, Curator of Botany. Tit CONTENTS. Page. 1 Ere Boy RTO sp Ne TE rh een 57 Heqramicsplanks 1m pertectly: howe se esens ee ee 58 Marenalsinchuded and arrangement of list. --___ = 4212. 22_.---42---_- 58 INBisipllexeec! GOmmcmoray sme bones eee eee ea ee eee 59 MSKerenceEsOsNOtAmICal literature js 9.0 eka) USM en ie oe ee bee 60 TROGIR: Gin, ELON Os TTC a yey Fema TS NN as aye at Sep Ele ae aa 60 Personal field work. acknowledgements, and desideratum -____._ _____ 62 Saptlecswerot economic plants. of Porto Ricdes 2225 52055525 2 oe 63 ILLUSTRATIONS. PLATES. PLATE XIII. Porto Rico Royal Palm (Roystonea borinquena) _____- Frontispiece. XLV. KY. RVI. XVII. XVIII. RIX. E XX. XX. XXII. XXII. XXIV. XXV. XXXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. XIX. XXX. AX. KXXIT. AXXITI. XXXIV. XXXV. Facing page. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) showing healthy and diseased fruits. From Santurce Acacia amarilla (Albizzia lebbek). Near Juana Diaz _______- PAI UNOUOATLULONUSs oN te © AS UIAS ee rene ee ee) sae aia Sh Lae PACTUAL TULL II xOL COLLEY Cite oh cy hen cor OL ca ce oI aatew pega es ou SpR Palas DUG OMOMsLEDLOPUS. .COAMO, SPT sas = 92 sie nee easy es Flamboyant blanco (Bauhinia kappleri). Coamo Springs_-- Ucar tree (Bucida buceras). Coamo Springs_________._____- Alnacigo (Bursera simaruba). Coamo Springs ____________- Algodon de seda (Calotropis procera). Road near Guayama_ Palo de burro (Capparis cynophallophora), fruit and leaves__ Ceiba tree (Ceiba pentandra). Near Ponce Stem and edible fruit of Cereus sp. At Guayama NCEEO (CFV SOODNICHDUIS. UBC) 2. oe ae a Péndulo colorado (Citharexylum quadrangulare). Road between, Poncerand Ady umnitasiesa ae Wane re ie ee eee Cros, (CHSIO ROSGG))\g INGEN WEHNOOL 2 oy ES ee ee ee VOWS wens: (Conse UCC MOMOOOU)) . 2.222322) oe Moral tree (Cordia macrophylla). (CEI) (COGRCMOS TOUUC ICD eee 5 ed oe hee Fy io Ne ree he a Calabash tree (Crescentia cujete). Near Rio Piedras________- Ceraeoraall ire (CUCHHINUS CHOCMUFUC)) 222. oy oboe eb ee Virgin forest of tabonuco ( Dacryodes hexandra). At Isolina- Jaguey (Ficus lentiginosa). Road between Ponce and AN GGIAT TULA VSI cg Cele ae Neate Sess Pao GE NE Glen < Oy Ree as at eR oe ee 63 70 73 82 82 90 VI ILLUSTRATIONS. Facing page. PuaTe XXXVI. Guacima (Guazuma guazuma). Coamo Springs--------- 155 7 XXXVII. Heckeria peltata inflorescence and center of leaf________- 158 XXXVIIL. Heckeria wnbellata inflorescence and center of leaf ______ 158 XXXIX. Talantala (Herpetica alata). At Cataiio --__-_- _ 9 ee 159 XL. Lira (Hibiscus schizopetalus). Garden of the Captain- General, Rio Piedras. 2:.--<2 12 eee 160 — XLI. Pods of algarrobo (Hymenaea courbaril). Ponce Market. 164 XLII. Physic nut (Jatropha curcas). Catanio- 22525525 =e sliyall XLIII. Flowers, seeds, and seedlings of mangle blanco (Lagimneu- laria racemosa). Catafio _______- tee ILS} MLE. Molmillo (Leonotis nepetaciolia) == ee 174 XLV. China berry (Melia azedarach). Coamo Springs_______-- 190 XLVI. Cundeamor (Momordica charantia) -__.__________- pee eo 193 XLVII. Cork wood (Ochroma lagopus). Near Ponce _._.______._ 200 XLVIII. Spineless Opuntia. Near Guayama____________________ 206 XTX, Paralerass (Panicum molie) 25 ea se «211 L. Emajagua (Paritiwm tiliaceum) -=2 2 ee 212 i Pentaraphia albvflora === = ee 215 Lik, RachuelolCPictetionarustatg on 215 LIII. Tachuelo (Pictetia aristata), showing aristate leaves____- 218 LIV. Flame tree (Poinciana regia). Inthe Plaza, Caguas_._. 223 LY. Berengena cimarrona (Solunum torvum) ___...--.------- 243 LVI. Anacagiiitas (Sterculia carthaginensis). Near Ponce__._ 248 LVil. Almendro (Tferminalia catappa) == ee 250 LVIII. Santa Maria (Thespesia populnea). Near Ponce_-_-__----- 253 LIX. Santa Maria (Thespesia populnea), showing fruit .____._- 253 IX. Vincetoxicum sp 2222-82. 20 2 eee 262 TEXT FIGURES. . Page. Fig. 12. Lawn of Meibomia triflora. Coamo Springs _____--- 2 189 13. Almendra, fruit of Terminalia catappa. Catano ____---___--- Bae 2nd ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. By O. F. Cook and G. N. COLLINS. INTRODUCTION. _ Very few tropical countries have been provided with satisfactory manuals of botany by means of which the resident or the traveler ean identify the plants and secure access to information regarding their uses and other noteworthy characteristics. There is, as yet, no manual of the botany of Porto Rico nor any handbook of tropical cultivated plants which can be recommended to those who seek an introduction to the indigenous flora of the island ‘and the economie species grown for food, ornament, and other pur- poses, or escaped and intermingled with the native vegetation. For- tunately, however, clues to the identity of a large proportion of the plants of Porto Rico are readily obtainable through the medium of the common names. The natives of Porto Rico have been noted by many travelers as having a larger series of popular names and as using them with more precision than the inhabitants of other parts of the American tropics. Certain it is that many species have received separate names in Porto Rico which in Cuba are not distinguished except by botanists. This fact is to be connected, perhaps, with the existence of a large rural population, which has preserved many names obtained from their Indian ancestors and the Spanish settlers with whom these amalgamated. The names are in many cases entirely local, not known outside the island, and quite different from those applied in Mexico and Cuba. It is accordingly believed that a list of Porto Rican names of economic plants, although necessarily imperfect, would be of special convenience at the present juncture when the native population is beginning the study of English and while numerous Americans are struggling to comprehend the language, products, and vegetation of a new and interesting country. Some plants have several common names which may be confined to different districts, and in some cases the same names are applied to different plants in different places. Of course this popular knowledge lacks scientific accuracy and frequently breaks down when similar Species are in question. The identification of single individuals a7 2s Mig 5 ill 58 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. should always be verified by cumulative testimony and a consensus of the most intelligent opinion obtainable. : ECONOMIC PLANTS IMPERFECTLY KNOWN. es Owing partly to the fact that some of the botanists who have writ- ten most extensively on the West Indian flora have earefully avoided reference to the uses of the plants they studied, our knowledge of the economic plants of the West Indies is still in a very fragmentary condition. Moreover, a considerable amount of the existing litera- ture is now out of date and unreliable on account of the uncertainty attaching to many of the names used by the earlier semipopular writers. The British West Indies have received the most attention, and the French islands are second in the amount of printed informa- tion. On the Cuban flora, as well, a considerable body of literature exists, in comparison with the extreme paucity of scientific informa- tion regarding Porto Rico. The island has not attracted, to any con- siderable extent, the interest of European or American naturalists, and the local prosecution of study received only negative encouragement. Although the area is small, the topography is so compleated and the climatic and other conditions so varied that anything like an exhaustive knowledge of the wild plants will be very difficult to obtain. In the case of the cultivated economic species the same difficulty of extreme localization isapparent. Plant introduction has been carried on only in an extremely desultory manner. Transportation is diffi- eult, and the numerous towns have had connection, for much of the time, only by sea, so that the dissemination even of successful species has been slow and difficult. It is manifestly impossible to enter to best advantage upon the task of improving agricultural conditions in Porto Rico without more ade- quate knowledge of the nature and results of past experiments, and it would be useless and wasteful to reintroduce species already growing in the island except where superior varieties can be secured. MATERIALS INCLUDED AND ARRANGEMENT OF LIST. This paper includes miscellaneous information on the principal cultivated plants of Porto Rico, brief notes on many of the minor economic plants, and a list of all the native names of plants which have thus far been recorded from the island, with references to the scientific names of the species to which they are applied as far as these have been determined. As there are no botanical publications in either English or Spanish which give an even approximately complete treatment of the flora, it is believed that the present list of names and the brief notes accompanying will be found of use both to visitors and to residents of the island. Owing to the fact that the same name is often applied to similar though botanically distinct species, and that various hames are used —S COOK AND COLLINS——-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. a9 | for the same species in different parts of the island, it has seemed best in the preparation of this list not to separate the information from the native name with which it was collected except where the botanical identity of the plants has been established, even though a guess might have been made with some probability of correctness. | By the system of cross references it will, however, be possible for ‘those who make use of the index to find all the available information, wherever classified. MISPLACED COMMON NAMES. Although sufficiently reliable to be of much assistance to strangers who desire to secure acquaintance with the local flora, the application of names in Porto Rico is in many cases misleading, well-known terms being used in the most novel relations. Thus the ‘‘ nispero” of Porto Rico is not the loquat or Japanese medlar (Hriobotrya japonica) as in Spain, but the sapodilla (Achras sapota). Quite a list of such misapplied names might be made, but a few of the more prominent will suffice to show how unreliable are inferences drawn from verbal or even from written information which is not based on actual contact with the objects. Thus in Porto Rico the-— Almendra (almond) is Terminalia catappa. Ciruela (plum) is Spondias purpurea. Castana (chestnut) is Artocarpus communis, the bread fruit. Nispero (loquat) is Achras sapota, the sapodilla. Nuez moscado (nutmeg) is Nectandra sp. Pimienta (pepper or allspice) is Aimomis caryophyllata, the bay-rum tree. Reseda (mignonette) is Lawsonia alba, the henna. Almacigo (mastic) is Bursera simaruba, the West Indian birch. Cereza (cherry) is Cordia collococca and other species. Many plants also have different local names. Those supplied by Captain Hansard are mostly from the vicinity of Luquillo in the northeast corner of the island, and although they are names of trees several are not known to be used in other parts. The English names of economic plants have also been included in this index, as far as practicable, in order to render the more certain the application of the Porto Rican designations for those who may have had previous experience in other tropical countries. The list of ‘colonial names” appended to Grisebach’s flora has been drawn upon for this purpose to a limited extent, but is generally very unsatisfac- tory for the reason that the locality where a name is used is not given. The names, English and Spanish, of some of the better known minor economic plants not yet recorded by botanists as growing in Porto Rico have been included in instances where these plants are known to have been introduced, and especially when they have become nat- uralized, in neighboring islands. It is extremely probable that some of these are already planted locally in Porto Rico, and as to those | 60 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. : i a which are not it is desirable to know the probabilities of their success and whence they may be most conveniently obtained. | REFERENCES TO BOTANICAL LITERATURE. There is as yet nothing like a complete list of the plants of Porto Rico, and most of the literature is not even indexed. It has there- fore seemed desirable, as a matter of convenience for those who may wish to become more familiar with the flora of the island, to add references to descriptions of many of the species enumerated below, although in the present paper no attempt has been made to follow the method or arrangement of formal botanical literature. Nor should it be inferred that the author cited is in all cases responsible for the statements accompanying a specific reference, although this is gen- erally true where very short notes are given. The more recent liter- ature of Urban has been cited in preference to the older writings in order to avoid multipleation of references, and because Urban gen- erally gives complete synonymy from which the opinions of other writers ean be traced. BOOKS ON PORTO RICAN PLANTS. The botany of Porto Rico is far from complete, and very little of it has been written in the English language. Descriptions of plants found in Porto Rico are scattered through a vast number of publications which can not be enumerated here, but brief notices of the more important papers may not be out of place. But two authors have attempted a connected sketch of the Porto Rican flora, and the efforts of these not only remain incomplete in that they do not cover the entire series of families of flowering plants, but the lists are also pa:tial and loeal, as the writers themselves realized. The first of these sketches was that of Don Domingo Bello y Espi- nosa.“ This consists almost entirely of a list of plants occurring, as explained by the author, in the triangular area included - between Aquadilla, Lares, and Guanica. The prefatory note states that the writer resided in Porto Rico for thirty years, presumably at Maya- guez, and that his botanical studies were carried on in the intervals of a busy professional life. Considering this fact and the other diffi- culties under which he must have labored, the result is certainly most creditable, and the field observations and notes represent a distinct contribution to our knowledge cf the flora of the area coy-— ered, although the adjustment of Bello’s systematic treatment has given his successors considerable trouble. Many popular names are given, but no economic notes are included, although the useful species «Domingo Bello y Espinosa. Apuntes para la flora de Puerto-Rico. Anales de la Sociedad espanola de historia natural, tomo X, pp. 250-304, 1881; tomo XII, pp. 103-130, 1883. a COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 6] are not omitted from their places in the natural sequence. Several new species are described, and the probable existence of others is often suggested. The second of these sketches and the most important contribution to the botany of Porto Rico is the Flora % projected by Dr. A. Stahl, of Bayamon, but unfortunately only partially published. Although of German paternity Dr. Stahl is a native of Porto Rico, and his scien- tific achievements are the result of tireless energy and perseverance under the most discouraging circumstances. Not only did he receive no public or official assistance or encouragement in the self-imposed task of making known the flora of the island, but his scientific labors drew upon him instead the suspicions of the government, and resulted in imprisonment and banishment on three or four oceasions, without the satisfaction of even an alleged reason for his arbitrary ill treatment. In spite of publie indifference and official animosity six parts of the Flora were issued, at the expense of the author, having been prepared in the intervals of his professional life as a physician. Publication ceased in 1888, and Dr. Stahl no longer hopes to continue the work. In addition to his botanical studies Dr. Stahl has written and made collections bearing upon medieal, archeological, and zoological sub- jects, and has well earned the distinction of being the first resident Porto Rican naturalist. The common names of Dr. Stahl’s Flora appear also in Professor De la Maza’s Diccionario,’ in which other names not yet reported from Porto Rico have been found and verified. Further acknowledgement is due to Capt. Arthur C. Hansard, a retired English officer, for several years resident in the northeastern part of the island. Known from Yabucoa. Elaeis guineensis. AFRICAN OIL PALM. The African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, furnishes the chief article of export and isthe principal basis of the commerce of West Africa. Two products are exported— the oil, derived from the reddish exterior of the pulp of the fruit, and the kernel, 138 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Secured by cracking the inclosed nut after the pulp has been removed. The fruit is egg-shaped, and from 1 to 1} inches (25 to 37 millimeters) in length. The deep red skin is thin, like that of the date. The oily pulp underneath is inter- spersed with tough fibers, but has a pleasant taste, and is frequently eaten after being slightly roasted. The oil is obtained in quantities by beating the nuts in wooden mortars and then skimming off from boiling water, also by less desir- able methods in which the nuts are rotted. This is said toincrease the yield of oil, but gives it a rancid taste unpleasant to the civilized palate, but not injuring the oil for export. In Europe the kernels are used for the extraction, under pressure, of another oil quite similar to that of the cocoanut and used for like purposes. Elaeodendron attenuatum. CocORRONCITO. Family Celastraceae; a low tree or shrub, 2 meters high, found along the sea- coast. (Stahl, 4: 20.) Elaeodendron xylocarpum. CocoRRoNn. A low tree or shrub, 2 to 3 meters high, found along the seacoast; from Guanica; a variety of this is reported from near Mayaguez. (Stahl, 4: 18.) Elephantopus mollis. See Hlephantopus scaber. Elephantopus scaber. LENGUA DE VACA. An herbaceous composite weed, 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters) high; reputed to have medicinal value in Jamaica and the French islands. (Stahl, 5: 105.) Elephantopus spicatus. YERBA DE BURRO. A woody annual, 50 centimeters high; along roadsides and in dry pastures. (Stahl, 5: 106.) Elephantopus tomentosus. CoTORRILLO. Specimens from Vega Baja (no, 1023). Eleusine indica. An annual, low, spreading grass; collected at Fajardo. Eleutheranthera ovata. OGIERA. An herbaceous annual, 50 centimeters high, found in sandy, stony places, (Stahl, 5: 126.) Elm, Spanish. See Cordia gerascanthoides. Emajagua. See Paritium tiliaceum. Emajagua brava. See Daphnopsis philippiana. Emajagua de sierra. See Daphnopsis philippiana. Emajagua excelsa. See Hibiscus elatus. Emilia sonechifolia. Emita. An herbaceous composite annual; found along roads and in dry pastures. (Stahl, 5: 151.) Encinillo. See Drypetes ilicifolia. Enernaseada. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diam- eter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood yellow, hard; specific gravity .783; fruit tree. (Exp. 1857.) Enredadera. See Barbieria polyphylla. Enrubio. A wild tree, not common, reaching a height of 25 or 30 feet (7 to 9 meters), with a trunk 10 inches (25 centimeters) in diameter. Its wood is very hard, with a red heart and white sapwood. Has no application (Grosourdy, 2: 382). Specific gravity 0.988 (Exp. 1857). Grosourdy refers this to Zanthoxylum lanceolatum, aspecies given in Index Kewensis as a synonym of Z. clava-herculis, which has since been referred to Fagara martinicensis. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 139 Entada polyphylla. Family Mimosaceae; a perennial vine; from Fajardo. Erechtites hieracifolia. ACHICORIA DE CABRA (GOAT’S CHICORY). An herbaceous erect annual composite, 50 centimeters high; grows in pastures. (Stahl, 5: 150.) Erigeron bellioides. BELLOoRITA. An herbaceous annual composite, 12 centimeters high; found in stony moist places. (Stahl, 5: 119.) Erigeron canadensis. PAscuETa. An herbaceous erect annual, 50 centimeters high; growsin pastures. (Stahl 5: 158. ) Erigeron rivularis. PASCUETA AMARILLA. Described as FE. canadensis, for which it was at first mistaken. (Stahl, 5: 121.) Erigeron spathulatus. CHIRIVITA. An herbaceous annual, 30 centimeters high; found in dry pastures. (Stahl 5: 120.) Eriobotrya japonica. Loquat. NisPERO. “The loquat is planted along the roadsides on many of the estates in the Wynaad and elsewhere, and coffee appears to thrive well under it; but, so far as I am aware, the wood is not of any value, which at once places it at a disadvantage in com- peting with the jack. The loquat yields a pleasant fruit, in size and appearance much like the yellow plum.’’—Hull. Eriodendron anfractuosum. See Ceiba pentandra. Erithalis fruticosa. I[AYAJABIco. Family Rubiaceae; a shrub 3 to 4 meters high. found on the beaches and cliffs near the sea. (Stahl, 5: 61.) Ernodea de playa. See Ernodea litoralis. Ernodea litoralis. ERNODEA DE PLAYA. A decumbent rubiaceous shrub; from Cabo Rojo. (Stahl, 5: 83.) Eryngium foetidum. CULANTRO DEL MONTE. An ill-smelling umbelliferous herb, 1 foot (30 centimeters) in height, found near cultivated places. ‘* Fit weed,”’ as this plant is called: in Jamaica, is reputed to have curative value in cases of snake bite, epileptic fits, etc. Specimens were col- lected along the military road beyond Rio Piedras; used in that locality for season- ing food. (Stahl, 4: 196.) Erythrina corallodendron. PINON ESPINOSO. A leguminous tree or shrub, 5 meters high, growing on limestone hills. Used for hedges in Jamaica, where it is called the ‘‘red bean tree.’’ (Stahl, 3: 89.) Erythrina glauca. Bucaao. A leguminous tree, 10 meters high, found near rivers. (Stahl, 3: 88.) Erythrina micropteryx. BucarRE. Also known as ‘‘ palo de boyo.”’ A leguminous tree of 15 to 20 meters beset with short, conical spines; flowers red. Cultivated as a shade tree for coffee and reported from numerous localities in Porto Rico. Itisanative of the lower Andes of Peru. (Urban, Symb. 1: 327.) _Erythrina umbrosa. BucarE. MADRE DE CACAO. Also called ‘‘ bois immortelle’’ and ‘‘madre de cacao’ in South America. Captain Hansard claims to have introduced seed of this species from Trinidad, but considered the seedlings the same as the tree already common in Porto Rico and now supposed to be EH. micropteryx. This species is said to be the most popular shade tree for the cacao plantations of the mainland, and is reported by 140 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Hill and Stahl (?) as a coffee shade tree in Porto Rico. According to Urban, the — true HL. umbrosa is not yet known from any of the West Indies, such references — pertaining to H. micropteryx. (Urban, Symb. 1: 327.) Erythroxylon brevipes. JIBA. Family Erythroxylaceae; a shrub, 2 to3 meters high, found in sandy places near the sea. Urban reports the form intermedia from Fajardo. (Stahl, 2: 136.) Krythroxylon havanense. See Hrythroxylon ovatwm. Krythroxylon obovatum. JIBA. A shrubby tree, 12 feet (4 meters) high, on limestone hills near the sea at Veja-baja and Aricebo. (Stahl, 2: 138.) Escambron. See Pisonia aculeata. Escambron blanco. See Clerodendron aculeatum. A simple-leaved spiny plant, collected about the large cacti near Guayanilla. Escambron colorado. A name applied to Pithecolobium unguis-cati at Guayanilla. Escoba. See Sida carpinifolia. EKscoba acorazanada. See Sida cordifolia, Escoba babosa. See Bastardia bivalvis. Escoba blanca. See Sida carpinifolia. Escoba colorada. See Sida rhombifolia. At Catano this name was also applied to a small species of Croton (no. 960). Escoba de Jamaica. See Sida jamaicensis. Escoba dulce. See Sida ulmifolia. Escoba pestafiosa. See Sida ciliaris. Escoba purpurina. See Sida purpurea. Escoba tendida. See Sida supina. Escobillon. See Pterocaulon virgatum. Escobita dulce. See Sida ulmifolia. Escorzonera. See Craniolaria annua and Martynia diandra. Espejuelo. See Sarcomphalus reticulatus. A tree from all parts of the island; height. 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diam- eter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood yellow. very hard; specific gray- ity, 1.299; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) The strong yellow wood is used for shelves and fences. (Grosourdy, 2: 382.) Espejuelo amarillo. A tree from the northeastern part of the island; height, 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters); diameter, 12 to 15inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood yellow, very hard; specific gravity, 1.050; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 382.) Espejuelo bobo. A thick-barked tree, not of very large size: found occasionally in the hills; specific gravity, 1.08. (Hansard.) Espiga de San Antonia. See Buchnera elongata. Espinillo. A tree from all partsof the island; height, 35 to 40 feet; diameter, 12 to 15 inches. Wood greenish, very hard; specific gravity, 1.114; used for cabinetwork. Also— called ‘‘huso.”? (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 382.) Captain Hansard gives this wood, which indicates that the tree occurs in the Luquillo region; specific gravity, 1.10. Aspiny tree, similar to Randia aculeata, bears this name in the vicinity of Vega Baja, but our specimen (no. 1028) is — stirile and has not been identified. § ! COOK AND COLLINS——ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 141 Espino. See Fagara martinicensis and F. monophylla, Zanthoaylum clava- herculis, Z. acuminatum and Z. caribaewm. : According to Captain Hansard, this tree has a specific gravity of 7.69. He also calls it the *“‘ box thorn.’’ The wood is light yellowish. The trunk has large, conical spines, bark turning from gray to white. This suggests the possibility that Hwra crepitans, generally called ‘‘avilla,’’ may be intended. Espino amarillo. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (14 to 15 meters); diam- eter, 15 to 20inches. Wood yellow, soft; specific gravity, 0.556; used for lumber. _ (Exp. 1857.) Grosourdy (2: 382) refers this to the genus Zanthoxylon. Espino blanco. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (14 to 15 meters) ; diam- eter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 45 centimeters). Wood white, soft; specific gravity, 0.642; used for lumber. (Exp. 1857.) Grosourdy (2: 382) also refers this to the genus Zanthoxylon, and suggests that it may be identical with the ‘‘agua blanca’’ of Cuba. Espino rubial. See Fagara catibaea, F. martinicensis, F. monophylla, F. pterota,and Z. ochroxylwm. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diam- eter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood yellow, hard; specific gravity, 0.664; used for lumber. (Exp. 1857.) Espino rubio. Very scarce and not much used; specific gravity, 0.68, according to Captain Hansard. : Espinosa. See Anthacanthus spinosus. Esponja. See Luffa aegyptiaca. Espuela de galan. See Scolosanthus grandiflorus. Estramonio. PEODEFRAILE. See Datura stramonium and D. fastuosa. Estrapajo. See Luffa aegyptiaca. Eugenia aeruginea. GUASAVARA. An indigenous myrtaceous tree sometimes 60 feet in height. known from Baya- mon, Juncos, Yabucoa, Guanica, Mayaguez, and Arecibo. Gout tea. See Cordia globosa. Graciosa. See Oldenlandia glomerata. Grana. § Given in Maza’s Diccionario as the Porto Rican name of the royal palm, but _ apparently little used, ‘‘ palma de yagua”’ being the prevalent designation. hs is Granada. See Punica granatum. . Granadilla. See Passiflora quadrangularis. Granadilla tree. In Jamaica and Cuba the names ** granadilla tree’ and “‘ granadilla”’ are applied to Brya ebenus, a small leguminous tree yielding the so-called *‘American ebony.”’ This species is not yet yeported from Porto Rico. Captain Hansard describes the ‘‘oranadilla tree’? as very large, with small leaves and spreading branches. Nothing will grow underneath it, and it is therefore unwelcome in coffee planta- tions. The yellow wood is not considered of marketable value, although it will make fairly good boards. The specific gravity is 1.11. The ‘* granadilla”’ fruit is from a vine Passiflora quadrangularis, and has nothing to do with the tree. Granadillo. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (13 to 14 meters); diam- eter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood, yellow, hard; specific gravity, 0.917; used for cabinet work. (Exp. 1857.) This is also enumerated by Hill among trees used for dyeing and tanning. See also the note under Granadilla tree. Grape. See Vitis vinifera. Grape fruit. See Citrus decumana. Grape tree. See Coccolobis. Grasilla. See Utricularia subulata. Grayume. See Didymopanax morototont. Grayumo. See Didymopanax morototoni. Captain Hansard states that this tree is supposed to have two distinct sexes, the female being hollow, while the male is solid and is sometimes sawed into white narrow boards, although he has seen some 14 inches wide. Owing to the softness and lightness of the wood, it is used only for inside work. The tree is large, with parasol-shaped leaves, and the name is sometimes erroneously pronounced ‘‘yau- egrumo.”’ Ground cherry. See Physalis. Ground nut. See Arachis hypogaea. Guaba. See Inga vera. A most useful tree for shade of coffee; according to Captain Hansard the spe- cific gravity of the wood is 0.64. . Guabara. The wood is given a specific gravity of 0.63 by Captain Hansard. , Guacima del Norte. See Guazuma ulmifolia. Guacima del Sur. See Guazuma tomentosa. Guaco. See Willughbaeya odoratissima and W. cordifolia. Guaco de cabra. See Willughbaeya porosa. Guajacum officinale. LiGNuM VITAE. GUAYACAN. Family Zygophyllaceae; a tree 5 meters high. wood called ‘‘lignum vitae.” The wood of this tree is very hard, cross-grained, and of high specific gravity. It COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. I51L takes a fine polish and is used in making rollers for casters and various utensils. ‘The resin exuded from the stem called ‘‘ guaiacum ”’ is said to have the property of changing color when brought in contact with various substances, also used as a stimulant in medicine. (Stahl, 2: 173.) A wild tree met with on the coasts, reaching a height of 45 or 50 feet (14 or 15 meters), with a trunk 12 to 15 inches: (30 to 37 centimeters) in diameter. It fur- nishes a very hard wood, very fine-grained and compact. The sapwood which is almost as hard as the heart is light yellow, while the heart is brown mixed with green with darker stripes. It is a valuable wood and its exportation forms a branch of commerce. It cuts well with the saw and in spite of its fibrous texture is much worked. It can also be split, especially when recently cut, at which time the wood is much softer and more easily worked. It becomes much harder on exposure to the atmosphere and is then very difficult to work. It is used extensively for machinery and in cabinet work and for turned articles, and in all works where strength and hardness are needed, such as wooden cogs, mortars, hubs of wheels, etc. It is susceptible of a high polish. The green wood has a specific gravity of 1.080; the dry, 1.354 to 1.860. (Grosourdy, 2: 389.) It is believed in Porto Rico that coffee powdered with a mortar and pestle of “‘ouayacan’’ is far superior to that ground in a wooden mill. Guajacum sanctum. GUAYACANCILLO. Family Zygophyllaceae; a tree said to have been abundant formerly on the coast hills of the south side of the island, but now nearly exterminated as far as large trees are concerned. The wood is considered valuable, and a resin or balsam exuded from it is medicinal. (Stahl, 2: 174.) According to Engler and Prantl the wood of this species is also utilized in com- merce as lignum vitae. Guajanilla amarilla. A wild tree produced in abundance in the southern part of the island. Its height is about 40 feet (12 meters), and its trunk 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centi- meters) in diameter. The wood is strong, dark yellow, breaking with a vertical fracture. Its most common use is for shelying in houses. (Grosourdy, 2: 386.) Guajanilla prieta. Said to be a variety of guajanilla amarilla, distinguished only by having its dark yellow wood streaked with brown. (Grosourdy, 2: 386.) Guajanillo. Captain Hansard gives the specific gravity as 0.80 and states that it is the same as “‘ caracolillo.”’ Guajona. A large tree occurring rarely in the mountains of the Luquillo rezion; the wocd makes good boards. The name means gypsy. (Hansard.) Gualteria americana. See Waltheria indica. Guamé. See Inga laurina. Specific gravity, 0.70 (Hansard). Used for firewood and as a coffee shade. The fruit is a broad, bean-like pod with edible, rather sweet-tasting, fluffy pulp. Abundant in foothills. Guanabana. Soursop. The fruit of Anona muricata. Guanabancilla cimarrona. See Vincetoxicum. Guanabanillo. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 20 to 25 feet (6 to 7.5 meters): diam- ter, 10 to 12 inches. Wood light, soft; specific gravity, 0.728; not used. (Exp. 1857.) 152 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Guanabano. See Anona muricata. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7.5 to 9 meters); diam- eter, 12 to 15 inches. Wood, light, soft; specific gravity, 0.688; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Captain Hansard gives this wood a specific gravity of 0.44. Guanabano cimarron. See Anona montana and A. palustris. Guanavano. See Anona muricata. A less correct form of ‘‘ guanabano.’ ? Guanaguao. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 meters); diameter, 60 to 64 inches (150 to 160 centimeters). Wood flesh-colored, soft; specific gravity, 0.741; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Guano. See Ochroma lagopus. ‘ Silk-cotton tree with long, fluffy pods sold in market: grows profusely in British islands. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7.5 to 9 meters); diam- eter, 18 to 20 inches (45 to 50 centimeters). Wood, yellow very soft; specific gravity, 0.231; little used. (Hxp. 1857.) Guansa. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 meters); diam- eter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood ash-colored, rather hard; specific gravity, 0.729; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Guao. See Comocladia. According to Engler this name is applied to Comocladia ilicifolia, an anacardi- aceous tree, also known as ‘‘carrasco”’’ in Porto Rico and other West Indian islands. Hill’s reference (p. 34) is evidently an error for ‘‘ guano,’’ the popular name of Ochroma lagopus, the West Indian cork-wood tree. which furnishes a downy fiber. Guara. See Cupania americana. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diam- eter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood white, soft; specific gravity, 0.596; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Captain Hansard gives a specific gravity of 0.70. Guaraguadillo. See Guarea humilis. Guaraguao. See Guarea swartzii, G. trichilioides, and Trichilia spondiodes. A tree occasionally found, but not plentiful, in the mountains of the northeastern part of the island. The wood isred and makes good boards, similar to mahogany; specific gravity, 0.69 (Hansard). Light reddish brown, streaked with lighter and darker shades. Large ducts numerous, occurring singly or in irregular loose groups of two to four. Medul- lary rays numerous, but very indistinct. An exceedingly cross-grained, porous wood, somewhat similar in color to cedro. Suitable for a cabinet wood. (Hill and Sudworth, p. 29.) ) Grosourdy (2: 387) refers this variety to both Guarea trichilioides and Trichilia moscata and describes it as an abundant wild tree, 70 feet (21 meters) in height, whose long, straight trunk reaches a diameter of 6 or 64 feet (about 2 meters). Itfurnishes a rather hard wood of good weight, dense and close-grained, dark flesh-colored, and breaking with an oblique fracture. Itis much appreciated for the construction of strong wagons and carriages and farm implements and in many branches of carpentry work. Guaraguao cimarron. See Trichilia havanensis. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 1538 Guarea humilis. GUARAGUADILLO. Family Meliaceae; a tree or shrub 5 meters high from Barranquitas ard Adjuntas, Luquillo, and Naguabo. (Stahl, 2: 168.) Guarea swartzil. GUARAGUAO. A large forest tree, 15 to 20 meters high. Wood like cedar in color, but harder; used for furniture. (Stahl, 2: 166.) This species is not now recognized as genuine, the Porto Rican form represent- ing probably G. trichilioides. The common name ‘‘ acajou ’’ is sometimes applied to this species. Guarea trichilioides. A tree having a musk-like perfume. Guarema. See Picramnia pentandra. A tree from the northeastern part of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood dark. hard; spe- cific gravity, 1.213; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 387.) Guasa. A tree from the eastern part of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet; diameter, 10 to 12 inches. Wood white, soft; specific gravity, 0.890; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Grosourdy says (2: 387), in addition, that the wood is resistant and breaks with a vertical fracture. Guasabara. See Hugenia tetrasperma. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 55 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters); diam- ter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood flesh-colored, hard; specific gravity, 0.947; used for cabinet work. (Exp. 1857.) Specific gravity 0.87 according to Captain Hansard. Guasabarillo. Perhaps the same as ‘*‘ guasabara,’’ but with the specific gravity given as 0.78. Guasavara. See Hugenia aeruginea and E. eggersii. Another spelling of Guasabara; said by Grosourdy to be an abundant wild tree, 60 feet (18 meters) in height and 12 to 18 inches (30 to 37 centimeters) in diameter. The wood is strong, compact, and flesh-colored, and breaks obliquely. Its most common use is for fences and for fuel. (Grosourdy, 2: 387.) Guasima. See Guazuma guazuma. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 meters); diam- eter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood white, soft; specific gravity, 0.741; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Captain Hansard gives a specific gravity of 0.35 under this name. Guasimilla. A wild tree, without doubt a variety of Guacima, 35 feet (11 meters) high and 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter. The wood is white, soft, and breaks with avertical fracture. Its most common use is for framing country houses. (Gro- sourdy, 2: 387.) A tree from the eastern part of the island; specific gravity, 0.508. (Exp. 1857.) Guatapana. A wild tree, 24 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters) high, with a trunk 12 inches (30 centi- meters) in diameter. The wood is dark-colored, hard, and resistant; used for shelving and in boat building. (Grosourdy, 2: 3838.) A tree from the southern part of theisland; specific gravity, 1.294. (Exp. 1857.) Guauro. See Vincetoxicum pubescens. Guava. The English name of the well-known tropical fruit Psidiwm guajava, the Span- ish name of which is “‘ guayava.’’ In Porto Rico the name guava is applied 154 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. instead to a species of Inga, used as a shade tree for coffee. Captain Hansard claims to have been informed by Professor Hart, of the Trinidad Botanic Gardens, that the tree called guava in Porto Rico is not the genuine Inga vera, but our specimens seem to agree reasonably well with material from the other West Indies and from South America. Guayaba. See Psidiwm guajava. Guayabacison. