14S VENEZUELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
Ijerengena {Solanum Melongena^ L.). Poultices of the ripe fruit, 
made with cocoa-oil, are applied on tumours or abscesses. 
Be7'ro$ {Nasturtium offichmle, L.). Four spoonfuls of the juice of 
the Watercress in a cold infusion of Guazuma-bark {Guaz;mna tomen- 
tosa, Kth.), taken twice or thrice a day with four spoonfuls of good 
claretj are reputed to be efficacious in liver complaints, so very common 
among the inhabitants. 
Biznaga {Ammi Visnaga, Lam.?). An Umbelliferous plant, closely^ 
allied to Daiicus, but from want of sufficient material not satisfactorily 
made out. An infusion of the umbels is given to strengthen the di- 
gestive organs. 
I 
Borraja (Borago offic'malis^ L.) plays an important part amongst 
the popular medicines of Venezuela, but its fame has come to us from 
Europe with the plant itself. 
Brusca {Cassia occidentalism L.). Exceedingly common, but gene- 
rally growing near houses, together with Leommis Sibiricus, L., 
and AcantJiospermum hiimile^ DC. It is much esteemed for its purga- 
tive and sudorific qualities, A decoction of the root, reduced to two- 
thirds of its first quantity, is taken in cases of secondary syphilis. A 
beverage prepared from the toasted and ground seeds is said to destroy 
stones in the bladder. 
Cacao {Theobroma Cacao, L.). The medical properties of Cacao (I 
write so, and not Cocoa, conf, Webster suh voce Cocoa) and chocolate 
are well known. At Caracas we have but few Cacao-trees, the hot 
coast and the valley of the river Tuy being the regions where it is 
more frequently cultivated. 
Cadillo, Pegapega {Triumfetta semitriloha, L.). The first name 
means Burdock, the second is derived from the verb " pegar/* to stick. 
An infusion of the root or leaves stops diarrhoea. 
Cadillo de perro {Bidens bipinnatas, L.). Cadillo is the name of 
several low plants bearing fruits with hooked bristles or prickles, which 
attach themselves to the legs of men and dogs. This explains the ver- 
nacular name. There is a singular story about the medicinal power of 
this weed. When a person is bitten by a dog, a poultice, made of the 
leaves and seeds of this Bidens with a little salt, is applied to the 
wound. In a short time the person will be cured, but the dog will 
get ill and die. A decoction of the same plant is said to cure pulmo- 
nary disease?. "If any one should doubt the power of this remedy, 
