306 List of the Plants of Chile. 



Bovista. Pers. There are three species of this genus ; one 

 grows on the sir'e^ and tops of hills. It very much resembles the 

 Lycoperdon molle, Pers. ; the second, the B. plumbea, Pers. ; the 

 third, and most common of all, acquires a considerable size, and 

 may be associated with the B. nigrescens, Pers., or with the B. gi- 

 ganiea, Nees. It is frequently found in the prados of the plains. 

 They are all known under the name of Pohillo del Diable — Devil's 

 dust. The abundant powder which comes from these plants is em- 

 ployed, by some, to arrest haemorrhages arising from wounds. 



Bowlesia. Ruiz and Pavon. I am acquainted with three species 

 of which, two, in my opinion, are new. The B. Geraniifolia, 

 Schlecht. is common in inclosures, on the banks of drains, and in in- 

 habited situations ; the other two grow on elevated hills. One is 

 found in sterile and light places, the other in woods and shady situ- 

 ations. They have no vulgar names, and offer nothing remarkable. 



Brassica. Linn. Plants whose cultivation should become more 

 extensive and improved on account of the domestic resources which 

 they offer. The B. oleracea, Linn, (cabbage,) and its numerous 

 varieties, as the cauliflower, the broccoli, the B. Rapa, of great use 

 in Europe, and the B. Mapus, Linn, (rape seed.) All these spe- 

 cies, and in preference their different varieties, should fix the atten- 

 tion of horticulturists, because they minister new enjoyments, and 

 pecuniary advantages. The plains, and even more, wheat fields are 

 infested by the B. campestris, and by the Raphanus sativus, Linn. 

 The leaves of the first are eaten, cooked like spinage. It would be 

 better to destroy them, and only to cultivate that variety of the first, 

 known in France by the name of Cobzat, the seeds of which yield 

 an oil which is applied to many purposes, an object of primary im- 

 portance in this country. Among the species of this very interesting 

 family, there are many which should be introduced, as they would 

 prosper, and would be of great use, such are the Eruca saliva, 

 Lamk. (Roquette des jardins,) the Diplotaxis tenuifolia, De Cand. 

 the Lepidium sativum, Linn. ; the Cochlearia officinalis, Linn, an 

 eminently antiscorbutic plant ; others, finally, would serve to adorn 

 gardens, as the Hesperis matronalis, and its varieties, the Lunaria 

 biennis, Moench, L. rediviva, Linn. 



Bromelia. Linn. I have met v/ith three species of this genus, one 

 of which is designated by the names Chagnal, Maguey, Cardan or 

 Puya. At present it makes a part of the genus Povrretia. Ruiz 

 and Pavon. The other two are the B. sphacelata and B. bicolor. 



