VENEZUELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS, 145 
and boiled in milk. Country-people mix it with tallow, and use it 
instead of mustard-poultice, or when the latter is thought too powerful. 
Ajo forms a most important article of the Creole tibchen. From 100 
to 120 of the bulbs (called ''cabezas/' or heads), tied together in 
strings, are sold at from four to ten shillings. 
Alhahaca {Ocimum Basilician, L.) is used for weak eyes, by apply- 
ing to them a few drops of the juice of the plant. 
Alcornoque {BowdicJda vb'gilioides, H. B. K.). A tree entirely 
difierent from what in Spain is termed Alcornoque. A decoction of 
M 
- the bark, with vinegar and salt, is taken to couuteract the bad eflFects 
of heavy falls. At Caracas, when the Alcornoque is rare, a mixture of 
starch \vith vinegar and water is prepared on these occasions. These 
remedies are called "posima." 
Amapola (Pliimiera rubray L.). The mUky, somew^hat gummy sap 
of the buds is used in poultices for fractures or luxations of the bones. 
It is also said to cure freckles, and other cutaneous disorders. An in- 
fusion of the petals, on account of its demulceut and mucilaginous 
properties, is recommended for hoarseness. 
Amoves secos or Cadillo rosero {Bidens leucanlJia^ and other species). 
The flowerheads chew^ed are applied^ it is said, w^ith good effect to 
ulcers-. 
Angelon (^Angelona saUca?'iafolia, H. B, K.). An infusion of the 
flowers, acting as a powerful sudorific, is an excellent remedy in pee- . 
toral diseases of a catarrhal character. 
Anil {Indigofera Anil, L.). The Spanish word "Aiiir' is derived 
from the Arabic ''nir" or "nil," and Hernandez calls the Mexican 
indigo "Anir." The plant was formerly more extensively cultivated 
than it is at present. All the indigo now produced is used in the 
country, and none is exported. A pound sells for three to six shillings. 
The leaves are used for curing the itch, for which purpose they are 
masticated, mixed with salt, and rubbed over the body. Friction with 
this composition is to be continued for some time, the bowels being 
kept well open. The leaves of the Aullama {Cucurlila maxima, Duch.) 
are sometimes employed in the same manner. I think in both cases 
there is but a mechanical effect, the pustules on the skin being opened 
by the roughness of the leaves, and the acari killed. 
Apio {Arracacha esculenta, DC). Four or six spoonfuls of the juice 
of the root, with a little common salt, are a mild purgative. It is also 
