NAT. ORDER. BROMEI.IACEiE. 81 



soil should be loam and sand, with plenty of drainers at the bot- 

 toms of the pots. It is readily increased by dividing ; the spring 

 is the best season for that pui'pose. Although this plant requires 

 great heat and dry situations to ensure its fine growth, it will 

 almost live in a warm green-house, esjiccially if the heat is kept 

 even, through the different seasons. All, without any exception, 

 are natives of the islands of this country, whence they have mi- 

 grated eastward in such numbers, as to have established them- 

 selves in great quantities all along the west coast of Africa, and 

 some parts of the East Indies. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The Billbergia iridifolia has 

 been considered by most writers, as possessing considerable tonic, 

 expectorant, and slightly cathartic properties. In many jiarts of 

 South America, the inhabitants indulge in the free use of a drink 

 prepared from this delicious plant ; for which pur^iose they col- 

 lect both the tops and roots, and subject them to the process of 

 distillation, by which means the medicinal, saccharine, and stimu- 

 lating proj^erties are obtained. The liquid obtained by this pro- 

 cess resembles in apjiearance that of Acer saccharinum, (Sugar- 

 maple,) but cannot be conveniently made into sugar. It has a 

 somewhat cordial taste, and proves highly stimulating by its free 

 use. A tea made from the leaves has been considerably employed 

 by some physicians in pulmonary and other lung difficulties, for 

 which purjiose it is recommended to take two ounces of the fresh 

 dried leaves, and steep in two quarts water, over a gentle fire, un- 

 til it is reduced to three pints ; then add half a jjint pure French 

 brandy, and one pound clarified sugar. Dose, from one to two 

 fluid ounces, (or half a wine-glassful,) three times a day. It is 

 more valued for its fine flavor and beautiful appearance, than for 

 medicinal purposes, and is at the present time but very little used 

 in medicine. 



