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plants, which are known by the name of Canchalaquas. As purga- 

 tives are used, Nino muerto, or Malcasada {Asclepias Curassavicaf 

 Linn.), Frijolillo {Cassia occidenialis, Linn.), Canafistola de purgar 

 {Cassia Fistula, Linn.), Laureno {Cassia alata, Linn.), Javilla {Hura 

 crepitans, Linn.) and Coquillo {Jatropha Ctircas, Linn.). Emetics 

 are obtained from Garriba de pena {Begonia sp.) and Frailecillo {Ja- 

 tropha gossypifolia, Linn.). As vulneraries they use Chiriqui {Trixis 

 friitescens, P. Br.), and Guazimillo, or Palo del soldado {Waltheria 

 glomerata, Presl), and Cope chico de suelo {Cliisia sp.). Anti-syphi- 

 litics are, Cardo santo {Argemone Mexicana, Linn.), Zarzaparilla 

 {Smilax sp. pi.) and Cabeza del negro {Dioscorea sp.). Cooling 

 draughts are prepared from the ferns, Calahuala {Goniophlehium 

 attenuatum, Presl) and Doradilla de palo {Goniopltlehium incanum, 

 Swartz). Antidotes for the bites of snakes are found in the stem and 

 leaves of the Guaco {Mikania Guaco, H. B. K.) and the seeds of the 

 Cedron {Shnaha Cedron, Planch.). Cutaneous diseases are cured by 

 applying the bark of the Palo de buba {Jacaranda Jilicifolia, Don) 

 and Nanci {Byrsonima cotinifolia, H. B. K.), and the leaves of the 

 Malva {Malachra capitaia, Linn.). 



"The most dreaded of the poisonous plants are the Amancay {The- 

 vetia neriifolia, Juss.), Cojon del gato {Thevetia nitida, DeCand.), 

 Manzanillo de playa {Hippomane Mancinella, Linn.), Florispondio 

 {Datura sanguinea, Ruiz et Pav.), and Bala {Gliricidia maculata, 

 Kunth). It is said of the Manzanillo de playa that persons have died 

 from sleeping beneath its shade ; and that its milky juice raises blis- 

 ters on the skin, which are difficult to heal. The first of these state- 

 ments must be regarded as fabulous, and the second be received with 

 a degi'ee of modification. Some people will bear the juice upon the 

 surface of the body without being in the least affected by it, while 

 others do experience the utmost pain ; the difference seeming to de- 

 pend entirely upon a man's constitution. Great caution, however, is 

 required in protecting the eyes, for if the least drop enters them, loss 

 of sight and the most acute smarting for several days are the conse- 

 quence. The smoke arising from the wood produces a similar effect. 

 While surveying the coast of Darien, a boat's crew of H.M.S. ' He- 

 rald' was blinded for some days from having kindled a fire with the 

 branches of this tree. Whenever the natives are affected by the poi- 

 son, they at once wash the injured part in salt water. This remedy 

 is most efficacious, and, as the Manzanillo is always confined to the 

 edge of the ocean, of easy application. It has been stated that the 

 Indians of the Isthmus dip their arrows in the juice of the Manza- 