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diame- ter, 15 to 18 inches (37 to 45 centimeters). Wood pinkish, hard; specific gravity, 1.029; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Guayabacon. See Eugenia aeruginea, Myrica divaricata, and M. leptoclada. A tree of the coasts, reaching 30 feet (9 meters) in height by 18 inches (45 centi- meters) in diameter. The rose-colored wood is compact and strong, and difficult to break. It is used for beams and rafters in country houses. (Grosourdy, 2: 388. ) Guayabillo. See Eugenia pseudopsidium. Guayabillo de costa. See Hugenia flavo-virens. Guayabo. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 12 to 15 feet; diameter, 6 to 8 inches. Wood flesh-colored, hard; specific gravity, 0.811: fruit tree. (Exp. 1857.) Guayabota. See Diospyrus ebenaster and Eugenia stahlii. A hard wood used in peasant houses for posts; flowers like Gardenia. Specific gravity of the wood, 0.66. (Hansard.) Said by Grosourdy to be a variety of ‘** guayabota rojo,’ with a lighter-colored wood. (Grosourdy, 2: 388.) Guayabota blanca. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters); diame- ter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood pinkish, soft; specific gravity, 0.686; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Guayabota nispero. See Maba sintenisii. Guayabota roja. A rather abundant wild tree. reaching 30 feet (9 meters) in height, and 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter. The wood is red, rather soft, and not very dura- ble, breaking with an oblique fracture. Its common use is for the framework of country houses. (Grosourdy. 2: 3838. A tree from all parts of the island. Specific gravity, 0.667. (Exp. 1857.) Guayacan. See Guajacuwm officinale. Also called erroneously ‘‘ guayavacan”’ by the peasants and others who have learned from them. A tree from the southeastern part of the island: height, 40 to 45 feet; diameter, 12 to 15 inches. Wood greenish, hard; specific gravity, 0.972; used in making furniture. (Exp. 1857.) Captain Hansard considers this the genuine lignum-vitae and gives the specific gray ty as 1.16. Heartwood dull yellowish-brown, with dark olive-brown streaks; sapwood pale yellow, with brownishareas. Minute ducts occurring singly and evenly scattered. Medullary rays very small and indistinct. Smoothed surface, oily to the touch. Exceedingly hard, brittle, and difficult to cut. Resembles Guajacum officinale, and is probably G. sanctum. It grows in comparative abundance in the entire mountain chain and on the southern coast of the island, producing a wood which is very solid and resistant. On this account it is much sought after in the ship- Wane Rin Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. ; PLATE XXXVI. 3 GUACIMA (GUAZUMA GUAZUMA). COAMO SPRINGS. ie COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 155 yards for blocks and pulleys, for spokes and tires, and many other things which require great strength. Water boiled with this wood is an antivenereal specific and cures ulcers produced by this’ disease. The resin from the ‘‘ guayacan,”’ lignum-vitae, is highly valued for gout. The Caribbeans apply it to other local ailments, and foreigners extract it freely on the southern coast equally with the “year,” ‘‘expinillo,’’ ‘‘ palo de Maria,’ ‘‘palo de Brazil’’ and others, for dyes and coloring matter. (Hill and Sudworth, 27.) Guayacancillo. See Guajacum sanctum. Grosourdy (2: 389) refers this to G. verticale and suggests that it is possibly only a variety of G. officinalis. Guayacan de vera. A name applied at Yauco to guayacan wood with white and yellow spots. Guayaco. Reported by Hill among resin-yielding trees. Perhaps ‘* guayacan’’ was intended. Guayanilla amarilla. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet; diameter, 12 to 15 inches. Wood yellow, hard; specific gravity, 1.088; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) Guayanilla prieta. A tree from the interior of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diameter, 10 to12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood dark yellow, hard; specific gravity, 1.116; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Guayarote. See Meliosma obtusifolia. Guayava. See Psidium guayava. Guayava pera. See Psidium guayava. A name applied to the pear-shaped varieties of the guava. Guayavacon. See Myrcia leptoclada and Trichilia hirta. Guayavita. See Amomis caryophyllata. Guazuma guazuma. GuACIMA DEL NORTE. PLATE XXXVI. A common tree belonging to the family Sterculiaceae; Stahl ascribes qualities similar to those noted under G. tomentosa, and gives the name *‘ guacima del norte.”’ (Stahl, 2: 105.) A wild tree very common throughout the Antilles and also on the continent. It reaches 30 to 40 feet (9 to 12 meters) in height, with a rather straight trunk 15 to 18 inches (37 to 45 centimeters) in diameter. A variety of the mountains with rather small leaves is somewhat larger and taller. Furnishes a rather light wood that is undoubtedly resistant, fibrous in texture, light gray in color, slightly mixed with rose or flesh color in unequal stripes that produce a handsome appearance. This wood has no heart, and some specimens are reddish-gray mot- tled almost uniformly. It has no use, but would appear suitable for fences, the interior of houses, etc. It serves for fuel, and the light charcoal is good for making powder. Specific gravity, 0.552. The common name is sometimes spelled “euazima’’ and ‘‘guasima.’’ (Grosourdy, 2: 385.) Guazuma tomentosa. GUACIMA DEL SuR. A tree common on the southern coast of theisland. (Stahl, 2: 106.) In Jamaica is said to be a tree 20 to 25 feet (6 to 8 meters) high; foliage and fruit eaten by cattle. The light wood is used for making sugar hogsheads. Guazuma ulmifolia. See Guazwma guazuma. Guerrero. See Eupatorium dalea, E. portoricense, and E. resinifluum. 156 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Guettarda krugii. A recently described rubiaceous tree, attaining a height of 10 meters; known ‘ from the vicinity of Guanica. (Urban, Symb. 1: 431.) : Guettarda laevis. A tree 15 to 20 meters high from the primeval forests of the mountains of Luquillo and Naguabo. (Urban, Symb. 1: 433.) Guettarda ovalifolia. A tree 8 to 10 meters in height, recently described from the region of Cayey, Adjuntas, and Maricao. (Urban, Symb. 1: 482.) Guettarda pungens. ; The midrib of the small leathery leaves of this species is produced into a sharp spine. Known from Maricao. (Sintenis.) Guettarda scabra. PAaLo DE CUCUBANO. A tree 3 to 5 meters high, growing on mountains and in waste places. (Stahl, 5: 56.) Guichara. See Lagenaria vulgaris. The grooved musical instrument made from the gourd; also called ‘‘ guira ”’ and ‘‘ caracho.”’ Guilandina bonduc. See Caesalpinia bondue. Guilandina bonducella. See Caesalpinia bonducella. Guinea grass. See Panicum maximum. ‘ Guinea-hen’s weed. See Petiveria alliacea. Guinea pepper. See Capsicum. Guineos. A variety of banana. Guingambo. See Abelmoschus esculentus. Guira. See Lagenaria vulgaris. One of the names applied to the grooved gourd used as a musical instrument. Guitaran. A low tree growing on the coast, reaching 18 to 20 feet (5 to 6 meters) in height, with a trunk 10 or 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) in diameter. The wood is rose-colored and breaks easily with a vertical fracture. Has no application. (Grosourdy, 2: 389.) A tree from the interior of the island; height. 18 to 20 feet; diameter, 10 to 12 inches. Wood pinkish, soft; specific gravity, 0.863: used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) Gum arabie. See Acacia arabica. Guyabacoa. See Rheedia portoricensis. Guyacan. Probably an error for Guayacan. Guzmannia sintenisii. Family Bromeliaceae; from Sierra de Luquillo. Gynandropsis speciosa. VOLATINES PRECIOSOS. Family Capparidaceae; an herbaceous annual cultivated in gardens; 1 meter high. (Stahl, 2: 42.) Gynerium saccharoides. CANA DE CASTILLA. Habas. See Phaseolus lunatus. Habichuela. See Phaseolus vulgaris. Habichuela cimarrona. See Phaseolus adenanthus and Phaseolus lanceolatus. Habichuela parada. See Phaseolus semierectus. i ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 157 COOK AND COLLINS Hacana. See Lucuma multiflora. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 20 to 25 feet (6 to 8 meters); diame- ter, 8 to 10 inches. Wood white. rather hard; specific gravity, 0.924; not used. This is perhaps the same as ‘“‘acana’”’ and ‘‘jacana.”’ (Exp. 1857.) Hacanilla. See Ardisia purpurascens. This name was perhaps intended for ‘‘jacanillo,”’ appled to Ardisia pendula. Hachuelo. See Pictetia. ** Color, rich dark yellowish-brown, with streaks and mottlings of light yellow- brown. Ducts minute, very numerous, occurring singly, and irregularly dif- fused between the medullary rays or often interrupting the rays. Medullary rays very numerous, indistinct. Wood fibers interlaced, but appearing rather straight grained on the finished surface. Valuable for cabinetwork.”’ (Hill and Sudworth. ) Hachuelo. An erroneous name given by Hill for the calabash tree. Crescentia cujete, which seems also to have been confused by him with ‘‘tachuelo’’ or Pictetia. Haematoxylon campechianum. Palo DE CAMPECHE. Family Cassiaceae; a medium-sized tree yielding the logwood of commerce. (Stahl, 3: 104.) ; A wild tree reaching 30 to 45 feet (9 to 14 meters) high, but with short trunk seldom attaining 6 or 9 feet (2 to 3 meters); very crooked and irregular, prolonged into large branches rather long and straight. The diameter of the trunk is 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters); of the branches 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centime- ters). The wood is very hard and heavy, compact in texture, dark purple with darker stripes, frequently tinted with orange, especially toward the outside, which is lighter, variegated with orange. Without doubt at the fall of the tree the wood is of one color, a reddish white, and takes on its beautiful color little by little after exposure to the air. Specific gravity, 0.992. The wood is not only used as a dye, but can be utilized in turning. (Grosourdy, 2: 369.) Haemocharis portoricensis. NINO DE COTA. An indigenous tree belonging to the Theaceae and closely related botanically to the tea shrub. It is reported from the primeval forests of the mountain of Luquillo and Naguabo at an altitude of 1,000 meters. Haenianthus obpvatus. An oleaceous shrub described from specimens collected on El Yunque. (Urban, Add. 1:58.) Also from the mountain of Luquillo. Hamelia lutea. BALSAMO AMARILLO. Family Rubiaceae ; an annual herbaceous shrub, 1 meter high, found along the foothills and shaded woody places. (Stahl, 5:40.) Hamelia patens. BALSAMO COLORADO. An erect biennial shrub, 1 meter high, in stony places in the mountains. Our specimens (No. 619) are from the vicinity of Coamo. (Stahl, 5: 41.) Hat palm. See Jnodes causiarum. Haya. See Oxandra laurifolia. A tree from the interior of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet; diameter, 8 to 10 inches; specific gravity, 0.705. (Exp. 1857.) The wood is dirty white, flexible, and breaks with a vertical fracture. Its com- mon use is for oars and the frames of country houses. (Grosourdy, 2: 389.) Haya blanca. See Oxandra laurifolia. Haya prieta. See Oxandra virgata. 158 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Hebeclinium macrophyllum. See Hupatoriuwm macrophyllum. Hecastophyllum brownei. See Dalbergia ecastaphyllum. Hecastophyllum monetaria. See Dalbergia monetaria. Heckeria peltata. PuaTeE XXXVII. Family Piperaceae; a large, succulent herb with peltate, heart-shaped leaves. Heckeria umbellata. PLATE XXXVIII. A species appearing very similar to the preceding but very different on close inspection. The stems and petioles have prominent ridges fringed with rows of long hairs; the internodes and peduncles are shorter, the petioles not expanded at base, and the leaves are not peltate but have an open sinus. Both species were collected along the Military Road a short distance south of Rio Piedras. Hedionda. See Cassia occidentalis. In the market of Ponce roots called ‘‘hedionda’’ were being sold by an herb dealer as a remedy for flatulence. Hediondilla. See Leucaena glauca. Hedwigia balsamifera. See Tetragastris balsamifera. Hedychium coronarium. Family Zingiberaceae; reported from Cayey and Maricao. Also collected at Adjuntas. Hedyosmum arborescens. Family Chloranthaceae; a shrub 12 to 16 feet (4 to 5 meters) high,in mountain woods. A related species is called ‘‘ headache weed’? in Jamaica. Reported from Sierra de Luquillo. Hedyotis glomerata. See Oldenlandia glomerata. Heliconia. A species of Heliconia is reported by Hill, apparently on the authority of Eggers, in a list of trees of the mountains. This genus is quite closely related to the banana, but the fruit is a dry capsule with three seeds or less. Heliconia bihai. A musaceous tree 10 or 12 feet (3 or 4 meters) high, reported from Bayamon, in forests on the mountains. Called bastard plantain in Jamaica. Helicteres jamaicensis. CUERNECILLO. Family Sterculiaceae; a shrub 2to3 meters high, in sands of the coast. Jacquin calls this ‘‘ huevo de gato’’ (Stahl, 2: 102), while Bello gives simply ‘‘ gato.”’ Heliophytum indicum. See Heliotropium indicum. Heliophytum parviflorum. See Heliotropium parviflorum. Heliotropium curassavicum. CoTORRERA DE LA PLAYA. Family Boraginaceae; a woody herb 50 centimeters high, growing in tufts in marshy ground along the seashore. (Stahl, 6: 106.) Heliotropium indicum. COTORRERA. An herbaceous, erect annual, 50 centimeters high; common. A decoction of this plant is said to act as a diuretic. (Stahl, 6: 108.) At Catafio this was called ‘‘yerba de cotorra,’’ a translation of which would be ‘‘ parrot grass,’’ while at Ponce it is termed *‘ yerba de culebra.”’ Heliotropium inundatum. CoTORRERA DE AGUA. Said to be a woody herb, found in wet places along the seashore. (Stahl, 6: 107.) Heliotropium parviflorum. CoTORRERILLA. A woody herb 50 centimeters high, growing in stony places. (Stahl, 6: 109, as Heliophytum parviflorum. ) Heliotropium peruvianum. HELIOTROPO. A beautiful, fragrant species, cultivated in gardens. (Stahl, 6: 108.) ae . Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE XXXVII. 4 q HECKERIA PELTATA; INFLORESCENCE AND CENTER OF LEAF. Nat. Herb., V PLATE XXXVIII. HECKERIA UMBELLATA; INFLORESCENCE AND CENTER OF LEAF. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE XXXIX. i i. i ' | ea TALANTALA (HERPETICA ALATA). AT CATANO. COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 159 Heliotropo. See Heliotropium peruvianwm. Henna. See Lawsonia tnernis. Henriettella fascicularis. CAMACEY SIMPLE. Family Melastomaceae; a shrub 3 to 4 meters high; grows on mountains above 500 feet elevation. (Stahl, 4: 114.) Herbeclinium macrophyllum. See Hupatoriwnm macrophyllum and Bacopa chamaedryoides. Hernandia sonora. Family Hernandiaceae; a tree with large peltate leaves, the juice of which is said to be a powerful depilatory; reported from near Rincon and Yabucoa. Herpestis monniera. See Bacopa monniera. Herpetica alata. TALANTALA. PLATE XXXIX. Family Cassiaceae; a shrubby plant 4 to 8 feet high, also called ringworm shrub in Jamaica on account of its reputed healing properties for that disorder. Bello gives the common name as “‘talantro.”’. (Stahl, 3: 107, as Cassia alata.) Heteropteris bellonis. AHORCA CABALLO. An indigenous, climbing shrub of the family Malpighiaceae. From Sabana Grande, Maricao, and Lares. Appears in Stahl’s ‘‘ Flora”’ as Stigmatophyllon chrysophylla. Heteropteris chrysophylla. BrJUCO DE PARALEJO. A vine found by Stahl at Humacao. (Stahl, 2: 147). Heteropteris laurifolia. PARALEJO VELLUDO. A shrub 2 to3 meters high; collected by Heller near Mayaguez. (Stahl, 2: 149, as Heteropteris pubifiora.) Heteropteris pubiflora. See Heteropteris laurifolia. Heteropteris purpurea. BEJUCO DE PARALEJO ROSADO. A low, woody climber among shrubs. (Stahl, 2: 148.) Hibiscus abelmoschus. See Abelmoschus abelmoschus. Hibiscus bifurcatus. BUENOS DIAS. An herbaceous, woody annual, 1 to 2 meters high, found in shady waste places. (Stahl, 2: 91.) Hibiscus elatus. EMAJAGUA EXCELSA. A spreading tree growing to be 60 feet high and 8 feet through; used for lumber; does not corrode the nails; very durable; the bark is said to make good rope. (Stahl, 2: 95, as Paritiwm elatum.) Hipiscus esculentus. See Abelmoschus esculentus. Hibiscus mutabilis. MaARravi.a. A shrub 3 to 4 meters high, cultivated in gardens for its flowers. (Stahl, 2: 89.) Hibiscus radiatus. PAVONA ENCENDIDA. A woody shrub, 1 meter high, cultivated in gardens. (Stahl, 2: 90.) Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. PAvona. A shrub 3 to 4 meters high, cultivated in gardens for its beautiful flowers. ‘Introduced from Asia. At Santurce this species was called ‘“‘mapola.’’ (Stahl, 2: 88.) Hibiscus sabdariffa. JAMAICA SORREL. VINA. A shrubby annual or biennial, valued for the fleshy red calyx, which has a sharp but not unpleasant acid taste. The jellies and sauces made from it have been compared to those obtained from cranberries. In British India this plant is the basis of a considerable agricultural industry, it being grown there both for the calyx and for a fiber extracted from the stems by a process of retting. For 160 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. this purpose the crop is cut while in flower, dried, made into bundles, and soaked in water for fifteen to twenty days. It is then possible to wash out a strong, silky fiber known in commerce as Rozelle hemp, considered by some to be the equal of jute, although little or none is exported to Europe. The natives use it mostly for cordage and coarser textile purposes. The seeds are employed in vari- ous medicinal decoctions and compounds on account of supposed demulcent, diu- retic, and tonic properties, and the calices are also made into a refreshing acid drink for fever patients and convalescents. The calices and young capsules may be preserved by drying, and in this condi- tion are sometimes met with in tropical markets. The leavesare also an ingredient in certain dishes and the seeds are fed to cattle. Analyses show considerable quantities of tartaric and malic acid, but no citric, and the Jamaica sorrel thus supplements the lime in the direction of the qualities of our temperate fruits. It is becoming increasingly popular with the people of Florida, and is now com- monly cultivated in the southern part of that State. Americans in Porto Rico would do well to become acquainted with it. The species has been reported by Bello with the above native name as growing in country districts in the western part of the island, but is probably to be found occasione lly elsewhere. Also called ‘‘aleluya roja de Guinea” and *‘agrio de Guinea.”’ Hibiscus schizopetalus. Lira. PLATE XL. A shrub 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 meters) high, of very slender trailing habit; culti- vated for its very peculiar pink flowers. The petals are split into a fringe of narrow divisions and the stamen tube and style are extremely long. Hibiscus tiliaceus. See Paritium tiliaceum. Hibiscus tomentosus. MALVAVISCO AFELPADO. An herbaceous, woody annual; grows in swamps between Cataio and Palo Seco; 1 to 2 meters high. (Stahl, 2: 92.) Hicaco. See Chrysobalanus icaco. Hicaquillo. See Dendropremon caribaeus and Loranthus americanus. Hicaquillo del combron. See Dendropremon bicolor. Hierba. See Yerba. Hieronymia alchornoides. An euphorbiaceous tree, reported from Sierra de Lares. Higo. See Ficus carica. ; Higrofila de Puerto Rico. See Hygrophila portoricensis. Higtiera. See Crescentia cujete. Hansard gives this wood a specific gravity of 0.51 and doubtfully refers it to the fig tree. Higtierilla. See Crescentia cucurbitina. Higuerillo. See Vitex divaricata. A tree from all parts of theisland; height, 25 to 30 feet; diameter, 10 to 12 inches. Wood ash-colored, hard; specific gravity 0.805; used for cabinet work. (Exp. 1857.) Captain Hansard gives 0.61 as the specific gravity of this wood. Said by Grosourdy (2: 390) to break with a vertical fracture, and to be used for shelves, boards, framework of houses, etc. : Higuereta cimarrona. See Jatropha gossypifolia. Higtierito. See Crescentia microcarpa. Higtierito de Sierra. See Schlegelia axillaris and Schlegelia brachyantha portoricensis. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE XL. 7 LIRA (HIBISCUS SCHIZOPETALUS). COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. I61 Higuero. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 20 to 25 feet (6 to 8 meters); diameter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood light, soft; specific gravity 0.638; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Higuillo. See Plumbago scandens. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 15 to 20 feet (5 to 6 meters); dia- meter, 5 to 6 inches. Wood white, soft; specific gravity, 0.689; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Higuillo amargo. See Piper citrifolium. Hippocratea ovata. BEJUCO PRIETO. Family Hippocrateaceae; a woody climber. (Stahl, 4: 39.) Hippocratea scandens. A woody climber; reported from Sierra de Luquillo. Hippomane mancinella. MANCHINEEL. MANZANILLO. Reported by Hill as a tree of the coast region. A member of the Euphorbiaceae and related to the tallow tree, Sapium sebiferuwm. The wood makes handsome furniture and takes a high polish. The abundant milky juice is extremely poison- ous to most persons, although some are not affected by it. In the eye it is said to cause temporary and even permanent blindness. Its deleterious properties have, however, been greatly exaggerated, to the effect that sleeping in its shade is con- sidered fatal. The fruit has somewhat the appearance of a small apple, whence the Spanish name. The acrid juice attacks the mouth and prevents one eating a fatal quantity. Hill’s account may be quoted as well illustrating the popular belief, page 38: “The alleged effects of the guao tree upon man and animal have just been related, but more serious still are said to be the results of resting in the shade of the manzanillo or manchineel. This tree spreads throughout the seacoasts and river banks; is covered with regular leaves; its stem almost two feet in circum- ference; its bark smooth and delicate; the flowers rese-tinted. It is loaded with small, apple-like fruit of a pleasant appearance and odor; the leaves resemble those of the pear tree; the entire tree is full of a milky juice, which exudes in the heat of the sun. According to current belief, as frequently related by the writer, the incautious traveler, attracted by the beautiful appearance of the manzanillo, reposes in its shade, soon finds himself poisoned, and if lacteal substance falls upon him from the leaves, or if he touches the leaves he suffers as from the appli- cation of some blistering substance. It is also said that a fish which eats the fruit becomes infected, the gills becoming yellow and black, and one who eats the fish in this state is said to fall into a profound lethargy, with a general relaxation of all the limbs. according to the quantity of the fish he has eaten. This effect, according to popular belief, continues twenty-four hours, and frequently results in death. The use of brandy or other spirituous liquors or the drinking of sea water is considered beneficial as an antidote.”’ Furnishes a valuable wood for fine furniture, as easy to work as mahogany, whose properties and durability it possesses. It is of ordinary weight and hard- ness, fine-grained, and somewhat fibrous in texture. Its color is a handsome yel- lowish gray tinged with brown, with brown or black lines. This wood should not be worked until thoroughly dried and seasoned. Specific gravity, 0.674. (Grosourdy, 2: 401.) Hirtella. A genus, according to Stahl, of two Porto Rican species, H. triardra and H. rugosa, both bearing the common name ‘‘tete de burro.’’ They are shrubs or small trees and are related to Chrysobalanus, which Stahl considers the type of a distinct family of Leguminosae, although the prevailing tendency is to place it in the Rosaceae. 162 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Hog plum. See Spondias lutea. Hog weed. See Boerhavia. Hoja de yagua. The leaf base of the royal palm. Hoja menuda. See Calyptranthes sintenisti, Eugenia biflora ludibunda, E. buaifolia, E. ligustrina, E. monticola, E. potretii, E. procera, Myrcia cori- acea, M. paniculata, and M. splendens. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 12 to 15 feet (8.5 to 4.5 meters); diameter, 8 to 10 inches. Wood, ash colored, hard; specific gravity, 0.822; used for stakes. (Exp. 1857.) Grosourdy adds (2: 390) that the wood is flexible, fibrous, and moderately resistant. Used also to make charcoal. Homalium racemosum. Tostapo. Family Flacourtiaceae; a tree 5 to 8 meters high, found on mountains and in waste places. (Stahl, 4: 161.) Hordeum vulgare. CEBADA. Barley is not raised in the island, but is imported in small quantities, mostly for making soups and for barley water, which is used as a drink. Horse bean. See Canavalia gladiata. Horseradish tree. See Moringa pterygosperma. Hortegon. Hansard gives this wood a specific gravity of 1.25. It varies in color from deep red to black and is very durable and hard. The leaf is large. When making boundaries a piece 2 or 3 feet long is put in the ground and lasts indefinitely. Hortegon labrado. A wild tree not commonly met with, and then only in the northeast part of the island. It reaches a height of 60 feet, and the diameter of the long straight trunk is not over 2 feet. It furnishes a very coarse, flesh-colored wood of the greatest durability. It breaks with difficulty with a vertical fracture. Its common use is for shelving in houses. (Grosourdy, 2: 390.) Specific gravity, 1.207. (Exp. 1857.) Hortegon prieto. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 75 to 80 feet; diameter, 20 to 25 inches. Wood dark, very hard; specific gravity, 1.064: used for cabinet work. (Exp. 1857.) Grosourdy says this is but a variety of ‘‘hortegon labrado.”’ The only differ- ence being the brown-colored wood. It is used in the same way. (Grosourdy, 2: 390.) Hortones. A variety of banana or plantain mentioned by Hill, but not described. Hoya carnosa. An ornamental plant of the milkweed family, introduced from the Malay region and now naturalized in several of the West Indies. Huear. ‘* Bois immortelle,’’ good for coffee and cacao shades; specific gravity, 1.06 (Hansard). See also ‘‘ bucar’’ and ‘*‘ ucar.”’ Probably refers to Erythrina poeppigiana. Hucar amarillo. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 80 to 85 feet (24 to 25 meters); diameter, 50 to 55 inches (125 to 137 centimeters). Wood yellowish, very hard; specific gravity, 1.080; used in boat building. (Exp. 1857.) COOK AND COLLINS—ECUNOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 1638 Captain Hansard calls this ‘‘ bois immortelle’”’ and says that it is good for coffee and cacao shades; specific gravity given at 1.07. Huear blanco. See Bucida buceras. A tree from all parts of the island: height, 80 to 85 feet (24 to 25 meters); diameter, 45 to 80 inches (112 to 200 centimeters). Wood white, very hard; specific gravity, 1.0938; used in boat building. (Exp. 1897.) Huear colorado. Bois immortelle, good for coffee and cacao shades. Specific gravity, 0.93. (Cap- tain Hansard.) Hucar prieto. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 70 to 75 feet (21 to 23 meters); diameter, 40 to 45 inches (100 to 112 centimeters). Wood dark, very hard; specific gravity, 1.073; used in boat building. (Exp. 1857.) Grosourdy (2: 390) says this is a variety of ‘‘hucar blanco”’ (Bucida buceras) differing only in having the wood dark gray in color. Huearillo. ; A tree from the eastern part of the island;. height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diameter, 20 to 24 inches (50 to 60 centimeters). Wood white, hard; specific gravity, 0.943; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Captain Hansard gives a specific gravity of 0.80 for wood of this tree. Huesillo. See Mayepea domingensis. Hueso blaneo. See Mayepea domingensis. Hueso prieto. See Jlex nitida. Huevo de gato. See Helicteres jamaicensis. Hura crepitans. Havi.ua. This or a related species is not unfrequently planted as a shade tree along roads, particularly between San German and Mayaguez. It reaches a rather large size (24 feet—75 centimeters—in diameter) and has a spreading habit, but the wood is soft and brittle sothat it suffered much damage from the hurricane. The trunk suggests that of the Ceiba, having prominent roots, large stout spines, and a sim- ilar light gray color. The habit of the branches is different, however, and the leaves are simple and cordate instead of palmately compound. They are also peculiar in having unusually numerous white veins. Hura belongs to the Euphor- biaceae, but differs from most of the family in having a seed capsule of numerous divisions, somewhat resembling, exteriorly, the fruit of Malva on a large scale. The flowers are also peculiar, the staminate being on a spike suggesting the Piperaceae or aroids; the pistillate flower is naked, with a large spreading trumpet- _ shaped, lacerate stigma. The seeds are loosened and rattle in their separate compartments, perhaps suggesting the name ‘‘ sand-box tree,’”’ used in the Eng- lish colonies. The name ‘‘monkey’s dinner-bell’’ is also applied in allusion to the fact that the ripe fruit splits with a loud report. The slightly milky juice is acrid and irritant, while the seeds are sometimes used as a purgative. An oil expressed from them is said to be less nauseous than castor oil and to be effective in smaller doses. The fruits of the Porto Rican trees were much less prominently ribbed than those figured in botanical works; possibly it represents a distinct species. Grosourdy says of the wood that it is rather light and soft, fibrous in texture, and resistant to the action of water. It is nearly white with stripes of light brown of the same color as the heart. There is a variety, light brown in color, that is highly valued because canoes made of it are much stronger and last much longer than those made of the other varieties. Specific gravity, 0.465. It is used also 23227—VOL VIII, PT 2—03——_8 164 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. eee for interior work in houses. In working this wood care should be taken that the — dust does not enter the eyes or nose, as it is very irritating and produces con- siderable inflammation. It is sufficient that the face be covered with a gauze. The native name is here spelled ‘‘ javillo.”” (Grosourdy, 2: 392.) Huso. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 meters); diam- eter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood greenish, very hard; specific gravity 1.114; used for cabinetwork. Also called ‘‘espinillo.”’ (Exp. 1857.) Color, light yellow, with irregular, thin, yellowish-brown streaks. Conspicuous ducts in short, detached chains (1 to 2 rows of cells) evenly diffused. Medullary rays minute, but distinct. Wood fibers strongly interlaced (crossgrained). Tough, uncleavable wood. Used for hubs. (Hill and Sudworth.) Huso amarillo. Specific gravity 0.88, according to Captain Hansard. Huso blanco. Captain Hansard says that this wood has a specific gravity of 0.89. Huso colorado. Specific gravity, according to Captain Hansard, is 1.30. Hydrocotyle. This is a genus of small umbelliferous herbs, growing in moist, shady places, and usually creeping by means of long rhizomes. Hydrocotyle asiatica. See Centella asiatica. Hydrocotyle hirsuta. YERBA DE CUARTO. Hydrocotyle spicata. See Hydrocotyle hirsuta. Hydrocotyle umbellata. YERBA DE CUARTO. A creeping herb found in rivulets and swamps. Used by Brazilian natives to produce vomiting; also said to be an antidote for poison. Kills sheep if they feed upon it. Hygrophila portoricensis. HIGROFILA DE PUERTO RICO. Family Acanthaceae; an herbaceous annual somewhat fleshy, found in ponds and on sides of ravines. Peculiar to Porto Rico. (Stahl, 4: 243.) Hymenaea courbaril. ALGARROBO. PuaTE XLI. Also called *‘courbaril’’ and in Jamaica ‘‘locust tree.’’ It belongs to the family Cassiaceae and is a large tree 15 or more meters high. The fruit is a short, thick, and very hard pod, the seeds of which are embedded in a dry, sweet pulp, eaten by children. The pods frequently appear in the markets. This tree is said to produce the **gum animae’’: of commerce, which is thought to be a finer yar- nish than shellac. ; Specific gravity of the wood, 1.06. (Hansard.) Jacquin says that the wood is very hard and tough and is used for cogged wheels in sugar mills. Lunan attrib- utes a variety of medicinal virtues to the different parts of this tree. (Stahl, 3: 129.) Grosourdy describes two varieties, which he calls *‘algarrobo amarillo’’ and ‘‘algarrobo colorado.” Hypelate paniculata. Gaira. Family Sapindaceae; a low or middle-sized tree. (Stahl, 2: 161.) Hyptis. See Wesosphaerum. Iaya jabico. See Hrithalis fruticosa. Ibatia maritima. Popon. A densely pubescent, climbing, asclepiadaceous plant preferring forests and thickets near the coast. PLATE XLI. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PONCE MARKET. PODS OF ALGARROBA (HYMENAEA COURBARIL). COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 165 Ieaco. See Chrysobalanus icaco. Ieaque. See Chrysobalanus icaco. Tleucedran. Enumerated by Hill among forest trees yielding timber and fuel, but the name is admitted to be doubtful and seems not to have been printed elsewhere. Hex. A large genus of Aquifoliaceae, including many West Indian shrubs and trees; several of the latter are called by the natives ‘‘ cuero de sapo,” but I. macowcoua and J. ridlaei have no local names reported. Tlex dioica. CUERO DE SAPO. A shrub. 3 to 5 meters high, found in the mountains and waste places; also called *‘ brigueta.’’ (Stahl, 4: 36.) Ilex macoucoua. BRIGUETA NARANJO. A shrub, 3 to5 meters high, found in waste places andinthe mountains. (Stahl, 4: 35.) Tlex nitida. According to Urban (Add. 1: 35) variously known in Porto Rico as ‘‘ cuero de sapo,’’ *‘ palo de hueso,”’ and ‘‘ hueso prieto.”’ Reported from Bayamon, Sierra de Luquillo, Hato Grande, Cayey. Aibonito, Adjuntas, and Lares, in *‘ coffee forests.”’ Also known from Jamaica, Montserrat, and Martinique. Tlex sideroxyloides. GoNnGoLIN. A large tree reported from the Luquillo Mountains. There are two varieties, portoricensis and occidentalis. (Urban, Add. 1: 32.) Tlex urbaniana. CUERO DE SAPO. A tree reported from primeval forest at Mameyes, near Utuado. (Urban, Add. 1: 33.) Ilysanthes gratioloides. See Jlysanthes riparia. Ilysanthes riparia. YERBA GRACIOSA. Family Scrophulariaceae; a procumbent herb growing in wet places. (Stahl, 6: 236.) India rubber vine. See note under ‘*‘ rubber vine.”’ Indian almond. See Terminalia catappa. Indian corn. See Zea mays. Indian creeper. See Quamoclit quamoclit. Indian pink. See Quamoclit quamoclit. Indian shot. See Canna. Indian sorrel. See Hibiscus sabdariffa. Indigo. See Indigofera anil. Indigo berry. See Randia aculeata. Indigofera anil and I. tinctoria. INnpico. ANIL. An annual or biennial leguminous shrub very common as a weed in waste places at low elevations in Porto Rico. Many species of plants are now known, to produce indigo, but the species of Indigofera are preferred. In India J. tinc- toria is generally cultivated, while in the American tropics J. anil is believed to have been much more commonly used. Careful comparative experiments regard- ing the value of these and other indigo-yielding plants seem not to have been made. Many of these could undoubtedly be grown successfully in Porto Rico, but unless improvements in the methods of manufacturing can be made it is not likely that there could be successful competition with the East Indies, whence 166 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. the principal supply now comes. Prices vary at present from 60 cents to $1.20 per pound, depending upon quality. The competition of an artificial coal-tar product called alizarin, which threatened at one time to entirely replace indigo, is not feared so-much as formerly, it having been found that indigo dyes are preferable for many purposes. This crop was cultivated on a considerable scale in our Southern States during the eighteenth century, about 1,500,000 pounds being exported in 1794. The conditions were, however, not sufficiently favorable to enable the planters to withstand the competition of tropical countries where three crops can be cut each — year, and production gradually ceased. At present we import indigo to the value of about $1,600,000 annually. Cultivation and manufacture are simple processes and have been well summed up in the following paragraph, extracted from a circular letter compiled by Mr. Lyster H. Dewey, cf the Division of Botany. Although these operations are not complicated, much skill and experience are necessary in order to decide how long to continue the various stages of fermen- tation and aeration: ‘*JIndigo is cultivated on sandy soil. The seeds are sown in spring either in drills or hills or broadcast. When sown in hills or drills it is cultivated or hoed. It is ready to cut from 45 to 60 days after seeding. The indigo is extracted by — placing the plants, either fresh or after they have dried like hay, in a large tank, where they are covered with water. They are allowed to remain in the water about twenty-four hours, or a shorter time if the water is heated. It should not be boiled. The water is then drawn off into another tank, where it is stirred for at least three or four hours. Sometimes liimewater is added during the stirring process to aid in precipitating the indigo. This is either allowed to settle in the tank where it is stirred or, more frequently, drained off into a third tank. The settling requires about twenty-four hours. When the indigo has settled to the bottom, leaving the water above practically clear, the water is carefully drawn off and the indigo is taken out and dried on cloths. When it is dried to about the consistency of molding clay it is usually made up into balls, and these are dried in the shade. When thoroughly dried and hard they are packed for market. The yield of indigo varies from 50 to 140 pounds per acre for each cutting. The aver- age yield in Venezuela is about 112 pounds, but in the United States it was considerably less.”’ ; When planted in rows. these are about 2 feet (60 centimeters) apart.and 15 pounds (7 kilograms) of seed are used per acre. Blossoming is sometimes delayed for twelve weeks, and in some countries exposure of the cut indigo to the sun is con- sidered detrimental. The average yield has been given as 300 pounds (142 kilo- grams) peracre. Although belonging to the Leguminosae, the indigo plant is said to rapidly exhaust the soil, so that planting on the same land can not be indefi- nitely repeated. Alternation with the pigeon-pea (Cajanus) has been advised. In different countries there are also considerable differences in the methods of extraction, and in some parts of India the precipitate is boiled before being finally pressed and dried. This method is now defended by the best authorities as an improvement over that formerly followed in the United States and still generally prevalent in the American tropics. The important difference in the market prices quoted above shows that quality is important in this product as in every other, and while indigo can not, perhaps, be recommended to the general farmer in Porto Rico, it is by no means certain that a properly organized plantation with a well-equipped and intelligently directed factory would not be a profitable enterprise. The production of indigo of high quality on a small scale is seldom accomplished, because of the absence of the most favorable conditions and best appliances; but in a large enterprise these can be profitably provided. COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 167 Another objection to indigo has been the injurious effect of the manufacturing processes upon the health of the operatives; but it would probably not be difficult at this time to provide machinery for stirring the tanks of fermenting indigo and also for handling and sacking the finished product. Inga laurina. GuamA. Family Mimosaceae; a tree probably introduced, 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 meters) high. The leaves usually with four leaflets. The flower clusters are longer and the stamens much shorter than in other members of this genus. As a shade tree for coffee this species is second in importance only to the “onava’’ (I.vera). Specimens growing at Isolina were found in some cases at least to have tubercles on the roots. According to Guerin, this tree is one of those employed in the cacao culture of Guadeloupe in making hedges or windbreaks which are planted across the direc- tion of the prevailing winds at distances of 100 meters. Such hedges are used at elevations where permanent shade is thought not to be required, but where pro- tection from the wind is necessary. In Venezuela and Colombia this is one of the favorite species for coffee shade. As a possible objection to it may be noted the report that it is susceptible to the disease called ** mancha de hierro,’’ or ‘* iron rust,’’ which has been very destructive to coffee, especially in overshaded plan- tations. , In Colombia, Saenz recommends the planting of this species at 10 meters where the temperature does not exceed 21° C.; in hotter regions a distance of 10 meters is advised. (Bull. 25, Division of Botany, U.S. Dept. Agr., p. 62.) Reported from Utuado. Inga vera. GUAVA. A tree 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 meters) high, producing round clusters of white flowers with very long stamens. Asa shade tree for coffee this seems to be the favorite species in Porto Rico, with the related Inga laurina, or guama, second. Both grow much less rapidly than the bucare (Erythrina), but are less liable to injury by hurricanes. In well-kept plantations the lower branches are trimmed out and the upper form an even layer of rather open foliage. But even where this amount of care is taken the shade is usually still too thick for the coffee to make normally vigorous growth, and the crop would probably be improved by the removal of alternate trees, so as to increase the distances to 30 or 40 feet. The name of this tree is likely to be confused by the visitor with that of Psidiwm guajava, the well-known tropical fruit called guava in English, but by the Porto Ricans more correctly termed guayava. (Bull. 25, Division of Botany, U. S. Dept. Agr., p. 63.) Tubercles were also observed on the roots of this species at Isolina. Grosourdy (2: 386) describes the wood as strong and resistant, used only for the making of charcoal and for fuel. He gives the specific gravity as 0.505. This author is certainly in error in giving this species the native name of ‘* guama.”’ Ink berry. See Randia aculeata. Inodes causiarum. Porto RICAN HAT PALM. YARAY. Family Sabalaceae. The most conspicuous difference between the present genus and Sabal is the fact that the former produces an upright trunk while the latter has only what might be called an underground rootstock. Although such a distinction is quite artificial, both groups of species begin life with a creeping axis which becomes erect in one and remains horizontal in the other. A much more important difference is to be found in the leaves which in Inodes have secured strength by the development of a midrib, a tendency early abandoned by Sabal, in which the midrib is rudimentary and the middle of the leaf is the weakest part. The leaves of Sabal are adapted for standing erect, and avoid 168 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. resistance to the wind by being split down the middle. The leaves of Inodes, which are held horizontal from an erect axis, have attained the unique adaptation of a decurved midrib which braces the sloping sides of the leaf and effectively prevents the breaking above the ligule common in some of the species of Thrinax. It is true that the palm-leaf hats manufactured in large quantities in Porto Rico are made from the present species. The center of the hat industry is at Joyua, a small village on the western coast of the island some miles southwest of Mayaguez and west of Cabo Rojo. Here many hundreds of the palms are growing along the shore in a narrow belt of coral sand. Ipecac. See note under Asclepias curassavica. Ipomoea acetosifolia. See Ipomoea carnosa. Tpomoea batatas. SWEET POTATO. BATATA. In Porto Rico the sweet potato is found in all sorts of places, particularly at low elevations, often appearing quite wild, though in a country where such general and yet desultory agriculture has been carried on it would be very difficult to demonstrate the indigenous character of the plant. It seems, however, that the potato was cultivated in the West Indies before the advent of Europeans, but that does not necessarily involve an indigenous origin, since it was probably already spread throughout tropical America. Moreover, like the cocoanut. it seems to have crossed the Pacific and reached China in the second or third cen- tury. Some writers have believed in the Asiatic or Malayan origin of the plant, and have claimed that batata is a Malay name, though this is not the prevailing idea, the present tendency being to consider not only batata but also ‘‘ camote.”’ the Philippine name as of American origin, and probably introduced from Mexico by the Spaniards. Little attention is paid in Porto Rico to the planting of pure or high-grade stock, and propagation is carried on exclusively from the vines, pieces a foot long being buried for half their length in the ground. When regular culture is attempted the cuttings are placed a foot apart in rows 2 feet apart. The weeds are sometimes kept down and the rows hilled up, but often neither of these mat- ters is attended to. The crop is not dug at any regular time, but individual roots are discovered by probing and taken out without otherwise disturbing the vine, which is permitted to grow indefinitely. Numerous varieties are grown in every patch, to judge from the very different leaf forms. The red sorts have lobed leaves, while those of the white kinds (batata blanca) are simply cordate or nearly circular. For good crops rich land is necessary, and the red clay soils seem to be very suitable. Four tons per acre is quoted as a good crop, but a second crop may be secured a month or six weeks later. In the eastern end of the island and in Vieques there is said, for some unexplained reason, to be a scarcity of sweet potatoes, so that with the regular demand a local market is open to those who might undertake this culture on a commercial scale. At the time of our visit retail prices were 3 or 4 centavos per pound in the city markets. Ipomoea biloba. BrJUCO DE PUERCO DE PLAYA. (Stahl, 6: 160.) Ipomoea bona-nox. BEJUCO DE VACA. An annual ornamental vine growing to great length and bearing many large flowers. Bello gives the name ‘* bejuco de puerco’’ for Calonyction megalocarpon. (Stahl, 6: 148.) Ipomoea carnea. BATATILLA CARNOSA. A large vine found along the coast. (Stahl, 6: 277.) ; j COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 169 Ipomoea carnosa. BEJUCO DE PUERCO DE COSTA. A climbing vine growing in the sands along the coast. According to Bello this species is called ‘‘ batatillo”’ in the western part of the island. (Stahl, 6: 161.) Ipomoea cathartica. BEJUCO DE GLORIA. A vine found in waste places along the coast. (Stahl, 6: 166.) Ipomoea ciliolata. BrsucO DE PUERCO BLANCO. A climber occurring in all parts of the island. (Stahl, 6: 153.) Ipomoea coccinea. See Quamoclit coccinea. Ipomoea dissecta. Novyo. A climber, cultivated in gardens; its leaves have an odor of prussic acid. (Stahl, 6: 150.) Ipomoea fastigiata. BrEJUCO DE PUERCO. A twining vine found in waste places. The tuberous roots are called wild pota- toes in Jamaica. (Stahl, 6: 156.) Ipomoea filiformis. CAMBUTERA DE COSTA. A much-branched vine found on the coast plains. (Stahl, 6: 163.) Ipomoea pentaphylla. BaTaTILLA BLANCA. A twining climber found in waste places. (Stahl, 6: 151.) Ipomoea pes-caprae. See Jpomoea biloba. Ipomoea quamoclit. See Quamoclit quamoclit. Ipomoea quinquefolia. BaTaTILLA BLANCA. A climber found in the southern part of the island. (Stahl, 6: 153.) Ipomoea sericantha. BATATILLA DE ZAETA. A creeping vine, in sands between Vega Baja and Manati. (Stahl, 6: 162.) Ipomoea setifera. BrEJUCO DE PUERCO. A woody vine found in all parts of the island. (Stahl, 6: 152.) Ipomoea triloba. BEJUQUILLO DE PUERCO. A vine 3 to 4 feet (about 1 meter) long, found in hedges, flowering in winter. (Stahl, 6: 157.) Ipomoea umbellata. AGUINALDO AMARILLO. - A twining vine found in different parts of the island. (Stahl, 6: 159.) Ipomoea ventricosa. BATATILLA VENTRUDA. (Stahl, 6: 277.) Iresine argentata. Family Amarantaceae; reported from Juya. Isotoma longiflora. TIBEY BLANCO. Family Campanulaceae; an herbaceous annual growing in dry, rocky localities. Near Toa Alta this species was called simply ‘‘ tibey.’? According to Dr. Stahl, it is reputed to be poisonous, but no direct evidence is given. (Stahl, 6: 27.) Ixora ferrea. PALO DE HIERRO. Family Rubiaceae; a tree or shrub 3 meters high, found on mountain slopes and waste places. (Stahl, 5: 63.) Jaboncilla. Captain Hansard calls this same as ‘‘ jaboncillo.”’ Jaboncillo. See Sapindus saponaria and S. marginalis. 66 soapwort;’’ specific gravity 0.63. Probably the Jacana. See Lucuma multiflora. A wild tree, 40 feet (12 meters) high, with a trunk 2 feet (60 centimeters) in diameter. Furnishes a rather strong, light-colored, flexible wood, used only for fuel. (Grosourdy, 2: 391). Specific gravity 0.920. (Exp. 1857.) See also note under Acana. 170 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Jacanillo. See Ardisia pendula. Jack plum. See Syzygium jambolanum Jack tree. See Artocarpus integrifolia. Jacquemontia tamnifolia. AGUINALDO PELUDO. Family Convolvulaceae; a twining herb found in dry places. (Stahl, 6: 171.) Jacquinia armillaris. BaRBasco. Family Myrsinaceae; ashrub 3 to 4 meters high; growsalong the coast. (Stahl, 4: 40.) Jacquinia aristata. BARBASCcO. (Stahl, 4: 41.) Jacquinia berter1i. _ An indigenous tree of 6 to 8 meters; two subspecies, portoricensis and retusa, are described by Urban, both known only from the southwestern part of Porto Rico. (Urban, Symb. 1: 378.) Jacquinia umbellata. An indigenous shrub, maintained by Urban as distinct from J. aristata, to which it was referred by. Grisebach, known from Coama, Yauco, Maricao, and from between Sabana Grande and Guanica. Jagua. See Genipa americana. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (14 to 15 meters); diameter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). . Wood white, hard; specific gravity 0.886; used in making packing boxes. (Exp. 1857.) Captain Hansard gives the specific gravity as 0.80 and says that it is a large tree. yielding good white boards; also a large oval fruit. Jaguey. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (14 to 15 meters); diame- ter, 55 to 60 inches (130 to 150 centimeters). Wood ash-colored, soft; specific gravity, 0.485; used in making fishing canoes. (Exp. 1857.) In Cuba this name is applied to Ficus membranacea, a species not known to occur in Porto Rico. What is evidently another tree is described by Grosourdy under this name, and also called ‘*‘ mato palo,’’ which see. Jamaica cherry. See Ficus pedunculata. Jamaica bitterwood. See Picrasma excelsa. Jamaica mignonette tree. See Lawsonia inermis. Jamaica nutmeg. See Monodora myristica, the calabash nutmeg. Jamaica sorrel. See Hibiscus sabdariffa. Jambolin. See Syzygiwm jambolanum. Jambosa caryophyllus. See Caryophyllus aromaticus. Jambosa jambos. ROSE APPLE. POMA ROSA. A myrtaceous shrub or small tree native in the Malay region but now intro- duced in all parts of the Tropics and escaped from cultivation in many countries, In Porto Rico it isabundant in thickets, in waste places, and furnishes the material from which most of the larger baskets are made. Considerable amounts are also used for hoops of the large sugar casks. It yields also an edible fruit which has a pleasant odor like roses, whence the name. The long and narrow leaves resemble those of the peach and oleander. (Stahl, 4: 87, as Eugenia jambos). Grosourdy (2: 409) says that this tree reaches 40 feet in height and that the trunk attains a diameter of 15 to 18 inches. He also states that the wood is used to make charcoal for forges. Jambosa vulgaris. See Jambosa jambos. PLATE XLII. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. V ‘ONVLVO “(SVOUNOD VHdOULVP) LAN SISAHd ~ COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. ral Japanese medlar. See Hriobotrya japonica. Jasmin. See Jasminum pubescens and J. officinale. Jasmin delrio. See Cleome spinosa. Jasmin hediondo. See Clerodendron fragrans. Jasminum officinale. JAsMIN. Family Oleaceae; a climbing shrub, cultivated in gardens. Introduced from Asia. (Stahl, 6: 63.) Jasminum pubescens. JASMIN. A biennial shrub, introduced from India, and cultivated in gardens. Reported from Sierra de Naguabo and near Rio Blanco, about dwellings; apparently spon- taneous. Noted by us at Caguitas and at Juana Diaz. (Stahl, 6: 62.) Jatropha curcas. TAaRTaGo. | PuatTe XLII. Family Euphorbiaceae; reported from near Penuelas. This is a shrub about 8 feet high, and is called ‘‘ physic nut’’ in Jamaica, where the seeds are used as a purgative. The juice of the leaves is said to act as aresolvent. The black beans are similar to those of the castor-oil plant; they are ground up, boiled in water, and used as a remedy for diarrhea. ‘ Jatropha gossypifolia. HIGUERETA CIMARRONA. Occasional as a weed in waste places, particularly in sand banks alorg water courses. The common name was noted at Coamo Springs, and, doubtless, alludes to the similarity tothe castor bean, Ricinus communis. Java plum. See Syzygiwm jambolanum. Javillo. See Aura crepitans. Jaya. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diam- eter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood. yellow, hard; specific gravity, 0.778; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Jerusalem thorn. See Parkinsonia aculeata. Jiba. See Hrythroxylon brevipes and other species of the same genus. Jicama. See Calopogonium caeruleum. Jimson weed. See Datura stramonium. Jobo. See Spondias lutea. Job’s tears. See Coix lachryma-jobi. Juan caliente. See Rourea glabra and R. frutescens. Jucare. Given by Hill as a variation of the name ‘‘ ucar.”’ Juglans cinerea. NUEZz. A tree growing wild in the interior of the Greater Antilles and on the Continent. It reaches a height of 40 to 45 feet (14 to 15 meters), with a straight, rather long trunk 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) in diameter. Furnishes a good, though rather porous wood, with the properties of the European walnut; is dark red in color, and breaks with a vertical fracture. It is employed for boards and timbers in housebuilding. (Grosourdy, 2: 403.) See also note under Nues. This species, the common butternut of the United States, is not known to occur in Porto Rico, and this author’s identification is probably in error. Juglans insularis. According to the Kew Bulletin for 1894, specimens collected by Sintenis near Adjuntas and distributed from Berlin as Juglans jamaicensis belongs to J. insu- laris, a species previously known from Cuba. 172 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Juso. as ; A hard wood with a specific gravity of 1.12; small trees, making good posts. (Hansard.) Probably the same as ** huso”’ or “‘ hueso.”’ Jussiaea acuminata. See Jussiaea linifolia. Jussiaea hirta. See Jussiaea peruviana. Jussiaea linifolium. YERBA DE CLAVO AGUADA. Family Onagraceae; a woody, erect plant, growing in hedges and along edges of ponds. (Stahl, 4: 132, as Jussiaea acuminata.) Jussiaea palustris. YERBA DE CLAVO PALUSTRE. ; Anerect annual, 60 centimeters high, found ininundated plains. (Stahl, 4: 133). Jussiaea peruviana. YERBA DE CLAVO PELUDA. An herbaceous, woody annual, found in inundated places; 1 meter high. (Stahl, 4: 134, as Jussiaea hirta.) - Jussiaea pilosa. An erect, woody herb in wet places; the variety glabra is known from near Manati. Jussiaea repens. YERBA DE CLAVO ACUATICO. A fleshy aquatic herb, sometimes floating, found in marshes. A great variety of medicinal properties are attributed to this by the natives of Jamaica, where it is called ‘‘ primrose willow.”’ (Stahl, 4: 129.) Jussiaea suffruticosa. YERBA DE CLAVO. An herbaceous, woody annual or biennial, common in wet places; 1 meter high; reported from near Manati. (Stahl, 4: 131.) Kallstroemia maxima. Family Zygophyllaceae; a leafy herbaceous plant. Secured by Sintenis in cultivated grounds near Manati. Lablab vulgaris. See Dolichcs lablab. Labourdonnaisia albescens. ACANA. A sapotaceous tree with hard wood. Lache prieta. A tree from the interior of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (8 to 9 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood pink, hard; specific gravity, 0.993; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Lactuca fioridana. A coarse herbaceous composite collected by Sintenis on a coffee farm near Cayey. Lactuca intybacea. CHICORIA AZUL. An erect much-branched annual composite. (Stahl, 5: 155.) Lactuca sativa. LETTUCE. The lettuce offered in the markets in Porto Rico seemed to be of fairly good quality; better than could be raised in most tropical countries. Even at sea level, near Santurce, lettuce seemed to thrive moderately well, but it could probably be made to do better in the mountains. The seed is, of course, imported. Lagenaria vulgaris. GourpD. MaRIMBo. Also called ‘‘amargo,’’ ‘*marimbo,’’ and ‘‘cadungo amargo.’*’ Family Cucur- bitaceae. This vine yields the gourds from which the so-called ‘‘ guira,”’ “‘gui- chara’’ or ‘“‘caracho”’ is made. In Cuba the vine is said to be called ‘‘ guiro cimarron,’’ while *‘ guira cimarrona”* is the calabash tree Crescentia. The young gourds, 6 to 10 inches long, are eaten. Two of the latter size were offered for 10 cents in the San Juan market, June 14. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE XLIII. MANGLE BLANCO (LAGUNCULARIA RACEMOSA); FLOWERS, SEEDS, AND SEEDLINGS. CATANO. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIO PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 173 Lagerstroemia indica. ASTROMEDA. CRAPE MYRTLE. Family Lythraceae; an ornamental shrub, native in China and eereusively cul- tivated in greenhouses in Europe and America, or, southward, in the open air. In the West Indies it is frequent in gardens; senoried from Sierra de Luquillo and from Pefiuelas, about dwellings. e Lagerstroemia reginae. An East Indian tree valued for its timber, which is extremely durable in water. Introduced into Jamaica according to Grisebach. Lagunecularia racemosa. MANGLE BLANCO. PLATE XLIII. Family Combretaceae; a shrub or tree 5 to 8 meters high; grows in tide-water swamps and is often mistaken for the true mangrove, Rhizophora. It is abundant immediately behind Catano. (Stahl, 4: 136.) Lancewood. . A name applied in the British West Indies to species of Oxandra and Cananga. Lantana camara. CARIAQUILLO. Family Verbenaceae; a spiny shrub, 1 meter high. found in rocky places: reported from Guanica, Yauco, and Mayaguez. (Stahl, 6: 214.) Lantana crocea. CaRIAQUILLO. A shrub slightly longer than L. camara. (Stahl, 6: 215.) Lantana involucrata. CARIAQUILLO DE SANTA MARIA. A shrub, 1 meter high, found in waste places; flowers fragrant. At Catano this is called simply ‘‘ Santa Maria.’’ (Stahl, 6: 215.) = Lasianthus lanceolatus. Aroma. Also called *‘ bejuco de peo’’ and *‘ mata de peo.’’ A rubiaceous shrub from the eastern and southern parts of the island. (Urban, Symb. 1: 449.) Lasianthus moralesii. Family Rubiaceae; reported from Naguabo. Laugeria resinosa. AQUILON. Family Rubiaceae; a shrub, 8 feet (2.5 meters) high, on mountains. Laurel amarillo. Perhaps the same as “‘ laurel sabino.’’? The wood is yellow, makes good boards, stands water well, and is pretty for furniture; specific gravity, 0.96. (Hansard.) Laurel blanco. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters); wood, white, hard; specific gravity, 0.606; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Captain Hansard gives a specific gravity of 0.84 and says it is a white wood used for furniture. Grosourdy (2: 393) includes both ‘‘laurel prieto’’ and ‘‘ laurel blanco’’ under the following description: ‘A wild tree, 60 to 80 feet (18 to 24 meters) high, with a long, straight trunk 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) in diameter. It furnishes a wood very strong and resistant, rather light, fibrous in texture, neither hard nor flexible, and moderately fine-grained. The wood exhales an agreeable aromatic odor. The color is a grayish yellow or very light cinnamon. Specific gravity, 0.658. Used on the continent to make umbrellas and in building boats. It is also suitable for doors, windows, etc. Laurel prieto. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 ret (12 to 14 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters); wood, dark, hard; specific gravity. 0.572; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) (See also Laurel blanco.) 174 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Laurel puero. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (14 to 15 meters); diam- eter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters); wood, yellowish, hard; specific gravity, 0.628; used in building houses. Also called *“‘ azafran.’’ (Exp. 1857.) Perhaps this should be ‘‘ laurel puerco.”’ Laurel sabino. See Magnolia splendens; also Talauma. Color, clear olive-brown. Ducts occurring singly, evenly diffused in one or two irregular lines, between the indistinct medullary rays. A straight-grained wood similar in color to, but finer-grained than the heart of the tulip and cucumber tree of the United States. -(Hill and Sudworth, p. 28.) Laurel savino. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diam- eter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood, greenish, hard; specific grav- ity, 0.750; used in building houses. Probably another name for ‘‘ laurel sabino.”’ (Exp. 1857.) Lawsonia alba. See Lawsonia inermis. (Stahl, 4: 122. Lawsonia inermis. HENNA. RESEDA. Family Lythraceae: a glabrous shrub, 2 meters high, with white flowers; natur- alized from Egypt and Syria in Jamaicaand Antigua. Yields a yellow dye, much used by the Egyptians and Arabs as a cosmetic for the palms of the hands, finger nails, and hair, also for the tails of horses, and for coloring cloth a dull red. ‘‘Keyptian privet ’’ and ‘‘ Jamaica mignonette tree’’ are additional names. Cul- tivated in gardens in Porto Rico. Specimens have been collected near Guanica. Tt will grow without irrigation in extremely dry situations and has been suggested asa hedge plant. (Stahl, 4: 122, as L. alba.) Lechecillo. See Chrysophyllum glabrum. A wild tree, 40 feet (12 meters) high, with edible fruit. The trunk 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter. The wood is rose-colored, hard, and breaks with a vertical fracture. Its common use is for shelying in houses. It is used also for making a fine charcoal for forges. (Grosourdy, 2: 394.) Specific gravity, 0.883. (Exp. 1857. ) Leche prieta. A wild tree from the interior of the island, 20 feet (6 meters) high, with a trunk 27 inches (67 centimeters) in diameter. It furnishes a compact, rose-colored wood that is very difficult to break. Its common use is for shelving in houses. (Grosourdy, 2: 394.) Lechicillo. Probably another spelling of ‘* lechecillo.”’ Asmall tree, abundant on mountain slopes near streams. The fruit is eaten by the natives, while the wood is very softand notused. The specific gravity, accord- ing to Captain Hansard; is 0.79. Lechoncillo. Captain Hansard gives this wood a specific gravity of 0.80. It is probably the same as lechicillo. Lechosa. See Carica papaya. Lemon. See Citrus limonwm. Lengua de vaca. See Elephantopus scaber and Sansevieria sp. Leonotis nepetaefolia. MoLinIL1o. PLATE XLIV. A herbaceous annual of the mint family, 15 to 30 inches (37 to 75 centimeters) high; the large bur-like flower clusters are very peculiar, and when covered with Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE XLIV. MOLINILLO (LEONOTIS NEPETAEFOLIA). COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 175 the yellow flowers the plant is quite ornamental. Bello gives the names ‘* boton de cadete’’ and ‘‘ quina del pasto.’’ (Stahl, 6: 198.) At Arecibo this plant was said to be poisonous. Leonurus sibiricus. AGRIPALMA- A herbaceous annual weed of the mint family. (Stahl, 6: 197.) Lepidium virginicum. MastTuERzo. This common North American cruciferous weed is not uncommon in some parts of Porto Rico. (Stahl, 2: 37.) Leria nutans. See Chaptalia nutans. Leucaena glauca. ACACIA PALIDA. HEDIONDILLA. Family Mimosaceae; a shrub 3 meters high. Valued for its wood, edible pods, and seeds. (Stahl, 3: 146.) A small tree, with characteristic clusters of long, thin pods, growing in open waste places, particularly in dry localities. It is said to withstand drought when all other vegetation withers, and is then sometimes eaten by domestic animals with bad results, especially in the case of horses. The skin and cuticular appendages are affected, the hair, including the mane and tail, fall out, and if the eating of the plant continues, even the hoofs drop off. It has been suggested that Leucaena may thus become valuable as a homeopathic remedy for baldness. Liana de cuello. See Amphilophiwm paniculatum. Liana de la sierra. See Bignonia aequinoctialis. Liana fragrante. See Bignonia odorata. Liana unada. See Bignonia unguis-cati. Libi-dibi. See Caesalpinia coriaria. Lichi. See Litchi chinensis. Lignum-vitae. See Guajacum officinale. Lila. See Duranta plumieri. Lilaila. See Melia azedarach. Lima. See Citrus hystria. Lima bean. See Phaseolus lunatus. Lime. See Citrus hystrix. Limon. See Citrus limonum. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet: diameter, 8 to 10 inches. Wood, yellow, hard; specific gravity, 0.984: not used. (Exp. 1857.) Limoncillo. See Amomis caryophyllata. A name applied to several myrtaceous shrubs and trees; Amomis caryophyllata, the bay rum tree, Calyptranthes sintenisii, Eugenia stahlii, and doubtless to other related species. A tree from all parts of the island: height, 45 to 50 feet (13 to 15 meters); diam- eter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood, purplish, hard; specific gravity, 1.236; used for cabinet work. (Exp. 1857.) Limoncillo de monte. See Calyptranthes sintenisii. Limon dulce. See Sweet lemon. Linociera compacta. See Mayepea compacta. Lippia micromera. OREGANO DEL PAIS. Family Verbenaceae; reported by Bello. Lippia nodiflora. Crpron. This plant is known as an introduced weed in our Southern States and the West Indies generally, but Mr. David G. Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer of this Depart- ment, recently reports that it is considered of value in Egypt as a lawn plant 176 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. where all grasses or other plants tried for this purpose have failed. In Porto Rico | coarse grasses, such as ‘* guinea’’ and ‘‘ para”’ grass, are abundant, but lawns are uncommon, and perhaps Lippia may be found of use. Mr. Fairchild’s report on the subject is accordingly added: According to Ascherson and Schweinfurth the Lippia is a native of Egypt. It has probably been used for lawn purposes for a great many years. - It is a low, creeping plant of the Verbena family, with broad, flat, obovate leaves of a deep green color. The creeping stems throw out roots wherever they come in contact with the earth, and form thick mats of herbage. It is well known that in regions with climatic conditions similar to those of Egypt. grass lawns are generally very difficult to maintain. Although there are several substitutes for lawn grasses, none that I have seen are as good as Lippia. Owing to its rapid growth, the plant can be mown closely, and to a layman the lawn effects resemble closely those produced by English lawn grasses. In order to plant a lawn with Lippia the ground is prepared as it would be for the reception of grass seed. A mass of old Lippia is dug from some neighboring lawn or field. The native gardener cuts off or breaks off two or three long cut- tings of the plant, makes a hole with a pointed stick in the soft earth, thrusts the cuttings, doubled up, into the hole and packs the earth securely about them. These cuttings are placed about 4 to 6 inches apart, quite irregularly over the field. They are given plenty of water, being sprinkled every day until well started. In winter,in Egypt, the lawns made of this Lippia are watered every four to five days, while in summer they are kept green by daily waterings. Every twenty days the lawns are gone over with a scythe, and in this way kept quite closely mown. There is no evident reason why a lawn mower would not answer the purpose better than a scythe. Lawns of Lippia will last five to six years without renewing. Whenever a patch gets old or is injured by the shade of some tree. it is very easily repaired by set- ting new cuttings. While, according to the statement of Mr. Colombo, of the Gizeh Gardens, no grasses form in Cairo a real sod, this plant produces a permanent sod lasting five to six years. The Lippia deserves a thorough trial asa lawn plant in Southern California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. Just what degree of hardiness it will show remains tobeseen. Itisnotexposed toa temperature below freezing here in Cairo, except at extremely long intervals. Whether it is injured then or not I have been unable to ascertain. Although, during the hottest part of the summer, the lawns of Lippia wear a much less vigorous look than they do in winter, yet, from the fact that they are able to withstand the extreme heat and dryness of the Egvptian summer, it is evident that the plant is well suited for hot, dry climates. It is to be hoped this will prove a valuable new lawn plant for the parks and gardens of the South. It is well to note that this plant is already quite commonly introduced, espe- cially in the Southern States. It occurs in low, moist situations, from North Carolina to Florida, Texas, and Missouri, and is also present in California. So far as known it has not been utilized as a lawn plant in this country, although it is recognized as haying some yalue as a sand-binder on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Lippia reptans. CrprRon. (Stahl 6: 210.) Licorice weed. See Scoparia dulcis. Lira. See Hibiscus schizopetalus. Litchi. See Litchi chinensis. Litchi chinensis. Lircut. An important fruit in Southern China, British India, and the Malay Peninsula. The tree is described as a handsome evergreen, and, although it can be success- — fully propagated only by layering, it is reasonably hardy when once established. Writing from the standpoint of the northwest provinces of India, Dr. Bonavia, the fruit expert, says: ~ Here, then, is a fruit tree which resists the heaviest rains and stands the hottest winds, and also the frosts of these provinces, Moreover, it bears annually an abundant crop of fine, well-flavored, and aromatic fruit, which can readily be sent to distant markets without injury. Instead of being planted by the one or two, < : . ; ¢ COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 177 it should be planted by the thousand. From all I know of the hardiness and fruitfulness of this remarkable tree, I feel confident that if any individual (or com- pany), possessing the necessary capital, were to plant an extensive orchard of litchi trees, say where canal water would be easily obtained, or where well water is within easy reach, he would very probably make a good life-long business of it. On this testimony the editor of Watt’s Dictionary of the Economic Products of India comments as follows: This result has been abundantly attained in Bengal, and, although statistics of the extent of the trade can not be given, it may be said that in the lower prov- inces the litchi tree is almost coextensively cultivated with the mango. It comes into season a little before that fruit, and in the larger cities, such as Calcutta, is sold in every fruit dealer’s shop, the streets for a month or six weeks being liter- ally bestrewn with the rind and large seeds, rejected by the wayside consumers. The fruit, to be enjoyed, should, however, be eaten as soon after being plucked aspossible. When fresh the great bunches look like bright, pinkish strawberries, but they rapidly lose their bloom and assume a dirty, brownish color. The dried fruit, as sold in Europe, bears no possible resemblance to the deliciously bitter- sweet pulp of the fresh litchi. The fruit is nearly round, and about an inch and a half (37 millimeters) in diameter. The edible portion is the sweet, semitransparent, jelly-like pulp or aril which covers the seed, and the whole is inclosed in a thin reddish or brown- ish brittle shell, which is rough with warty protuberances. The Chinese dry the fruit, which then becomes blackish, and in this state it may often be seen in Lon- don fruit shops. The fresh fruit has a very pleasant acid flavor, and is much liked both by natives and Europeans in this country. With such definite and authoritative commendation, it would seem that the litchi is one of the fruits most likely to succeed in Porto Rico and likely to be of _ value when once generally introduced. The difficulty of propagation by cuttings _is of course an obstacle, but it could easily be obviated by a few enterprising nurserymen. Little seems to have been written on the results of experiments which have been made with this tree in other West Indian Islands. The name *‘lichi’’ is mentioned in Maza’s Diccionario of Cuban common names, and the species has also been recorded among the plants growing in the Castleton Gardens in Jamaica, but nothing has been found to indicate that any attempt has been made at extensive propagation for general purposes. Quite a large specimen of this species exists in one of the greenhouses of the Department of Agriculture. The dried fruits described above are an article of considerable importance among the Chinese in this country, and are served in most of the Chinese restau- rants. Boxes containing about a quart of these dried fruits were selling in one of the Washington fruit stores at 50 cents apiece. Although these may bear no resemblance to the fresh fruit, they are by no means unpalatable. In appearance and taste they are not unlike raisins. Llagrume. See Didymopanax morototoni. Llanten. See Plantago major. Llume. See Aeria attenuata. Lluvia. See Duranta plumieri and Russellia juncea. Lobelia. Family Campanulaceae; a speciesof Lobelia is reported by Hill in a list of trees of the mountains. The species known from Porto Rico are all herbs except L. acuminata (Tupa acuminata), which grows to a height of about 10 feet. Lobelia acuminata. Tipry. Tupa. A shrub 2 meters high, found in waste places and on limestone mountains. (Stahl, 6: 29, as Tupa acuminata.) Lobelia assurgens. CHICORIA CIMARRONA. : An herbaceous perennial, 3 to 4 feet (about 1 meter) high, growing on moun- tains. Urban treats Tupa assurgens of Grisebach and Stahl as variety portori- censis under Lobelia assurgens. (Urban, Symb. 1: 454.) 178 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Lobelia cliffortiana. CARDENALA AZUL. An herbaceous, erect annual, found in rocky places. (Stahl, 6: 28.) Lobelia portoricensis. A shrub, 2 to 8 meters in height; known from Luquilloand Adjuntas. (Urban, Symb. 1: 453.) Locust tree. See Hymenaea courbaril. Logwood. See Haematoxylon campechianum. Lombricera. See Spigelia anthelmia. Lonchocarpus glaucifolius. GENO. A leguminous tree of 5 to 8 meters, known only from Porto Rico, Rincon, Aguada, Aguadilla, and Quebradillas. A specimen from Aguada shows elliptical, finely veined leaves and flat, bright russet pods. (Urban, Symb. 1: 326.) Lonchocarpus latifolius. Pato HEDIONDO. A tree, 10 meters high, along the coast. Hard wood, used for farteee Reported from Manati and from Bayamon as “ palo seco.”’ (Stahl, 3: 91.) Lonchocarpus violaceus. GENO GENO. A tree or shrub, 5 meters high, found on the west coast. (Stahl, 3: 92.) Lonicera. HONEYSUCKLE. One or more species are cultivated in gardens. Loniciera. See Linociera and Mayepea. Loquat. See Hriobotrya japonica. Loranthus americanus. HICAQUILLO. Reported by Bello. Urban describes this as a new species, Dendropremon bicolor. Loranthus portoricensis. See note under Psychotria pendula. Lucuma mammosa. SapoTe. MAMEY SAPOTE. Family Sapotaceae; a tree, 10 meters high; yields the “marmalade fruit; also called the ‘t vegetable egg.’’ Grisebach spells the native name ‘‘ mammee sapota.”’ (Stahl, 6: 51.) Grosourdy (2: 398) says of the wood that it is fine-grained and compact, ordi- narily hard, and of good weight. In color it resembles mahogany, but is redder and more uniform, though somewhat mottled with darker-colored spots. Specific gravity.0.588. Itsmost common use is for shelving, but it would appear suitable for carpentry and cabinetwork. The fresh bark has the odor of bitter almonds. This fruit is rare in Porto Rico, and the plant is probably introduced. The common names are, however, often incorrectly applied to the fruit of Mammea americana, which it somewhat resembles in external appearance. The smooth seeds with a roughened segment are, however, entirely unlike those of the latter species, which are rough over the entire surface, with the flesh closely adhering. In Central America and Mexico this is a very common wild fruit, and in times of want it serves to some extent as a food. The flavor is mild, by some considered insipid, and it will probably never become popular among people of temperate regions. As the common name *‘ marmalade fruit ’’ implies, it is made into a marmalade, and this is not unlike good apple butter. It was this fruit that kept Cortez and his army alive on their famous march from Mexico City to Honduras. Lucuma multifiora. jacana. A large tree, 8 to 10 meters high, yielding a useful wood. Bello gives the com- mon name as ‘“‘hacana.’’ (Stahl, 6: 50.) Lucuma stahliana. Reported from near Manati. COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 179 Lucuma urbani. Reported from near Guanica. Luffa acutangula. SPONGE CUCUMBER. ESPONJA. Reported by Bello; also called ‘‘ estropajo.’’ A species of Luffa, probably this or L. aegyptiaca, was very common in Porto Rico, climbing over bushes and fences. It is not known whether the matted fibers of the fruit are used or not. but its increasing employment for the toilet and for other purposes, such as the linings of hats and the porous soles of slippers, is rendering it quite an article of export from Japan. In the younger state the fruits may be eaten as cucum- bers or pickled. Luffa cylindrica. See Luffa aegyptiaca. Lycopersicon cerasiforme. TOMATO AMARILLO. Family Solanaceae. Lycopersicon esculentum. See Lycopersicon lycopersicum. (Stahl, 6: 126.) Lycopersicon humboldtii. Tomate. (Stahl, 6: 125.) Iyycopersicon lycopersicum. Tomato. TOMATO GRANDE. Tomatoes, like many other vegetables that have been developed in temperate regions, are with difficulty made to succeed in the Tropics. Good tomatoes are, however, produced in Porto Rico, and with the use of fertilizers fruits are reported from the north side of the island weighing as high as 11 ounces. ‘Maba inconstans. NEGRA LORA. Family Ebenaceae. (Stahl, 6: 60.) Maba sintenisii. TABEIBA. Also called ‘* guayabota nispero;”’ a native forest tree. about 30 feet (9 meters) high, reported from the vicinity of Lares. (Urban, Add. 1: 48.) Mabi. See Colubrina reclinata and C. ferruginosa. A drink by this name is commonly sold in the markets and peddled on the streets. Itis usually taken as a ‘‘refresco,’’ and is also reputed to be a remedy for indigestion. The bark from which it is made is also offered in the markets. Mabie. See Colubrina reclinata. Said to be the St. Lucia form of the word ‘‘ mabi.”’ Macachaira. See Manihot palmata. Macaw bush. See Solanum mammosum. Macaw palm. See Acrocomia fusiformis. According to Grisebach the ‘‘mackaw tree” is Acrocomia sclerocarpa (=A. aculeata), while the *‘ great mackaw tree’’ is A. lasiospatha (=A. fusiformis). Maclura tinctoria. See Chlorophora tinctoria. Madre de cacao. See Hrythrina umbrosa. This name is not known to be used in Porto Rico, but is of South American origin, and has been referred to by Hill and other writers. Maga. See Thespesia grandiflora. A tree from the interior of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (14 to 15 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood light, hard; specific gravity, 0.972; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Color, rich chocolate brown. Conspicuous ducts few, occurring singly, and irregularly scattered between the medullary rays: mostly distinct or occasionally two or three loosely grouped. Medullary rays comparatively few, distinct, but inconspicuous. Wood fibers slightly cross-grained, the smoothed surface appear- ing straight-grained. Quarter and radially cut medullary rays have a satiny 23227—VOL VIII, PT 2—03-——_9 180 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. appearance. The richcolor and attractive grain of this wood should make it valu- able for cabinetwork. (Hill and Sudworth.) This name is also given by Hill among those of trees planted for shading coffee. Wecould not learn that the magar is ever so used; perhaps an error for ‘* moca.”’ Magar. See Thespesia grandiflora. Magnolia. See Talauwma plumieri. Magnolia portoricensis. Mauricio. A handsome indigenous tree discovered by Bello, differing from M. splendens in having much broader and more rounded leaves. It is known only from the western half of the island—Utuado, Jayuya, Adjuntas, Guayanilla, Pefuelas, and Lares. (Urban, Symb. 1: 306). Magnolia splendens. SaBino. Also called ‘‘ laurel sabino.”’ A species recently described by Urban from the © primeval forests of the Sierra de Luquillo and Sierra de Naguabo. Said to be one of the most beautiful species, similar in habit to Talauma plumieri, for which it was probably mistaken by Eggers in the account of his visit to Porto Rico, as quoted from Nature by Hill. The leaves are said to be used by the natives as a condiment, like those of Laurus nobilis of Europe. Mago. A tree found in all parts of the island; height, 30 to 40 feet (9 to 12 meters); diameter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood pinkish, soft; specific gravity, 0.791; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Mahagua. See Paritium tiliacewmn. An erroneous spelling of **majagua.”’ Mahoe. A name applied in the British West Indies to various malvaceous trees, such as Paritium, Hibiscus, and Thespesia. Mahogany. See Swietenia mahagoni. Mais, Maize. See Zea mays. Majagua. See Paritium tiliacewm. A soft wood, used for laths in hut building, the bark used for fastening. All ropes made here are from the majagua bark. (Hansard. ) Majagua quemona. See Pisonia obtusata. Malachra alceifolia. Family Malvaceae; variety rotundifolia reported from near Aibonito, along roads. Malachra capitata. MALva DE CABALLO. An herbaceous annual, becoming woody with age. Commonly seen about dwellings and moist places. A characteristic species with light-yellow flowers. We found it cultivated in a dooryard near Coamo, where a decoction was supposed to have medicinal properties in external applica- tion. In this locality the plant was known simply 1s ‘‘malva,”’ as also stated by Bello. (Stahl, 2: 74.) Malachra ciliata. See Malachra wrens. Malachra cordata. MatLva ACORAZONADA. Family Malvaceae. (Stahl, 2: 77.) Malachra palmata. Matva DE CABALLO. An herbaceous annual, found in all parts of the island. (Stahl, 2: 76.) Malachra radiata. MAaLva BLANCA. A woody, annual herb, 1 meter high, found in stony places. (Stahl, 2: 75.) = J COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 181 Malachra urens. MALVA PESTANOSA. (Stahl, 2: 77, as Malachra ciliata.) Malagueta. See Amomis caryophyllata. Malanea macrophylla. PALo LLORON. Family Rubiaceae; a shrub 1 meter high, found among brambles. (Stahl, 5: 93.) Malojillo. See Panicum molle. In Cuba the present name does not appear to be used; Mazo gives ‘* yerba para,’ **verba del para,’’ ‘‘ yerba del paral,’’ and ‘* yerba de rarana.”’ ’ Malonillo. See Poinciana regia. According to Captain Hansard this name is extensively used in the northeastern part of the island instead of ‘‘ flamboyant.” Malpighia coccigera. AZOTA-CABALLO. A shrub 3 to 4 meters high; cultivated for its agreeable fruits, which resemble the common cherry and make good tarts and jelly. (Stahl, 2: 143.) Malpighia urens. Palo BRONCO. A shrub 4 meters high, along the seacoast; fruit and bark are used as astrin- gents. The hairs on the under side of the leaves pierce the skin and cause severe pain. (Stahl, 2: 144.) Malta arborea. A tree from the northern part of the island; height, 12 to 15 feet (4to5 meters): diameter, 8 to 9 inches (20 to 22 centimeters). Wood light, very hard; specific gravity, 0.977; fruit tree. (Exp. 1857.) Malta de mata. A tree from the northern part of the island; height, 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to3 meters) ; diameter, 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters). Wood light, very hard; specific gravity, 0.890; fruit tree. (Exp. 1857.) Maluco. See Spilanthes acmella. Malva. See Malachra capitata. A root called malva was being sold by an herb dealer in the market of Ponce as a remedy for pulmonary diseases. Malva acorazonada. See Malachra cordata. Malvabisco. A form of the name ‘‘ malvavisco.”’ Malva blanca. See Malachra radiata. Malva de caballo. See Malachra capitata and M. palmata. Malva pestafiosa. See Malachra wrens. Malvastrum spicatum. MatLvavisco. Family Malvaceae; a woody herb, found on south coast: rare on the north coast. (Stahl, 2: 78.) Malva té. See Corchorus hirtus and C. siliquosus. Malva té dela playa. See Corchorus hirsutus. Malvavisco. See Malvastrum spicatum. Malvavisco afelpado. See Hibiscus tomentosus. Malvavisco cimarron. See Abutilon wmbellatum. Malvavisco purpureo. See Hibiscus phoeniceus. Mamey. See Mammea americana. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diam- eter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood pinkish, hard; specific gravity, 0.978; fruit tree. (Exp. 1857.) The gum is used as incense. 182 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Mamey del cura. See Ternstroemia elliptica and T. stahlit. Mamey sapote. See Liucuma mammosa. Mameyuelo. See Ardisia coriacea, A. glauciflora, and A. purpurascens. A tree from all parts of the island; height, from 40 to 45 feet (13 to 14 meters): diameter, 9 to 10 inches (23 to 25 centimeters). Wood white, hard; specific gray- ity, 0.879; used in building houses and cabinetmaking. (Exp. 1857.) Mamie apple. See Mammea americana. Mammea americana. MaAaMMEE. MaAMEy. MAMIE APPLE. Family Clusiaceae; a handsome tree. 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters) high; fruit large, with a pleasant taste and aromatic smell, eaten raw or preserved in sugar. Wood valued for timber; gum used by natives in extracting chigoes, etc. (Lunan. ) From between Fajardo and Ceiba. (Stahl, 2: 124.) See note under Lucwma mammosa. Mammee. See Mammea americana. Mammee apple. See Mammea americana. Mammee sapota. See Lucuwma mammosa. Mamonceillo. See Melicocca bijuga. Manchineel. See Hippomane mancinella. Mandioca. See Manihot. Mangifera indica. MANGo. Family Anacardiaceae; a fruit tree native in South Asia or the Malay Archi- pelago and introduced into America about the beginning of the eighteenth century, It not infrequently happens that those who are visiting a tropical country for the first time confuse the mangrove and the mango. The former is a tree which forms tide-water swamps along the coasts and about the mouths of rivers in nearly all humid tropical countries, while the mango is an edible fruit, even more widely distributed. In Porto Rico the name mangrove or *‘mangle’’ is applied to three or four different trees which grow in the coast swamps, while the mango is the best known and most abundant of fruits. Whether associated with ideas of unwhole- someness through the above confusion or other unreliable information, many of the army officers in Cuba and Porto Rico manifested a violent prejudice against the mango, and some even issued orders strictly forbidding the soldiers, under any circumstances, to eat it. The antimango crusade has even gone to the extent of cutting down mango trees in public grounds. The only excuse for this mistaken policy seems to le in the report that many soldiers were made sick by them when the armies were first landed, and this on being sifted a little resolves itself into the proposition that a hearty meal of green mangoes, followed by a large quantity of bad rum, made the hungry and fatigued soldiers very sick. Before the mango is finally condemned it might be well to consider what the results would have been with green apples. In reality the mango is known throughout the Tropics as a delicious and whole- some fruit, comparable in quality and value with the apple or the orange, although entirely different from either in texture and flavor. Some varieties have, espe-_ cially when unripe, a distinct flavor and odor of turpentine, which seems objection- able at first, but soon comes to add charm to the high qualities of the new favorite. It has been said that one should eat mangoes only in a bath tub, on account of keeping the yellowish pulp from spreading over the countenance and person, and this might prevent the fruit becoming popular with the most fastidious. This objection, however, applies only to the poorer varieties, such as at present exist in :. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 183 Porto Rico. The finer, asexually propagated varieties are quite as manageable as the peaches and pears of our own climate. Several of the best Indian varieties have already been introduced into Florida and the West Indies. and when these are produced in sufficient quantities to be placed regularly in the Northern markets the mango is almost sure to become a popular fruit. The drier portions of Porto Rico are admirably adapted for growing mangoes, and the absence of all danger from frost places this island at a decided advantage over Florida, where the best varieties are now being propagated on an extensive scale by several of the more enterprising fruit growers. It has been found pos- sible to ship even the better varieties from India to London, consequently there need be no fear as to the shipping qualities. For a discussion of the possibilities and requirements of the mango in Porto Rico, see Bulletin 28, Bureau of Plant Industry. U.S. Department of Agriculture. The wood is light, soft, fibrous in texture, and not very compact, brownish gray with little spots and irregular lines of brown. After varnishing this wood resembles light-colored walnut. It is resistant and elastic. and is used for the same purposes as the ash of Europe—for gunstocks, etc. It is not, however, used as much as it deserves. Specific gravity, 0.864. (Grosourdy, 2: 400.) Specific gravity also given as 0.738. (Exp. 1857.) Mangle blanco. See Avicennia nitida and Laguneularia racemosa. Grosourdy (2:399) gives this common name to both Avicennia tomentosa (=A. officinalis) and Laguncularia racemosa, and describes the wood as being hard and heavy, fibrous and compact in texture, and gray in color with rather brown undulations, which produce a very pleasing aspect. Used for the small timbers of houses, but its most common use is in making a good charcoal and for fuel. The specific gravity of Avicennia is 0.867; of Laguncularia, 0.860. Mangle bobo. A tree from near the seashore; height, 25 to 30 feet (8 to 9 meters); diameter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood, dark. hard; specific gravity, 1.124; used for cabinetwork. Also called ‘‘ mangle prieto.”’ (Exp. 1857.) A good firewood; on the higher elevations of El Yunque this grows as mere saplings, while in the lowlands it reaches 8 or 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) in diameter. (Hansard.) Bello gives this common name with Avicennia nitida, but this is certainly not the tree reported by Captain Hansard. Mangle botanico. A tree from the beaches of the island; height, 20 to 25 feet (6 to 8 meters); diameter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood, silver-gray, hard; specific gravity, 1.072; used in making knees of boats. (Exp. 1857.) Mangle boton. See Conocarpus erectus. Mangle cobo. A tree from the beaches of the island; height, 18 to 20 feet (5.5 to 6.5 meters); diameter, 9 to 10 inches (22 to 25 centimeters). Wood, white, soft; specific gravity, 0.840; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Mangle colorado. See Rhizophora mangle. A tree from the beaches of the island; height, 18 to 20 feet (5.5 to 6.5 meters); diameter, 9 to 10 inches (22 to 25 centimeters). Wood. pinkish, hard: specific gravity, 0.752; bark used in tanning leather. (Exp. 1857.) Mangle prieto. A tree from the beaches of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (8 or 9 meters); diameter, 10 to 12 inches (22 to 25 centimeters). Wood, dark, hard; specific gravity, 1.124; used for cabinetwork. Also called ‘‘mangle bobo.’ (Exp. 1857.) 184 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Mango. See Mangifera indica. Mangrove. See Rnizophora mangle. Mangrove, Black. See Avicennia nitida. Mangrove, Olive. See Avicennia nitida. Mangrove, White. See Laguncularia racemosa and Avicennia nitida. Mani. See Arachis hypogaea. Manihot aipi. Considered as a variety of Manihot palmata. Manihot cassava. CassaApA. YUCCA. Family Euphorbiaceae; shrubby plants, 6 to 8 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) high; culti- vated for the thick, fleshy roots, which are very rich in starch. Cassava is a less important article of food in Porto Rico than in most other parts of the American tropics. Its place is toa great extent taken by ‘‘ yautia”’’ and ‘‘taro.’’ The principal uses to which cassava is put in Porto Rico are the mak- ing of starch and a sort of bread baked in thin, semicircular loaves or cakes. This latter custom is undoubtedly indigenous, and curiously enough finds its counter- part among the so-called Caribs of Guatemala, a negro people of uncertain origin, with whom cassava is by far the most important food. Forms with both 5 and 7 leaflets were observed, and it was inferred that both the sweet and the bitter varieties exist, although nothing was heard of the poison- - ous properties of any of the cassava grown in the island, but as none is eaten raw or used as fodder, such might easily exist and fail to be in evidence. Captain Hansard’s notes on culture are as follows: ‘‘ Hot climate, coast region; plow the soil; cut stem in 6-inch lengths; plant 5 feet apart, leaving about 1 inch out of the ground; plant on adry day. It will begin to growin two weeks, and in three months will cover the ground. Will be ready to diginninemonths. Spoils quickly out of the ground, but keeps until dug. To prepare meal, tubers are pulled, washed, grated, put in bags, and the juice pressed out. The fibers are sifted out and the meal dried by a fire, but should not be scorched. Proper drying and heating draws off the juice.” Manihot palmata aipi. SWEET CASSAVA. YUCA. According to Engler and Prantl MW. palmata aipi in Brazil is called ‘‘ aipim,” *““macacheira,”’ or ‘* sweet mandioca.”’ Sweet cassava, as a fodder crop, has received considerable attention, but in Florida, where the most extensive experiments have been tried, velvet beans have been found to produce cheaper fodder with less labor, and with the added advantage that the soil is thereby enriched. As a starch producer the outlook is perhaps more promising, cassava starch being of a very fine quality. Several factories are in operation in Florida, but it~ is still too early to report on the success of the enterprise. Manihot utilissima. Cassava. Ywuca. This is the so-called ** bitter cassava,’ and usually contains sufficient hydro- cyanic acid in the roots to render them poisonous if eaten before taking precau- tions to remove or destroy it. This can be accomplished by cooking or by expressing the juice, after which it is a very wholesome food. Cassareep is the juice of this plant boiled down to a gummy consistency. It is used in the British West Indies to preserve fresh meat or in the dish called ‘*pepper pot.” It is also exported to England for making sauce. An antidote used by the Indians for the poison of this plant consists of red peppers steeped in pure rum. Manioc. See Manihot. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 185 Manzanilla. A name in use for several composite weeds, the most common of which is Bidens leucantha. Stahl proposes to distinguish the different species according to the following list: Manzanilla cimarrona. see Stemmodontia carnosa and Bidens leucantha Manzanilla de costa. See Stemmodontia buphthalmoides. Manzanilla de la playa. See Stemmodontia carnosa. Manzanilla de monte. See Stemmodontia reticulata. Manzanilla del pais. See Bidens pilosa. Manzanilla negra. See Bidens bipinnata. Manzanilla trepadora. See Bidens rubifolia. Manzanillo. See Hippomane mancinella. Mapola. See Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. In the Philippines and Guam this name is applied to H. mutabilis. Mapurito. See Fagara monophylla. Maraga. - Perhaps the same as *‘maraca’”’ or ‘*‘matraca;’’ applied at Catano to a species of Canna. Marafion. See Anacardium occidentale. Maranta arundinacea. ARROWROOT. Family Marantaceae; an herbaceous plant with tubers from which arrowroot is extracted. Said to be called arrowroot from its property of counteracting the poison put on arrow tips by the natives and other acrid poison, as that of spiders. Called touola by the natives of Jamaica. The following recommendations are from Captain Hansard: ** Elevation not important; rows 3 feet (90 centimeters) apart, 12 inches (30 cen- timeters) ina row. Cut off flowers to throw strength into the tubers. Plant in April or early May; returns will be had in a little less than twelve months. Twenty per cent starch may sometimes be secured. Crop seven hundredweight (329 kilo- grams) per acre, but double this has been obtained by high cultivation. In prepara- tion all skin and discolored parts are removed from the rhizomes After rewash- ing the rhizomes are reduced to pulp in a mortar or against @ revolving cylinder grater. Cleanness is very necessary. In St. Vincent glass-roofed houses and the very cleanest machinery are used.”’ Maravedi. See Myginda rhacoma and M. pallens. Maravilla. See Hibiscus mutabilis, Mirabilis jalapa, and Euphorbia hetero- phylla. Maray-maray. See Dalbergia ecastaphyllum. Marcgravia rectifiora jacquini. BrJUCO DE PALMA. An indigenous trailing or climbing shrub known also as bejuco de rana. According to Urban, Marcgravia wmbellata of Grisebach’s Flora includes this species, but the genuine wmbellata does not occur in Porto Rico. Marcgravia sintenisii. BrJUCO DE PALMA. A species peculiar to Porto Rico and said to be very distinct from M. rectiflora. It is a climber and ascends large trees. Reported from the Sierra de Luquillo, Sierra de Naguabo, Cayey, and Adjuntas. (Urban, Add. 3: 208.) Marcgravia umbellata. PrEGA PALMA. A trailing shrub clinging to trees by adventitious roots, called ‘‘ bejuco de palma,’ by Bello. (Stahl, 2: 129.) Margarita. See Cosmos caudatus and Bidens pilosa. Mari-Lopez. See Turnera ulmifolia and T. pwmilea. 186 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Maria. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (13 to 15 meters); diam- eter, 25 to 30 inches (62 to 75 centimeters). Wood pinkish, hard; specific gravity, 0.800; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Enumerated by Hill among trees yielding resin. Perhaps the same as “‘palo de Maria.”’ According to Captain Hansard this species yields the balsam of Tolu. The extract is not made in Porto Rico, but extensively used by the druggists. Specific ~ gravity of wood, 0.91. Marias. See Calophyllum calaba. Marialva elliptica. See Tovomita elliptica. Maricao. See Byrsonima spicata. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (13 to 15 meters); diam- eter, 25 to 30 inches (62 to 75 centimeters). Wood dark, hard; specific stay 0.730; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 401.) Captain Hansard gives the specific gravity at 0.78, and says that itisa ened firewood. Marimbo. See Lagenaria vulgaris. Marimbo is the name applied to a Central American musical instrument resem- bling a xylophone, which in former times had gourds hung beneath the keys. In some parts of Africa the name is given to a kind of drum. Marimbo amargo. See Lagenaria vulgaris. Marlierea dussii. A small indigenous myrtaceous tree, known in Porto Rico only from the neigh- borhood of Adjuntas. In Guadeloupe the same species is said to grow as a shrub of 15 feet (5 meters) or less, half the size it attains in Porto Rico. MM. sintenisi, an allied species, is known only from Luquillo. (Urban, Add. 108.) Marmelluelo. Captain Hansard mentions this wood as having a specific gravity of 1.02. Martinezia. Specimens of the flowers and fruit supposed by Dr. Drude to belong to Martine- aia or Bactris (Sintenis no. 2500) were collected in the forest of Monte Hormigas near Jauco. The spathe is unarmed; the branches are long, slender, and attenu- ate. This may be the species collected by us at Vega Baja. There are no leaves with this specimen. Another specimen (Sintenis no. 2628) from Hato Grande, on slopes toward Monte Gregorio, has a much larger and thicker inflorescence with the main axis beset with slender black spines from one-quarter to 1 inch (6 to 25 milli- meters) in length. The branches are much coarser than in the other specimen and the pinnae have irregularly crowded plications at base, showing a tendency to the grouped condition found in the South American species. There are no spines on the pinnae, and very scattering slender ones on the median carina of the rachis. Marrubio. See Wesosphaerwm suaveolens and M. spicigerum Marrubio blanco. See Mesosphaerwm lantanaefolium. Marrubio-boton. See Mesosphaerwm capitatum. Marrubio oscuro. See Mesosphaerwm atrorubens. Marsypianthes hyptoides. OrRTELA. An herbaceous suberect annual of the mint family, found in sandy places. (Stahl, 6: 191.) Martin avila. See Chione glabra. Martynia diandra. UNA DE GATO. Family Martyniaceae; an annual herb found on the south coast. Bello gives the common name ‘*escorzonera.’’ (Stahl, 6: 265.) COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 187 Marunguay. See Zamia erosa and Z. portoricensis. Masa. See Hedwigia balsamifera. A tree from the eastern part of the island; height, 35 to 40 feet (11 or 12 meters) ; diameter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood ash-colored, hard; specific gravity, 0.827; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Mastic. The true mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus, is a native of the Mediterranean region, and is not known to have been introduced into the West Indies, where the name is applied to Bursera simaruba, also called the West Indian mastic. Mastuerzo. See Lepidium virginicum. Mata de niguas. See Tournefortia hirsutissima. Mata de peo. See Lasianthus lanceolatus. Mata de seda. See Calotropis procera. Mata-gallinas. See Solanum caribaeum. Matayba domingensis. Raton. A tree of 10 to 15 meters; family Sapindaceae. Reported from Adjuntas, Utuado, and Sierra de Luquillo. M. apetala is also reported from Utuado and Luquillo. (Urban, Symb. 1: 351.) Matillo. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (8 to 9 meters); diam- eter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood red, rather hard; specific gravity, 0.613; used forlumber. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 401.) Mato. See Dioclea reflexa. Mato amarillo. See Caesalpinia bonducella. Mato azul. See Caesalpinia bondue. Mato blanco. See Caesalpinia bondue. Mato colorado. See Canavalia rusiosperma. Red sea beans on sale by an herb dealer in the market of Ponce as a remedy for piles, used in combination with the gray beans of Caesalpinia bonducella, as described under ‘‘ tortera.”’ Mato de la playa. See Canavalia obtusifolia, Mato palo. A moderately abundant wild tree, 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters) high, witha rather long, straight trunk 6 inches (15 centimeters) in diameter. It furnishes a rather light soft wood, fibrous in texture, soft and fine-grained. Yellow, or some- times light cinnamon-colored, with numerous parallel lines, giving it a very beauti- ful aspect. Its mostcommon use isin making small boats, tubs, and wash basins. Specific gravity 0.450. Also called ‘‘ gaguey’’ and referred to the genus Ficus. (Grosourdy, 2: 392.) Matos. See Ormosia krugii and Mucuna wrens. Matos colorados. See Canavalia ensiformis. Matos de playa. See Caesalpinia bonduc. Matraca. The Spanish word for rattle; applied in Porto Rico to rattles made from the calabash tree, Crescentia cujete, and also to Crotalaria retusa, the ripe seeds of which become loosened and rattle in the pod. Mauricia. See Mauritia flexuosa. Mauricio. See Magnolia portoricensis. 188 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL’ HERBARIUM. Mauritia flexuosa. : A palm mentioned and described by Hill under the names ‘‘ moriche’’ and ‘‘ alma moriche.’’ The species is a tall South American fan-palm, native in the valleys of the Orinoco and Amazon. It grows in great abundance and forms extensive forests in level regions subject to annual overflow, and furnishes a large part of the material of subsistence and native arts of whole tribes of Indians. It is not, however, known from Porto Rico or, as a native, from any part of the West Indies. According to Maza it and Mauritia setifera (probably an error for setigera, a species native in Trinidad) are cultivated in Cuba and called ‘‘ palma mauricia.”’ As a useful tree which will flourish in swampy places this species might be of some utility in Porto Rico. Mauritia setifera and Mauritia setigera. See note under Mauritia flexuosa. Mauritius hemp. See Furcraea gigantea. Maya. — A name applied to the fruits of the wild pinuela, Bromelia pinguin, used as a remedy for worms. Mayepea caribaea. AVIPILLO. Family Oleaceae; a tree reported as collected by Sintenis at Fajardo—perhaps the same as Abispillo of Captain Hansard’s list. Mayepea compacta. PALO DE HUESO. A tree 10 to 12 meters high. White, hard wood used for heavy timbers. (Stahl, 6: 60, as Linociera compacta. ) Mayepea domingensis. Variously named ‘‘palo de hueso,’’ *‘ huesillo,”’ ‘‘hueso blanco.”’ A native tree reported from Bayamon, Caguas, Sierra de Luquillo, Utuado, and Quebra- dillas. It is the same as Stahl’s Linociera compacta. An allied species, M. aailli- flora, comes from mountain forests at ‘‘ El Manil.”? (Urban, Add. 1: 61.) Maza. Not used for special purposes; a common wood in the hills; specific gravity, 0.87. (Hansard. ) Medicago sativa. ALFALFA. Alfalfa has not been found successful in humid tropical countries. A substitute has been suggested in phasemy (Phaseolus semierectus). Medlar. Reported by Hill among “‘ forest trees yielding fruits.’” The reference is, how- ever. to be understood as applying to Achras sapota, the sapote or sapodilla, neither the true medlar, Mespilus germanica, nor the Japanese medlar or loquat, Eriobo- trya japonica, being known to the Porto Rican public. Meibomia. ZARZABACOA. A large genus of leguminous herbs, formerly known under the name Desmo- dium. Several of the species are useful forage and soiling plants. Meibomia adscendens. ZARZABACOA GALANA. A creeping woody annual found in dry pastures. The flowers are pale lavender or whitish. (Stahl, 3: 42, as Desmodium adscendens. ) Meibomia axillaris. ZARZABACOA DE MONTE. A creeping or trailing annual, frequenting shady places in mountain districts. This species is too diffuse in habit and too woody in structure to be likely to prove of economic value. Meibomia barbata. ZARZABACOA PELUDA. A shrubby species found in dry pastures. Known from Lares. (Stahl, 4: 45, as Desmodium barbatum. ) Se COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 189 Meibomia incana. ZARZABACOA COMUN. An annual or biennial shrub found in pastures. The variety angustifolia is reported from Rincon. The general habit of this species seems not unlike that of M. axillaris, and economic utility is improbable. (Stahl, 3: 48, as Desmodium ineanum. ) Meibomia mollis. ZarzABACOA DULCE. Found on the west coast. Also known from Juana Diaz. (Stahl, 3: 49, as Des- modium molle.) Meibomia scorpiurus. ZARZABACOA COLA DE ESCORPION, An herb 50 centimeters high, prostrate, common in arid pastures and stony places. (Stahl, 3: 46, as Desmodium scorpiurus. ) Fig. 12.—Lawn of Meibomia triflora. Coamo Springs. Meibomia spiralis. ZARZABACOA ESPIRAL. A slender species attaining a height of 2 feet. A form much more delicate and leafy than usual was collected at Coamo Springs (No. 716). This might be of interest if the plant should be found of economic utility. In the Index Kewensis the present species is treated as a synonym of Desmodium neomexicanum, but specimens in the National Herbarium do not indicate close affinity. Meibomia tortuosa. FLORIDA BEGGAR-WEED. ZARZABACOA TORCIDA. A shrub, 1 meter high, found along roadsides and in moist mountainous places. This is the species now somewhat extensively cultivated in our Southern States asa forage and soiling crop. From its habit and general characteristics it would seem that the form mentioned under Meibomia spiralis might be preferable, at least from the forage standpoint. (Stahl, 3: 48, as Desmodium tortuosum. ) Meibomia triflora. ZARZABACOA DE TRES FLORES. FIGURE 12. A small herbaceous annual, found in dry places along the coast. This species was collected in a dry, exposed situation at Coamo Springs, where it covered the 190 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. otherwise bare ground with a dense mat of green, the small leaflets giving a very pleasing effect like a white clover lawn and suggesting a possible use for this plant. (Stahl, 3: 41, as Desmodium triflorwm.) : Meladillo. See Plumbago scandens. Melanthera deltoidea. CARIAQUITO BLANCO. A perennial composite herb 1 meter high, found in waste places and on tiie lower slopes of mountains. (Stahl, 5: 140.) Melia azedarach. LILAILa. PLATE XLV. A meliaceous tree or shrub commonly known as ‘‘ China berry” or ‘* pride o7 China,’’ introduced from the Old World. It grows 5 or more meters high and is found as an ornamental in gardens, etc. The bark of the roots is said to be ar efficacious vermifuge, while the pulp of the ‘fruit is considered poisonous. (Stahl, 2: 164.) The wood is rose-colored, rather hard, breaking vertically. Used by the coun- try people in making tool handles. (Grosourdy, 2: 360.) This author spells the native name “‘ alilaila.”’ The china-berry is very commonly planted in Porto Rico as a shade or rather as an ornamental tree. The Porto Rican tree may, however, be a different spe- cies or variety, since it has not at all the umbrella-like habit found in the United States and in the Canary Islands. I+ grows with great rapidity, sometimes send- ing up a central stem 20 feet (6 meters) high ina year and ahalf. At a height of about 10 feet (3 meters) lateral branches from 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.9 meters) long are emitted, while those of the upper part remain short, giving the tree a narrowly pyramidal form. The slender top often bends over or is broken off. The foliage is rather loose and open; flowers and fruit are produced in great abundance. The extremely rapid growth might give this species a limited use in coffee culture, particularly where it is desired to protect without loss of time an exposed slope; and the numerous slender branches of the tree would also enable the shade to be removed gradually. Considerable shelter from winds and a mod- erate degree of shade could be secured by planting the china-berry from 2 to 4 rods apart. Melia sempervirens. See Melia azedarach. Melicocea bijuga. GENIP TREE. GENIPE. A tree belonging to the family Sapindaceae, believed by some botanists to be native in the West Indies, by others thought to have been introduced from South America. It produces clusters of oval fruits about an inchin length. The pulpy covering of the seed is edible and has a pleasant flavor, but the fine fibers compact themselves against the mucous membranes and cause a very disagreeable sensation. In the Bulletin of the Jamaica Botanical Department it is stated that this material has caused the death of children by forming a coating over the lining of the stomach. The tree is vigorous and handsome and has been recommended for planting along roads and avenues for shade. The timber is said to be hard and heavy. Radlkofer gives the following collection of names for this tree: Honigbeere, mamon, mamoncillo, knippa, knepier, guenepe, and genep tree. The Porto Rican pronunciation heard by us was, however, distinctly ‘‘genepe,’’ not ‘“onenepe,”’ or ‘* quenepa.”’ Meliosma herbertii. Family Sabiaceae; shares with M. obtusifolia the names ‘‘ cacao bobo”’ and ‘“‘aguacatillo.”” A tree generally distributed in Porto Rico and the adjacent islands as far south as Grenada. Of medium size, with alternate, exstipulate, elliptical, or obovate acute leaves. (Urban, Symb. 1: 55.) Meliosma obtusifolia. GUAYROTE. Also called ‘* arroyo,’ “* aguacatillo,”’ ** cacao bobo.’ ** cacaillo,”’ ** ciralillo.”’ *serillos."” A tree belonging to the family Sabiaceae. generally distributed . Ce a ea PLATE XLV. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. (HOWHVGSZY VITSZI) AYY3aG VNIHO COOK AND COLLINS——ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 191 throughout the island.. It yields a valuable wood, and from the multiplicity of common names is evidently in use locally, though all the names are probably not confined in application to this species. Reported from near Adjuntas and Sierra de Naguabo. Differs from M. herbertii in having the leaves obtuse and the fruits very small, only half the size of the others. (Urban, Symb. 1: 513; Stahl 6: 48, as Atelandra obtusifolia.) Melocactus communis. MELON DE costa. Family Cactaceae; a fleshy plant 25 to 30 centimeters in diameter, found in dry places and cultivated. (Stahl, 4: 184.) Melochia hirsuta. BRETONICA PELUDA. Family Sterculiaceae; an herbaceous, erect, shrubby annual, densely covered with soft hairs. (Stahl. 2: 109.) Melochia nodiflora. BRETONICA PYRAMIDAL. BRETONICA PRIETA. A woody annual, 50 centimeters high, found in rocky places. (Stahl, 2: 110.) Melochia pyramidata. BRETONICA PYRAMIDAL. A woody herb, 50 centimeters high. in sandy and stony pastures along the south coast. (Stahl, 2: 107.) Melochia serrata. BRETONICA ASERRADA. - According to Grisebach a shrub about 2 feet high, covered with long, soft hairs. (Stahl, 2: 109.) Melochia tomentosa. BRETONICA AFELPADA. A shrub 1 meter high, in sandy coastal regions on the south side of the islands. (Stahl, 2 : 108.) Melon. See Cucumis melo. Melon de costa. See Melocactus communis. Melothria fluminensis. PEPINILLO. Family Cucurbitaceae; a climber 5 or 6 feet (1.5 to 1.9 meters) long, found in hedges and waste places. Fruit eaten, pickled when green; also good when fully ripe. (Stahl, 4: 177.) Mentha piperita. PEPPERMINT. A plant named by Briquet as variety citrata of this species was collected in the borders of primeval forests near Adjuntas. Mentrasto. See Ageratum conyzoides. Mentzelia aspera. PEGADORA. Family Loasaceae; a hairy herb with triangular dentate leaves and deep buff flowers. Our specimens were obtained to the southward of Coamo, not far from the military road. Mesosphaerum atrorubens. MaRrRUBIO OSCURO. Family Labiatae; an herbaceous annual, 40 centimeters high, in dry pastures. (Stahl, 4: 194, as Hyptis atrorubens.) Mesosphaerum capitatum. MaRRUBIO-BOTON. An herbaceous annual weed of the mint family. At Catafio it was called “blero.” (Stahl, 4: 192, as Hyptis capitata.) Mesosphaerum lantanaefolium. MAaRrRUBIO BLANCO. An herbaceous reclining annual. (Stahl, 6: 193, as Hyptis lantanaefolia. ) Mesosphaerum polystachyum. FaLso MARRUBIO. An herbaceous climber, 1 to 2 meters high. (Stahl, 6: 195, as Hyptis poly- stachya. ) Mesosphaerum spicigerum. MarRuBio. Reported by Bello. 192 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Mesosphaerum suaveolens. MARRUBIO. An herbaceous climber, 1 meter high; contains an oil with a strong odor. Grows in sandy soil. (Stahl, 6: 196, as Hyptis suaveolens.) Mesquit. See Prosopis juliflora. Metastelma. A genus of climbing milkweeds represented in Porto Rico by numerous species. (Urban, Symb. 1: 245, a monograph.) Miconia. See Tamonea. Micropholis chrysophylloides. Family Sapotaceae; reported from near Adjuntas. Micropholis garciniaefolia. From Sierra de Luquillo. | Micropholis portoricensis curvata. | From near Adjuntas. Micropholis portoricensis mesnaefolia. From near Pefiuelas. Micropholis urbani. From Sierra de Naguabo. Mignonette tree. See Lawsonia inermis. Mikania. See Willughbaeya. Millet. See Panicum. Millo. See Andropogon. The seeds of a millet were on sale in small quantities in the market of Ponce. and are said to be used in the preparation of a sort of flour and in sweets. Mimosa ceratonia. ZARZA. Family Mimosaceae; a vine-like shrub, 2 to 5 meters high, found in waste places. (Stahl, 3: 143.) Mimosa pudica. Morivivi. SENSITIVE PLANT. A branching perennial, 2 to 5 feet (0.6 to 1.8 meters) high. The sensitive plant of greenhouses; an extremely common weed along roadsides and in waste places generally. (Stahl, 3: 142.) Mimusops globosa. SApoTe DE COSTA. Family Sapotaceae; a shrub, 3 to 4 meters high, growing in shaded situations along the sea coast. (Stahl, 6: 54.) Mimusops pleeana. From Manati. Mimusops riedliana. From Yabucoa. Mirabilis jalapa. Four o’cLock. MARAVILLA. The well-known garden flower said to be called **siciliana’’ in Porto Rico, where it is cultivated and has also become naturalized as a weed in open places. It is a native of Mexico. (Urban, Add. 3: 304.) Mistletoe. The true mistletoe, Viscwm album of Europe, does not occur in West Indies, but there are numerous related parasites belonging to the family Loranthaceae and now referred to the genera Dendropremon, Dendrophthora, Phoradendron, and others. Moca. See Andira inermis. Moca acatera. A tree from the northeastern part of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diameter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood yellowish, hard; specific gravity, 0.993; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE XLVI. CUNDEAMOR (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA). COOK AND COLLINS——ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 193 Moca amarilla. A tree from the northeastern part of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diameter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood zed, hard; spe- cific gravity, 0.904; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) Moca negra. A tree from the eastern part of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diameter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood dark, hard; specific gravity, 0.811; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) _Molinillo. See Leonotis nepetaefolia. Momordica. A genus of Cucurbitaceae. The species are graceful and delicate climbing vines, bearing rather small edible fruits. Momordica charantia. CUNDEAMOR. PLATE XLVI. This species is supposed to be the most common and generally distributed, per- haps because confused with M. zeylanica, which in Porto Rico, at least, is much more abundant. The present species was not noticed by us, but has been collected by Sintenis at Fajardo. It differs from M. zeylanica in the much larger and longer fruit, the surface of which is irregularly covered with rounded warts and tubercles. The seeds are also much larger, and the leaves have 1 very different cut, as may be seen by reference to the figure. Both species are sometimes called ‘‘ balsam apple.”’ Momordica zeylanica. CUNDEAMOR. This species is one of the commonest and most widely distributed plants in Porto Rico, climbing over fences and other vegetation in open places. Many botanists have confused it with M. charantia, but it may be recognized readily by the different leaf pattern, the small oval fruits with rows of sharp spines, and the small seeds. Monkey apple. See Anona palustris. Monodora myristica. CALABASH NUTMEG. Also called ‘‘ American nutmeg ’’ and ‘‘ Jamaica nutmeg.’’ An anonaceous tree, supposed to have been introduced from West Africa. Its occurrence in Porto Rico seems doubtful, a species of Nectandra having, in some cases at least. been mistaken for it. : Grosourdy (2: 382) reports it from all parts of the island, and gives the height of the tree as reaching 25 or 30 feet (8 or 9 meters), with a diameter of 10 inches (25 centimeters). The wood, he says, is yellow, rather strong, but without appli- cation. His identification was perhaps based on the native name ‘‘ nuez moscada del pais,’”’ in which case the description probably refers to a species of Nectandra. Mora. See Chlorophora tinctoria. Hill & Sudworth (p. 27) describe a wood of this name as follows: Color, bright orange brown, probably darkening with age and exposure. Marked on the radical section with parallel light and dark streaks. Large ducts arranged in wavy, irregular lines; lines also irregularly broken into crescent-shaped groups. Medullary rays distinct, rather coarse. Radically cut and polished sur- me satiny. Similar in general appearance to osage orange. Largely used for ellies. Hansard gives the specific gravity as 0.86. Perhaps the same as *‘ moral.”’ Mora amarilla. A tree from the eastern part of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diameter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood, yellowish, hard; specific gravity, 0.807; used for cabinetmaking. (Exp. 1857.) - Moradilla azul. See Salvia occidentalis. Moradilla encarnada. See Salvia coccinea. 194 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Moral. See Cordia macrophylla. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (13 to 15 meters); diam- eter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood light, soft; specific gravity, 0.611; not used. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 402.) : Captain Hansard thought this might be the mulberry, Morus nigra, the leaf being similar, though the fruit is different. Specific gravity, 0.57. At Coamo Springs another species of Cordia is known Under this name. It is quite different from C. macrophylla and seems to have affinity with C. collococca. Moralon. See Coccolobis grandifolia. Moriche. See Mauritia flexuosa. Moringa moringa. HORSE-RADISH TREE. BEN. Family Moringaceae; a tree 3 to 4 meters high, native in India; reported as introduced and escaped from cultivation in Cuba and probably also in Porto Rico. At Catano and also.at Isabella it was called ‘‘angela”’ or angel tree. It yields the so-called oil of ben, used for fine lubricating purposes. The root has the taste and odor of horse-radish. Sintenis collected a specimen distributed as M. oleifera in a garden at Mayaguez. (Stahl, 2: 43.) A specimen 20 feet (6 meters) high, with a trunk 8 or 10 inches (20 or 25 centi- meters) in diameter, was seen between Yauco and Guayanilla. Mori-vivi. See Mimosa pudica. Other fine-leaved leguminous plants, such as Aeschynemene americana are also sometimes called mori-vivi or mori-vivi bobo. Morongia distachya. CUERNECILLO. A much-branched, trailing, spiny shrub reported by Stahl from the south side of the island. (Stahl, 3: 136, as Schrankia distachya. ) Morongia leptoclada. SALcInua. Collected at Coamo Springs (No. 726). Oregano brujo. See Coleus aromaticus. Oregano de Espana. See Coleus aromaticus. Oregano del pais. See Lippia micromera. Oreodoxa. See Roystonea. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE XLVIII. NEAR GUAYAMA. SPINELESS OPUNTIA. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 207 Oreodoxa regia. See Roystonea regia. Oreopanax capitatum. PALO CACHUMBA. Family Araliaceae; a shrub, 4 meters high, on hills near Coamo. (Stahl, 4: 198, as Aciadophyllum capitatum. ) Ormosia dasycarpa. PALO DE MATOS. Family Viciaceae; a tree, 10 meters high,in mountains. Wood of good quality. (Stahl, 3: 99.) Ormosia krugii. PALO DE MATOS. A leguminous tree of 10 to 25 meters, known only from Porto Rico and Domin- ica. Specimens in the National Herbarium, collected by Sintenis, near Juncos, show the wood to be light and pithy. The leaves are very large, about 20 inches (50 centimeters) long, and the pods are brown and leathery, containing from one to three red and black beans. Another specimen from Mount Francis, Sierra de las Piedras, has much smaller, closely veined leaves, more densely pubescent on the under side. Orosne. See Polygala paniculata. Orozuz. See Scoparia dulcis. Ortegon. See Coccolobis rugosa. Ortela. See Marsypianthes hyptoides. Ortiga. An ingredient for a refreshing drink, on sale by a herb dealer in the market of Ponce. Said to be derived from a tree; perhaps ortegon. Oryza sativa. RICE. Very little rice is now grown in Porto Rico, and this is planted without irriga- tion in ordinary fields, such as we might use for wheat. A considerable quantity is, however, imported from the Hast Indies, largely by way of Germany and Spain. The question has been raised as to whether the low grade and broken rice produced in our Southern States might not be advantageously utilized in Porto Rico, and there seems to be every probability that considerable quantities would find a ready market. In the United States rice is seldom treated as a staple article of food, but is looked upon merely as an accessory dish or dessert, for which fancy prices are readily paid. This, however, excludes from the market all of the broken kernels and lower grades. The food value of these is, however, quite as great as that of the higher-priced article, and there is a large class in Porto Rico which might be expected to avail itself of a cheap but wholesome article of this kind. Ossea fascicularis. See Henriettella fascicularis. Otaga. See Opuntia decumbens. Otaheite apple. See Hugenia malaccensis. Otaheite gooseberry. See Cicca disticha. Ouratea litoralis. A shrub or small tree 2 to 5 meters high, belonging to the family Ochnaceae. Reported from thickets and sandy beaches, Cangrejos, Bayamon, Fajardo, Yuba- coa, and Manati. (Urban, Symb. 1: 363.) Ouratea nitida. GONFIA LUSTROSA. A shrub or tree with the same habitat and dimensions as the preceding. (Stahl, 2: 120, as Gomphia nitida.) Oxalis corniculata. VINAGRILLO. Family Oxalidaceae; a herbaceous annual, preferring stony places, rather shaded and wet. (Stahl, 2: 169.) Oxalis corymbosa. VINAGRILLO MORADO. A herbaceous plant, cultivated in. gardens. (Stahl, 2: 170, as Oxalis martiana.) 208 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Oxalis frutescens. VINAGRILLO. A low, tortuous shrub. (Stahl, 2: 170.) Oxalis martiana. See Oxalis corymbosa. Oxandra laurifolia. Haya BLANCA. An indigenous anonaceous tree, reported by Bello; also called ‘‘ yaya.” It reaches a height of 30 feet (9 meters), and fruits in January. (Stahl, 2: 28.) Oxandra virgata. HAYA PRIETA. An indigenous tree, originally described from Cuba. Pacholi. The strongly aromatic roots of a grass, perhaps Andropogon nardus, were on sale in small bundles in the market of Ponce. They are put in chests to keep out moths. Pachyrrhizus angulatus. YAM BEAN. FRIJOLILLO DE NAME. A shrubby, leguminous vine. having thickened horizontal roots, several inches in diameter, and 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 meters) long. Although edible, these roots are inferior to the true yam ‘‘ cassava,’’ or ‘‘taro,’’ and when cooked they are said to resemble turnips in texture and taste. In some countries they form a resource in times of scarcity resulting from the failure of the usual crops. In Porto Rico this species was observed only in the vicinity of Rio Piedras, though it doubtless exists in other parts of the island. (Stahl, 3: 70.) Pachyrrhizus tuberosus. YAM BEAN. A leguminous vine with large edible roots; reported from Rincon Pacyrrizus angulatus. See Pachyrrhizus angulatus. Pajuil. See Anacardiwm occidentale. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 12 to 15 feet (3.5 to 4 meters); diam- eter, 9 to 10 inches (22 to 25 millimeters). Wood pinkish, soft; specific gravity, 0.550; fruit tree. (Exp. 1857.) Palm. The palms thus far reported from Porto Rico are as follows: Phoenix dactylifera (date palm), Inodes causiarum (Porto Rican hat palm), Thrinax praeceps, Thrinax ponceana, Thrincoma alta, Thringis laxa, Thringis latifrons, Aeria attenuata (lame), Areca catechu (Betel nut palm), Roystonea borinquena (Royal palm), Acrista monticola (Palma de Sierra), Bactris acantho- phylla, Bactris pavoniana, Curima calophylla (coyure), Acrocomia media (corozo), Cocos nucifera, and Cocops rivalis. A synopsis of the above species appeared in the Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club for October, 1901. Palicourea barbinervis. Family Rubiaceae; reported from Lares and Anones. Bello gives the common name ‘‘tafetan.”’ Palicourea coccinea. Reported from Aibonito. Palicourea crocea. CACHIMBO. A biennial shrub, 1 to 2 meters high, found in waste places; known from Lares. (Stahl, 5: 77.) Wood light-colored, soft; specific gravity, 0.482; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Palicourea pavetta. A shrub 6 feet (1.8 meters) high; known from Juncos, on Mount Goyo. Palicourea umbellata. CACHIMBO VERDE. ’ A biennial shrub, 1 meter high, found at the baseof mountains. (Stahl, 5: 78.) Palma christi. See Ricinus communis. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 209 Palma costa. See Roystonea borinquena. A name applied to the royal palm in the vicinity of Coamo. Palma de grana. See Roystonea borinauena. Palma de la Sierra. See Acrista monticola. Palma de los cerdos. See Roystonea borinquena. This means ‘* pig palm,’’ and is one of the names applied to the royal palm on the south side of the island. Palma mauricia. See Mawritia flecuosa. A Cuban name, also said to be applied to Mauritia setifera (setigera?). Palma moriche. See Mauritia flexuosa. Palma real. See Roystonea borinquenda. Palmetto. See Sabal and Thrinax. Palo blanco. See Drypetes glauca. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diame- ter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood white, soft; specific gravity, 0.866; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857). Captain Hansard gives the specific gravity as 0.77. Used in hut building. Palo bobo. See Coccolobis diversifolia and Pisonia subcordata. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diame- ter. 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood white, very soft; specific gravity, 0.531; not used. (Exp. 1857). Captain Hansard gives the specific gravity at 0.54. Palo bronco. See Malpighia wrens. Palo cachumba. See Gilibertia arborea, G. laurifolia, and Oreopanax capita- ~ tum. Palo cano. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 meters); diame- ter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood white, hard; specific gravity, 0.990; not used. (Exp. 1857). Palo colorado. See Myroxylon schwaneckeanum and Ternstroemia luquillensis. Palo de aceite. See Copaifera officinalis. Palo de boyo. See Erythrina micropteryx. Palo de Brasilete. See Dalbergia monetaria. Palo de burro. See Capparis cynophallophora, C. frondosa, C. latifolia, and C. verrucosa. Palo de cabra. See Symplocos polyantha. Palo de Campeche. See Haematoxylon campechianum. Palo de-candela. See Myroxylon schwaneckeanum. ‘' Palo de corcho. See Pisonia obtusata. Palo de cucubano. See Guettarda scabra. Palo de doncella. See Byrsonima lucida. Palo de galleria. A tree from all parts of the island; height. 25 to 30 feet (8 to 9 meters); diame- ter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood white, soft; specific gravity, 0.409; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Palo de gallina. See Alchorneopsis portoricensis. Palo de gangulin. See Gilibertia laurifolia. Palo de garrocha. See Quararibea turbinata. Palo de guitarra, See Citharexylum quadrangulare. 210 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Palo de hierro. See Ixora ferrea, Sarcomphalus reticulatus, and Seutia ferrea, — Captain Hansard gives the specific gravity of this wood as 1.07. : Palo de hoz. See Drepanocarpus lunatus. . “Palo de hueso. See Ilex nitida, Linociera compacta, and Mayepea domingensis. _ Palo de jaqueca. See Thespesia populned. | Palo de Maria. See Calophyllum calaba. Palo de matos. See Ormosia dasycarpa and O. krugit. Palo de multa. See Hugenia ligustrina. Palo de mufieca. See Cordia borinquensis and Rauwolfia nitida. Palo de nispero cimarron. See Symplocos lanata. Palo de oreja. See Cassipourea elliptica. Palo de pan cimarron. See Bocconia frutescens. Palo de perico. See Cordia ulmifolia. Palo de peronias. See Adenanthera pavonina. Palo de pollo. See Pterocarpus draco. Palo de ramon. See Banara portoricensis. Palo de rayo. See Parkinsonia aculeata. Palo de toro. See Faramea odoratissima. Palo de vaca. See Gilibertia laurifolia. Palo de geringa. See Moringa moringa. Palo hediondo. See Lonchocarpus latifolius. Palo hueso. A tree from the northeastern part of the island; height, 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood olive green, hard; specific gravity 1.029; used in making shelves. (Exp. 1857.) Grousourdy (2: 407) describes the wood as dirty white, and says that it is used for fuel and the framework of rude houses. Palo llorén. See Antirrhoea lucida and Malanea macrophylla. Palo moro. See Psychotria. This name is applied to numerous species of this very large genus of Rubiaceae. Palo pollo. See Pterocarpus draco. A tree from the swampy parts of the island; height, 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood white, soft; specific gravity 0.614; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Grows to a considerable height and attains great thickness; very irregular at base; wood used for handles for machetes and pans for gold miners; texture hard and solid. Palo puerco. Captain Hangard gives a specific gravity of 0.87 for this wood, but says that he does not know the tree. Palo punz. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (8 to 9 meters) ; diameter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood ash-colored. soft; specific gravity 0.725; used in building houses. Also called ‘‘ palo santo.’ (Exp. 1857.) Palo rosa. A tree from the island of Vieques; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters) ; diameter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood pinkish, hard: specific gravity, 0.994; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. Vill. PLATE XLIX.. PARA GRASS (PANICUM MOLLE). COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 211 Palo santo. See Palo punz. A wild tree 30 feet (9 meters) or morein height, with a trunk 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) in diameter. Furnishes a soft ash-colored wood that breaks with a vertical fracture. Used in building houses and fences. (Grosourdy, 2: 407.) : Captain Hansard gives 0.70 as the specific gravity of this wood. Pana. See Gilibertia arborea. Pana cimarrona. See Didymopanax morototoni. Panales. Small froth-like rolls made of sugar and white of egg. They are not for eating, but are dissolved in water to make a sweetish drink. Panicum maximum. GUINEA GRASS. YERBA DE GUINEA. The guinea grass is said to have been used as bedding in the slave ships, and to have become established in tropical America accidentally after floating ashore from the rubbish thrown overboard when the ships were unloaded. The origin of this account should be traced as a note on plant introduction. Panicum molle. Para GRaAss. MALOJILLO. PLATE XLIX. As a pasture grass this species is second only to the Guinea or “‘yerba de Guinea.”’ Itis grown in the swampy meadows of the north coast and wherever the ground is too moist for the latter species. The Malojillo is deep green in color, decumbent at base, with very hairy joints. The flower stalk has fewer and shorter branches than the Guinea grass. Both species produce luxuriant crops, but both seem too coarse to represent the food value of the same amount of the temperate grasses. Papa. See Solanum tuberosum. Papaw. See Carica papaya. Papaya. See Carica papaya. This is a cultivated fruit, not a mountain forest tree as stated by Hill. Papaya lechosa. See Carica papaya. Para grass. See Panicwm molle. Paralejo velludo. - See Heteropteris laurifolia. -Parasita. See Dendropremon bicolor. Parathesis crenulata. See Seca-garganta. Family Myrsinaceae; an erect shrub, 1 to 2 meters high, on the sides of ravines. Bello gives the common name ‘‘rasca garganta.’’ (Stahl, 6: 37, as Ardisia crenulata. ) : Parcha. See Passiflora laurifolia. Parcha augosta. See Passiflora suberosa. Parcha cimarrona. See Passiflora maliformis. Parcha colorada. See Passiflora rubra. Parcha de garjos. See Passiflora serrata. Parcha multiflora. See Passiflora multiflora. Parcha ojillosa. See Passiflora tulae. Parcha palida. See Passiflora suberosa. Parcha pelitiesa. See Passiflora suberosa. Parcha yedra. See Passiflora suberosa. Paritium elatum. See Hibiscus elatus. i Ni Oln Vn P2023 11 912 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Paritium tiliaceum. EMAJAGUA. PuatTe L. | A large shrub or small tree widely distributed throughout the warm regions of the Old and New worlds. It was in use throughout tropical America before the advent of Europeans, and is still one of the most important fiber plants for local and domestic uses. The bast furnishes a strong and flexible fiber, comparable to jute, and having the remarkable quality of becoming stronger by long macera- tion in water. Although this has been known for many years, and although the plant would grow readily and without cultivation in moist waste tracts common along the coasts of many tropical countries, there seems to have been no serious attempt at introducing the fiber to commerce or adapting it to civilized uses. The oft-quoted experiment of Roxburgh, as reported by Watt, is as follows: ‘*A line broke when white with a weight of 41 pounds; after being tanned, with 62 pounds, and after having been tarred, with 61 pounds. A similar line macerated in water for one hundred and sixteen days broke when white with 40 pounds; tanned, 55 pounds, and tarred, 70 pounds. These observations are of great inter- est, for of the other fibers experimented with by Roxburgh, the majority were rotten after maceration, and no other fiber showed so marked an improvement for cordage purposes when tarred. English hemp and Indian grown hemp, treated in the same manner, were found to be rotten, and sunn-hemp broke with 65 pounds and jute with 60 pounds. The power of endurance under water is, therefore, a point of great importance. ‘‘The fiber is readily separated from the green or unsteeped branches, the work of preparation being less tedious than applies to the other fiber-yielding plants of this genus. It appears to be well adapted for making ropes, mats, and possibly paper (Cameron). The fiber seems highly suitable for the paper trade, and immense quantities of it might be conveyed in boats to the paper mills of Bengal.”’ The last suggestion of paper making would seem to be worthy of investigation by our manufacturers in view of the increasing scarcity of raw materials for a product of good quality. Emajagua could be produced with extreme cheapness. Replanting would not be necessary, as sprouts come up abundantly from the stumps. Cultivation could be carried on after the manner of the basket osiers. In Porto Rico nearly all the ropes in use are made from emajagua. Recommended in Jamaica by Dr. Morris for windbreaks about cacao plantations. Also called ‘*‘ Majagua.”’ Parkinsonia aculeata. JERUSALEM THORN. PALO DE RAYO. A leguminous tree related to the Haematoxylon or logwood. It is supposed to be native in some parts of the American continent, but is now so generally culti- vated that the original habitat isin doubt. (Stahl, 3: 119.) Parra cimarrona. See Vitis caribaea. Parthenium hysterophorus. AJENJO CIMARRON. An herbaceous annual composite, found in sandy places. In Jamaica this plant is called *‘ mugwort’’ and Lunan gives a number of cases in which it was sup- posed to have curative value in healing different kinds of eruptive diseases. (Stahl, 5: 157.) Pascueta. See Hrigeron canadensis. Pascueta amarilla. See Hrigeron rivularis. Passifiora angustifolia. See Passiflora suberosa. Passifiora foetida. TAGUA-TAGUA. Family Passifloraceae; a shrubby vine found along roadsides. It has a disagree- able odor, but the flowers are beautiful and the fruit edible; called ‘‘ love ina mist’? in Jamaica. (Stahl, 4: 144.) Passiflora hederaceae. See Passiflora suberosa. Passiflora hirsuta. See Pussiflora suberosa. J * ‘ a PLATE L. . Herb., Vol. VIII. 45 Contr. Na “(WNSOVITIL WAILIUWd) VNOVPVNA COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIG PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 2138 Passiflora laurifolia. Parca. A woody twining climber, cultivated in gardens; fruit tart and agreeable. (Stahl, 4: 147.) Passiflora maliformis. PARCHA CIMARRONA. A woody climber, found in waste places. Reported from Utuado. (Stahl. 4: 148.) Passifiora multiflora. PARCHA MULTIFLORA. The velvety-pubescent long-oval leaves seem characteristic among the Porto Rican species; collected by Sintenis at Manati. Passifiora pallida. See Passiflora suberosa. Passifiora quadrangularis. GRANADILLA. A twining vine, cultivated in gardens as an ornamental; used for covering arbors. Fruits agreeable. The pulp mixed with water and sugar makes a refreshing drink. (Stahl, 4: 145.) Passiflora rubra. PARCHA COLORADA. An herbaceous vine found in waste places. (Stahl, 4: 150.) Passifiora serrata. PARCHA DE GARJOS. A yine found in waste places and mountains. (Stahl, 4: 149.) Passifiora suberosa. According to the Kew Index, Stahl’s species of Passiflora angustiflora ‘* parcha angosta,’ P. pallida ‘‘parcha palida,” P. hirsuta ** parcha pelitiesa,”’ and P. hederacea ‘* parcha yedra’’ are included in Passiflora suberosa. Grows to a height of 20 feet (6 meters). Reported from Yarbuco and Guanica. Passifiora tulae. PARCHA OJILLOSA. An indigenous species recently described by Urban as new. It is Murucuja ocellata of Bello and Passiflora murucuja of Stahl, called ** bull hoof ’’ in Jamaica. (Stahl, 4: 151, as Passiflora murucuja. ) Pata de cabra. These samples [pata de cabra and algarrobo] are so similar in detail of struc- ture as to be from the same or closely related species. Color, rich blackish brown, irregularly mottled, and streaked with areas of pale reddish brown; sapwood (present in pata de caba), light brown. Ducts conspicuous, occurring singly or two together, between two medullary rays or often interrupting a ray; evenly diffused. Medullary rays conspicuous, visible to the naked eye, often discon- nected. Wood fibers strongly interlaced, giving smoothed surface a ‘‘ curled ”’ appearance. Very attractive cabinet woods. Resemble forms of mesquit, espe- cially Prosopis odorata. (Hill and Sudworth. ) Pata de gallina. See Phoradendron chrysocarpum. Patata. See Solanum tuberosum. Patilla. See Citrullus vulgaris. Paullinia pinnata. BrJUCO PRIETO. Also called bejuco de costilla. Family Sapindaceae; a woody climber with com- pound leaves and a winged rhachis like that of Inga vera. It climbs by means of tendrils attached to the flower cluster. According to the Index Kewensis this name is a synonym of Serjania curassavica. (Stahl, 2: 155.) Pavonia. See Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Pavonia coccinea. CapDILLO ANARANJADO. Family Malvaceae; a woody herb, 1 meter high. (Stahl, 2: 85.) Pavonia encendida. See Hibiscus radiatus. Pavonia racemosa. CADILLO DE CIENEGA. A shrub 2 to 3 meters high, frequenting mangrove swamps. (Stahl, 2: 84.) 214 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Pavonia spinifex. CADILLO ESPINOSO. An annual or biennial shrub, 1 to 2 meters high. found on mountains and in shaded places. (Stahl, 2: 83.) Pavonia typhalea. CADILLO PEQUEQUE. A shrubby annual, growing in shaded wet places. The small white flowers are collected in a head and give an appearance quite different from related members of the Malvaceae. Specimens collected at El Rio were called ‘‘anamu’”’ and. were reputed a remedy for chigoes. (Stahl, 2: 81.) Paw paw. See Carica papaya. Peanut. See Arachis hypogea. Pectis humifusa. YERBA DE SAN JUAN. A woody annual composite from sandy seashores. (Stahl, 5: 145.) Pectis serpyllifolia. See Pectis humifusa. Pedilanthus tithymaloides. . A peculiar fleshy Euphorbiaceous plant, with an irregular wing along the midrib on the lower side of the leaves. Frequently planted for hedges. Pegadora. See Mentzelia aspera. Pega-palma. See Marcgravia wmbellata. Pega-pega. This name meaning * stick-stick,’’ like our * stick-tight,”’ is probably applied to several seeds adapted for attaching themselves to one’s clothes, as ‘* pica-pica ”’ is used for many spiny plants. At Santurce Priva echinata and Aeschynomene americana were called ‘* pega- pega.”’ Pega-palo. See Bignonia wiguis-cati. Pega pollo. See Boerhavia scandens. Pegoge. See Tabernaemontana citrifolia. Peireskia. Family Cactaceae; a thick, spiny shrub or small tree, valuable mostly as a stock on which to graft the various cacti. Known from specimens collected by Sintenis at Penuelas, where it was cultivated in gardens. Penaejuelo. A tree from the northeastern part of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (13 to 15 meters); diameter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood, ash-colored; rather hard; specific gravity, 0.810; used for lumber. (Exp. 1857.) Pendejuelo. Evidently the same as Penaejuelo. A wild tree, 50 feet (15 meters) high, with a trunk reaching a diameter of 18. inches (45 centimeters). Furnishes an ash-colored wood that breaks with an oblique fracture. Its common use is for lumber used in building crude houses. (Grousourdy, 2: 408.) Péndola. See Citharexylum quadrangulare. Péndula. A tree from the eastern part of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (13 to 15 meters) ; diameter 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood. yellow, hard; specific gravity, 0.942; used for lumber. (Exp. 1857.) A large tree, trunk rather short; wood very hard, making most excellent boards and posts. A very valuable wood with a specific gravity of 0.84. (Captain Hansard. ) Péndulo blanco. See Vitex divaricata. Pendulo colorado. See Citharexylum quadrangulare. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE LI. PENTARHAPHIA ALBIFLORA. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 215 Pentarhaphia albiflora. PLATE LI. Family Gesneriaceae; this and P. longiflora seem to be very similar species; rather small shrubs growing in rocky places, and having the characteristic long- stalked asymetric flowers, greenish yellow, mottled with dark reddish stripes and spots. Pentarhaphia longiflora. SpPaNIsH TEA. See Pentarhaphia albiflora. Pentarhaphia reticulata. CONRADIA. An herb 8 to 12 centimeters high; found among rocks and in shady places. (Stahl, 6: 259.) ; Peperomia. A large genus of Piperaceae represented in Porto Rico by numerous species, mostly rather small and delicate herbs. Peperomia portoricensis. YERBA DE GUAVA. An indigenous herb from the mountain forests near Aybonito, Adjuntas, Utu- ado, and Maricao. (Urban, Symb. 1: 292.) Pepinillo. See Melothria fluminensis. Pepinito. See Cucumis anguria. Pepino. See Cucumis anguria. Pepino angolo. See Sicana odorifera. Pepita amarga. See Fevillea cordifolia. Pepper. The red, Cayenne, Chile, or garden peppers belong to the genus Capsicum of the family Solanaceae. while the true black or white pepper is derived from species of Piper. Peregil cimarron. See Scrophularia micrantha. Perico cimarron. Thi. name was applied at Vega Baja to a species of Acalypha (No. 1035), still unidentified. Periwinkle. See Vinca rosea. Peronia. See Abrus precatorius. Peronilas. Bello gives this name for Abrus precatorius, but probably by error. Persea carolinensis. See note under ‘‘ naguacatillo.”’ Persea gratissima. AGUACATE. Variously known as ‘‘alligator-pear,’’ ‘‘ butter-pear.’’ ‘‘ avocate,’’ ‘‘ avocado,”’ etc. Family Lauraceae. This well-known fruit of the Tropics has the external appearance of a large pear, but on being cut open is found to have a large central seed, which separates readily from the rather firm, somewhat buttery outer pulp, which is the part eaten. The ‘* butter-pear,’’ as it is sometimes called, is a salad fruit—if such a term may be used—being eaten with salt, vinegar, pepper. and other condiments. The pulp is scraped away from the outer hard skin with a spoon. Opinions differ greatly as to the value of this fruit; some are extremely fond of it, while others consider it quite insipid. . Properly. seasoned, it blends finely with dressings, and has recently been used as an ingredient of rich and elaborate salads. Treated with oil, salt, and tarragon vinegar, it has also been recommended cut in slices and served as a relish, or the ‘‘ butter’? mashed up with such a dressing may be applied to sandwiches. At present but a small quantity of this fruit is marketed in New York, but the demand is increasing and the prices are good, 20 cents apiece being an average figure, at which the business would certainly be very profitable. According to Semler, an oil extracted from 216 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. the alligator pear is used in large quantities in America in soap manufacture, 7 but the seat of the oil industry is not stated. There are a great many varieties of the alligator pear, but the forms already in Porto Rico compare well with those of other countries. In viewof the difficulties experienced in shipping this fruit, an effort should be made to secure some of the > thick-skinned varieties of Central America. Selection, or the introduction of new varieties that will extend the season, will also greatly improve the chances of making their culture profitable. One danger in relying on alligator pears as a source of Income arises from the brittle nature of the wood, the branches being easily broken by strong winds, only occasional trees having been left uninjured by the storm of August, 1901. The tree is rather handsome, but never reaches very large size, old specimens being 35 to 40 feet (10 to 12 meters) high and a foot or 18 inches (30 to 45 centi- meters) in diameter. There is a wild species in Cuba, P. sylvestris, there called “ aguacate silvestre.”’ It furnishes a rather soft wood, with a specific gravity of 0.643. The grain is very fine. The texture is fibrous and rather brittle. The color is reddish brown, or sometimes light brown, with poorly-marked lines or undulations, more visible in the white parts, while the heart is mottled with light, irregular, curved spots — of different colors, disposed almost symmetrically, and giving to the whole a most beautitul aspect. This wood, which is not used at all, is very brittle, but might, in our opinion, be employed in cabinet work. The bark is rather thick, very rough, irregular, ash-colored. (Grosourdy, 2: 358.) Petangueira. See Eugenia portoricensis. Petitia domingensis. CapA BLANCA. Family Verbenaceae; a tree 10 meters high. The hard wood is good for fine work. Reported from Rancon and Utuado. (Stahl, 6: 223.) Petiveria alliacea. Family Phytolaccaceae; a slender weed very common in waste places but pre- fering partial shade. It has a very disagreeable odor, strongly suggesting onions or garlic, and is said to injure the milk of cows, which seems entirely probable. Phasemy. See Phaseolus semierectus. Phaseolus adenanthus. HasicHUELA CIMARRONA. Family Viciaceae; a woody, climbing annualin hedges and at the base of moun- tains. (Stahl, 3: 76.) Phaseolus lanceolatus. HABICHUELA CIMARRONA. (Stahl, 3: 78.) Phaseolus lunatus. Hasas. LIMA BEAN. A twining climber, both cultivated and escaped. (Stahl, 3: 81.) Phaseolus semierectus. PHASEMy. HABICHUELA PARADA. An herbaceous, erect, branching annual 50 centimeters high, found in pastures. (Stahl, 3: 77.) In British Guiana experiments with this plant have seemed to warrant the belief that it will prove to be a tropical substitute for alfalfa. Phaseolus vulgaris. Bran. HaABICHUELA. Several varieties of the common bean are imported into Porto Rico, but the one most favored for local cultivation is a rather large. red variety. A bean collected near Ponce (No. 796) has the pods warted along both edges. It was called — ““haba,”’ but is not the Lima bean to which that name is more often applied. Phoebe cubensis. Family Lauraceae; the form antillana is reported from Bayamon. ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. Did COOK AND COLLINS Phoenix dactylifera. Darr. Dart. The date palm has been introduced into Porto Rico, and while the trees reach a considerable size, particularly on the drier southern side of the island, it is not known that any fruit of good quality has been produced. Specimens of a date palm were obtained by Sintenis at Puerto Real near Cabo Rojo, and it is in that region that the tree might be expected to thrive best in Porto Rico, and the results of experiments which have been made would be of interest. Although the date palm grows with apparent vigor in Porto Rico it is not likely that it will ripen fruit of marketable quality, as the climate is too cool and too moist. The date reaches perfection only in desert regions, and while it can stand slight frosts it must have exceedingly hot weather during the ripening season. That the tree will flourish is no indication that it will produce good frait. In the Canary Islands an indigenous species of date palm is extensively grown for the sake of the leaves, which are made into baskets and serve other domestic purposes, but the fruit is nearly worthless, and genuine date palms which have been introduced do not succeed. As yet dates are not known to have been successfully raised in America except in the desert regions of Arizona, California, and Mexico. In the latter country the date was introduced very early and was spread to Lower and Upper California by the Spanish missionaries. Although, according to Forbes’s ‘‘ California,’’ dates and figs were exported from Lower California as early as 1837, the industry has not been greatly developed, owing, perhaps, to the fact that only seedlings were planted. Of late it has been found that the date succeeds well in the extremely dry and hot regions of Arizona, and cuttings of superior varieties have been imported in order that fruit of uniform, marketable quality may be secured. Pholacilia diversifolia. See Trichilia simplicifolia. Phoradendron chrysocarpum. PaTA DE GALLINA. A parasitic shrub of the family Loranthaceae. Bello gives the name ‘‘ yerba capitana’’ for Phoradendron berterianum, which Urban refers to the present species. (Urban, Add. 4: 357.) Phoradendron dichotomum. YERBA CAPITANA. A parasitic shrub said to have been found on Mangifera indica in Haiti, but known elsewhere only from native trees. Phoradendron quadrangulare. YERBA CAPITANA. Also called *‘ quasimilla de Canario.’’ A parasitic shrub related to the mistle- toe. It attacks numerous species of native trees. Phthirusa emarginata. Family Lauraceae; reported from Aybonito. Phthirusa parvifolia. From Guanica. Phthirusa portoricensis. See Psychotria pendula. Phyllanthus grandifolius. Family Euphorbiaceae; reported from Manati. Phyllanthus nobilis antillanus. From Fajardo and Aybonito. Phyllocactus stenopetalus. . Family Cactaceae; cultivated in gardens at Penuelas. (Sintenis.) Physalis angulata. SacaBUCHE ANGULOSO. s Family Solanaceae; an herbaceous annual, 50 centimeters high, found in various parts of the island. The fruits are edible and in Jamaica are called winter cher- ries. The plant is one of the ground-cherry group. (Stahl, 6: 122.) Physalis linkiana. An herbaceous annual or weed; from near Guanica. 66 218 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Physalis pubescens. SAcCABUCHE PELUDO. ; An herbaceous annual, 60 centimeters high, common. This is the common cul- j tivated ground cherry or strawberry tomato. (Stahl, 6: 121.) j At Arecibo the fruit of a species of Physalis was said to be used for stomach troubles, and the roots for toothache. Physic nut. See Jatropha curcas. Pica-pica. See Mucuna pruriens and Fleurya aestuans. Picha de gato. See Scolosanthus grandifolius. Pichana. See Wissadula rostrata. Pichana mocha. See Abutilon leiospermum. Pichana peduncular. See Abutilon pedunculare. Picramnia pentandra. GUAREMA. Family Simarubaceae; a shrub 10 to 15 feet (8 to 5 meters) high, from the vicinity of Cayey and Lares. The common name was recorded by Bello. — Picrasma excelsa. BITTERWOOD. A small tree of the family Simarubaceae; found in Jamaica, Antigua, and sey- eral of the smaller islands. The bark and wood are extremely bitter and are now preferred to the genuine quassia from Guayana and Brazil. Picrasma is found in forests of low elevation near the sea. Pictetia aristata. TACHUELO. PLates LIT. LITT. Family Viciaceae; a tree 6 to 8 meters high. The wood is extremely hard and heavy. Found in the southeastern coastal regions. (Stahl, 3: 50.) Hill identifies ‘‘ tachuelo’’ with ‘*‘ hachuelo,’’ and with the calabash tree, Cre- scentia. Our informants, including Captain Lugovine and Senor Besosa, agree in giving the name to an extremely hard and heavy wood, which endures indefi- nitely in the ground and is used in supporting houses. The leaves have a spine from the midrib. A photograph of a branch was taken at Penon and a ‘‘ habitus- bild”’ of a clump of shrubby growth about 20 feet (6 meters) high in an open pasture at Coamo Springs. Pictetia squamata. A specimen from Coamo is in the National Herbarium. Pigeon pea. See Cajanus cajan. Pigeon wood. A name applied in the British West Indies to several trees belonging to the genera Dipholis, Diospyros, and Coccolobis. Pigweed. See Amaranthus paniculatus and A. tristis. Pilea ciliaris.“ Family Urticaceae. This and P. elegans, broad-leaved species, are quite unlike P. trianthemoidea. Known from Adjuntas and Sabana Grande. ' Pilea trianthemoides. ARTILLERY PLANT. VERDOLAGUILLO. A very fine-leaved, fern-like plant, common in most rocky situations where the ground is moist; also on roofs of houses in mountain districts. The stone water filters and storage jars for water are often overgrown with this species. Pilocarpus racemosus. An indigenous shrub or small tree, 2 to 5 meters high, belonging to the Rutaceae. Reported from Aguado, Aguadilla, and near Rio Grande. Pimenta acris. See Amomis caryophyllata. Pimenta officinalis. See Pimenta pimenta. % “The name Adicea Raf. antedates Pilea Lindl., but the species here referred to have not been transferred to that genus. Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE LI. TACHUELO (PICTETIA ARISTATA). Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. TACHUELO (PICTETIA ARISTATA), SHOWING ARISTATE LEAVES. PLATE LIII. