1 



B 



J04 LUl of the Plants of Chile. 



lately by Sprengel, has no existence, and ought absolutely to be blot- 

 ted from botanical catalogues. The branches of this plant are com- 

 monly used to heat lime kilns, and to light fires on holy-days ; the 

 resinous principle which it contains causes rapid combustion. Brush- 

 es are also made of it, which however, do not last long. The B. 

 glutinosa yields, by boiling, a kind of resin, which, it is said, has va- 

 rious applications. The decoction of this plant is used as a refrige- 

 rant in certain urinary affections. 



Barbula. Hedw. Among the mosses which grow in this country 

 there are some which belong to this genus. The most common re- 

 sembles very much the B. unguiculata y Hedw. The 

 Timm. is not rare. All the mosses are generally known by the name 

 of pastiio. They grow in shady and humid spots in the woods ; at 

 the foot of' old trees, near bogs, and on mud walls. They are not 

 applied to any particular use. 



Bartramia. Hedw. There are two species: the one resembles 

 the B. fontana, Sw. The other appears new. They are found in 

 the shady woods of the hills, and in the sandy and humid pastures 

 near rivers. 



Berberis llicifolia. Forst. and B. tomentosa, Ruiz and Pavon. 

 These two under-slu ubs, which are called, indiscriminately, Michay, 

 are very frequent in arid and elevated hills. The last is common in 



hborhood of Leon a. It would be well to attempt its cultiva- 

 tion, to form inclosui es which would be impassable on account of the 

 strong sharp thorns on its leaves.* The decoction of its bark forms 



* The construction and preservation of the mud walls, which serve for the separ- 

 ation of property, and to prevent the invasion of animals of the herd, cause \ cry con- 

 siderate expense, but are nevertheless of prime necessity. The long rains of win- 

 ter and strong winds and carthquaki s produce great e rage, which it is uecessary 

 to repair without loss of lime, with sacrifices that circumstances render onerous 

 Besides, the sad aspect of these wails, which cross in every direction a fertile plain, 

 destroys, in a great measure, the beauty of the country, 3nd cenceal3 the beautiful 

 green, enamelled with the most -piendid colors of the Iris, with which nature is 

 every where adorned. The roads, shut in by these rough constructions, are dull, 

 monotonous, tedious, and above all, iropmable on account of the waters, which can 

 find no exit. Would it not be less expensive and more convenient to replace them 

 by Uvt7ig palings, which being well guarded i 1 separated from the public roat 

 by ditches, would form secure and. at th< e time, cheerful barriers? Although 



the country does not want tor thorny shrubs, sir eptible of this application, yet it 

 would be well to introduce the cultivation of the CraUrgtts Oryacanth't, Limi- 

 aud its varieties, known in Spanish under the name of eapftil* bhtrteo.— B. 



