List of the Plants of Chile. 305 



a bright yellow dye which would be useful, if means were found to 

 ix it. 



Beta vulgaris. Linn, var. Vulgarly, Beterava — beet root ? cul- 

 tivated and employed as an article of diet* Some are very sweet j 

 but in general they are of a middle size. By a careful cultivation, 

 very large roots would be procured. It is strange that the plant 

 known in France by the term bette, and in Spain by that of Jlcclga, 

 is scarcely found in the olitories of this country. It is one of the 

 garden stuffs, which, like spinage and sorrel, should be cultivated, 

 since it increases the resources of the kitchen, and would advantage- 

 ously supplant the yuca and bledo. 



Bid ens. Linn. 



Heliantko 



Kunth., which grows in ditches and in the marches, near Aculeo and 

 Angostura ; the B. Sambucifolia, Cav., which is met with in gardens 

 and cultivated places, and another which appears to me new, and 

 which 1 have collected on the arid heights near Taguatagua. 



Blandovia striata. W. A very small plant of the hepatic family, 

 quite common on the margins of marshes, near drains, and on walls 

 in damp and shady situations. 



Blechnum hastatum. Kaulf. A Fern called in this country Pal- 

 milla. It grows in the woods at the foot of trees, near ditches on 

 the hills and plains ; it is a pretty plant, but applied to no use. Its 

 root should be tried in verminous affections. 



Boerhaavia glutinosa. Miers. Common in stony places, and on 

 the arid hills near roads. It resembles very much the B. hirsuta, 

 Linn., and perhaps is only a variety of it. 



Bolax. Commers. The B. caespitosus and the B. spinosus, 

 Spr. grow upon the hills and near Cachapual, in stony and sandy 

 situations* It is of no use. 



Boletus. Linn. To the species, the names of which have already 

 been published, must be added B. Molluscus, Pers. common in rot- 

 ten wood ; B.fomentarius, and B. ignarius, Linn, to which the name 

 <*eja de palo has been given. These last grow on apple and pear 

 tl 'ees, and form yeast with very little preparation. 

 _ Borrago. Linn. A plant cultivated in gardens ; it is called Borra- 

 j\ and appears to differ in the leaves from the B. officinalis, Linn. 

 When tender, it is edible. It is daily employed to make refreshing 

 and diuretic ptisans. 



Botrytis glauca. Spr. A moss or mould found on preserved sub- 

 stances when beginning to rot. 



