266 SKETCH OF THE VEGETATION OF 
‘the Strychnos toxifera, Bth., and S. cogens, Bth., two plants very 
common throughout Panama and Darien. The fruit of the Amancay 
(Thevetia neriifolia, Juss.) is also considered very poisonous, but its 
dangerous qualities have probably been overrated. I knew a gentle- 
man in Panama who, when a boy, ate four of these fruits, without ex- 
periencing any other effect than that of mere griping. The leaves of 
the Bala, or, as it is also called, Madera negra (Gliricidia maculata, 
Kth.), are used to poison rats. The Florispondio (Datura sanguinea, 
[Ruiz et Pav.) appears to have always played, and still continues to play, 
a prominent part in the superstition of tropical America. The Indians 
| of Darien, as well as those of Chocó, prepare from its seeds a decoc- 
tion, which is given to their children to produce a state of excitement 
in which they are supposed to possess the power of discovering gold. In 
. any place where the unhappy patients happen to fall down, digging 
is commenced; and, as the soil nearly everywhere abounds with 
. gold-dust, an amount of more or less value is obtained. In order to 
counteract the bad effect of the poison, some sour Chicha de Maiz, a 
flavour. The principal are: Algarrobo (Hymenea splendida, Vog.), 
Boca vieja (Posoqueria longiflora, Aubl.), Cannafistola (Cassia Brasiliana, 
Lam.), Cerezo (Bunchosia glauca, H.B.K.), Coco (Cocos nucifera, Linn.), 
Coronillo (Scheeria Coronillo, Seem.), Espavà (Anacardium Rhinocarpus, 
De Cand.), Fruta de pava (Ardisia coriacea, Swartz), Granadilla (Pas- 
siflora quadrangularis, Linn.), Guayavo di savana (Psidium polycarpon, 
Lamb.), Guayavo (Psidium pyriferum, Linn.), Guavo (Inga spectabilis, 
Willd.), Zceaco (Chrysobalanus Teaco, Linn.), Jagua (Genipa Caruto, 
H. B. et Kth.), Juan Bernardo (Conostegia lasiopoda, Bth.), Jobito de 
puerco (Spondias spinosa, Seem.), Marannon (Anacardium occidentale, 
- Linn.), Madronno de comer (Sabicea edulis, Seem.), Membrillo (Gustavia 
Membrillo, Seem.), Nance (Byrsonema cotinifolia, H. B. K.), Nispero 
(Sapota Achras, Mill.), Panama (Sterculia Carthagenensis, Cav.), Pa- 
~ Payo Cimarron (Carica sp)., Pinna (Ananassa sativa, Lindl.), Pita di 
sapaleros (Bromelia sp.), Sastra (a Guttifera), Pinajita (Pentagonia 
— Pinajita, Seem.), and Zarzamora (Rubus trichomellus, Schlecht.).* 
range-tree, M ja, range; Man- 
zano, an apple-tree, Manzana, an apple.—B. S. ate ces 
