130 ORD. Polygalez. KRAMERIA TRIANDRA. 
a white silky pubescence on both surfaces ; the flowers are terminal, solitary, 
and standing upon short peduncles. The calyz consists of four leaves of a 
deep crimson colour, the inferior ones somewhat larger than the others ; 
they are all smooth and glossy on their internal surface, but sericeous ex- 
ternally. The corolla is composed of four petals, the two upper being spa- 
thulate, the two lower (or nectaries of Ruiz and Pavon) roundish, concave, 
and scale-like. The stamens are three; the filaments flesh-coloured, and in- 
serted between the superior leaflets of the nectary and the germen ; the an- 
thers are small, urceolate, and terminated with a bundle of very short hairs, 
and perforated with two holes at the apex ; the germen is ovate; style awl- 
shaped, and of a red colour, supporting a simple stigma ; the germen be- 
comes a dry, globose drupe, covered with short, stiff, reddish hairs. Figure 
(a) the pistillum, (6) transverge section of the drupe, (c) leaves of the nectary, 
(d) a seed, (e) the stamens, (f) ?? 
This species of Krameria* is a native of Peru, delighting ina dry, argilla- 
ceous, or sandy soil. It is found growing in great abundance on the decli- 
vities of the mountains, (exposed to the intense heat of a vertical sun) in the 
provinces of [arma, Huanaco, Caxtambo, and Huamilies. It was first dis- 
covered by Don Hypolito Ruiz, in the ycar 1780, in the provinces of Tarma 
and Zanca. Humboldt found it in the province of Guancabunba. It grows 
also in abundance near the city of Huanaco, and in the vicinity of Lima. It 
flowers throughout the year, but is in the greatest perfection in October and 
November. 
The roots of this plant are gathered after the rains. As it comes to matr- 
ket, it consists of pieces of various sizes, but seldom exceeding half an inch 
in thickness. We are told that large quantities of this root are imported 
into Portugal, for the purpose of colouring, and improving the astringency 
of their red wine; and that a saturated tincture of the root in brandy is 
known by the name of wine-colouring. Some of this root and extract, form- 
ing part of a Spanish cargo, is said to have been taken by our cruizers, and 
afterwards sold in London ; so that Dr. Reece was enabled to enter upon an 
investigation of its nature and medicinal qualities: and, in consequence of 
the facts which he established, it became a favorite medicine, and was also 
admitted into the list of our Materia Medica. 
_* The roots are ~~ eens ~ the name of ————- derived from the creeping man- 
ner of their growth. _ 
