'320 VENEZUELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
kno\ni one. It is also naturalto suppose tliat i\\eOpi(ntia/m its way from 
Amei-Ica to Europe, came at the same time to the Canaries, and hence 
to the African coast, so that the name Tacanarete would be in favour 
of the x\merican origin. Neither is the name Alcormas, though it is 
certainly of Oriental origin, against it. In Germany, Zea Mais, L., is 
generally called " Tiirkischer Weizen" = Turkish Wheat; and yet 
we know it came from America.* There is one difficulty, nevertheless. 
Mr. John Hogg (Hooker's Journ. of Bot, i. 1834, " Observations on 
some of the Classical Plants of Sicily,") mentions Cactus Opuntia^ L., 
referring to it kolktos, Theophr. lib. vi, cap. 4, and adding, " The In- 
dian Fig, Ficu d" India, although so long naturalized in Sicily, was most 
probably introduced from Africa." 
Tuturulu (Pedilant7tiistitJiymaloideSjVo\i.\ Griseb. 52). The milky 
sap is emetic. The plant is not found in the immediate neiglibour- 
hood of Caracas, but it is common in Laguaira. 
Uvero {Coccoloha Caracasana^ Meisn.). The author of *Polygo- 
nacese * is mistaken in giving " La Ceiba " as the vernacular name of 
the plant. La Ceiba is a locality, where Moritz collected many plants 
in the valleys of Aragua, C. nvifera^ L., is called " Uva de Play a " 
Sea-side Grape. The fruits of the Uvero are used on account of their 
astringency. 
Verdolaga^ corrupted from Portulaca (Portulaca oleracea, L.). An 
exceedingly common weed, growing even in the streets. A decoction 
is said to be anthelmintic and refreshinoc. 
Verdolaga de cahra (TaVmum jpcdens^ Willd. ; De Cand. Prod, iii- 
357). Used on account of its refreshing qualities. 
Vinagrillo {Oxalis cornicula f a, Jj,), Used, on account of its acidity, 
for cleaning teeth, and in cooling draughts. The same name is given 
to a Pern, Allosoriis Jlexiiosus, Presl. 
Yagrumo {Cecropia peltata^ L. ; Griseb. El, West Ind. 153). The 
decoction of the leaves and roots is said to cure the dropsy. The sap 
of the younger part of the bark contains fibrine, caseine, and wax. 
(See H. Karsten, '^Ueber den Bau der Cecropia peltata, L,," in Act. 
TTrquhart gives other amusing derivations. " Botany," he says, comes 
from hotmore, tm^ntine-tree ; " Dalca," this is their (^. e. the Moors') word 
for vine ; the English '' wood " is derived front the Moorish wood ; " wort," as 
in colewort, from wurde^ rose j whence also "order," the rose being the emblem 
of order, whence " under the rose." Lejeu ne vaat pas la chandtlle ! 
