\ 
VENEZUELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS, 281 
Cocui, Cocuiza (Jr/ave soloUfera, S^\m.), Maffnei {Jgave A)7'ericanOy 
L.)j also called Pita, " que los Indios IJaman Caruata, y. los Espa- 
iioles Cocidza, y de que liay otra especie en Orinoco Uamada Curagna 6 
Curaguale '^ (Fr. Autonio Caulin, ' Histovia de la Nueva Anclaliicia/ 
ed. de Caracas, p. 13). This plant was considered so important, that 
localities were named after it. Not far from Caracas is a little hamlet, 
"Las Coqnijas/' and in Caracas itself a rivulet (or rather, I shonld 
say, a series of pestiferous ponds of dirty water) ,_ Caroasa, which may 
have derived their names from it. The decoction of the root is diurcr 
tic ; the leaves, called " pencas/' are bruised and applied to tumours^ 
to promote suppuration or remove it. There is no *' pulque" pre- 
pared in Venezuela, as in j\Iexico. The fibres of the leaves are very 
strong, and are used for ropes and hammocks ; the ropes, nevertheless, 
are rather stiff, and, when not oiled, are much affected by moisture. 
The name " Cabuya," used in New Granada and other parts for 
Agave luherosa, Mill. (Folircroya tuberosa,^Ait.), is applied in Venezuela 
to small twine. 
Colombo. The plant is called "bejuco de Estrella/' and is some 
undetermined Menispermea, (It is not the Radix Calumbae, derived 
from Coccnliis palmatiis^ De Cand.) The root is considered nearly as 
powerful a tonic as Chinchona. 
Comino 7'ustico (^Peclis punctata^ L.). On account of its aromatic 
volatile oil, an infusion of the plant is taken for a cold and indigestion. 
Coneja (a cultivated species of Impalleni), The juice, mixed with 
common salt, is considered one of the most efficacious " posimas." 
(Cf. sub voce Alcornoque, p. 195.) 
Conopio {Renealmxa sylveslris^ Gr.). The fruit is of a nauseous 
smell, and contains a fine violet colour. It is used as a resolutive 
for tumours, and the oil extracted from the seeds is still more appre- 
ciated. The name " Conopio " may have some reference to the Chay- 
mas word Conopo = rain, mentioned by Humboldt in his ' A^oyage,' 
as tbe plant grows only in the neighbourhood of water. 
Conirayerha, also called Tnsilla {Borstenia Contrayerha^ L.). Grow- 
ing abundantly in the quebrada of the river Catuche, near Caracas. 
The root is considered a powerful remedy for counteracting poisons. 
It has been recommended as a universal medicine, but it is only a 
sudorific. 
Copex {Clusiaj'osea, L,, et C. aUa, L.). The resia is used in plas- 
VOL. III. [SEPTEMBER 1^ ISGo.] ' U 
