OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1909. 39 



26304 to 26329— Continued. 



26317 and 26318— Continued. 



26318. Ui Avellana: From the Cordillera of central Chile. Soak the 

 seeds well." 



See Xo. 25611 for previous introduction and distribution. 



26319. Greigia sphacelata (R. and P.) Regel. 



'" Chupones.'' From the mainland in the Province of Llanquihue." 



Distribution. — In humid situations about Concepcion, Chile, and south to 

 the province of Llanquihue. 



See Xo. 25476 for previous introduction. 



26320. Gunnera chilensis Lam. 



" ' Nalca.' This grows only in wet places, banks of streams, ravines, etc. It is 

 like a giant pieplant or rhubarb and is very ornamental; it is somewhat differ- 

 ent from 'Pangue' (S. P. I. Xo. 25477); the former is eaten raw after the bark 

 or skin is removed and has an agreeable sweet-acid taste; its juice made into 

 ices is eaten with gusto. A decoction for diarrhea, etc., is made from the roots, 

 which are hard and very astringent; the small quantity of juice which they 

 contain is a valuable, permanent black dye for cloths and is estimable for tanning 

 skins. The new sprouts are much esteemed by the Indians; they call them 

 'pampancallhuc.' Oxen eat the leaves with relish when accustomed to them." 



See Xo. 25477 for previous introduction and distribution. 



26321. Laurelia sempervirens (R. & P.) Tul. 



'Indian name 'el huahuan.' The evergreen laurel is too well known to 

 need description. The industrial applications, large dimensions and merits 

 of its timber, durability when not exposed to the elements, facility to work, 

 ability to permanently receive any stain, etc., require no comment. It is 

 necessary to cut the tree for lumber when the sap is down. It grows to im- 

 mense size in the Cordilleran foothills of the south and gradually diminishes 

 in size as it is found north of the river Bio Bio. It has nearly all the medicinal 

 properties of Laurelia aromatica, among which are the following: An infusion 

 of the scraped or pounded wood, the leaves or flowers is used to cure pains in 

 the head which are the results of colds; the same and especially an infusion 

 of the leaves is used for affections of the digestive tubes, urinary organs, to 

 combat bronchitis and as baths or lotions to strengthen the nervous system, to 

 alleviate or moderate paralysis, to fumigate the body against spasmodic con- 

 vulsions; a pomade made of the powdered leaves cures skin diseases. The 

 ground bark being placed in the cavity of a tooth stops the pain; an infusion 

 of the bark is used as a remedy for lockjaw, etc." 



Distribution. — Frequent in the woods in the vicinity of Valparaiso, Chile, 

 and south to the island of Chiloe, rising to an elevation of 8,000 feet on the 

 mountain slopes. 



26322 and 26323. Maytenus boaria Molina. 



26322. "Large-leaved variety." 26323. " Small-leaved variety." 



"An evergreen forest tree, native name 'el maiten.' A beautiful, 

 fine-leaved, dense, semidrooping, small-limbed, shade tree of rare 

 excellence, growing naturally in a round form up to a height of 12 meters 

 and about 12 inches thick. It naturally seeks the dryest, poorest, arid 

 lowland soils. It has great value as forage for horses and cattle; in 

 times of drought or grass failure, hungry animals are kept alive by 

 breaking a few branches daily and feeding the leaves. The wood is fine 

 grained, hard, elastic, and mostly plain white and pale yellow, some- 

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