490 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



affinis, and in Chili CE. acaulis and molUssima are reputed aperitive 

 and vulnerary ; the root is employed in the treatment of wounds. 

 The Ludwigias are slightly astringent ; some species of the section 

 Jiissicea are employed in fomentations and cataplasms in America 

 and tropical Asia. L, diffusa,^ an Indian species, is an exception, its 

 various parts being anthelminthic and diaphoretic. Its root is 

 emetic ; its leaves are administered in milk as anti-dysenteric ; its 

 seeds are given in honey against hooping cough ; L. ^erennis ^ has 

 all the same properties. The root of L. erigata^ is considered a 

 stimulant. L. hirta, octonervia, odofilay of India, angustifolia and 

 Blumeana, of Java, have the same uses as L. repens,'^ the most known 

 of the Asiatic species, common in Cochinchina, in India, and em- 

 ployed, mixed with castor-oil, in the treatment of scurf and other 

 affections of the scalp. In the Antilles, L. Swartziana is recom- 

 mended in the treatment of ophthalmia and wounds. L. peruviana 

 is prescribed as reducing poultices for tumours and abscesses, espe- 

 cially on the glands. L. pilosa is used in Para as a potherb and for 

 dyeing (yellow). L. scahra and GaparoHa serve for dyeing black in 

 Brazil ; ink is sometimes made from them. In the United States, L. 

 alternifolia is, on the other hand, known as an emetic. Montinia 

 acris ^ has a fruit the pepper-like flavour of which is found, though in 

 a less degree, in other parts of the plant; it is used at the Cape in 

 diverse affections internal and external. The Fuchsias have berries, 

 often small, but edible. Those of F. excorticata ^ have an agreeable 

 perfume ; they are said to be dainties with the N^ew Zealanders ; 

 birds eat them in this country. The bark is said to be astringent 

 and rich in gallic and tannic acids. F. denticvlata and other Ame- 

 rican species have also fleshy and edible fruits. F, coccinea'^ (fig. 

 438) and macrostemma are slightly astringent'; in Chili antiphlogistic 

 decoctions are prepared from the branches and leaves and adminis- 

 tered as refrigerants in cases of fever. F. racemosa ^ is considered, 



^ Jussicca diffusa Forsk. Bescr. Fl. ccg.-arab. Link et Ott. Ahh. t. 46. — DC. Trodr. iii. 39, n. 



210.— DC. Trodr. iii. 53, n. 8. 26.— Hook. f. Man. N.-Z. Fl. ii. 15.—Bot.Reg. 



2 I,. Spec. ed. 2, 173. t. 857. — Skinnera excorticata Forst. Prodr. 163. 



3 L. Mantiss. 40. — L. triflora Lamk. Diet. iii. ' Ait. Hort. Kew. ii. 8. — Bot. Mag. t. 97. — 

 613. DC. Prodr. iii. 38. — F. magellanica Lamk. — F. 



* Jussicea repens L. Mantiss. 381. — J. adscen- pendula Salisb — Nahmia coccinea Schnev. — 



dens L. Mantiss. 69? — Cubospermiim palustre Skinnera coccinea MfESCU. 

 Lour. Fl. Cochinch. ^ed. 1790) 275 {Raujua). » Lamk. Bid. ii. 565 ; III. t. 282, fig. 1.— 



'= See p. 469, note 3. Plum. ed. Burm. t. 133, fig. 1.— DC. Prodr, 



6 L. Y.Suppl. 217.— LiNDL. Bot, Reg. t. 857.— n. 18. 



