314 VENEZUELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
Caracas (1570), accompanied by eighty men, and protected the young 
town against the Indians by adopting a peaceful policy. 
Nongue {Datura Stramonum, /3. Tatula, L., De Cand.). The use 
of Stramonium in asthma is known to the country-people. Is this 
plant really indigenous ? It never occurs far from habitations. 
Ocumo (Colocasia antiquorum^ var. esculenta^ Schott 1 Arum escu- 
lentim, L.). It is the var. a. alha. Seem. (Bot. Her. 212) which is 
cultivated, but never on a large scale. With the fresh tubers poidtices 
are made for curing ulcers. As the plant has been introduced, the 
name Ocumo is certainly introduced too i but whence ? [Has it really 
been introduced ? — Ed.] 
Olivo (Olea Europma^ L.). There are here a few specimens, but 
they never produce fruit. The fresh leaves are put on ulcers in the 
mouth. Another plant (jCapparis ferruginea^ L.) bears the same ver- 
nacular name. For this and several other observations I am indebted 
to Dr. Manuel Yicente Diaz, of Caracas. 
Oregano (Origanum vulgare, L.). Cultivated in gardens, and me- 
dicinally used on account of its aromatic qualities. An infusion of the 
leaves with honey is said to be an emmenagogue. The smell of Ore- 
gano is thought to drive away snalces. 
Ortiga. The Spanish form of the Latin word Urtica, used for 
several species of Pilea^ all of which are considered to purify the blood 
and cure gonorrhoea, 
r 
Farcha (Fassijldra, sp. var.). Generally the name is restricted to 
jP. qnadrangulariSj L. ; the other species, with smaller fruits, being 
called Parchita. The first does not occur in a wild state, but it is often 
cultivated. The fruit contains an excellent refresliing juice, the fine 
flavour of which is increased by adding sugar, white wane, and a little 
nutmeg. 
P 
.). The Water 
firuit 
Pazoti {Chenopodium amhrosioides, L.) A common plant, of rather 
an unpleasant smell. It is tonic and anthelmintic, 
Feoma (EryiJirbta Corallodendron, L.). The more common name 
of various species of Erythrina is *' Bucare." The powdered seeds are 
recommended for epilepsy. 
. Fepino (Cucumis saiivus, L.), Not much cxdtivated. Of the fruit 
