VEMEZT7ELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS, £13 
Merey {Anacardiim occidentale^ L.). A decoction of tlie bark is 
very astringent, and the frait lias the same eflfect. The seed 13 
caustic, 
MirasoL Under this name I have found HdianfJms auuuus, L., 
cultivated. Humboldt (Syn. ii. 471) gives the same name under 
Wedelia pulcTidla^ H. B. and K. The juice of the flowers of Helian- 
thus is given in intermittents ; it is said also to destroy stones in the 
bladder. It is also called Girasol = turning round with the sun : the 
other name means "looking at the sun." 
Mostaza {Sinapis nigra^ L. ; S. alha^ L.). The plant is not cul- 
tivated, but the mustard seed is sold at the druggists' shops, and used 
as in Europe. 
Naranjo (the tree), Naranja (the fruit). Citrus Jurantium^ Risso, is 
the Sweet Orange ; C. vulgaris^ Eisso, the Bitter or Seville Orange, 
With Seville oranges {Naranjas agrias) a beverage called " Naran- 
jada" is prepared in the following manner: — Cut a Seville orange 
. with its peel on in slices, and put these in hot water previously sweet- 
ened with sugar, and containing some gum arable. The "Naranjada" 
is taken tepid, and is an excellent remedy in intestinal disorders. 
Sweet oranges are eaten early in the morning, for keeping the bowels 
open. 
Niciia {Calonyction sjpeciosiim^ a. vulgaris^ Choisy), The juice of the 
stem, with salt and water, is used as a purgative. 
Niguila {Acnistus arbor escens^ Schlecht.). The fruit is edible. 
Nispero {Sapota AchraSy Mill.). Of the fruit poultices are made 
for inflammations of the liver. The seeds are recommended for hydro- 
phobia. 
There are two other fruits belonging to Sapotea,viz. Zapota = LucUma 
mammosa^ Gaertn., and Garci- Gonzalez = Lucuma Rivicoa^ G?ertn. 
In the French West Indian Islands, the fruit of the latter bears the 
name of ** CEuf Vi5getal5" on account of its yellow pulp. It is a lofty 
tree. Garci- Gonzalez or Gonzalito is also the name of a bird, which I 
4 
suppose to be the Xanfliornus hanance^ Gm. It seems to feed on the 
fruits of Lucuma R'mcoa, the seeds of which are often found under the 
trees. The same name was borne by a gallant soldier in the early his- 
tory of Caracas, and may have some connection with it. Soon after 
the death of Diego de Losada, the founder of that town, Garci-Gon- 
zalez, the nephew of an adventurer, Pedro Malaver de Silva, came to 
VOL. III. [OCTOBER Ij 1865.J T 
