List of the Plants of Chile. 255 



Cynara Carduncuhis. Ij. It would be drfiicult to persuade an 

 inhabitant of the country in Chile, that the artichoke, cardo, is a 

 plant of the old continent. In reply they would point to its extensive 

 cultivation, which occupies half the soil. In fact it is impossible to 

 believe this, until after traveling for leagues amidst great quantities of 

 this plant which flourishes here in an astonishing degree. The leaves 

 afford aliment to their flocks, but they eat them however, only when 

 other food is scarce. The people of the Country are very fond of the 

 foot stalks when they are tender. Many prefer the stalk itself in the 

 same state, the amount of the consumption of which, during the spring, 

 is almost incredible. Notwithstanding this, I am persuaded that its 

 extermination is desirable, which will be difficult from the depth of 

 its roots. The following method might be tried. Let the stalks 

 be cut down during the flowering season, by which its propagation 

 by seed will be prevented. It would be well to cultivate this plant 

 in given quantities in olitories; to guard it well and store it in the 

 earth for winter, and thus secure an excellent vegetable, suitable for 

 the most elegant and refined table. The O. Scolymus. L. a va- 

 riety of the first according to Sprengel, vulgarly alcachofa, is not 

 much propagated. A country like this should have excellent arti- 

 chokes, i. e. alcachofas, and in large quantities. 



Cynoglossiim laterijlorum. Lamk. and C. pauciflorum. Ruiz 

 and Pavon. Two small plants, common in pastures near rivers. 

 The last is also found on the hills. 



Cyperus. L. Two species; one in drains, and wet meadows, vul- 

 garly called vareta de San lose, St. Joseph's rod, the other smaller, 

 resembles the C. flavescens. L. which grows in the marshy situations 

 about the lakes of Aculeo and Taguatagua. 



Cytisus sessilifoliiis. L. A shrub of Europe cultivated in some 

 gardens. It" would be better in landscape woods. 



Dacryomyces albidus. Bertero. A small and beautiful moss, 

 which grows on the trunks of fallen and half rotten trees. It difTers 

 in color and other characteristics from the D. stillatiis. Nees. which 

 also I have found. 



Danthonia antarctica. Spr. A rare grass in the arid and moun- 

 tain pastures, near the Cachapual, running towards Cauguenes. 



Datura arhorea. L. Cultivated in gardens for the beauty and 

 fragrance of its flowers. The foripondio is easily multiplied, partic- 

 ularly in a climate like this, where it may pass the winter in the open 

 air. The D. Tatida. L, [chumico] is very common near dwellings, 

 in deserted gardens, and along torrents. There is a variety with 



