277 
PLANTS USED MEDICINALLY AT CARACAS, VENEZUELA, 
SOUTH AMERICA, AND THEIR VERNACULAR NAMES. 
I 
By a. Eunst, Esq. 3 
Local Secretary of the AntJiropological Society of Londoriy at Caracas. 
{Contimiedfrom p. 150.*) 
p 
Canafistola {Cassia Fistula^ L.). The pulpy substance of tlie pods 
is a mild purgative. 
Canafistola maclio, or Canafistola cimaiTon {Cassia hicamularis^ L.). 
"Macho" {i.e, male) are not only called all male plants^ but in some 
cases those species which do not yield useful substances like their 
congeners. " Cimarron" means wild, growing in the mountains, hence 
the term "maroon" or "marroon," for runaway slaves living in the 
woods. Erom the softer parts of the root a favom-ite emetic and 
purgative, very disagreeable in taste, is prepared, of which half a wine- 
glassful is taken before breakfast. Tt is also recommended in urinaiy 
complaints. 
Another Cassia, called Sena by the people, grows near Maracaybo, 
and proves to be C, ohovata^ Coll., from tropical Africa. At present 
I cannot give any information respecting its properties. (Conf. Pereira, 
* Materia Medica/ p. 1866.) 
CapacJio {Canna eduUs, Ker), The root is eaten in the manner of 
sweet potatoes. 
Carana {Bitrsera gummifera^ Jacq.). The resin of this tree is found 
in the drug shops, but seldom used. The tree is but cultivated with us ; 
it grows easily : a branch stuck into the ground soon makes roots. It is 
called "Indio desnudo," on account of its reddish, smooth bark. 
[Perhaps also on account of its shedding bark and leaves. — Ed.] 
Cardo santo {Argemone Mexicana^ L.), Throughout tropical America 
this is one of tlie most esteemed medicinal plants, and it is almost every- 
where known under the same popular name, Cardo santo^ or Holy 
Thistle. A decoction of the leaves is given in intermittent fevers, 
* In the first part of this paper there are a few trifling errata, tIz., p. 144, 
line 10 from below, read Aguacate for Agtiacato, and line 5 from below, 
read Ajonjoli/or Ajonjol ; page 147, line 9 from above, read Agnafor Aqua, 
and line 12 from below read 46% for 768 ; page 149, line 20 from below, read 
^'^ Lagenaria vulgaris, Ser.," for *' Cresceniia C^i^^^e, Linn./' and line 17 from 
below 7'ead Platano/or Platano. 
