80 TRINIDAD. 



The Canne-de-riviere, or River-cane (Costus), Herbe- 

 couresse, or wild Cress (Peperomia), Couch-grass, and the 

 flowers and roots of a few amarantaceous herbs are excellent 

 diuretics. 



The Lemon-grass (Andropogon Schcenanthus), Guerit-tout 

 (Pluchea), Chardon-benit (Eryngium fatidum), Cariaquite (Lan- 

 tana) and warm lemonade, may be regarded as excellent dia- 

 phoretics. 



The Herbe-a-charpentiers, or Carpenter's Grass (Justicia 

 pectoralis) } several species of ferns, known here by the name of 

 Capillaire (Adiantum), and Hart's Tongue (Scolopendrium) , the 

 Dorstenia, Ceriman (Monster a) , the bud of the Trumpet-tree 

 (Cecropia peltata), and Macornette (Borreria-suaveolens), the 

 flowers of the Pigeon-pea and Pumpkin, as also a syrup prepared 

 from the Calabash and the pod of a species of Cassia, are used 

 as pectorals. 



The following are regarded as excellent astringents, viz., the 

 inner bark of the Wild Plum, Cashew, Cachiman (Anona reticu- 

 lata) , and Mangrove, the green fruit of the Guava (Psidium), 

 the buds and leaves of the Guava, Trumpet-wood, Pigeon-pea, 

 and the flowers of the Palo-rosa, the sap of the Blood-wood 

 [Croton gossypifolium) and the Liane-tasajo (Bauhinia). The 

 Belle-de-nuit (Mirabilis Jalapa) applied in a bruised state, in 

 cases of sprains, has a powerful healing action. To the above 

 may be added, as excellent vulneraries, the Herbe-a-charpentiers, 

 the Aloe, Herbe-a-pino (Eupatorium), Hebeclinium macrophyllum, 

 and a Jussieua, which grows in great abundance in all damp 

 localities. These are also used, together with the pulp of the 

 Tamarind and sour Orange, the Agave, the Pied-poule (Bleusine 

 Indica), and even the leaves of the Sand-box tree, as effective 

 detergents. 



The following are good hydragogues, viz. : the juice of the 

 Banana tree and the decoction made of its bulbs, the bark of the 

 Petit Branda (Chioccoca racemosa), also a bryony, which is rather 

 irritating, and the coffee prepared with the parched seeds of the 

 Stinking- weed (Cassia Occident alis) . 



The leaves of the Sour-sop (Anona muricata) and other 

 Anonse, I regard as valuable anti-spasmodics, and far superior to 

 the lime flowers. As emmenagogues, the syrup made from the 

 Carata and green Pine-apples, the roots of several AristolochiaceaB, 



