OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1909. 37 



26304 to 26329— Continued. 



26304. Acacia loxgifolia (Andr.) Willd. 



" Aromo. A grand, yellow-flowered tree, grown in Chile from the time of the 

 Spanish, for ornamental purposes." 



Distribution. — A shrub or small tree found throughout Australia and in 

 Tasmania. Used as a street tree in California. 



26305. Aextoxicon punctatum R. and P. 



"In Valdivia and Chiloe this plant is called 'tique' or 'palo muerto;' in the 

 north it is called 'aeietunillo' or 'olivillo.' It grows along the coast of Chile 

 from Valparaiso to the island of Chiloe." 



26306. Aristotelia macqui T/Herit. 



11 El Maqui. This is a valuable wild fruit tree and I believe is capable of 

 improvement. The fruit is abundant, astringent, sweet, and refreshing. In 

 time of fruitage 'chicha de maqui' is highly esteemed as a healthful beverage. 

 It is nonfermented; the fruit is simply mashed and mixed with water and the 

 liquid drawn off and drunk. The fruit juice is similar in color to blackberry 

 juice; it stains whatever it comes in contact with, but it is not indelible. The 

 fruit is gathered in immense quantities and dried for export and domestic uses, 

 especially for coloring wines or imitating them. These seeds are from near 

 Puerto Montt, which is the extreme southern limit of the territory allotted to 

 their growth; they are as good as 'el maqui' of central Chile. The color of the 

 fruit is generally a reddish black; brown, white, and pink fruits are sparsely 

 found in a few localities, but these are different varieties. This tree sometimes 

 attains a height of 30 to 35 feet. Usually it is not more than 12 to 15 feet hieh 

 and 4 inches in diameter, but I have seen trees 16 inches in diameter. They 

 thrive in dry central Chile, but seek the moisture of the ravines. The tree 

 reminds one of a cherry tree. The wood is not considered. The bark of the 

 new wood is very flexible and is used for making lassos and ropes for use about 

 the farm; also for tying in the vineyards. The ties are strong and last a long 

 time if dampened before using. Birds and foxes are very fond of the fruit and 

 scatter the seeds in a fit state to germinate. 



"The juice of the leaves is a splendid remedy for throat diseases and ulcers 

 and has a fame for healing wounds. An infusion of the leaves is employed as a 

 gargle. Reduced to a powder, they serve effectively as a healing ointment. 

 They are also good made into a poultice, especially when placed over the kid- 

 neys to calm fevers. The fruit, being a quick, mild acid, and astringent, is 

 often used as a refreshing drink in the sick room and is especially efficacious in 

 fevers; toasted and ground or broken and put into hot water it is a sure remedy 

 against the worst cases of diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera; being perfectly 

 harmless the fruit or decoctions may be eaten or drunk in any quantity. The 

 plant is widely distributed, from always dry, rainless Coquimbo to Chiloe'e 

 perpetual moisture." 



Distribution. — Along ravines from central Chile to Puerto Veras. 

 26307 and 26308. Avena sativa L. Oat. 



26309. Boquila trifoliata (DC.) Decaisne. 



" 'Voquil bianco,' 'boquila,' and 'pilpil bianco' are the Indian names. It 

 grows along the edges of the woods from the thirty-fifth degree of latitude 

 Bouth to and including the island of Chiloe; it avoids altitudes and seeks the 

 moist lowlands. The fruit is without importance." 

 26310 and 26311. Chusquea quila (Poir.) Kunth. Bamboo. 



"This seed is from the provinces of Cautin and Malleco, in the vicinities of 

 the volcanos Lonquimai, Llaimi, and Villa Rica. Several small lots from 

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