1^9 



same author^ the flower of which is an inch in 

 lengthy and is divided into five equal lobes of a 

 beautiful red. 



Sect. VII. Shrubs. In my catalogue of the 

 plants of Chili I have noticed more than fifty- 

 three indigenous shrubs ; but I am convincedj if 

 an opportunity had been afibrded me of ex- 

 ploring a greater extent of couniry^ that I might 

 have more than doubled that number. Every 

 proviftce or district offers some variety in this 

 class of vegetables of more or less utility to the 

 inhabitants. 



The bark and leaves of the shrubs called flm, 

 tJiiIco and uthiu, serve to dye black. The berries 

 of the tara (poinciana spinosa) and of the mayii, 

 furnish a black juice which is a good substitute 

 for ink. The guiacum, which in Chili never ac- 

 quires the size of a tree^ is employed in turnerv. 

 The cabinet-makers use^ for inlaving^ the wood 

 of several shrubs whose appropriate names I am 

 unacquainted withj but which, from their hard- 

 ness, are generally called ebony wood. The 

 wild rosemary and several other resinous shrubs, 

 are used as fuel in the furnaces for melting 

 copper. The wood of the coIUguaij (colliguaja, 

 gen. nov.) when burnt, exhales a very agreeable 

 smell like rosesj without producing tlie least in- 

 convenience. 



The incense is not inferior to tluit br(ju<j;nt 



VOL. I. k. 



