150 
AmonG the multitude of senatibtes’ which grow Poktinedisty 
and clothe on every hand the cascades, rivulets, banks, valleys, 
and high and low peaks of the extensive and rugged mountains 
of the Andes of Peru, not a few are found, which by their pro- - 
perties, virtues, and ‘uses, merit a preference in the attention 
of naturalists, physicians, and merchants. One of these vege-. 
tables is the plant called in Pozuzo and other ret bordering 
on the frontiers ig the: native Indians = , or Be 
de la Estrella; be root and stalks, tréfisversely cut, pre- 
sent on both sections many rays, diverging from the centre of 
the ligneous part to the circle formed by the bark, with which. 
they represent a star, or rather wheel with many radii. - 
The natives of Pozuzo, Cuchero, Pueblo Nuevo, and Hua- 
nuco, give this” plant the name also of Contrayerva de Bejuco; 
perhaps” from its efficacy in those diseases in. which the Contra- 
yerva of the apothecaries, or the Dorstenia Contrayerva of Lin- 
nus, is administered , or from some resemblance to the latteri in the. 
peculiar and grateful fragrance which it exhales. But this name 
of Contrayerva, applied by the natives to the Star-reed, onght 
net to be admitted in ‘Materia Monte it having been silreaily 
mm, the root of a. 
ae 
lea: 
applied to designate, | as has bee 
very different plant. 
The independent Indians of Pera greatly value the root nd 
stalks of the Star-reed, as a remedy for dysenteries, ‘malignant 
inflammatory fevers, colds, theumatic Gd and the various dis 
eases arising from fatigue. — 
For each dose they take of the roots or fresh stalks a handful, 
large or small mecordin g to their size. This quantity they in- 
