List of the Plants of Chile. 89 
wiidnnee sativa. L. A vegetable very generally cultivated and 
ond: There are some varieties much esteemed. ‘This plant is 
said to be refreshing, and as such enters into the composition of pty- 
sans. The extract or juice obtained from it either by incisions into 
the stalks, or slightly bruising it, inspissated by a moderate heat, is a 
sedative remedy, similar to opium but without its irritating property. 
This extract is called Lactucarium or Thridace. The L. virosa, L. 
which some cultivate, in particular, yields an extract more active and 
in some cases preferable 
Lardizabala biternata. Ruiz and Pavon. A shrub with viny 
stalks and branches, common in the woods of Taguatagua and Cau- 
The name voqur, common to other plants very different in 
their nature, is given to this. Its stalk acquires the size of the arm 
at the base and diminishes insensibly as it lengthens ; its neighboring 
branches interlace and form beautiful natural arbors. It is one of 
the most esteemed ligatures or withes (lianas?) : twisting it when 
scorched and warm, the bark peels, and keeping it in water for twen- 
ty four hours, it becomes very flexible. It serves to secure the 
rafters of roofs, for lathing (envarillar?) and thatching houses: - 
are also made of it which are very durable. Its fruit, which is. calll- 
ed coguil, is sweet and of a delicate flavor when ripe. ‘The inhabi- 
tants of the country consume great quantities of it and carry it to 
the village markets. Cultivated in gardens this plant would have a_ 
fine effect on account of its foliage and its long branches loaded with 
flowers. This great mass of choice green would be very useful in 
a garden to hide whatever might be offensive to the view. 
Lathyrus odoratus. L. Clarin. Its flowers display their colors 
— their fragrance in every garden. With a little attention 
= and sowing the seed at different periods, this plant might be kept 
flourishing throughout the year. ‘Two other species are indigenous 
and grow amongst the weeds and rocks about the hills. It approach- 
es the L. subulatus, and nervosus, Lamk. It is commonly called aé- 
berjilla. . 
Laurelia. Juss. The tree which grows in the woods of Tagua- 
tagua called Jaurel, is by no means the L. aromatica, Powr: the latter 
has the leaves entire, while that which I have seen has them ser- 
rate. It might perhaps form a new species which I would call 4 
serrata. Its roots run deep; the trunk is usually twenty yards high 
and a half a one in circumference. ‘The wood is white, easily work- 
ed, but brittle; incorruptible in the air, but rots in water. In the 
Vou. XXIII.—No. 1. 12 a 
