Acanthosicyos horrida (Cucurbitaceae), 55486. From Pretoria, Transvaal. Seeds presented by Dr. I. B. Pole- Evans , through Dr. H.L. Shantz, physiologist in charge of Plant Physiological and Fermentation Investigations. "Narras". A remarkable cucurbitaceous plant which grows on the dunes of the Namib where subterranean waters exist. The plant subsists even when this water is at great depths. It forms thorny thickets on the sand hills of Southwest Africa, and is adapted to a hot,dry climate,with little or no rainfall. The fruit is about the size of an ostrich egg. Both the pulp and seeds are used as food by the natives. The fruits are produced in abundance and for about four months of the year the more primitive Hottentots are said to survive with practically no other source of food or water. The fruits are eaten and water is secured from them. The seeds when ripe are plump, about the size of a watermelon seed. "The plant is one which should be of great value to our Indians of the Southwest if once established on the sand dunes of Arizona and southern California. It is doubtful if any plant can be secured which seems offhand to give greater promise in that region than does this cucurbit." (Shantz.)