316 VENEZUELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
I have been told (but I doubt the information) that this Cobalonga 
(the true Pithurim-bean), comes from a Tiliaceay Basynema glabra. 
The aromatic seeds of Putheri are used in colics and other stomachic 
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disorders. 
Quimbomho {Abelmoschis esculentus, Wight et Arn.). The unripe 
capsules, used in soups, are a good remedy for debilitated constitu- 
tions, to promote evacuations. The vernacular name points to its 
African origin, the same the Brazil name Ouinjombo ; both are de- 
rived from the Congo name Quillobo (Kloeden, Erdkunde, i. 764.) 
Quinchonclio {Desmoditim heterocarpum, De Cand. Prod. ii. 337). 
This name also is African, the plant being thence introduced, and it 
was formerly cultivated in Venezuela as food for the slaves ; but the 
seeds are very hard, and need at least ten hours' boiling before they 
become disrestible for a white man's stomach. The leaves are some- 
Q 
times used in fomentations for rheumatism. 
Rabano (Raphanus sativus, L. ; A. Radicnla^ a, rotunda^ De Cand.). 
Cultivated on account of its edible root, which is diuretic. 
Rabo de Alacran = Scoi'pion-tail (^IIetioi?'optum Indicum^ L. ; TIeliO' 
pTiytum Indicumy De Cand.). An infusion is sudorific, and the juice of 
the leaves is said to cure the itch. 
Raiz de Cachicomo, The root of an Apocynea ; it contains a milky 
sap, has a repugnant smell, and is used as an antisyphilitic, and in 
chronic rheumatism. {CacJiicamo is the vernacular name of the Da- 
sypus novemcinctus^ L.) 
Raiz de mato. The roots of several AristolocJim bear this name ; 
but generally it seems to be restricted to that of A. picta^ Karst. (Dr. 
M. V. Diaz). It is considered to counteract the effect of the bites of 
venomous snakes, and it is very aromatic. 
Rompesaraguelo {Ageratiim conyzoides^ L.). A common weed, the 
name of whicli may be Indian, although it is explained by some as 
rompes a tu abuelo'* (you tear your grandfather), with reference to 
a child's play. One child takes hold of the lower part of a leaf, 
another of the upper. If one pulls so hard as to tear the leaf, the other 
exclaims, " Kompes a tu abuelo.'* I do not hold this to be the origin 
of the name, but it is a curious instance of what now is called popular 
etymology, and I should not have mentioned this custom had I not 
met with a somewhat parallel one in B. Seemann's * Hannoversche 
Sitten und Gebrauche in ihrer Beziehiing zur Pflanzenwelt,' Leipzig, 
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