490 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



affinis, and in Chili Œ. acaulis and mollissima are reputed aperitive 

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

 The Ludwigias are slightly astringent ; some species of the section 

 Jussiœa are employed in fomentations and cataplasms in America 

 and tropical Asia. L. diffusa, 1 an Tndian 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. perennis 2 has 

 all the same properties. The root of L. erigata 3 is considered a 

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

 Bhnncana, of Java, have the same uses as L. re-pens,* 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. scabra and Gaparosa 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. Monti '// ia 

 acris 5 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. excorticaia 6 have an agreeable 

 perfume ; they are said to be dainties with the New Zealanders ; 

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

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

 rican species have also fleshy and edible fruits. F. coccinea 7 (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. ra,cemosa $ is considered, 



1 Jussiœa diffusa Forbk. Descr. Fl. ag.-arab. Link et Ott. Abb. t. 46. — DC. Prodr. iii. 39, n. 

 210.— DC. Prodi: iii. 53, n. 8. 20.— Hook. f. Man. N.-Z. Fl, ii. I&.—Bot.lteg. 



2 L. Spec. cd. 2, 173. t. 857. — Skinmra excorticaia Foust. Prodi: 163. 



3 L. Maidiss. 40. — L. trijlora Lamk. Diet. iii. 7 Ait. Sort. Kew. ii. 8. — Bot. Mag. t. 97. — 

 613. DC. Prodi: iii. 38. — F. magellanica Lamk. — F. 



* Jussiœa repent Jj. Mantis t, 381. — J. adsccn- pendilla Saiise — Nahusia coccinea Schnev. — 



dens L. Mantiss. 69? — Cubosperinum paluttre Skinnera coccinea Mœkch. 

 Lour. Fl. Cochinbh. (ed. 1790) 275 (Raujiw). 8 Lamk. Diet. ii. 565 ; ///. t. 282, fig. 1.— 



5 See p. 469, note 3. Plum. ed. 13uum. t. 133, fig. 1.— DC. Prodi: 



6 L. Y.Siippl. 217.— Lindl. Bot. Reg. t. 857.— n. 18. 



