from the Gramineae. Pennisetum alopecuroides (C. O. 
Frake 512) from the Philippine Islands has roots which 
are ‘‘.. . applied to stomach to reduce size in pregnancy 
(!)°° Cyperus brevifolius (S. F'. Kajewsht 276) is used in 
the New Hebrides Islands, where it is macerated with 
other plants and drunk for good health during pregnancy. 
I should not leave this subject without a word on 
aphrodisiacs. They have not been included among ethno- 
gynecological notes. Possible aphrodisiacs number possi- 
bly fewer than 15 among all notes from the herbarium 
search. Perhaps the most intriguing entry is little known 
Centropogon calycinus (Y. Mewia 7701, Campanulaceae) : 
in Ecuador, it is ‘‘Used as a love potion’’. Madllotus 
Poilanei (M. Poilane 26084, Euphorbiaceae) belongs to 
a medicinal genus’ but is reported from Indochina as 
having a ‘‘Racine tonique et aphrodisiaque”’. Jatropha 
angusti (J. West 3796, C. Vargas C. 408, Euphorbiaceae), 
also from a medicinal genus,’ is reputed to be an aphro- 
disiac in Peru. Ptychopetalum olacoides (G. Stahel 269, 
Olacaceae) is supposed in Surinam to act as an aphro- 
disiac; the species also is the source of Muira puama, 
employed in medicine.’ 
Among alleged love charms are species of the genera 
Loranthus (Loranthaceae), Aristolochia (Aristolochia- 
ceae), Canavalia (Leguminosae), and Premna (Verben- 
aceac). Sundry common names suggest aphrodisiacal 
properties: among these I have included plants called 
‘Tove Bush’’, “Amor Seco’’ and ‘‘Matrimonio Viejo”’. 
There is one antaphrodisiac: of Davilla lacunosa (LO. 
Williams 5098a, Dilleniaceae) in Brazil, it is said: ‘Give 
tea to animals and they are impotent’’. 
In conclusion, I want to say that species of plants 
associated with ethnogynecology warrant careful inspec- 
tion by modern gynecological and obstetrical pharma- 
cologists. I would emphasize further that, in considering 
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