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List of the Plants of Chile. — | 249 
‘sence, which, administered in small doses, produces en and 
salutary effects in children suffering from verminous affections. ‘Sten- 
del, Roemer and Schultes cite m ‘thet works the Chenopodium and 
the Herniaria Payco, Molina, which are only synonyms of the’C. - 
Ambrosioides and multifidum, Linn. A seed called Quinua is em- 
ployed to give taste to the Aloja an agreeable and refreshing drink,, 
when it is not too i eee Not having seen the plant 
which yields this product, I do not know positively, whether it be- 
longs to the C. Quinoa, or to another species of the same genus. 
Chironia Chilensis. W. Vulgarly Cachanlagua. A plant very — 
frequent on the arid — the low grounds, and in the pastures 
on the hills. It is very much used in this kingdom, and particularly 
in the country, where it is preserved in packets from year to year. 
The principal virtue attributed to it is that of thinning the blood. 
My prescribed limits do not allow me to examine in detail the action 
of the medicine, nor of many others used by the people, who are 
commonly guided by ancient traditions, and by the blind and gross_ 
empiricism of quacks. This point, important to medicine and the 
country, would be more properly considered in a treatise on indige- 
nous Materia medica. The only observation J] may now make, in 
passing, is that the ‘modus operandi’ of the bitter principle of the 
Gentians is sufficiently known to persuade us that cachanlagua pos- 
sesses tonic, stomachic and vermifuge properties, analogous to Peru- 
Vian bark, but in a less degree. Spreigel has retained this plant in- 
the: genus Chironia.’ Persoon and Steudel in Erythrea, Richard. 
€xamination of its capsule, in a state of maturity, authorises me 
to believe that it should make a part of the latter. Besides, its re-_ 
semblance to the lesser Centaury of Europe, the E. Se ae 
ly appears to confirm this opinion. 
Chlidanthus fragrans. Lindl. A different genus from the 
ratium T. with which this plant has been classed by Poiret nA 
Sprengel, (PB. Luteum.) 1 have seen it cultivated in gardens, where 
itis a ariruma. Its pleasant odor enhances the value-of the _ 
“es, and it sh tain a place in every flower garden. be 
Chlorea. Lindl. The species of this genus, of the family of the 
orchidez, are sufficiently numerous. It appears they belong exclu- 
sively to Chile, but their specific characteristics are very subject fe. 
Variation; even ii the same individual, which las probably contril i... 
ted to the augmentation of the list. ‘They are found in the stony pas-_ 
tures of the mountains, and in the arid spots near the Cachapual. — 
