308 VENEZUELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
Giiayavo (Psldium Gnava, Radd.), The yavietj pomJ/erum is more 
common than pyriforme. The pulp is either white or red. In Ca- 
racas, where numerous insects lay their eggs in it, and where, when 
the fruit is ripe, krvae are found in it, the Giiayavo is not a favourite 
fruit. It is somewhat astringent. 
Gaayacan. (As I have only seen the wood, I do not know whether 
Tecoma Guayacan^ Seem. Bot. of the Herald, p. 180, is identical with 
the Venezuelan Guayacan^ or whether it is Guaiacum officinale^ L. 
[It is probably the last-mentioned, which I gathered not far from Porto 
Cabello, and where it is an export. I did not meet with Tecoma 
Guayacan in Venezuela. — Ed.] Both are known to have very hard 
wood, and probably for the same reason, "the direction of the fibres 
being remarkable, each layer of which crosses the preceding diagonally." 
(' Pereira,* p. 1919.) I got a piece of the wood from Puerto Cabello, 
which had been nearly a century underground, and was yet as hard 
as stone. The raspings are used in venereal diseases, and to cure ob- 
structed menstruation. 
Hidropica (Pistia occidentalism Bl.) Its use for bathing in dropsy 
is certainly quite imaginary, although it agrees nearly with the prin- 
ciple *' Similia similibus." 
Higicera (Ficiis Carica, L.). Poultices made of figs and milk are 
used as anodyne; dried figs are put on wens, pulpy, elastic tumours, 
which appear on different parts of the body, and are called " lobanillos '* 
in this country. 
Higuerote (near Caracas, generally Ficus gigantea^ H. B. K., Syn- 
opsis i. 381 ; but several other species of Wicus bear this name, the 
word being the augment of Sigtiera^, The milky sap is used in 
poultices for luxations of the bones; it is said to destroy warts; and, 
mixed with tallow, to facilitate the extraction of corns. " Cerro del 
Higuerote*' is the highest point in the mountains which separate the 
valley of Aragua from that of La Guaira. 
Hinojo {AnetJmm fceniculum^ L.), Well known for its stomatic 
and diuretic properties. 
Eueno de gato (Solanum hirtum^ Vahl ; De Cand. Prod. 13. i. p. 197). 
A decoction of the root is given for spitting of blood and haemor- 
rhoids ; it is likewise diuretic and emmenagogue. For this purpose 
two drachms of the root are boiled in a pound of water, until the whole 
decoction is reduced to eight ounces; honey is added, ad libitum ; the 
