m 



and Is acknowkdo-cd to be one of the most uie- 

 ful plants in Chili. Some writers liave given it 

 tlic name of bardana CliiiensiSj from the resem- 

 blance of its leaves to tliose of the burdock^ 

 ahliouLh its fructification is entirtM y dificrent. 

 The root is very long"^ frequently five inches 

 tiiick, rouirh and black wlthoutjaiid whitcwitliiu. 

 The leases are attached to knig petioles, and are 

 palmated ; <he\ are of a briirht green above, and 

 ash-colourcd beneath, frequentlv two feid in di- 

 aine(er, iivCi of a subacid taste. From the centre 

 of ihe radical leaves shoots up a single stalk, 

 ih'c feet in height and three inches thick, covered 

 with a rough bark furnished with thorns. This 

 st;'Jk has no leaves except at the top, where there 

 are three or four much smaller than those at the 

 root, surmounted by a large conical fascieuluSj 

 or bunch, whicli produces the flowers and the 

 leed ; tlie flowers are white, a little inclining to 

 red, bell-sha[)ed, and nioncpetalous ; the seed is 

 greenish, round, and enclosed iii a capsule of the 

 same form. 



Tliis plant is peculiar to moist places, and it 

 always perishes when not supplied with ^vater. 

 [t grows more luxuriantlv and to a larger size i\) 

 the \ alleys between the Andes, where it frequent! v 

 exceeds the height wliieh I liave nient ioned ; in 

 low grounds near the sea it is oiJ v of a moderate 

 height. The bhick for dying is obtained from 

 J.lie juice of the root, and it uiigat answer equallv 



I .> 