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 219 Pimenta pimenta. ALULSPICE. In Urban’s revision of the Myrtaceae (Add. 2: 89) this species is not reported from Porto Rico, but the Porto Rican references of Stahl and other writers are applied to Amomis caryophyllata. A tree belonging to the Myrtaceae and formerly placed in the genus Eugenia. Mr. Hill reports it as abundant on the south side of Porto Rico, in the region between Guayama, Coamo, and Ponce; but the species is not, in fact, known to occur in Porto Rico where the names ‘‘ pimienta”’ and *‘ pimienta malagueta’’ are applied to the bay-rum tree, Amomis caryophyllata. The allspice tree has been found in Cuba and Jamaica, also in Mexico and Central America, but not, as far as known, anywhere else in the West Indies. The ailspice of commerce consists of the unripe fruits, which must be dried quickly before the flavor has time to deteriorate. Large quantities are shipped to Europe and the United States from Jamaica, where the tree is cultivated, or allowed to spread itself over waste lands or pastures. Hill explains the fact that no allspice has been exported from Porto Rico by saying that the fruits are allowed to drop from the trees and are not properly cured. Pimenta vulgaris. See Amomis caryophyllata. Pimento. See Pimenta pimenta. Pimienjo. Captain Hansard gives the specific gravity of this wood as 1.31. Pimienta. This name, which properly means ‘‘ pepper,’’ has been applied to Amomis cary- ophyllata, also in the combination ‘* pimienta malagueta.’’ In Cuba and Jamaica, where the true allspice tree (Pimenta pimenta) grows, the same names are used for it. Pimienta malagueta. See Amomis caryophyllata. Pimiento. See Capsicum annuwn and Amomis caryophyllata. Pina. Enumerated by Hill among ‘‘ forest trees yielding fruits.’’ There is nothing to indicate the identity of the plant alluded to. Pindar. See Arachis hypogea. Pineapple. See Ananassa ananas. Pino. A tree from the interior of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (13 to 15 meters); diameter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood white, very hard; specific gravity, 0.960; used in boat building. Also called ‘‘ cipil.’? (Exp. 1857.) Pinon espinoso. See Hrythrina corallodendron. Pinuela. A name applied to numerous wild plants having a real or fancied resemblance to the pineapple. The numerous wild species of Tillandsia and other bromeli- aceous plants are called ‘‘ pifiuelas,’’ as are also orchids, both terrestrial and epiphytic. One of the latter, with large fleshy bulbs, furnishes a strong glue or varnish-like cement, used particularly for joining the rudely manufactured domestic guitars. It is quite rare, and each bulb is said to be valued at 25 centavos. Pinzona calineoides. Family Dilleniaceae. A climbing vine from Utuado. Piper aduncum. A species agreeing with other West-Indian material in the National Herbarium which was collected near Toa Baja (No. 259). The leaves are minutely but dis- tinctly scabrous on both sides. A shrub 8 feet (2.5 meters) high. ' 220) CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Piper citrifoium. HIGUILLO AMARGO. Collected at Atola Teja, between Bayamon and Toa Baja (No. 240). Very similar in general appearance to the form identified as P. aduncwm, but agreeing with the present species in having the leaves smooth on both sides. Piper macrophyllum. Family Piperaceae; a shrub 12 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) Iriel on acs hills; known from Adjuntas. (Grisebach. ) Piper marginatum. Known from Aguadilla. Piper peltatum. See Heckeria peltata. Piper umbellatum. See Heckeria wmbellata. Piptadenia peregrina. CoJOBANA. Also known as Cojobilla. Family Mimosaceae; a tree 5 meters high; older growth covered with spines; found at Bayamon. (Stahl, 3: 144-152.) See note under Acacia angustiloba. Piptocarpha triflora. A composite shrub, known from Sierra de las Piedras. Piquete. See Bidens leucantha and Cosmos caudatus. Piriqueta cistoides. See Piriqueta villosa. Piriqueta ovala. See Piriqueta ovata. Piriqueta ovata. PIRIQUETA OVALA. Family Turneraceae. (Stahl, 4: 159.) Piriqueta villosa. PrIRIQUETA. An herbaceous erect annual, 40 to 50 centimeters high, in dry sandy soil. (Stahl, 4: 157.) Pisonia aculeata. ESCAMBRON. Also called ‘‘ uiia de gato,’ or ‘‘cat’s claw.’* A spiny shrub belonging to the family Nyctaginaceae; reported from near Manati. Pisonia obtusata. MAJAGUA QUEMONA. Also called *‘ palo de corcho.’’ An indigenous shrub. Pisonia subcordata. PaLo BOBO. An indigenous tree reaching a height of 20 meters. According to Urban two forms, albida and gigantophylla, have been found in Porto Rico; reported from Barranquitas. (Urban, Add. 3: 318.) Pistia stratiotes. WATER-LETTUCE. Family Araceae; a floating, stemless, stoloniferous herb, known from near Manati. Pitajaya. See Cereus triangularis. Pitangueira. See Hugenia biflora. Pithecolobium filicifolium. CoJoBaNna. Family Mimosaceae; a forest tree 10 meters high; leaves finely divided; spine- less. (Stahl, 3: 187.) Pithecolobium saman. SaMAn. Some writers state that the name ‘‘algarrobo”’ is applied to this species. A large, spreading tree, 15 to 20 meters high, planted for shade in yards and pubhe grounds. The trunk is inclined to be short and thick, while the branches are horizontal and extremely long. According to Stahl the wood is not very hard, with the heart of a handsome red color. On account of its lack of durability it is very little used. The flowers appear in spring and summer, and all the growing parts are slightly hairy. (Stahl, 3: 154.) bling COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 221 This tree is sparingly introduced into Porto Rico, but if the accounts of it are correct it is worthy of much more general planting, as advised in Trinidad by Professor Hart in connection with the following report: ‘* Probably there are few tropical trees which are so useful for a variety of pur- poses as the saman or zaman of Central America. In Jamaica this tree is known as the ‘guango;’ in Trinidad, by its Spanish name of ‘zaman,’ or its corrup- tion ‘saman.’ The tree is a native of Central America, from Nicaragua south- ward to Brazil. Itisalarge, umbrageous tree, belonging to the order Leguminosae, or the Pea family, many of which are noted for their property of accumulating or storing nitrogen in the soil. In Jamaica it is well known, and grown for shad- ing ‘Guinea’ grass fields. In Trinidad it has not the same good reputation for shade purposes, as its place is in a manner usurped by the quicker growing ‘ bois immortel.’ There is some reason, however, to doubt the superiority of the latter over the former, and personally I am inclined to the belief that the claims of the ‘saman’ are much higher from every standpoint. The tree can be seen in the botanic gardens, shading nutmegs, cacao, coffee, tea, and other products to the greatest advantage; it is, besides, a tree much less Hable to fall and injure the plantation than the bois immortel, and being of the same family it possesses the power of becoming a real ‘madre de cacao,’ just as well as the bois immortel or Erythrina. For ‘Guinea grass’ pastures the tree gives a fine shade, and it is also an excel- lent one for planting in ordinary ‘low-bite’ pasture, both for the benefit of herbage and also as a shade for the cattle. “In Nicaragua the wood of this tree is used to make wheels for ox carts, solid sections being sawn through the trunk for the purpose. It gives a splendid dark-colored wood with excellent grain, which takes a fine polish. The legumes, or beans, as they fall from the tree, are greedily eaten by cows and horses, although they are apt to give internal troubles of a minor character to the latter. Professor Harrison, of Demerara, who analyzed the pods, observed that the beans have about the same average composition as carob beans, obtained from Ceratonia siliqua, but as the seeds of the saman invariably pass through the stomach of a cow without being digested, the food value of the seed must be eliminated to obtain the true value of the legume as a cattle food. I understand that Professor Harrison, who published the original analysis, will shortly complete it by a sepa- rate examination of the seed. Whatever may be the result, it is certain that the pods or beans are a very suitable food for milch cows, as shown by the character of the milk afforded by animals fed regularly upon them. In some places Pithe- colobium saman has obtained the name of ‘rain tree,’ for what reason it is not clearly apparent; but it is certain that much larger crops of ‘Guinea grass’ can be grown under its shade than in the open. It is one of those trees in which, like some of the Mimosas, the leaflets are possessed of the power of movement, and close together at sundown, thus allowing the dew to fall upon the crops beneath; while, when the sun is high, the foliage is spread out in a form which securely screens off its rays and protects the ground beneath from excessive evaporation. In the gardens we have large examples of these trees, planted it is supposed between the years 1818 and 1824, so that they are over 70 years of age, and are probably the finest in the West Indies. The spread of the branches of several of them reaches a diameter of considerably over 140 feet (42 meters). Forall purposes of shade, so necessary in a moist tropical climate, the saman is certainly an excellent tree, and it grows at a rate which should satisfy any but the most impatient. A tree with a trunk of 12 inches (30 centimeters) diameter can be grown in good soil in about ten years, and large enough to shade cacao and other shrubby trees in from four to five years. “Tn islands subject to cyclonic storms the tree suffers considerably, owing to 222 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. the great weight and size of its branches, but in Trinidad our trees have never suffered in this way, as we are fortunately outside the common cyclone or hurri- cane area.” : Pithecolobium unguis-cati. UNA DE GATO. BLACK BEAD. - A shrub 10 feet (3 meters) high, from the south coast. (Stahl, 3: 139.) Near Guayanilla this plant was called *‘ escambron colorado.”’ Plantago major. LLANTEN. Family Plantaginaceae. A gigantic specimen was collected at Adjuntas by Sintenis. The common name is given by Bello. Plantain. See Musa paradisiaca. Plantain, Wild. See Heliconia. Plantanilla blanea. See Asclepias nivea._ Platanillo. See Asclepias cwrassavica. > Platanillo blanco. See Asclepias nivea. Platano. See Musa. Pluchea odorata. SALvia. : A composite shrub, 3 to 4 meters high, having a peculiar odor; found in all parts of the island, and used as a mild stimulant. (Stahl, 5: 122. Plum. See Spondias lutea. Plumbago capensis. An ornamental shrub cultivated in gardens at Yabucoa. (Sintenis.) Plumbago scandens. HIGUILLO. Family Plumbaginaceae; a shrubby trailer. The root is sometimes used as a blistering agent. Our plants are from Coamo Springs, where the above common name isin use. Bello calls this species ** meladillo.”’ Plumeria alba. TasBatrsBa. Family Apocynaceae; a shrub 3 to 4 meters high, having a milky juice. Found along the coast. Bello records the common name ‘“‘aleli cimarron.’’ (Stahl, 6: 74.) A wild tree 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters) high, with a rather straight trunk 6 to8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) in diameter. The wood is considered very good for certain classes of carpenter work that need both flexibility and resistance. It is yellowish white or light grayish yellow in color, marked with unequal undula- tions, giving the wood a rather attractive appearance. The texture is fibrous and compact and the grain fine. (Grosourdy, 2: 395.) Plumeria krugii. TABEIBA. A recently described species known only from Maricao. (Urban, Symb. 1: 387.) Plumeria obtusa. ALELi CIMARRON. A tree or shrub. (Stahl, 6:76.) Plumeria portoricensis. ALEL{ CIMARRON. Also called ** tabeiba:** a species recently described from a drawing by Krug, probably in the vicinity of Mayaguez. Said to be Plumeria obtusata of Bello. (Urban, Symb. 1: 387.) Plumeria rubra. FRANGIPANI. ALELI. A shrub or small tree, 4 to 5 meters high, having a milky juice. Cultivated in gardens on account of the extremely fragrant flowers, and sometimes called the West Indian red jasmine. The name *‘ frangipani”’ or ** frangipanni’’ is supposed to have been applied to this and other species of Plumeria on account of the resem- blance to that of a perfume compounded in the middle ages from a large number of ingredients by an Italian nobleman of that name. It is not known that any ~ attempt has been made to extract a perfume from the flowers of Plumeria. a PLATE LIV. Centr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. ‘SYNOVD ‘VZV1d SHL NI *(VIDSY VNVIONIOd) 33Yu] SWV14 COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 223 Plumeria tenorii. ALEL{ AMARILLO. A shrub, 4 to 5 meters high, cultivated in gardens. (Stahl, 6:76.) Poaya. See Spermacoce portoricensis. Podocarpus coriaceus. Family Taxaceae; a broad-leaved coniferous tree, known from near Maricao. Other species of Podocarpus are known from Jamaica and other West Indies; also from South America. The genus also extends through the Pacific islands to the Malay region, China, and Japan. Poinciana pulcherrima. CLAVELLINA. A leguminous shrub of 12 feet (4 meters), widely cultivated in gardens as an ornamental. This species was observed at Juana Diaz. (Stahl, 3: 123.) The trunk of this tree reaches 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 centimeters) in diameter. It is said that its wood is very beautiful, and it is perhaps susceptible of being utilized for fine carpentry work. Itscolorisastriped orange. Itisrather soft and is of a rather fine grain and texture. Specific gravity, 0.389. (Grosourdy, 2: 385.) Poinciana regia. FLAME TREE. FLAMBOYAN. PuatE LIV. This most beautiful caesalpiniaceous tree is a native of Madagascar, but it is now planted as an ornamental throughout the tropics. (Stahl, 3: 124.) The large, finely divided leaves appear almost as delicate as maiden-hair fern fronds, and the spreading habit renders it an excellent shade tree, in addition to the ornamental value of the extremely showy flowers. The wood is, however, not strong, and many of the trees in Porto Rico had evidently suffered severely. The plate shows the plaza at Caguaz which is planted exclusively in Poinciana with excellent effect. Grosourdy (2:385) gives the specific gravity of 0.828. Poligala larga. See Polygala longicaulis. Polisandro. See Stahlia maritima. Polygala longicaulis. POLIGALA LARGA.° Family Polygalaceae; an herbaceous, erect annual, 30 to 40 centimeters high. In sandy places. (Stahl, 2:52.) Polygala paniculata. OROSNE. An herbaceous annual found in pastures, 20 to 25 centimeters high; reported from Mayaguez. The common name was heard in the barrio Atola Teja between Bayamon and Toa Baja. (Stahl, 2:51.) Polygala variabilis. PoLiGALA VARIABLE. A slender annual in savannas. (Stahl, 2:54.) Polygonum acre. SMARTWEED. YERBA DE HICOTEA. Family Polygonaceae: a widely distributed species of smartweed. Polypodium polypodioides. Co.LapiLua. A small fern. Rolls of the dried fronds are sold in the market at Ponce as a remedy for diseases of the blood. Pomarosa. See Jambosa jambos. Pomegranate. See Punica granatum. Pomelo. See Citrus decumana. Pomorosa. See Jambosa jambos. Pongatium indicum. See Sphenocles zelanica. Popon. See [batia maritima. Porophyllum ellipticum. YERBA PpoROSA. An herbaceous, annual composite, 50 centimeters high; grows along roadsides and in dry, stony pastures. (Stahl, 5: 146.) Porophyllum macrocephalum. YrERBA DE PEO. Also called ‘‘ yerba de cabra.’’ An annual herb, said to have the odor of Bifora. 224 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Urban describes a new variety, ciocarpum, from the south side of the island. Porophyllum ellipticum genuwinum is also reported from numerous localities, and is identified with P. ruderale of Grisebach and Stahl, while the original Kleinia ruderalis of Jacquin is placed under a new variety, ruderale of Urban. Porophyllum ruderale. See Porophyllum ellipticum. Portulaca oleracea. VERDOLAGA. The common purslane. > Potamogeton paucifiorus. A very delicate, narrow-leaved species. Known from a river near Yauco. A coarser, undetermined species was collected by Sintenis in Lake Tortugero, near Manati. Potato. See Solanum tuberosum. Pothomorphe peltata. See Heckeria peltata. Pothomorphe umbellata. See Heckeria umbellata. Prickly pear. See Opuntia. Primrose willow. See Jussiaea repens. Pringamoza. See Tragia volubilis. Priva echinata. PRIVA ERIZADA. Family Verbenaceae; a slender, herbaceous annual, 50 centimeters high, grow- ng in stony places. (Stahl, 6: 204.) Priva erizada. See Priva echinata. Prosopis julifiora. Mesquir. This leguminous species is reported by Grisebach as being abundant in drv situations in Jamaica, where the name ‘‘ cashaw’’ is applied to it. -Proustia krugiana. A climbing composite, 1 to 4 meters long, known from Coamo and Yauco. (Urban, Symb. 1: 471.) Prunus occidentalis. ALMENDRILLO. Family Rosaceae; a large tree, 15 meters high. The hard wood is used in mak- ing furniture. Flower and leaves have an odor of bitter almonds. Bello calls this tree ‘‘almendron.”’ (Stahl, 4: 68.) A wild tree, about 45 feet (13 meters) high, with a straight, rather long trunk 15 to 18 inches (37 to 45 centimeters) in diameter, furnishing a much-valued wood, strong and elastic. This wood is of ordinary weight and is almost the color of light mahogany, and very similar to the cherry of Europe. Specific gravity, 0.846. The wood is used in the country for the framework of houses, but it appears to us that it might be employed, like the cherry of Europe, for cabinet- work and the interior of houses. (Grosourdy, 2: 361.) Pseudolmedia spuria. Family Moraceae: a high tree, known from Naguabo. Psidiastrum dubium. A myrtaceous shrub, described from the western coast of the island by Bello. Psidium guajava. Guava. GUAYAVYA. a Also called ‘* guayaba;’’ a bush or small tree of the family Myrtaceae, which bears the well-known edible fruit called ‘‘ guava’ in English. and “ guayava”’ in Spanish. The guava is perhaps the only fruit now existing on the island in quantities sufficiently large to make possible the early establishment of an industry based upon it. In some districts neglected land is covered for considerable distances with guava bushes, and there seems to be no reason why the manufacture of the justly celebrated guava jelly should not be undertaken on a considerable scale. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 225 On inquiring why something of this kind had not already been done I was informed that it was owing to the high price of sugar. Formerly there wasa con- sumo or consumption tax of 4 cents a pound on white sugar, which, of course, preventedits use for manufacturing purposes. With the removal of this, and the adjustment of other trade disturbances, there ought to be no difficulty in gradually building up a considerable industry in guava jelly, the demand for which has probably been limited only by the fancy prices at which it has always been held. Guava bushes are growing wild in great quantities in all parts of the island. The amount of fruit available for manufacture of jelly must be very large. Described as a tree 15 to 20 feet (4to 6 meters) high, with a trunk 6 inches (15 centimeters) in diameter. It furnishes a wood of a fine, compact texture. The coloris brownish gray and red, sometimes with lighter, parallel, or undulous lines, which give the wood a mottled and very handsome appearance. It is much appreciated in carpenter work that is suited to its small size and where strength and elasticity are needed. It servesthus for agricultural implements and in farm structures. Specific gravity, 0.696. (Grosourdy, 2: 388.) Psidium guineense. A species of guava cultivated in Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Guadaloupe, and Martinique, which, notwithstanding the specific name, which would indicate an African origin, is now believed to be indigenous in Trinidad and on the South American continent. It is said to have the taste of strawberries. (Urban, Add. 2: 85.) Psidium pomiferum. See Psidium guajava. Psychotria. PALo MORO. The name *‘ palo moro” is applied to numerous species of this extensive genus of rubiaceous shrubs, in particular to P. brachiata, P. grandis, P. nutans, P. pedunculata, P. pseudo-pavetta, and P. undata. (Stahl, 5: 68-75.) Psychotria brachiata. A shrub 6 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.5 meters) high; reported from Tabucoa and Guayabota. Psychotria horizontalis. A shrub 3 to 4 feet (about 1 meter) high; from Maunabo. Psychotria maleolens. A shrub or tree sometimes attaining a height of 10 meters and giving off an unpleasant aromatic odor. From El Yunque and forests in the vicinity. (Urban, Symb. 1: 444.) Psychotria maricaensis. A new species, probably a shrub, from Maricas. (Urban, 1: 448.) Psychotria myrtiphyllum. A fragrant shrub, 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters) high; known from Sierra. de las Piedras. Psychotria patens. A shrub from Sierra de Juncos. Psychotria pendula. An epiphytic species taking root in the mountain forests. Several eminent botanists have mistaken it for one of the Loranthaceae, or mistletoe, family. Urban names six subspecies, only one of which, P. pendula grosourdyana, is credited to Porto Rico. This is a small plant with the flowers white and the petioles and calyx blood red. There seems to be no reason why the specific part of De Candolle’s original name Loranthus portoricensis should not be applied to this peculiar plant, and that it should also have specific rank seems extremely prob- able from the descriptions, distribution, and synonym given by Urban. Referred by Eichler to Phthirusa and by Baillon to Uragoga. (Urban, Symb. 1: 445.) 226 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Psychotria platyphylla. A new variety angustior is described from mountain stations near Adjuntas; found also as Utuado. (Urban, Symb. 1: 449.) Psychotria pubescens. A shrub 10 to 12 feet (3 to 4 meters) high, in mountain woods. Pefuelas, on Mount Llano. Psychotria sintenisii. A shrub from the vicinity of Cobo Rojo. (Urban, Symb. 1: 448.) Psychotria undata. Batsamo. . A specimen supposed to represent this species was obtained at Vega Baja (No. 1019) under the name ‘‘ balsamo.”’ Pterocarpus draco. PALO DE POLLO. Family Viciaceae; a tree 20 meters high, found along swampy coasts. Wood soft. (Stahl, 3: 93.) Grosourdy contracts the native name to ** palo pollo,”’ and describes it as a wild tree, 40 feet (12 meters) high, with a trunk 14 to 18 inches (35 to 40 centimeters) in diameter, furnishing a wood dirty-white in color that breaks with a horizontal fracture. In San Juan fire screens are constructed of this wood. Also used as fuel. Specific gravity, 0.554. Of dry wood from the roots, 0.138. (Grosourdy, 2: 407.) Pterocaulon virgatum. EscoBiLLon. An herbaceous, erect annual, composite, 50 ceutimeters high, growing in sandy pastures. (Stahl, 5: 124.) Punica granatum. POMEGRANATE. GRANADA. The pomegranate is a fruit adapted to dry climates, such as those of North . Africa, Arabia, and Persia. The north side of Porto Rico is probably too moist, but in the dry southwestern corner of the island more favorable conditions may be found, although extensive planting is not likely to be found advisable. The bush resembles slightly the Japan quince, and has showy red flowers. Little fruit was seen, and that was small and inferior. Southern California and Arizona can probably produce the pomegranate to much better advantage than Porto Rico, but there is little demand for it in the general market, and no indication that it will become popular outside the dry climates where other more satisfactory fruits are scarce. Propagation from cuttings is easy, and in South Africa excellent pomegranate hedges are said to be frequent. The bark and the rind of the fruit contain a yellow dye used for leather in Morocco. In the market of Ponce it was claimed that there were two forms, ** blanco’ and ““colorado,’’ but the difference was very slight. Pursaetha. In Engler and Prantl’s Natiirlichen-Pflanzenfumilien the genus Entada is treated as a synonym of Pursaetha. Quamoclit coccinea. CAMBUTERA. An annual, cultivated in gardens. (Stahl, 6: 165.) Quamoclit quamoclit. CYPRESS VINE. CAMBUTERA. A climbing herbaceous annual, cultivated in gardens. It has a variety of names in Jamaica, viz, Indian creeper, Indian pink, red bell flower, Barbadoes sweet william. Bello writes the common name ‘‘cambustera.’’ (Stahl, 6: 164.) Quararibea turbinata. GARRACHO. Family Bombacaceae; a wild tree 5 meters high, common in all parts of the island. Bello records the name ‘‘palo de garrocha’’ for Myrodia turbinata. (Stahl, 2: 101.) COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. DOT, A wild tree produced in abundance in all parts of the island, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters) high, the trunk 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) in diameter. The wood is rather light and soft, ash-colored. Has no use.”’ (Grosourdy, 2: 384.) Quasimilla de canario. See Phoradendron quadrangulare. Quassia amara. A small tree of the family Simarubaceae, native in Guayana and Brazil, but now generally cultivated in the tropics of both hemispheres. It furnishes the bitter quassia wood, and its medicinal extract is valued as a tonic, particularly for the digestive system. Quebra hacha. See Ardisia purpurascens. Quebra hachas. See Thouwinia tomentosa. Quebracho. This name is applied by Engler and Prantl to Thouinia, a genus noted for its hard wood and represented in Porto Rico by several species. The ‘* quebracho”’ bark imported for tanning purposes is from the Argentine Republic and the val- ley of the La Plata and is obtained from Schinopsis lorentzii, a tree of the family Anacardiaceae. ‘‘ Quebracho”’ is a contraction of ‘‘ quebra hacha’’ and has the same meaning, *‘ break-axe”’ or ‘‘axe-breaker’’ in allusion to the extreme hard- ness. Quenepa. See Melicocca bijuga. Quiebra hacha. See Eugenia pseudopsidium portoricensis, Thouinia portori- censis, T. striata, and T. tomentosa; also Schmidelia occidentalis. Quiebra hachas. See Allophylus occidentalis. Quina. See Exostemma floribundum and Antirrhoea coriacea. A tree from the northeastern part of the island: height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diameter, 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters). Wood, pinkish yellow, rather soft; specific gravity, 0.798; used in cabinet making. Also called ‘ boje.”’ (Exp. 1857.) : Believed to be the genuine *‘ cinchona’”’ supposedly introduced. Found about Manati; specific gravity of wood 0.87. (Captain Hansard. ) Quina del pasto. See Leonotis nepetaefolia. Quinine. See Cinchona. Quisqualis indica. Family Combretaceae; cultivated about dwellings near Maunabo. Quitaran. See Colubrina ferruginosa. Rabajunco. See Casearia stipularis. According to Captain Hansard this wood has a specific gravity of 1.07, is very pliable, and is used in hut building. Probably another spelling of ‘* rabojunco.”’ Rabo de raton. A name meaning “‘rat-tail’’ applied to Gonzalea spicata, a rubiaceous shrub, and to a species of Chaetochloa. Rabojunco. See Casearia stipularis. A wild tree 30 feet (9 meters) high with a trunk 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 centi- meters) in diameter. Furnishes a white, flexible wood used in the roofing of rude houses. (Grosourdy, 2: 411.) Rabo puedo. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diameter, 9 to 10 inches (22 to 25 centimeters). Wood, white, soft; specific gravity, 0.725; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Radish. See Raphanus sativus. 23227—VOL VIII, PT 2—03 12 275s 228 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATION AL HERBARIUM. Rajania cordata. Family Dioscoreaceae; called in Cuba has been found in the vicinity of Maunabo. Rama menuda. See Myrcia splendens. Ramon. On sale by an herb dealer in the market of Ponce; consists of the bark of a tree of the same name; a decoction with water is taken by women to assist in stopping lactation. Ramonillo. A tree from the interior of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diameter, 15 to 18 inches (37 to 45 centimeters). Wood, white, hard; specific gravity, 0.956; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 412.) Ramoncillo. : A wood with a specific gravity of 0.89. (Captain Hansard.) Randia aculeata. INK BERRY. TANTILLO. Family Rubiaceae; a shrub or small tree, widely distributed in the West Indies. It yields a blue dye, and the wood is used for minor purposes when toughness is required. Bello calls this species **cambron.”’ (Stahl, 5: 38.) ay alambrillo.”’? The variety scorptoidea Randia formosa. From near Jayuya, where it is cultivated about buildings. Randia sagraeana. A species with fruits warted and much larger than those of acwleata; the spines are also three-pointed. Collected at Guanica.. (Sintenis.) Raphanus sativus. RabDIsuH. Although of temperate origin and selection, the radish is one of the vegetables which does fairly well in the Tropics, its extremely quick growth offering little time for the deterioration suffered by many plants of larger and longer growth. Of course it is improbable that the quality could be maintained from the seed, if any could be ripened, but with good imported stock the radish is one of the tem- perate vegetables which it may be worth while to plant. Rasea garganta. See Parathesis crenulata. Raton. See Matayba domingensis. Rattlewort. See Crotalaria. Rauwolfia nitida. PAaLo DE MUNECA. Family Apocynaceae; a tree 3 to 5 meters high, found along the coast and in sandy places; flowers nearly all the year. Found in the Greater Antilles and in some of the Lesser Antilles. Reported from Guanica. (Stahl, 6: 69.) Ravenala. The so-called travelers’ tree, travelers’ palm, or travelers’ fountain, is one of the conspicuous tropical ornamentals which one misses in Porto Rico. It is a near relative of the banana, and resembles that plant especially in the leaves; these are, however, two-ranked, so that the whole tree has the form of a gigantic fan. The sheathing bases of the leaves, instead of infolding each other to make a cylin_ drical bundle like the *‘trunk’’ of the banana tree, are borne on a genuine trunk one above another, and are fitted so close together as to hinder evaporation of the water, which runs down the channel on the upper side of the midrib. By per- forating the sheath near the base one may draw out quite a quantity of water, but this is hable to contain dirt and larval insects. The oily edible arillus covering the seeds is bright blue. Ravenia urbani. ToRTUGO PRIETO. Said to be a very beautiful tree, 10 to 15 meters in height; indigenous, but very” rare, occurring only in the higher forest region of Mount Jimines, in the Sierra — | a as a COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RIGO. 229 de Luquillo. It is amember of the family Rutaceae, to which the orange belongs. (Urban, Add. 3: 240.) Red bellflower. See Quamoclit quamoclit. Red sorrel. See Hibiscus sabdariffa. Reina de las flores. See Cereus grandiflorus. Renealmia. American tropical herbs, with creeping rootstocks, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. Renealmia exaltata. Reported from Juncos, together with F. occidentalis. Renealmia racemosa. Grows to a height of 3 feet (1 meter) in moist woods; reported from Sierra de Lugquillo. Reseda. See Lawsonia alba. Originally the Spanish for the mignonette, but transferred in Porto Rico to the henna bush. Retama. See Cassia biflora, Chamaecrista portoricensis, and Sabinea florida. Retamo. A wild tree reaching 50 feet (15 meters) in height, with a trunk 18 inches (45 centimeters) in diameter. Furnishes a white wood that breaks with an oblique fracture. Used as boards in the construction of rude houses, and for other pur- poses. (Grosourdy, 2: 412.) Retan. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (13 to 15 meters); diam- eter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood, white, hard; specific gravity, 0.904; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) Retomo. Captain Hansard associates this name with Spartiwm scopariwmn, which is, according to the Kew Index, synonymous with Cytisus scoparius. Specific gravity of wood, 1.11. Ravenia urbani. A native species of Porto Rico, belonging to the family Rutaceae, from Sierra de Luquillo. Reynosia uncinata. CHICHARRON,. Family Rhamnaceae; a shrub or small tree of 8 meters; from limestone moun- tains about Ponce, Penuelas, and Guanica. R. krugii, a somewhat larger species comes from the vicinity of Fajardo and Cayey. (Urban, Symb. 1: 355.) Rheedia portoricensis. SEBUCAN. Also called ‘‘ guyabacoa.’’ Family Clusiaceae; a handsome tree of 10 to 20 meters. The apexes of the thick, shining leaves are *»roduced into sharp points. Found by Sintenis near the seashore at Cangrejos; also reported on the northern coast from between Loiza and San Juan to Vega Baya and Manati; also in the eastern and southern parts of the islands. Rhexia mariana. CamMacrky-MARIANA. Family Melastomaceae; a herbaceous annual 20 to 30 centimeters high; found in sandy inundated plains. (Stahl, 4: 118.) Rhizophora mangle. MANGLE COLORADO. MANGROVE. Family Rhizophoraceae; a tree 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 meters) high, forming the mangrove swamps along the coast. The wood is white, but when soaked in water turns red. Itis used in boat building and in making hogsheads, etc, (Stahl, 4: 141.) * 230 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Furnishes a wood dark red in color, which on account of its great strength is used in the construction of houses and in carpentry work suitable to its small size. It is not very durable except in water, where it is practically incorruptible, especially when nearly submerged. Its most common use is to make a fine grade of charcoal, well adapted for heating the bake ovens; the leaves, or still better, the bark, serve to tan leather. Specific gravity, 1.028. (Grosourdy, 2: 400.) Rhoeo discolor. SANGRINARIA. Family Commelinaceae; a succulent herb with ensiform purple leaves and small white flowers; commonly cultivated. Rhynchosia. See Dolicholus. Rivina octandra. Family Phytolaccaceae; a trailing shrub, 4 to 6 meters high. (Grisebach.) Between Sabana Grande and Yauco, growing by roadsides. Roble. See Tabebuia rigida, Catalpa longisiliqua, and Tecoma pentaphylla. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (13 to 15 meters); diam- eter, 15 to 20 inches (37 to 50 centimeters). Wood yellowish, rather hard; specific gravity 0.735; used for lumber. (Exp. 1857.) Of rather slender habit, reaching perfection on the hills; more like cedar than oak; much used for yokes for oxen and other minor purposes; specific gravity 0.85. (Captain Hansard. ) In Spain this name means *‘ oak;’’ in Porto Rico it is applied to several trees belonging to the family Bignoniaceae. Roble amarillo. See Tecoma stans. Roble blanco. See Tabebuia pentaphylla. Roble colorado. See Tabebuia schumanniana.” Roble guayo. See Bourreria succulenta and domingensis. Roble prieto. See Tecoma barterii. Rondeletia arborescens. See Rondeletia inermis. Rondeletia inermis. CoRDOBANCILLO. : A new species recently described by Urban to replace R. arborescens and R. laevigata of Stahl, which were not correctly identified. An indigenous shrub or small tree belonging to the family Rubiaceae; generally distributed throughout the island. (Urban, Symb. 1: 416.) The variety latifolia is reported from near Lares, and the variety oblongifolia from near Cayey. Rocon. See Bixa orellana. Rolandra argentea. YERBA DE PLATA. A woolly composite herb, 60 centimeters high, found in dry, sandy pastures. (Stahl, 5: 108.) Rollinia longifolia. ANon. Family Anonaceae; a tree having a light, tough wood, resembling lancewood. The natives of Guiana and Brazil use it for making spears, according to the Treasury of Botany. Rollinia mucosa. Reported from Adjuntas. Rollinia multifiora. Corazon CIMMARRON. A wild tree 25 or 30 feet (7 to 9 meters) high, with a rather straight trunk 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) in diameter. The wood is rather light and soft, fibrous in texture, moderately fine-grained. The color is a handsome dark gray. No known use in Porto Rico. Specific gravity 0.509. (Grosourdy, 2: 377.) The habitat of this species is given in Index Kewensis as Guiana. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 2381 Rondeletia laevigata. See Rondeletia inermis. Rondeletia portoricensis. Family Rubiaceae; a tree attaining 20 meters, recently described from speci- mens obtained at numerous localities—Luquillo, Naguabo, Barranquitas, Penuelas, Adjuntas, and Maricao. (Urban, Symb. 1: 414.) Rorippa nasturtium. WATER CRESS. BERROS. A cruciferous herb found on banks of rivulets and in wet places. Used for salad. (Stahl, 2: 36.) Roseta. See Myroxylon buxifolium. Rosewood. A name applied to a considerable variety of tropical woods valued for hardness and beauty. The best is said to come from Brazil, and is yielded by Dalbergia nigra, a leguminous tree. Three Porto Rican trees, Cordia gerascanthus, Lino- ciera ligustrina, and Amyris balsamifera, have been called rosewood. Roucou. See Bixa orellana. Said to bea Carib name. Bixa was used by the indigenes to paint their skins red. Rourea frutescens. JUAN CALIENTE. Family Connaraceae; said by Bello to exist on the south coast, but not found by Stahl. (Stahl, 4: 56.) Rourea glabra. JUAN CALIENTE. A shrub with long flexible branches, 3 to 4 meters high, from which are made riding whips commonly for sale at wayside shops. The growing plant was pointed out to us at Coamo, and has been reported from Las Marias and Sierra de Luquillo. Bello calls this *‘ bejuco de garrote.”’ (Stahl, 4: 54.) Roystonea. ROYAL PALM. A genus of palms formerly referred to Oreodoxa. See species below. Roystonea borinquena. PorTo RICAN ROYAL PALM. YAGUA. PLATE XIII. Family Arecaceae; the royal palm, or ‘‘ palma real,’’ is not only the more con- spicuous and characteristic natural object in most parts of Porto Rico, but it probably exceeds the cocoanut in total economic importance. The most useful part is the yagua, or sheathing base of the leaf, with which a large proportion of the houses of the poorer classes are thatched or sided, or both. The royal palm is one of the wild species which has been distinctly advantaged by human interference in natural conditions. It is a general fact that outside the climbing species palms are not successful in competing with tropical forest vege- tation. Originally the royal palm and the ‘‘corozo’’ were probably confined to the more rugged slopes of the lower limestone hills, where they both still retain a foothold in places where the natural growth seems never to have been cleared away. But the vast majority of royal palms now in existence in Porto Rico stand on land which has been cultivated at one time or another, and where the palms were able to secure a foothold before the competition of other plants became too strong. The discovery of root tubercles on a young plant of this species has been noted. These tubercles, though small in size, are very numerous upon the smaller roots. In shape they are mostly oval and symmetrical. The larger are about 2 mili- meters in length. Roystonea regia. CUBAN ROYAL PALM This species does not occur in Porto Rico. The Porto Rican royal palm is now separated under the name Roystonea borinquena. Rubber vine. In Jamaica this name is applied to Cryptostegia grandiflora, one of the Asclepi- adaceae introduced from the East Indies, and to Forsteronia floribunda, a native species belonging to the Apocynaceae. De CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. These plants have as yet little importance, and are not to be confused with the African rubber vines belonging to the apocynaceous genus Landolphia. Rubia. See Fagara monophylla. Rubial. A tree growing near the sea at the east end of the island; natives secure a dye from it, and the wood makes very pretty sticks; specific gravity 0.55. (Hansard.) Ruda. See Ruta chalepensis. Rudolphia volubilis. BEsUucO COLORADO. Family Viciaceae; a dark red woody vine, with a rough bark; grows in high altitudes and flowers in winter. Said to be known only from Porto Rico and Mexico. Called ‘‘ bejuco prieto”’ by Bello. (Stahl, 3: 90.) Ruellia coccinea. YERBA MARAVILLA. Family Acanthaceae; an erect woody annual, 1 meter high, found in moist shady places in the mountains. (Stahl, 6: 242.) Ruellia tuberosa. A woody herb, 50 centimeters high; grows in dry sandy places along the coast. (Stahl, 6: 240.) Rumex crispus. Dock. VINAGRILLO. A cosmopolitan weed belonging to the family Polygonaceae; reported from near Maricao. Russellia juncea. LLuvir. Family Scrophulariaceae; a tall, slender herb, cultivated for its handsome tubular red flowers. Our specimen is from Santurce. Ruta chalepensis. RuE. Rupa. Family Rutaceae; introduced from the Mediterranean region; collected near Mayaguez, by Krug. Rynchosia. See Dolicholus. .Sabal blackburniana. See Inodes blackburniana. Sabicea aspera. SABICEA PELUDA. Family Rubiaceae; a woody biennial, 2 to 3 meters high; found in the cool shade of the mountains. Stahl has two species, S. hirsuta and S. hirta, which, according to the Index Kewensis, are synonyms of S. aspera. (Stahl, 5: 44-45.) Sabicea hirsuta. See Sabicea aspera. Sabicea hirta. See Sabicea aspera. Sabicea peluda. See Sabicea aspera. Sabinea florida. RETAMA. Family Viciaceae; a shrub 2 to 3 meters high, found in waste places and along banks of rivers. Flowers in February and March. Common to all the Antilles. (Stahl, 3: 32.) Sabinea punicea. CARACOLILLO. A leguminous plant, supposed to be a shrub. Known from mountain slopes near Mayaguez and Maricao. Sabino. See Magnolia splendens. This name is given by Hill in a list of trees of the mountains. According to Captain Hansard it is never used alone but always in the form of ‘‘ laurel sabino,”’ which is believed to be the same as *‘ laurel amarillo.” Sabo. See Feviilea cordifolia. Sacabuche angulosa. See Physailis angulata. Sacabuche peludo. See Physalis pubescens. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 2833 Saccharum officinarum. SUGAR GANE. CANA DE AZUCAR. Notwithstanding the abundance of printed information, it seems to be still the general opinion that Porto Rico is primarily a sugar island, like so many of the West Indies.’ The sugar export is greatest in bulk, it is true, being about three times that of coffee, but the total value of the latter is about three times that of the sugar, these two products furnishing about 85 per cent of all the exports of the island. Sugar lands of limited extent.—Almost all the sugar is grown upon the narrow shelf of level land or coast plain which lies between the sea and the hilly or mountainous interior. The width of this alluvial belt is variable, being in some places entirely absent and in others running back between ranges of hills to the distance of 8 or 10 miles to join the valleys of some of the numerous rivers. Very little cane is raised in the interior valleys of the island, perhaps the most notable exception being that of Caguas, where there are a few factories, and where cane is sometimes planted on hilly, unirrigated land, but seems not to thrive, and “‘arrows,”’ or flowers, while still very short. In some districts of the north side of the island the level sugar land is interspersed with the characteristic small, conical, limestone-capped, and verdure-covered hills, which give the cane fields the pleasing effect-of a succession of valleys, as in the region between Carolina and the coast. The difficulties of transportation forbid much development for the present in remote and detached areas, even when the natural conditions are favorable. Modern methods of sugar production require that the business, to be profitable, should be conducted on a large scale, the manufacturing side being so important a part of the industry. For the best results plantations of 2,000 to 5,000 acres or more are required, conveniently located for access to the factory. More factories than cane.—In Porto Rico the use of fertilizers or of a system of rotation with pasturage is necessary, and in the latter case the plantation must be twice the area from which sugar is to be harvested, besides necessitating a resort to the annoying complexities of mixed farming, with which the ordinary sugar capitalist has little patience. The anxiety to secure returns with unreason- able rapidity is already responsible for many failures in the sugar business in Porto Rico. Much of the sugar land has been under cultivation for more than a century, and it is only on that which, for some exceptional reason, has never been used, or has been fallow or in pasturage for many years, that an average much over a ton can be obtained for even a brief series of years. The fertility of some estates is, however, maintained by material deposited by high water from neigh- boring streams. The tendency to larger factories.—Some large estates, representing investments of several hundred thousand dollars, have been operated at a loss or have realized merely low rates of annual interest. Most of these have, however, failed to secure the maximum profits from lack of sufficient cane to keep their factories running throughout the harvest season. In larger concerns and better organizations lie the future possibilities of the sugar industry of Porto Rico. At points where the coast plain is wide, large tracts of conveniently located cane lands might be ren- dered tributary to a single factory by purchase, by lease, or by contract with the several owners. Such combinations are already uncer way. This will mean local expansion of the sugar industry, but the gain will be doubtless partially offset by the abandonment of many estates not located so as to be brought within the lines of the reorganization. The small, poorly equipped factories are at a disadvantage on all sides. Supplies, equipments, and management cost more in proportion to the results. They are unable to use the bagasse for fuel, or are under the neces- sity of putting it out to dry in the sun before burning. They lose a considerable 934 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. percentage of sugar from imperfect extraction, and the inferior product com- mands a lower price in the market. i Present tendencies are all in the direction of larger sugar mills and it is not considered. good business policy to erect plants capable of caring for less than 500 tons of cane a day. Such mills cost between $300,000 and $500,000, and will handle the cane from 3,000 or 4,000 acres of land, depending, of course, upon the fertility. Where transportation facilities are not unreasonably expensive it is considered more profitable to ship cane by rail 20 or 30 miles, or even farther, than to establish smaller factories for manufacture near the fields. Much of the labor of shipment is now accomplished by machinery, and when the cane is once on wheels increased distance affects but slightly the cost of transportation. Sugar varieties.—Numerous varieties of sugar cane are grown in Porto Rico, many plantations having a very miscellaneous assortment. Bourbon cane has been generally most popular, but the Salangora variety has been preferred of late as more resistant to disease. The purple or Guadaloupe cane is found in larger or smaller quantity in most plantations, but some of the more intelligent and progressive managers have taken the trouble to eradicate it for the reason that they consider it inferior both in quantity and quality, since the juice is said to contain a large amount of gum which renders the sugar of low grade. The Porto Rican planters should have the advantage as soon as possible of whatever can be learned concerning the numerous experiments in sugar culture and the selection of superior varieties of cane in the British West Indies. Exten- sive experiments of this kind have been carried on in British Guiana, Barbados, and elsewhere, and the adaptation of varieties of soils has also received attention. At a meeting of the West Indian agricultural conference in Barbados the results of experiments in sugar culture in British Guiana and Barbados were discussed. The necessity of nitrogenous fertilizers being agreed upon, the desirability of extended trials of leguminous crops was urged as the most practical and economic manner of maintaining the fertility of the soil. Sagraea fascicularis. CAMACEY DE PALOMA. Salcilla. See Morongia leptoclada., Salicornia. SALTworr. A genus of chenopodiaceous herbs; an unidentified species reported from Cabo Rojo along the seashore; rare. Salix humboldtiana. Family Salicaceae; the only member of this willow family mentioned by Grisebach; reported from near Maricao. The curious spire-like trees in the cemetery at Utuado are referred to this species. Salmea eupatoria. BrJUCO DE MIEL. An annual or biennial composite shrub 2 meters high, growing in waste places. Flowers have a pronounced odor of honey. (Stahl, 5: 139.) Salmea grandiceps. See Salmea eupatoria. Salmea scandens. A trailing shrub from Manati. According to Grisebach, found in the mountains of Cuba, Haiti, and Porto Rico. Salvia. See Pluchea odorata. Salvia coccinea. MoRADILLA ENCARNADA, An erect, woody herb of the mint family, both wild and cultivated in gardens. (Stahl, 6: 201.) Salvia occidentalis. MorapiLLa AZUL. An herbaceous annual, 50 centimeters high, distributed over the island. Sweet- scented and sometimes used on account of its balmy odor. (Stahl, 6: 200.) Saman. See Pithecolobiwm saman. ~ shail COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICLO. 255 Sambucus canadensis. ELDERBERRY. SAUCcO. Family Caprifoliaceae; a shrub 3 to 4 meters high; cultivated in gardens, the fragrant flowers used as a sudorific. (Stahl, 6: 23. Samyda glabrata. Gta. Family Flacourtiaceae; a shrub 3 to 4 meters high; in mountains and waste places, preferring cool shades. (Stahl, 4: 84.) Samyda serrulata. Reported from Fajardo. San Bartolome. See Cordia sebestana. Sandbox tree. See Hura crepitans. Sandia. See Citrullus vulgaris. Sangre de doncella. See Byrsonima lucida. Sangrinaria. See Rhoeo discolor. Sansevieria sp. LENGUA DA VACA, Family Liliaceae; a species of this genus is found in various parts of the island, cultivated as an ornamental or escaped. No useis apparently made of this excel- lent fiber, which is said to be preeminently suited for sailmaking and as a cover- ing for submarine cables, as it resists the action of salt water to a remarkable extent. Santa Maria. See Eupatorium odoratum, E. polyodon, and Vernonia longifolia. Also Lantana involucrata, and Thespesia populned. Sapindus inaequalis. See Sapindus marginatus. Sapindus marginatus. JABONCILLO. Family Sapindaceae; this species is separated from S. saponaria by having the rachis of the leaves marginate and not winged; not known to Stahl. (Stahl, 2: 160.) Sapindus saponaria. JABONCILLO. A tree 6 to 8 meters high, found wild only on the south coast. The fruit, called soapberries, yields a watery juice used as a substitute for soap. Common to the Antilles and tropical America. (Stahl, 2: 159.) Sapium sebiferum. TaLLow TREE. ARBOL DE LA CERA. A Chinese Euphorbiaceous tree, cultivated in Cuba under the names ‘‘ arbol del sebo,”’ ‘‘cera,’’ and ‘‘arbol de la cera;’’ reported from Porto Rico by Hill as Stillingia sebifera and erroneously confused with the bixa or achiote (Bixa orellana.) A shrub or small tree, 5 to 8 meters high, of the family Rhamnaceae. Known from littoral forests along the south side of the island. (Urban, Symb. 1: 357.) Sarcomphalus retusus. Family Rhamnaceae. (Stahl, 4: 44, as Sarcomphalus laurinus.) Sarna de perro. See Casearia sylvestris. 236 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Sarsaparilla. In the market of Ponce this name was applied to what were said to be the roots of the maguey or agave, used as a remedy for diseases of the blood. Satinwood. See Fagara flava. Sauco. See Sambucus canadensis. Sauvagesia erecta. YERBA DE SAN MARTIN. Family Ochnaceae; an herbaceous annual, 30 to 40 centimeters high. (Stahl, 2: 49.) Savia sessiliflora. Family Euphorbiaceae; reported from Cayey. Schaefferia frutescens. Family Bignoniaceae; a glabrous shrub 10 feet high (3 meters), from Manati; in thickets along the shore. Schlegelia axillaris. HIGUERITO DE SIERRA. So Family Bignoniaceae; a shrub, 3 meters high, along the foothills. (Stahl, 6: 185.) Schlegelia brachyantha. HIGUERITO DE SIERRA. An indigenous woody yine with elliptical or obovate leathery leaves. The variety portoricensis has been described recently from several localities in different parts of the island. It was collected by Sintenis, who reports the original native name ‘‘tulipa.’’ Professor Urban notices in this variety the first instance of dimorphous styles in the present family. In some flowers the stigmas extend far beyond the anthers, while in others the reverse is true. (Urban, Symb. 1: 406.) Schmidelia occidentalis. See Allophylus occidentalis. Schoepfia obovata. Family Oleaceae; known from Guanica. Schradera capitata. SCHRADERA EN CABEZUELAS. Family Rubiaceae; a woody herb, climbing or twining; sometimes parasitic; found in the high mountains.’ (Stahl, 5: 39.) Schradera en cabezuelas. See Schradera capitata. Schrankia. See Morongia. Sciadophyllum jacquini. See Hedera arborea and Gilibertia arborea. Scolosanthus grandifolius. ESPUELA DE GALAN. Also called ‘* picha de gato."* A rubiaceous shrub, from the vicinity of Mari- cao. (Urban, Symb. 1: 442.) Scolosanthus versicolor. A shrub 2 to 3 meters high, known from Humacao. Scoparia dulcis. ORozuz. Family Scrophulariaceae; a woody annual, 50 centimeters high, common to all parts of the islands. Supposed to be a remedy for coughs in Jamaica, where it is called ‘‘licorice weed.”’ Specimens were collected at Condado. near Santurce, and at Loa Alta, the latter with the name Culantrillo. Bello calls this ‘‘ escobita amarga.”’ (Stahl, 6: 226.) Serew pine. See Pandanus. Scrophularia micrantha. PEREGIL CIMARRON. An annual herb indigenous on the south side of the island. (Urban, Symb. — 1: 403.) : Scutellaria. ALBAHACA. The name ‘‘albahaca’’ is used at Rio Piedras for a species of Scutellaria (No. 1003). COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMICG PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 237 Scutia ferrea. PALO DE HIERRO. Family Rhamnaceae; a tree or shrub, 4 meters high, lreported from the east coast by Stahl; flowers in the fall. (Stahl, 4: 41. as Gaidalie ferred.) Sea-grape. See Coccolobis. Seboruquillo. See Thouinia striata. Sebucan. See Rheedia portoricensis and Cereus swartzit. Seburoquillo. See Thouinia striata. Also spelled *‘ seburuquillo’’ and ‘* seboruquillo.”’ Seca-garganta. See Parathesis crenulata. Sechium edule. CHAYOTE. This is a Mexican plant of the family Cucurbitaceae; it was cultivated by the Aztecs and called chayoth, from which the modern Mexican name chayote is derived; in Porto Rico a further modification into tayote or tallote is generally current, while elsewhere in the West Indies the form chocho seems to be most common though chuchu, choko, chahiota, and other corruptions have been made. In some of the French islands it is called ‘‘ christophine’’ and in Madeira ‘‘pipinella.”’ ‘‘ Vegetable pear ’’ is also given as an English colonial name. The chayote differs from all other vegetables of the squash family in having but a single seed, which is embedded in the otherwise solid flesh of the deeply grooved and usually spiny fruit. The fruits generally are more or less pear-shaped, but one green variety is long and pointed, while a white sort is nearly spherical. The color is green in some cases and white in others and the larger sorts are twice or three times the size of the smaller. The spines seem to be very variable in size an 1 number, and varietal differences are to be indicated by form and color rather - than with reference to the spines. Thus we found in Porto Rican markets at least five varieties of chayote. Although the spines are weak and fleshy and not able to puncture the skin or cause discomfort in handling the fruit, the smooth varieties are probably more desirable for market cultivation, since the spines become bruised and broken in transportation and might thus induce decay. To what extent the flesh of the different varieties differs in quality is not known with certainty. In Madeira a green variety is considered superior to another described as cream-colored, while in Jamaica a white sort has been indicated as ‘‘ by far the more delicate.’’ External bruises discolor more on the white than upon the green fruits, but on the other hand the white chayote in good condition appears more delicate and appetizing than the green, and this superior appearance might easily give it an advantage in the market. In addition to the fruit, the chayote is valued for another miseful product in the form of the edible, fleshly perennial root, which sometimes weighs as much as 20 pounds. This contains starch to the extent of 20 per cent of its weight in the fresh condi- tion, and the taste and texture are said to be very similar to those of the true yam. Ever since the Spaniards made the acquaintance of this plant in Mexico its culture in other countries has been extending. At present itis known throughout tropical America, and it has long been established in Madeira, where English travelers have often become acquainted with it. The Kew Gardens have within the last two decades sent it to many points in British India and other tropical and subtropical colonies, including St. Helena. It is also becoming known in South- ern Europe and North Africa. Considerable quantities of chayotes are now being imported from Algeria to France, where they are largely used in making a sub- stitute for fonds des artichauts, the basal part of the receptacle of the flower head of thetrue artichoke. Thisis cut in slices and isin much demand for special dishes, but it has been found that the texture and flavor of the chayote per- mit it to replace the artichoke if cut into disks so as to give the same external appearance. The chayote has also been grown for many years in California, and in a limited area about New Orleans. 238 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. The fact that the root is perennial will make it possible to grow the chayote, with slight protection, wherever the ground does not freeze. It seems to have originated in an elevated region and does not thrive as well at sea level in the Tropics as in the mountains or subtropical regions. The vine, which suggests that of the cucumber, is vigorous and fairly hardy, and is not known to suffer from the attacks of insects or parasitic fungi, so that the chayote may be considered a particularly reliable crop, in view of the utility of both the fruit and the root. Of the value of the chayote for food purposes very different opinions have been expressed, some writers reporting it as insipid and scarcely edible, while others have compared it with the vegetable marrow and pronounced it superior. Those who are fond of summer squashes will probably have no difficulty with the chay- ote, and may prefer it on account of its better texture and more delicate flavor. Although firmer than the squash, the flesh is not tough or fibrous, and eaten simply with salt and pepper the chayote is an agreeable vegetable. The question whether the chayote may not have a future as an article of export to temperate regions naturally suggests itself. It is not likely that competition with temperate vegetables will arise, but, on the other hand, it seems entirely probable that in the winter and spring the chayote would find sale at least in our city markets when once it had become known to the American public. The plant is not only perennial, but ever-bearing, and in connection with a fruit trade or other regular means of communication the shipment of chayotes at the proper season might be found advantageous. At the time of our visit it seemed to rank among the more important of the fresh vegetables for sale in the markets of Porto Rican towns. Many Americans had not, however, learned to make use of it, and others did not even know its name or nature, while the few who had tried it in most cases reported favorably. Adverse opinions of new fruits are often the result of acquaintance gained under unfavorable circumstances, and before deciding adversely on an article of food it is always well to make sure that the samples tested are of good quality and have been well prepared from the standpoint of those who understand their use. In any attempt which may be made for the commercial production of the chayote an initial difficulty will probably be experienced, due to the fact that the species multiplies slowly on account of the single-seeded character of the fruit.¢ Secua. See Fevillea cordifolia. Securidaca virgata. BrEJUCO DE SOPLA. Family Polygalaceae; a reclining shrub 3 meters high, found in waste places; reported from Mayaguez. (Stahl, 2: 54.) Sen de dos hojas. See Chamaecrista diphyllu. Sen del pais. See Cassia laevigata and C. bicapsularis. Sen de palillos. See Cassia bacillaris. Sen obtusifolia. See Cassia tora. Sepi. See Newrolaena lobata. Serasuelo. See Eugenia serrasuela. Possibly an error for ‘*‘ cerasuelo.”’ Serillos. See Meliosma obtusifolia. Serjania curassavica. See Paullinia pinnata. Serjania lucida. BrJUCO DE CORRALES. Family Sapindaceae. A woody annual or biennial vine-like shrub, in waste places along the shore. (Stahl, 2:.154.) “For a more complete discussion of this plant see Bull. 28 of the Diy. of Botany, J. S. Dept. Agriculture. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 239 Serjania triternata. See Serjania lucida. Serra-suela. See Thouinia portoricensis. Perhaps another spelling of ‘* cerasula.”’ Sesamum indicum. See Sesamum orientale. Sesamum orientale. SESAME. AJONJOLI. This well-known tropical plant has received, in addition to the above, a confus- ing variety of names, such as benne, benni, benny, gingili, gingeley, gingely, and gingelly, teel, and til. The Spanish name is also spelled ‘‘aljonjoli.’’ Sesame was originally a native of India, but is now cultivated throughout the Tropics and can be grown successfully in almost any region where three or four months of warm moist weather can be assured. Loose and well-drained soils with plenty of lime are most desirable, and nitrogenous fertilizers are said to have a very pronounced effect upon the yield and the rapidity of growth. Sesame is cultivated for the sake of the oily seeds which form a staple article of diet in all the countries of tropical Asia, in many regions second only to rice and in some exceeding it In importance. The roasted seeds have a very pleasant nutty flavor and may be eaten without other preparation, but they also appear as an important ingredient in endless kinds of soups, pastries, confections, and other dishes. Sesame oil is, however, the principal product and the object of the export trade to Europe. The oil answers the same purpose as olive oil and is largely used as an adulterant or substitute in the same way as cotton-seed oil, and was formerly second only to cocoanut oil in the amount imported into Europe. Marseilles is by far the largest center for receiving and extracting the oil, the annual importations reaching 175,000,000 pounds. From the seeds can be extracted from 40 to 50 per cent of their weight in oil, and the residuum is in regular demand as oil cake for use as fodder and fertilizer. Only the white variety of sesame was observed in Porto Rico. This is considered to yield oil of the best color and flavor, though a black variety extensively culti- vated in India is said to yield a larger quantity. In Porto Rico the culture of sesame is carried on mostly as an incidental crop intermixed with corn, beans, and bananas. On the south side of the island a few well-kept though small fields of sesame were noticed. Itis planted in rows 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) apart, with the seeds3 inches (7 centimeters) apart in the row, to be later thinned to 18 inches when the plants reach a height of 3 to 4inches. It is considered important that the ground should be in a very finely pulverized condition, and repeated plowing is practiced in India. Very shallow sowing is advised, and careful hoeing and weeding, but this need not be long continued, since the sesame grows with extreme rapidity and soon shades the ground completely. The crop is allowed to ripen thoroughly, but cutting takes place before the capsules begin to open. A scythe or sickle may be used, the plants being cut off near the ground and allowed to dry further in small piles. Sesbania. See Sesbania occidentalis. Sesbania grandiflora. See Agati grandiflora. Sesbania occidentalis. SESBANIA. Family Viciaceae. A shrub 2 to 3 meters high, found along the west coast. Flowers in March; legumes, 10 to 12 centimeters long. (Stahl, 3: 30.) Sesbania sericea. A woody herb, with a long slender legume, reported from Anasco; also collected by Heller near Mayaguez. Shaddock. See Citrus decwmana. Sicana odorifera. PEPINO ANGOLO. Family Cucurbitaceae; a vine bearing a large yellowish red or purple fruit 12 or 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) long and 8 or 4 inches (7 to 10 centimeters) in 240 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. | diameter, remarkable chiefly for its delightful and penetrating odor, which is said to keep away insects. The fruit is also eaten, but the taste is rather insipid. In the market at Mayaguez the larger fruits were valued at 10 cents each, but there appeared to be no regular demand for them. One specimen of this fruit was — found in the Washington market. i Siciliana. See Mirabilis jalapa. Sida carpinifolia. See Escoba blanca. Sida ciliaris. EscoBa PESTANADA. Family Malvaceae; an under-shrub, 30 centimeters high, growing: prostrate in dry savannas. (Stahl, 2: 63.) Sida cordifolia. EscoBa ACORAZONADA. An annual woody herb, 1 meter high, found in dry sandy places. (Stahl, 2: 68.) Sida jamaicensis. ESCcOBA DE JAMAICA. A diffuse shrub, 40 to 50 centimeters high. with velvety leaves. (Stahl, 2: 62.) Sida purpurea. EScOBA PURPURINA. A reclining woody annual, 1 meter high, found in many parts of the island. (Stahl, 2; 65.) : Sida rhombifolia. Escopa COLORADA. An annual or biennial shrub, 50 centimeters high, found in all parts of the island.. This is one of the most widely distributed of all tropical plants. (Stahl, 2; 64.) Sida supina. EScOBA TENDIDA. An herbaceous annual found in dry, stony places, 30 to 40 centimeters high; known from Guanica. (Stahl, 2: 67,) Sida ulmifolia. EscoBa DULCE. A woody annual, 1 meter high, from many parts of the island. Bello gives the common name as ** escobita dulce.”’ (Stahl, 2: 66.) Sida viscosa. See Bastardia bivalvis. Sideroxylon foetidissimum. Family Sapotaceae; known from the mountains about Utuado. (Sintenis.) Sideroxylon mastichodendron. TorTuGo AMARILLO. AUSUBO. A tree 10 to 15 meters high; wood solid, and used in making furniture; found at all altitudes; flowers in June; common to many of the Antilles. (Stahl, 6: 53, as Sideroxylon pallidum. ) According to Captain Hansard, it is called ‘* bullet wood’’ in the British West Indies. Much used for building. Specific gravity, 1.09. Sideroxylon pallidum. See Sideroxylon mastichodendron. Sieneguillo. See Eugenia confusa. This native name, recorded by Urban on the authority of Sintenis, is doubtless an error for *‘ cienequillo:’’ also applied to other Myrtaceae. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 12 to 15 feet (4 to 5 meters); diameter, 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 centimeters); wood ash-colored, hard; specific gravity, 1.039; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 413.) Siete cueros. A tree from the beaches of the island; height, 30 to 35 feet (9 to 11 meters); diameter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters); wood ash-colored. very hard; spe- cific gravity, 0.961; used for cabinetwork (Exp. 1857) and in boat building. (Grosourdy, 2: 414.) oe Silk. See note under Vorus. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 241 Silk-cotton tree. See Ceiba pentandra. Simaruba amara. See Simaruba tulae. Simaruba tulae. ACcEITILLO. A tree 8 to 15 meters high; in primeval forests at an altitude of 600 to 800 meters; known from the Luquillo Mountains near Banadero, and from Juncos, Adjuntas, Penuelas, and Maricao. Reported by Bello as 8S. amara, but that spe- cies is believed not to exist in Porto Rico, being confined to the more southern islands, while the Porto Rican plant is distinct in having the petals much longer and the staminal scales smooth. (Urban, Add. 1: 18.) Sinapis brassicata. See Brassica juncea. Sisalhemp. See Agave sisalana. Sloanea berteriana. Native names: ‘‘Cacao roseta,’’ ‘‘ cacao otillo, cacaillo,’? ‘‘motillo.’? An indigenous tree of 8 to 30 meters; family Tiliaceae; known from mountain forests ~ near Luquillo, Sierra de Naguabo, Yabucoa, Adjuntas, and Maricao. (Urban, Symb. 1: 359.) Smilax havanensis. An indigenous, shrubby, climbing vine, growing at Cabo Rojo. It is closely related to the cat-brier of our Eastern States. The variety portoricensis is known from the vicinity of Maunabo. Snake-wood. In the British West Indies; applied to Cecropia peltata and Colubrina ferrugi- nos. Solanum asperum. TABACON ASPERO. Family Solanaceae; a spineless shrub, occurring at the bases of mountains and in waste places; 2 to 3 meters high. (Stahl, 6: 138.) 22 66 5) Solanum callicarpifolium. BrERENJENA DE PALOMA. A shrub, 3 meters high. The entire plant covered with dense hair; found in waste places. (Stahl, 6: 276.) Solanum caribaeum. MATA-GALLINAS. A smooth, herbaceous annual, 80 centimeters high; common to all parts of the island. (Stahl, 6: 129.) Solanum guanicense. A rather small, annual species recently described from the vicinity of Guanica. Solanum igneum. A prickly shrub; known from Guayama. Solanum inclusum. BERENGENA CIMARRONA. An erect shrub, 2 meters high; found at base of mountains and in cool, shady places. (Stahl, 6: 133.) Solanum jamaicense. BERENGENA JAMAIQUINA. A biennial shrub; found in shady, waste places; 2meters high. (Stahl, 6: 131.) Solanum lentum. BERENGENA DE PALOMA. ee A decumbent shrub; found in cool places and at the base of mountains; known from Hate Grande. (Stahl, 6: 128.) Solanum mammosum. SUSUMBER. BERENGENA DE MARIMBO. Also ‘‘soushumber.’’ A woody annual, densely pubescent, 1 meter high; found in shady places near cultivated fields. (Stahl, 6: 134.) A common. tropical weed used in Jamaica as a stock for grafting the eggplant. Solanum melongena. EGGPLANT. BERENGENA. The eggplant is rather commonly cultivated in Porto Rico and seems to thrive better than most garden vegetables, perhaps because it is of tropical origin and 242 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. has not been selected for a very long period in temperate regions. Nearly all the fruits seen in the markets were very small, and there seemed to be but one variety represented, of a light purplish or lavender color. In gardens the plants were mostly of small size and apparently rather sickly. In Jamaica similar difficulties in bringing the plants to a healthy maturity have been met by grafting the egg- plant on Solanum mammosum, the so-called “‘susumber tree,’’ a rank tropical weed closely related botanically to the eggplant. The grafts are said to produce fruits of large size and fine flavor, and, as the stock is perennial, bearing is con- tinual. The process of grafting has been described as follows: The stock is cut to the depth of 14 inches with a sharp knife and the cleft kept open till the scion is inserted. The scion (a piece of growing branch of garden egg about twice as thick as an ordinary lead pencil and about 4 inches long) iscut wedge-shaped and inserted in the cleft, so that the inner barks may coincide. It is then wrapped with soft string or woolen yarn and covered with a handful of clay. There should be no bark left upon the inserted part of the scion except that on the outside. It is considered advisable to pick off the flowers which may form during the first two or three months, in order to permit the plant to make vigorous growth. A contributor to the January number of the Jamaica Agricultural Society claims to have picked at least 250 fruits from such a tree, and adds: The tree is now about two years old, and so far from showing any signs of decay, it is increasing in size, and at the time of writing is covered with both bloom and fruit. I have from time to time pruned it in the samemanner as a coffee tree, leaving the center open, cutting off dead wood, and encouraging lateral growth. Buds take very readily, and a few put into susumber bushes in a rich spot near a dwelling would amply repay those who value the vegetable for home use. If these representations are correct, it would seem that this method of growing eggplants for commercial as well as for domestic purposes, is far preferable to permitting the plant to depend upon its own roots. The raising of seedlings is a difficult and uncertain process, owing to the attacks of insects and other adverse possibilities. Transplanting and watering are also troublesome and costly, and if all goes well only ten or a dozen marketable fruits are to be expected from each plant. The use of the more vigorous and hardy stock of the unimproved species offers, it would seem, every advantage in the way of protection against accidents or adverse conditions, saves labor, and would be much more remunerative. Another most important consideration also suggests itself. By pinching off the flowers during the seasons when fruit is not desired for market, the energies of the year’s growth could be concentrated upon production in the months when shipping appeared most advantageous, or during the early winter months before the Florida crop is ready. It is to be expected that such a possibility as the present will be duly appreci- ated by those interested in the production of .vegetables in Porto Rico. The experiment is easy and inexpensive, and should be tried for the tomato as well as the eggplant, and with other wild species of Solanum where these are locally abundant and vigorous. In Porto Rico Solanum torvwm (see below) is an - extremely common weed along roadsides and in waste places generally. It has a strong, erect habit, and is a near relative of the eggplant, so that it seems quite probable that grafting would be found easily practicable. Solanum nigrum. BLACK NIGHTSHADE. YERBA MORA. Specimens obtained at Ponce (No. 779) not noted elsewhere and not reported by Stahl. The plant is reputed poisonous, but the berries are often eaten. Solanum persicaefolium. BERENGENA DE PLAYA. A branched shrub found along sandy beaches; 1 meter high. (Stahl, 6: 130.) Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. : PLATE LV. : BERENGENA CIMARRONA (SOLANUM TORVUM). COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 248 Solanum seaforthianum. FAtLsa BELLADONA. A biennial climbing or trailing vine 2 to 3 meters high; cultivated in gardens for its handsome flowers. (Stahl, 6: 137.) A plant that was taken for this species was called ‘‘aguinaldo’’ at Catan. Solanum torvum. BERENGENA CIMARRONA. PLATE LV. This is a rank, shrubby species, very abundant in Porto Rico. It may also be found useful as a stock on which to graft the eggplant. See Solanwnm melongena atend. (Stahl, 6: 132.) Solanum tuberosum. PoraTo. PATATA. The potatoes are usually called ‘‘ papas ’’ in Spanish countries, although ‘‘ patata ”’ is generally recognized as the more correct form of the word. Solanum verbascifolium. TABACON AFELPADO, A woody shrub, 2 meters high, found in waste places. (Stahl, 6: 139.) Solanum virgatum. BERENGENA DE PALOMA. (Stahl, 6: 275.) Sonajuelas. See Crotalaria retusa. Sonchus arvensis. CHICORIA. Reported by Bello. Sonchus oleraceus. CHICORIA. An herbaceous composite weed, common to all the world. (Stahl, 5: 154.) Souarinut. See Caryocar nuciferum. Sour grass. A name applied to various species of Paspalum. Sour orange. See Citrus bigaradia. Sour sop. See Anona muricata. Soushumber. See Solanum mammosum. This is also spelled *‘ susumber,’’ and is a Jamaica name. Spanish cedar. See Cedrela odorata. Spanish elm. See Cordia gerascanthoides. Spanish plum. See Spondias purpurea. Sparganophorus vaillantii. YrERBA DE FAJA. A composite herb, 50 centimeters high, common throughout tropical America. (Stahl, 5: 100.) Spermacoce ocymoides. BorTonci.o. Family Rubiaceae. Spermacoce parviflora. CLAVELILLO. Specimens from Toa Alta (no. 882). Spermacoce portoricensis. Poaya. An herbaceous annual, 50 centimeters high, found in dry pastures. (Stahl, 5: 87.) Spermacoce verticillata. Boron BLANco. BoTON BLANCO DE ARENALES. Stem shrubby, 3 or 4 feet (about 1 meter) high, growing preferably in dry soil. Specimens from Lares arein the National Herbarium (Sintenis, no. 5082). Sphenoclea zelanica. CAMPANILLA. Family Campanulaceae; an herb found in inundated places. (Stahl, 6: 32.) Spiderwort. See Tradescantia. 23227—VOL VIII, PT 2—03 15 944 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Spigelia anthelmia. YERBA DE LOMBRICES. Family Loganiaceae; an herbaceou: annual, 30 centimeters high, found in culti- vated fields. This plant has strong narcotic and anthelminthic properties. Bello records the common name ‘‘lombricera.’’ (Stahl, 5: 54.) Spilanthes uliginosa. See Spilanthes acmella. Spondias dulcis. Family Anacardiaceae; a tree cultivated for its edible fruits throughout the Tropics; reported from Penuelas. Spondias lutea. HoG PLUM. JOBO. Family Anacardiaceae; one of the most common trees in Porto Rico, planted extensively for shade and for the sake of its edible fruits. It grows readily from large cuttings, and with Bursera simaruba, the ** almacigo,’”’ is preferred for stakes and fence posts, which are durable because they take root and remain alive. The fruits are oval and attain a length of 1} inches. The skin is very thin and incloses a pleasantly acid pulp surrounding the nut-like seed. The tree attains a height of 40 feet (42 meters) or more, and a diameter of from 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters), but the wood is light and soft (specific gravity 0.457), and is very little used except in the way explained above. The fruits of this species are yellow, and are said to be inferior to those of Spondias purpurea. ‘* Hog plum”? is a Jamaica name and does not, as might appear, involve any reflection on the quality of the fruit, but refers to the fact that hogs are extremely fond of this fruit, on which they fatten rapidly. Grosourdy gives the specific gravity of the wood as 0.508 and says that it is strong and elastic, yellowish-brown in color, so marked as to give a pleasing appearance. (Grosourdy, 2: 393.) Spondias purpurea. CIRUELA DEL PAIS. A tree or shrub 4 to 5 meters high, introduced from South America. Cultivated in gardens for its agreeable, deep purplish-red fruits, which are considered better flavored than those of Spondias lutea. (Stahl, 4: 57.) Stachytarpha. See Valerianodes. Stachytarpheta. See Valerianodes. Stahlia maritima. CoBano. Also called ‘* polisandro.’’ Described as a magnificent, widely branching, indigenous, leguminous tree, 5 to 20 meters high. known from the seashore near Rio Grande, Ceiba, Naguabo, Guanica, Barinas, and La Plata. (Bello, Stahl, Urban. ) Star apple. See Chrysophyllum cainito. Stave wood. See Simaruba amara. Stemmodontia affinis. ‘A composite shrub, reported from Fajardo, near the seashore. Stemmodontia buphthalmoides. MaNnzaNILLA DE COSTA. An erect shrub, 75 centimeters high, reported once by Stahl from the east coast. (Stahl, 5:138, as Wedelia buphthalmoides. ) Stemmodontia carnosa. MANZANILLA DE LA PLAYA. A common herbaceous annual weed preferring sandy soils and open grounds. It was very common about Santurce, where it was called ‘‘ manzanilla cimarrona,”’ (Stahl, 5:135, as Wedelia carnosa.) Stemmodontia lanceolata. Reported from Guanica. Stemmodontia reticulata. MANZANILLA DE MONTE. A woody biennial, 80 centimeters high, found in waste places in the foothills. (Stahl, 5: 136, as Wedelia reticulata.) Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE LVI. ANACAGUITAS (STERCULIA CARTHAGINENSIS). NEAR PONCE. COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 245 Stemodia durantifolia. VERONICA. Family Scrophulariaceae; an herbaceous annual, 30 centimeters high. In Jamaica various medicinal properties are attributed to it. (Stahl, 6: 237.) Stemonacanthus coccineus. See Ruellia coccinea. Stenolobium caeruleum. See Calopogonium caeruleum. Stenostomum lucidum. See Antirrhoea floribunda and A. lucida. Stenostomum resinosum. See Laugeria resinosa. Sterculia carthaginensis. ANACAGUITAS. PLATE LVI. A fine South American tree, with large 5-lobed leaves. The flowers are very white, streaked and spotted with dull purple. A single specimen was seen in a dooryard along the road between Ponce and Adjuntas. A decoction is believed to be beneficial in catarrhal affections, and the popular name may have been applied on this account, being used in Mexico for species of Cordia supposed to have similar properties. Stigmatophyllon chrysophylla. See Heteropteris bellonis. Stigmatophyllon floribunda. BrsJuco DE PARALEJO. Family Malpighiaceae; a vine found on the south coast. (Stahl, 2: 147.) Stigmatophyllon periplocifolium. BrJuco DE PARALEJO. Not known to Stahl, but reported from the south coast. (Stahl, 2: 147.) Stigmatophyllon puberum. BrJucO DE PARALEJO. A pubescent vine found flowering at Humacao. (Stahl, 2: 146.) Stillingia sebifera. See Sapium sebiferum. Strainer vine. See Luffa acutangula. Strawberries. No record of the introduction of strawberries into Porto Rico has been found, but they are grown successfully on the mountains in Jamaica. Stylosanthes procumbens. ZARZABACOA ENANA. Family Viciaceae; an herbaceous pubescent herb, 30 centimeters high, found along sandy coasts. Our specimens were obtained on the Pozuelo estate near the bay of Jobos. This is a deep-rooting, vigorous, though rather slender, species and may possibly be of interest in view of its habitat. (Stahl, 8: 35.) Styrax portoricensis. Family Styracaceae; a native forest tree reported from the mountain forests of the eastern part of the island, Luquillo, Naguabo, and Juncos. (Urban, Add. 1: 53.) Suelda con suelda. See Boussingaultia baselloides. Sugar. See Saccharum officinarum. Sunn hemp. See note under Crotalaria retusa. Supple Jack. See Paullinia curassavica. Surahwa nut. See Caryocar nuciferum. Suriana maritima. TEMPORANA. Family Simarubaceae. Reported by Bello. Susumber. See Solanum mammosum. A Jamaican name for Solanum mammosum, used in that island as a stock for grafting the eggplant. Sweet lemon. The sweet lemon, or limon dulce, is a citrous type very little known and not likely to become popular with the American public, but quite generally cultivated and used in south European countries. No mature specimens of Porto Rican fruit were seen, but the wingless petioles of the leaves and the enormous spines of the 246 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. vegetative branches render the tree easily distinguishable. The specific identity of this fruit is uncertain. It is, however, quite distinct from the fruit called sweet lemon in Florida. Sweet orange. See Citrus aurantium. Sweet potato. See Ipomoea batatas. Sweet sop. See Anona squamosa. Sweet william, Barbadoes. See Quamoclit quamoclit. Swietenia mahagoni. MAHOGANY. CaAoBA,° Family Meliaceae; the distribution of the true mahogany extends from Florida and the Bahamas to Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Peru. It is now believed that the mahogany which comes from Mexico and Honduras is the wood of closely allied but distinct species. An oil used as a purgative is said to be extracted from the seeds, and the bark is employed as a tonic. In Cuba this tree is said by Pichardo to yield a gum equal to gum arabic. It is not known that the mahogany exists at present in the island. Cordova, however, refers to the ‘‘ caoba’’ as one of the trees growing in the highlands of Porto Rico. 4 Grosourdy recommends the replanting of mahogany, leaving 30 or 40 feet (9 to 12 meters) between the trees. These prefer level, rather stony, ground, grow rather quickly, and are usually met with in the low altitudes of the mountains as well as in the lower forests. Plantations on a large scale prove a source of riches. The tree is of the highest, and the long, straight trunk reaches 2 yards (1.8 meters) or more in diameter. It furnishes a rather light, hard wood that is without doubt very strong. The grain may be coarse or fine, according to the class. In countries where it grows the wood is used in building houses. Specific gravity, 0.819. (Grosourdy, 2: 370.) Symplocos lanata. NisPERO CIMARRON. Family Symplocaceae; a native forest tree, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters) high; from Adjuntas and Penuelas. A related species, S. micrantha, is reported from the Sierra de Luquillo and Aybonito. (Urban, Add. 1: 52.) Symplocos latifolia. AcrrruNna. Family Styracaceae; a native forest tree the height of 60 feet (18 meters). Separated by Urban from Symplocos martinicensis as understood by Stahl (6: 58). Reported from Sierra de Yabucoa, near Aibonito, Adjuntas, Las Marias, Utuado, and Manati. Symplocos martinicensis. ACEITUNA. Family Symplocaceae; a shrub or tree native from Cuba to Trinidad. Also called ‘‘aceituna cimarrona”’’ and ‘‘aceituna blanca.’? (Urban, Add. 1: 50; Stahl, 6: 58.) Symplocos polyantha. Pawo DE CABRA. A native forest tree, collected by Eggers in the Sierra de Luquillo. (Urban, Add. 1: 49.) Synedrella nodiflora. SarRBATANA. An herbaceous annual composite, 50 centimeters high, found in pastures (Stahl, 5: 148.) Syzygium jambolanum. JAMBOLIN. A myrtaceous tree, bearing an edible fruit. It was introduced from the Malay region into Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and the French islands, and has fre- quently escaped from cultivation. but is not known from Porto Rico. Tabaco. See Nicotiana tabacwm. «Cordova, Memorias de la Puerto Rico, 1: 183, 229. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 247 Tabacon. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood, white, soft; specific gray- ity. 0.477; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 414.) ~Tabacon afelpado. See Solanum verbascifolium. Tabacon aspero. See Solanum asperum. Tabaiba. See Plumeria alba.: Tabamuco. This may be only another way of spelling Tabonuco. It grows to be a large tree, with coarse wood, which is hard to work and very long in drying; generally used for timber, also in constructing road canoes, or ‘‘ stone boats,’’ for hauling in the hills. It exudes a resinous substance used to make torches. Captain Han- sard gives its specific gravity as 0.66. Tabebuia rigida. Rosie. Family Bignoniaceae; a fine tree, 20 meters high, recently described from the Luquillo mountains. (Urban, 1: 404.) Tabebuia schumanniana. ROBLE COLORADO. A species recently discovered near Utuado and claimed by its describer to be one of the most beautiful of the indigenous trees of the island. It attains a height of from 10 to 15 meters and has blood-red flowers about an inch long. (Urban, Symb. 1: 404.) Tabeiba. See Maba sintenisii, Plumeria krugii, and P. portoricensis. Tabernaemontana citrifolia. PEGOGE. Family Apocynaceae; a wild tree, 3 meters high; grows in the mountains, flowering in the spring. Found in the Antilles and Mexico. Reported from the mountains of Luquillo. (Stahl, 6: 71.) Some species of Tabernaemontana have been reported as producing rubber, par- ticularly T. crassa,an Africantree. It has not been found possible, however, to coag- ulate the latex into serviceable rubber; it forms instead an extremely sticky gum. Tabloncillo. See Dipholis montana. A tree from the interior of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diameter, 30 to 35 inches (45 to 62 centimeters). Wood, white, hard; specific gravity, 0.837; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 414.) Tabanuco. See Dacryodes hexandra. A tree from theinterior part of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diameter, 35 to 40 inches (87 to 100 centimeters). Wood, white, rather hard; specific gravity, 0.671; used for lumber and resin. (Exp. 1857.) Tachuelo. See Pictetia aristata, also note under ‘‘ tochullo.’’ A wild tree abundant in the mountains, 40 feet (12 meters) in height, with a trunk reaching 10 or 12 inches (25 or 30 centimeters) in diameter. Furnishes a very hard, yellow wood that is very strong and durable. Used for shingles, fences, shelving, etc. When the tree is old it is burned, the wood becoming so hard as to resist all woodworking tools. (Grosourdy, 2: 414.) Tachullo. A tree from the interior part of the island; height, 40 to 45 feet (12 to 14 meters); diameter, 9 to 10 inches (22 to 25 centimeters). Wood, yellowish, hard; specific gravity, 0.945; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) This is apparently the same as ‘‘ tachuelo.”’ Tachulo blanco. Captain Hansard gives a specific gravity of 1.12 for this wood. Tafetan. See Palicourea barbinervis. 948 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Tagua-tagua. See Passiflora foetida. Talantala. See Herpetica alata. Talantron. See Casearia bicolor. Talauma plumieri. MAGNOLIA. Family Magnoliaceae: a tree 20 meters high, rarely cultivated in gardens for its fragrant white flowers; native in the French islands. (Stahl, 2: 21.) Talaumo. This appears as a common name in fiill’s list of trees of the mountains, and probably conceals a reference to the genus Talauma, a species of which, according to Eggers, furnishes a wood called *‘sabino.’’ This Talauma turns out, however, to be a Magnolia, and has been described by Urban as I. splendens. Talinum racemosum. Family Portulacaceae; a coarse fleshy herb, collected by Sintenis at Anasco; our specimens from Rio Piedras were called ** verdolaguilla.”’ Tallote.—See-Sechiwm edacle. . era : This name is doubtless a local corruption of *‘tayote,’’ the tendency among the lower classes being to interchange y and (1, which they pronounce much alike. Tallow tree. See Sapiwm sebiferum. Tamarind. See Tamarindus indica. Tamarindillo. See Chamaecrista glandulosa. Tamarindo. See Tamarindus indica. Tamarindus indica. TAMARIND. TAMARINDO. A large fine-leaved leguminous tree, very common in Porto Rico and widely cul- tivated in the Tropics for the fleshy edible pods, which have a pleasant, decidedly sour taste, due to the presence of several vegetable acids, including citric and tar- taric. According to the Treasury of Botany the tamarinds of the East differ from those of Porto Rico and the other West Indies. in that the pods havea brittle brown shell and contain from 6 to 12 seeds instead of from 1 to 4. Considerable quanti- ties of tamarinds are imported into Europe and America, either dried or preserved in sirup. They are largely used in the preparation of acid cooling drinks, and are believed to have a beneficial laxative effect on the system. To the tamarind are also ascribed numerous other virtues, which have been well summarized in the work mentioned above. In addition to their cooling qualities they act as gentle laxatives, and are useful in some forms of sore throat. The pulp mixed with salt is used as a liniment in rheumatism by the Creoles of the Mauritius. Theseedsareemployed medicinally by the natives of Bengal in dysentery, and they are also used by the Cingalese as food in times of scarcity, the dark outer skin being removed by maceration. Powdered, the seeds are employed as a poultice to boils; this powder also is mixed with thin glue to form a very strong cement for wood. The flowers of the tree are used in Ceylon in cases of liver disease. Medicinal virtues are also ascribed to the leaves, which are used internally in jaundice, and externally as an application to sore eyes or ulcers. An infusion of the leaves is employed to furnish a yellow dye. In Mauritius a decoction of the bark is used in asthma and as a tonic and astringent in dysentery. The timber is valuable for building purposes, and furnishes excellent charcoal forthe manufacture of gunpowder. Tamarinds form an important ingredient in Indian cookery, especially in curries; and they are also used in western India in preserving or pickling fish, which under the name of tamarind-fish is considered a delicacy. Tt is said that no plants will grow under the shade of the tamarind, hence it is considered unsafe to sleep under the trees. It is also said that the acid moisture they exhale does really affect the cloth of tents, if they are allowed to remain under the trees for any length of time. The wood is of good weight and more than ordinarily hard. The texture is rather compact and the grain fine. In color it is a dirty white or yellowish. It is not used. Specific gravity, 0. 948. (Grosourdy, 2: 414.) COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 249 Tamonea. CAMACEY. A large genus of shrubs of the family Melastomaceae. In the National Her- barium, under Miconia, are Porto Rican specimens representing the following species: Cubensis, foveolata, fulva, guaranensis, impetiolaris, laevigata, prasina, rubiginosa, sintenisii, tetranda, and thomasina. Tamonea fothergilla. CAMACEY BLANCO. Family Melastomaceae; a shrub 3 to 4 meters high, in mountain woods. (Stahl, A: 100.) Tamonea impetiolaris. CAMACEY COLORADO. - A shrub 3 to 4 meters high, found in cool, wet places. (Stahl, 4: 104.) Tamonea integrifolia. CaMacEy. ALMENDRO. A shrub 3 to 5 meters high, from the high mountains; bears flowers and fruit at the same time. (Stahl, 4: 115.) Tamonea laevigata. CAMACEY DE PALOMA. A shrub 3 to 4 meters high. in sandy soil over clay. (Stahl, 4: 106.) Tamonea racemosa. CAMACEY RACEMOSO. A shrub 3 meters high, in waste places. (Stahl, 4: 110.) Tamonea thomasiana. Camacrey. TOMASO. A shrub 3 meters high, in waste places. (Stahl, 4: 108.) Tapa-camino. See Vernonia arborescens. Tapioca. See Manihot. The name tapioca is used with us only for the shot-like preparation of cassava starch, but it is also applied in Brazil and other countries to the starch in the granular form and even to the roots or to the whole plant. Tarantala. See Herpetica alata. This is evidently intended for the same as ‘‘ talantala.”’ Taro. See Colocasia esculenta. The better known Polynesian name for the plant called ‘‘ yautia’’ in Porto Rico. Tartago. See Jatropha curcas. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 12 to 15 feet (3.5 to 4.5 meters); diam- eter, 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters). Wood white, soft; specific gravity 0.317; used in medicine. (Exp. 1857.) Tayote. See Sechiwm edule. z Té. See Capraria biflora. Té del pais. See Capraria diflora. Tea. Successful experiments have been made in Jamaica, and there appears to be no reason why tea could not be grown on the mountains of Porto Rico. Téa. See Amyris maritima and A. silvatica. A tree from the northeastern part of the island; height, 20 to 25 feet (6 to 8 meters); diameter, 5 to 6 inches (12 to 15 centimeters). Wood white, soft; spe- cific gravity 1.208; used for torches. Also called ‘‘ teo.’’ (Exp. 1857.) Tea, Spanish. See Pentarhaphia longiflora. Tecoma barterii. ROBLE PRIETO. Family Bignoniaceae; a wild tree 5 meters high, usually found along the coast. Flowersin May. (Stahl, 6: 176.) Tecoma haemantha. An indigenous shrub or tree attaining a height of 10 meters, with large purple or red flowers. Known from the vicinity of Coamo, Pefiuelas, Utuado, Maricao, Sabana Grande, and Mayaguez. elon 250 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Tecoma leucoxylon. A shrubby, erect species with small leathery leaves. Grows near the sea, on the south side of the island; Guanica and Ponce. (Sintenis.) Tecoma pentaphylla. ROBLE BLANCO. A wild tree 10 meters high, wood white and strong. Common to all parts of the island and occurring in all the Antilles. Said by Stahl to flower in May, but our ~ specimens collected in the Plata Valley above Cayey had handsome pink flowers in November. (Stahl, 6: 175.) j Tecoma stans. ROBLE AMARILLO. A tree 4 meters high, cultivated in gardens for its yellow flowers. (Stahl, 6: 278.) Tecomaria capensis. Family Bignoniaceae; a climber, native of the Cape of Good Hope. Culti- vated at Ponce. Fig. 13,—Almendra, fruit of Terminalia catappa. Temporana. See Suriana maritima. Teo. Probably the same as téa. Tephrosia. See Cracca. Teramnus uncinatus. CRESTA DE GALLO BLANCO. Family Viciaceae; a vine with twining branches. (Stahl, 3: 64.) Terminalia buceras. See Bucida buceras. Terminalia catappa. ALMENDRO. INDIAN ALMOND. PuaTte LVII and Fieure 13. This is the large beautifui large-leaved tree so commonly planted for shade at San Juan and along the military roads, and called ‘‘almendro.”’ It is believed by many Porto Ricans to be the genuine almond tree on account of the close Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE LVII ALMENDRO (TERMINALIA CATAPPA). COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 251 similarity of the nuts. It is scarcely necessary to add that the almond is a close relative of and very similar to the peach, while the Porto Rican ** almendro”’ is a member of the tropical family Combretaceae, to which belongs the ‘* mangle blanco,’ or white mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa, forming a large part of the mangrove swamps behind Catafio and probably elsewhere in Porto Rico. The present species is, however, a native of the East Indies, though widely known in the Tropics. While similar in shape and texture to almonds the nuts of Terminalia have not the characteristic flavor. though generally considered quite palatable. There seems to be no published account of experiments with their keeping qualities or of other efforts at placing them upon the market. We saw none in the dried condition, but while green the somewhat fleshy husk shows no tendency to sepa- rate from the shell of the nut proper. ‘As with other species of Terminalia a black dye may be obtained from the bark and leaves of the tree. A silkworm is also raised upon the leaves inIndia. The fruitsof other species are also astringent and have a place in commerce among dyestuffs under the name ‘* myrobalans.”’ A photograph of Terminalia has been published in Mr. Wilson’s paper (Pl. V) over the title ‘* Bent mango trees, San Juan.”’ Grosourdy (2: 360) states that the wood is brownish with a specific gravity of 0.699 and has no use. He gives the name Almendro de Indias. Ternstroemia elliptica. See Ternstroenia stahlii. Ternstroemia heptasepala. A specimen is in the National Herbarium from the Sierra de Luquillo. Ternstroemia luquillensis. PALO COLORADO. A tree 6 to 20 meters in height, known only from the Luquillo region. This is also true of T, heptasepala, a smaller tree or shrub of 2 to 8 meters. Ternstroemia stahlii. Mammy DEL CURA. A small tree of 12 to 15 feet (3.5 to 4.5 meters) common in thickets ia sandy soil near the sea, in the vicinity of Bayamon. TJ. peduncularis stenophylla, from Fajardo, and 7. pachyphylla, from El Yunque, are related species without local names yet reported. T. elliptica, of Stahl’s Flora, is a synonym of 7. stahlii. Tetade burro. See Hirtellatriandra and H. rugosa; also Chrysophyllum mono- pyrenum. Teta de curra. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diam- eter, 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters); wood pinkish, hard; specific gravity, 0.816; not used. (Exp. 1857.) Tetragastris balsamifera. Masa. Family Burseraceae. A common forest tree, 10 meters high, yielding balsam. (Stahl, 4: 50.) ; Grosourdy gives this species the name Tabanuco and describes it as a wild tree growing in the center of the Antilles, reaching 45 to 60 feet (13 to 18 meters) in height, with a long straight trunk 5 hands (‘‘ cuartas’’) in diameter, more or less. From the cracks in the bark and cuts made for this purpose exudes a white, very aromatic resin. The wood is rather light, moderately hard, fibrous in tex- ture, with a rather fine grain, rose-colored or gray tinged with a light flesh color and yellow. It is rather strong, resistant, and much appreciated because of its beauty and durability. It is also free from the attacks of insects, because of the resin which it contains. It is used for the interior work of houses and other fine carpenter work. (Grosourdy, 2: 363.) Tetrapteris citrifolia. Brsuco DE PARALEJO. Family Malpighiaceae; a high, trailing climber. 252 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. Tetrapteris paniculata. BEJUCO DE PARALEJO. A vine-like biennial shrub; growsin various parts of theisland. (Stahl, 2: 151.) Tetrazygia elaeagnoides. CENIZO. Family Melastomaceae; a much-branched shrub 4 to 5 meters high, frequent- ing limestone hills. Bello calls this *‘ verdeseco.”’ (Stahl, 4: 3.) Tetrazygia stahlii. CENIZO. A shrub 3 meters high, with cinnamon bark, grows cn rocks at an elevation of 1,500 feet. (Stahl, 4: 113.) Thalia geniculata. Family Marantaceae: has very large. abruptly ovate, closely veined leaves and peculiar zigzag flower stalks: known from Anasco. (Sintenis.) Theobroma cacao. Cacao. The cultivation of cacao is becoming one of the major industries of the Tropics, and as such is reasonably safe from the commercial side, although market prices will undoubtedly be subject to fluctuation, as with all staple articles. A great objection to the extensive cultivation of cacao in Porto Rico is the danger of wind storms, which may shake the entire crop from the trees. Cacao is unusually susceptible to this danger, since the large fruits are borne on very slender stems which come directly out of the inflexible wood of the larger branches or even from the trunk itself. Cacao was introduced into Porto Rico by refugees from Venezuela in the early part of the century, and the culture flourished for a considerable period, although the amount produced was never very large and has of late years declined, perhaps owing to the fact that the exports of other countries were more prominent in the markets and had easier access to the commerce of Europe and the United States. In some of the West Indian islands, not subject to hurricanes, cacao is, however, already recognized as an important product. In many parts of the island of Porto Rico it might be made a valuable adjunct to mixed farm- ing. The processes are not complicated nor costly, but some skill is required, and a mistake may render the beans of little or no value. A new cacao disease has recently appeared in Trinidad which forbids the importation into Porto Rico of new stock from that island without expert precau- tions or quarantining in a locality where no cacao trees now exist, so that plants which proved to be infected might be carefully destroyed before the disease could spread. Superintendent Hart of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Trinidad secured some years since from Nicaragua a species of cacao (Theobroma pentagona) not pre- viously cultivated in that island. Trees of this species have recently fruited and are found to be more vigorous and resistant to disease than the varieties of Theobroma cacao hitherto used. The fruits of 7. pentagona differ from those of T. cacao in having five prominent ridges or angles. In Nicaragua it is said to yield beans of high grade for manufacturing purposes. Successful attempts at grafting cacao by the method of inarching have also been made at the Trinidad Gardens, an achievement of vast importance to this industry, since it renders possible the formation of plantations of trees of uniformly high vigor and pro- ductiveness, which will yield a product of uniform quality, able on that account to command special prices in the market. The best cacao of Mexico from the region of Socomusco in the State of Chiapas does not come from 7’. cacao, but is believed to be derived from 7. angustifolia, a very different species, now placed in a distinct subgenus. Several other species are also cultivated in Central and South America, and those doubtless have more or less different requirements in the way of climate and soils. A careful canvass of the subject would be logically the first step in the direction of reestablishing a cacao industry in Porto Rico. ose . PLATE LVIII. - sonora NTS NEAR PONCE. ANTA MARIA (THESPESIA POPULNEA). S r, Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. 4 rd Con iter: Contr. Nat. Herb., Vol. VIII. PLATE LIX. SANTA MARIA (THESPESIA POPULNEA), SHOWING FRUIT. COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 253 The area well adapted to cacao culture in Porto Rico is relatively small, since thoroughly tropical conditions are necessary, including moisture, warmth, and an elevation under 500 feet. Moreover, exposure to sea breezes is also detrimental, so that the suitable situations are mostly restricted to the more sheltered valleys and the region of the foothills. Partial shade is also considered desirable, but as in the case of coffee the happy effects may prove to be due to the prevention of drought and to the maintenance of the fertility of the soil by the ‘‘ madres de cacao’’ or ‘‘ mothers of cacao,”’ as the trees of Hrythrina wmbrosa are commonly called in South America. It is certain, at least, that the tree thrives and the foliage remains entirely uninjured in the open sun at sea level, particularly when judicious pruning encourages the growth of lateral branches to shade the trunk of the tree and the ground underneath. The use of the Para rubber tree Hevea and also of Castilloa for shade of cacao plantations has been suggested, but it is not known that this plan has been found successful in practice. To open a plantation of cacao is more difficult than to start one of coffee, since the young seedlings are much more delicate and seldom survive transplanting by the methods followed with coffee. Insome countries the seed is planted in small baskets which can be buried in the ground without disturbing the seedlings. A second, but less desirable plan, is to sow the seeds in the place where the tree is to grow. In both cases it is considered wise to dig large holes 2 feet square and 2 feet deep, which are allowed to remain open for a month or two before piant- ing. The fine earth and vegetable débris which collects in the holes and the surface soil which should be used in filling them up provide the young plants with conditions favorable for vigorous growth. In direct seeding three or four plants are sprouted in each hole. all but the strongest being afterwards removed. Baskets suitable for cacao plants can be made very inexpensively in most tropical countries, but flowerpots have also been advised where these are obtainable at a cheap rate, or where they can be manufactured readily. In Porto Rico the local potteries would undoubtedly be able to supply ample quantities at low prices. Twelve feet seems to be the preferable distance between the trees, which are per- mitted to reach no more than equal height, although in nature or where crowded with other vegetation they sometimes run up to 20 or 380 feet. While cacao is young other crops, such as bananas, indian corn, and sweet potatoes, are planted between the rows to give partial shade and assist in keeping the ground clear of weeds. Thespesia grandiflora. Maaar. Family Malvaceae; a wild tree, 10 to 15 meters high, occurring in all parts of the island; the large red flowers are produced all the year. Wood excellent for furniture. The species appears to be peculiar to Porto Rico. Beautiful trees said to be ‘‘ magar’’ were pointed out to us between Manatiand Arecibo. (Stahl. 2 Vie) A wild tree not very abundant that should be planted for ornament as well as for its useful wood. The tree is 50 feet (15 meters) high and the straight. rather long trunk reaches the diameter of 30 inches (75 centimeters). The wood is rose- colored when fresh, black when old. It is strong and breaks with a vertical frac- ture. Its common use is for shelving. It is used also for making flutes, pegs of guitars. and other work of this class; also for furniture. Placed in the earth it lasts for a long time and is considered the best wood for foundations. Specific gravity, 0.677. (Grosourdy, 2: 397. The native name is here spelled ‘‘ maga.’’ ) Thespesia populnea. Santa Maria. PALODEJAQUECA. PLATES LVIII, LIX. A wild tree 3 to5 meters high, found by Stahl near the central part of the northern coast. Flowers all the year. The uses are similar to those of ‘‘ emaja- gua.’ Several of these are detailed in the Treasury of Botany: “T. populnea, the best known species, is an extremely common tree on the sea- 954 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. shores of most eastern tropical countries, and also in western Africa, the West Indies, South America, and the Pacific islands. It forms a tree 40 or 50 feet (12 or 15 meters) high, and has a dense head of foliage, on account of which it is called the umbrella tree in some countries, and is planted in many tropical districts for the sake of its shade and for forming avenues. Its leaves are large, roundish, heart-shaped, and pointed; and its flowers, which like those of many mallowworts are large and showy, are at first yellow with a purple central spot. but change altogether to purple before they die off in the evening. Several parts of the tree are applied to useful purposes. The inner bark of the young branches yields a tough fiber, fit for cordage, and used in Demerara for making coffee bags, and the finer pieces of it for cigar envelopes. The wood is considered almost indestructible under water, and is therefore used for boat building; besides which its hardness and durability render it valuable for cabinetmaking and building purposes, while in Ceylon it is employed for gunstocks. The flower buds and unripe fruits yield a viscid, yellow Juice, useful as a dye, and a thick deep red Coles ed oil is expressed from the seeds.’ The name ‘Santa Maria’’ was used near Ponce. Thevetia neriifolia. CABALONGA. Family Apocynaceae; a shrub, 3 meters high, but green throughout. The flowers are large and saffron-colored, causing it to be cultivated for an orna- mental. The milky juice is said to be a dangerous poison; also the fruits, while the bark has been used as a febrifuge. (Stahl, 6: 68.) A small tree, 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) high, rather dense, with a trunk about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long, 5 to 6 inches in diameter. The wood is not hard, rather light, fibrous in texture, with « rather fine grain. Specific gravity, 0.813. (Grosourdy, 2: 367.) Thibaudia portoricensis. Family Ericaceae; known from Sierrade Luquillo. This genus contains several ornamental shrubs, some of which have been introduced to hothouse cultivation. Thouinia portoricensis. SERRA-SUELA. A sapindaceous shrub of 3 to 5 meters; Yauco, Guanica, Cabo Rojo: called also ** quiebra hacha,”’ i GueHEN GG and ‘‘ax breaker.’’ This species 7. striata has very hard wood. Thouinia striata. SEBUROQUILLO. An indigenous tree, 8 to 20 meters high. Reported from numerous localities on both sides of the island. (Urban, Symb. 1: 349.) Thouinia tomentosa. CEBORUQUILLO. A tree,5 to 8 meters high. growing on hills. Flowers in April and May. Bello gives the the common name ‘‘ quebra hachas”’ or ‘‘ax breaker.’’ which doubtless alludes to the very hard wood. (Stahl, 2: 158.) Thringis laxa. YARAY. Family Sabalaceae; a small slender fan palm said to be used in the neighbor- hood of Vega Baja for the manufacture of hats and other articles in the same way that Inodes causiarum is employed farther west. Thuja occidentalis. ARBOR VITAE. Though a native of northern latitudes this species seems to thrive in the Tropics, while never attaining large size. It is occasionally planted for hedges and as an ornamental in Porto Rico, and a specimen from Jayuya is in the National Herbarium. Thunbergia alata. Family Acanthaceae; an ornamental vine introduced from India. This has now escaped from cultivation in Porto Rico and is almost as common as Momor- dica (‘‘cundeamor’’). (Stahl, 6: 253.) ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 255 COOK AND COLLINS There are two forms, one having the expanded part of flowers white or very pale lavender. the other cream yellow, but both have the throat of the corolla deep purplish. At Santurce this was called ** bejuco de puerco.”’ Thunbergia erecta. From Yabucoa, cultivated in gardens. Our specimen (no. 359) is from Cagui- tas and was called *‘ buenoces,’’ or something of similar sound. Tibey. As will be seen below, this name is applied to several herbaceous plants of dif- ferent families, so that it is not evident to which applies the following statement by Hill: *-A small herb called the tibey, the flower of which resembles the lobelia, grows in the meadows and pastures of the island. Its poison is said to be so active that a horse or other animal eating of it dies in a short time. The natural instinct of the animal teaches it to avoid this dangerous plant as soon as the odor reaches him.” Tibey amarillo. See Rhytidophyllum stipulare. Tibey blanco. See Jsotoma longiflora. Tibey de cresta.. See Alloplectus cristatus. Tibey parasito. See Columnea hispida. Tibey-Tupa. See Lobelia acuminata. Tillandsia. A large genus belonging to the Bromeliaceae or Pineapple family. It includes the Spanish or Florida moss of our Southern States and numerous Porto Rican species, most of which resemble small pineapple plants and are called pinuelas. Two of the more common species in Porto Rico are 7. fasciculata and T. recurvata, the latter abundant everywhere on the south side of the island, and by reason of its small size resembling tufts of *‘ Florida moss,”’ 7%llandsia wsneoides, which was not seen. Tintillo. See Randia aculeata. Tobacco. See Nicotiana tabacum. Tomate. See Lycopersicon humboldtii. Tomate amarillo. See Lycopersicon cerasiforme. Tomate grande. See Lycopersicon lycopersicum. Tomato. See Lycopersicon lycopersicun. Torchwood. See Amyris elemifera. A name used in Florida and the Bahamas. In Porto Rico torches are also said to be made from tabanuco, supposed to be Dacryodes hexandra. Toro. A tree from the eastern part of the island; height, 25 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters); diameter, 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters). Wood red, rather hard; specific gravity. 0.845; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) (Grosourdy, 2: 416.) Toronja. See Citrus decumana and C, medica. The Spanish name of the true citron and the shaddock. In Porto Rico this name is applied not only to the pomelo, but to several other citron-like fruits, varieties of C. medica. Tortera. In the market of Ponce large brown sea beans, said to be good for piles, were being sold by an herb dealer et 15 centavos apiece. By placing in water in a cocoanut sheil a pair of beans are selected, called male and female. the female sinking and the male floating. Drink the water and then carry the two beans 256 CONTRIBUTIONS #ROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. about in the pocket. A similar charm is exerted by a combination of ared bean, — ‘‘mato colorado,’’ with a gray or white bean, **mato amarillo,” of Caesalpinia — bonducella. Tortuguillo. See Antirrhoea obtusifolia. Enumerated by Hill among forest trees yicldin ey timber and fuel. Tortuguillo amarillo. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 20 to 25 feet (6 to 8 meters); diam- eter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood yellowish, hard; specific gravity, 0.806; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) rey At Yauco a light-colored, fragrant wood. Also called ‘‘bartolillo” and ‘‘aceitillo.”’ The best comes from the vicinity of Guanica. Tortuguillo blanco. A tree from all parts of the island; height, 20 to 25 feet (6 to 8 meters); diam- eter, 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 centimeters). Wood white, hard; specific gravity, 0.814; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) At Yauco thought to be the same as *‘ bartolillo.”’ Tortugo. Perhaps the same as ‘*tortuguillo.”* Captain Hansard gives a specific gravity of 1.25 for this wood. Tortugo alba. A tree from the eastern part of the island; height, 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters); diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood yellowish, hard; specific gravity, 0.894; used for cabinetwork. (Exp. 1857.) Apparently the same as *‘ tortugo blanco.” ‘Tortugo blanco. Anabundant wild tree, 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters) high, with a trunk 24 inches in diameter. Furnishes a yellow wood. commonly used for shelving and the framework of rude houses. (Grosourdy, 2: 416.) Tortugo amarillo. See Sideroxylon mastichodendron. Said by Grosourdy to be a variety of tortuga blanca. It grows to the same dimensions and in the same localities, and differs only in having a compact wood deep yellow in color. It is very strong, and is used in the manufacture of very fine furniture. (Grosourdy, 2: 416.) Specific gravity, 1.051. (Exp. 1857). Tortugo prieto. See Ravenia urbana. Tostado. See Homalium racemosum. Toston. See Boerhavia erecta. Totumo. See Crescentia cujete. The name ‘“‘totumo’’ is given by Hill, but seems to be uncommon in Porto Rico; it is known, however, from Cuba, but * gitira’’ and *‘ gitira cimarrona”’ appear to be principally “age even there. Hill also gives ‘‘hachuelo’* and ‘*tachuelo’’ in connection with this species, but this is certainly erroneous. ‘**Hachuelo’’ seems to be entirely unknown, suggesting only hatchet (hachuelo) to the Porto Ricans. Tachuelo is a leguminous tree. as appears elsewhere. Touola. See Maranta arundinacea. Tournefortia bicolor. Family Boraginaceae; a shrub about 6 feet (1.8 meters) high, with greenish- white flowers growing in thickets. Known from Lares. Tournefortia foetidissima. Nricua FETIDA. A shrub,5 meters high. In cool. shady places of the mountains. Common to all the Antilles. (Stahl, 6: 102.) COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 25 Tournefortia gnaphalodes. NIGUA DE PLAYA. A shrub 1 meter high, found on coastal plains. (Stahl, 6: 109.) Tournefortia hirsutissima. NiIGuA PELUDA. A reclining shrub, 1 to 3 meters. In hedges and waste places. At Juana Mata, near Ponce, this species was called simply ‘‘ nigua,’’ while Bello writes *‘ mata de niguas.”’ Tournefortia laevigata. NiGuira. A shrub 2 meters high, found on steep cliffs. (Stahl, 6: 103.) Tournefortia laurifolia. NiGuA-HOJA-LAUREL. A woody biennial 2 meters high, found in waste places and at the base of moun- tains. Known from Coamo. (Stahl, 6: 105.) Tournefortia volubilis. NiGUA ENREDADERA. A woody twiner 3 meters high, grows in waste places, running over trees and shrubs. Known from Salinas de Cabo Rojo. (Stahl, 6: 104.) Tovomita elliptica. MARIALVA ELIPTICA. Family Clusiaceae; a much-branched shrub 2 meters high, found on the nerth coast from Loiza to Manati. (Stahl, 2: 126.) Tradeseantia discolor. See Rhoeo discolor. Tragia volubilis. PRINGAMOSA. A euphorbiaceous vine collected at Guayama (no. 539) and at Vega Baja (no. 1024). The leaves and stems are beset with poisonous hairs, which cause a burn- ing sensation and raise blisters. Tree fern. : Three genera of tree ferns were reported by Eggers—Cyathea, Serra, and Also- phila—but without reference to species. Tree tomato. See Cyphomandra betacea, Trema lamarkiana. A tree or shrub known from Sabana Grande. The Index Kewensis places this genus under the Urticaceae, while Engler assigns it to the Ulmaceae. Trescabezas. See Ceplaelis triplocephala. Tribulus cistoides. ABROJO. Family Zygophyllaceae; found near Guanica by Bello.