141 



as the ancient nations of Europe did those of the 

 olive. 



The cai'ob tree of Chili (ceratonia Chilensis) 

 is distinguished from that of Europe (siliqua 

 Europea) by its thorns^ which are usually four 

 inches long, and so hard that th(;y are used by 

 the country people instead of nails. Its pod re- 

 sembles that of the European carob. 



The maqui ( cornus Chilensis) does not usually 

 exceed ten or twelve feet in height, and the wood 

 is too brittle for use. The leaves are opposite, 

 heart-shaped^ denticulated, juicy, and three 

 inches long ; the flowers are while, with four 

 petals, and the berries purple. The Indians eat 

 these berries or wild grapes, which are very 

 sweet, and also prepare from them a beverage 

 called theca. The juice of the leaves is esteem- 

 ed a specific in the sore throat, and I am con- 

 vinced of its efficacy from my own experience. 

 There is a variety of this tree which bears a 

 white berry. 



The liiina (myrtus luma) is distinguishable 

 from the common myrtle by its round leaves and 

 its height, which is frequently forty feet. Its 

 wood is the best of any known tor the use of 

 coach-makers, and large quantities of it are an- 

 niuilly exported to Peru for tliat purpose. The 

 Indians u^ake from the berries a pleasant wine, 

 in hii.;h repute as a t^.onuiVhic. 1 here is like- 

 v^i=e a'jutlier species of lofty myrtle (myrtus 



