Last of the Plants of Chile. 251 
most use is made, is to me as yet quite pes having only seen 
some stalks of it which were without leaves and fructification. — 
serves as an aliment, and when well se is not a disagreeable 
dish. 
Madia sativa. Molina. Melosa. It is found every where both in 
cultivated and uncultivated situations. A variety is found upon the 
arid highlands which might be separated from the soil but it would 
first be necessary to ascertain whether its characters are not changed 
by cultivation. - Molina recommends this plant strongly on account 
quantity and quality of the oil produced from its seeds. Nev- 
ertheless it is at present neglected and looked on as a weed. 
_ Malesherbia paniculata. Don. Common in the stony and arid 
situations both on the highlands and in the plains, in Santiago, Ran- 
Cagua, and S. Fernando. Its numerous violet flowers recommend 
it for cultivation. De Candolle is mistaken in attributing yellow 
flowers to this genus; I have always seen them of the color named 
above, or rose or white. The Gynopleura dentata and leceshate, 
Miers, are in my opinion only varieties of the same species pecies the 
parse of which pineeens many anomalies, and sometiones, even i the 
: oil res.2 mines of Porpaico. Its flowers are small and white. I 
am indebted for it to Claudius Gay, Professor of Physics and Chem- 
istry in.the college of Santiago. This gentleman has very kindly in- 
formed me of other plants which I have not yet met with. 
_ Malva. Li. The most common species met with in the country 
“resembles the M. Brasiliensis, Desrouss. It grows every where: 
its stalk is generally prostrate ; sometimes erect. Its common peme 
is Malva. The M. prostrata, Cav. pilapila, grows in f 
on the margins of drains. Its flowers. are of a bright red. 
_M. Caroliniana, L. Malvaloca, is not. uncommon in the plains and 
-hear roads. _ Its figured leaves (hajas recortadas) and large sky-blue 
cferens, disposed i in clusters, render it agreeable to the eye. The 
M. umbellata, Cav. Malvavizco, is frequent in gardens and likewise 
ae sides of roads, near Quinta and Santiago. If it is not new = 
think it is the M. leprosa, Ortega. The first is most used. lis 
» employed in cataplasms. The decoction of its roots and | leaves an 
the infusion of its flowers are prescribed in many diseases 
