nivorous animals (Brill, H.C. and A.H. Well in Philip- 
pine Journ. Sci. 12A (1917) 171). A steroidal sapogenine 
has been found in the leaves and twigs of Rourea ligu- 
lata Bak. of Brazil (Altman, R.F.A. in Nature 178 
(1954) 1098). 
MUPHORBIACEAE 
Phyllanthus lathyroides Humboldt, Bonpland et 
Kunth Nov. Gen. et Sp. 2 (1817) 110. 
Mexico: Estado de Oaxaca, Distrito de Teotitlan, Huautla de 
Jiménez. August 3, 1938. R.F. Schultes et B.P. Reko 417. 
This common roadside weed, called shha-nin-du 
(‘‘eruption plant”’) in the Mazatee Indian language, has 
medicinal properties, according to the natives. A decoc- 
tion of the leaves is used as a wash for eye infections, 
such as conjunctivitis. A poultice of moistened leaves is 
applied to boils, hence the Indian name of the plant. A 
strongly emetic tea is, likewise, prepared from the leaves. 
FLACOURTIACEAE 
Lunania parviflora Spruce ex Bentham in Journ. 
Linn. Soc. 5, Suppl. 2 (1861) 90. 
Co.tomsBia: Comisaria del Amazonas, Trapecio Amazoénico, Rio Lore- 
’ I 
toyacu. September 1946. R.E. Schultes et G.A. Black 8316. 
The Tikuna Indians report that the root of Lunania 
parviflora is toxic and was formerly powdered and added 
to cooked food for the purpose of killing enemies or un- 
wanted visitors from foreign tribes. 
THYMELAEACEAE 
Schoenobiblus peruvianus Standley in Field 
Mus. Publ. Bot. 11 (1986) 169. 
Cotompia: Comisaria del Putumayo, Rio Sucumbios (San Miguel), 
Conejo y alrededores, frente a la Quebrada Conejo. *“Large shrub. 
Root furnishes one of the poisons for curare.’*’ April 2-5, 1942. R.E. 
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