APPENDIX. 509 



to be good for headaches. The timber of* this pine is thought better than 

 that of the Baltic, for masts and other naval purposes. In 1781 a great deal 

 was cut for the squadron of Don Antonio Bacaro ; and samples being sent to 

 Spain, the King ordered that it might be used. 



94. Pinosillo, is low and scarce. We did not learn its use in Conception, 

 where it grows. 



95. Pitra, is found in all places to the south of Santiago ; it grows eight 

 or ten yards high, and one thick : . the wood is weak when green ; it rots under 

 ground, and is little used except for fuel for baking pottery and bricks. The 

 trunk is full of knots ; below the outer bark there is a kind of soft fretwork 

 covering, that serves excellently for tinder. Bruised in wine this bark is 

 good for contusions, &c. The decoction of the leaves and bark is good in 

 pains of the legs, and coldness of the extremities. 



96. Quebracho, is most plentiful about Maule, but grows freely in other 

 places, especially between Valparaiso and Concon. It is little more than a 

 shrub : the wood is of a fine grain and heavy, so it is used for carvers and 

 turners' work. 



97. Quelen Quelen, a small delicate shrub ; it is found in the districts 

 of Colchagua, Rancagua, and Valparaiso. The leaf is narrow and pointed ; 

 the flower blueish ; the root like liquorice, but with little taste. The gum of 

 this plant is used for various illnesses proceeding from cold ; the wood is 

 looked upon as antiepileptic. The whole plant is used for firewood. 



98. Queuli, is a sort of Achras. It is only found in Conception ; it grows 

 twenty-five yards high, and three in girth : it loves a damp situation. The 

 timber is dark-red, easy to work, and takes a good polish. The fruit is like 

 a long bellota, composed of a large firm husk, and a sweet yellow pulp, 

 which is eaten both raw and boiled : it is esteemed unwholesome. 



99. Quillay, is found inmost parts of the country; it grows eight yards 

 high, and two thick. The bark of this tree is used to clear colours in dyeing 

 o-oods, and to cleanse woollen and silk clothes : beaten between two stones 

 and mixed in water, it makes a lather like soap. It is considered wholesome 

 in hysterical affections. The timber is apt to become worm-eaten in the sun, 

 but it lasts well either under water or under ground ; hence it is used in 

 mines and for mill-wheels, and also for cart-wheels. (The authors of the 

 Flora of Peru and Chile call this tree Smegdadermos, I think. The bark 

 does not contain alkali, but a gum or mucilage, which froths as beer does ; 



