List of the Plants of Chile. 309 



America. Although the climate, and particularly habit and cir- 

 cumstances sanction their use, the rules of moderation should 

 nevertheless, not be forgotten. Very irritating substances, used in 

 excess, vividly attack the digestive powers, and destroy them by in- 

 creasing their action. Hence the origin of many diseases common 

 in Chile, vi^hich are moie or less troublesome, and in certain cases 

 become even dangerous, as dyspepsia, acidity, pains of the stom- 

 ach, flatulence, and sometimes Gastiitis. It is ])roper to diminish, 

 and even to prohibit the use of these aliments (condiments?) by 

 youth, and by irritable and delicate temperaments, and above all, to 

 overcome the contempt with which the principles of Hygiene are 

 too generally looked upon. 



Cardamine. Linn. Four species are proper to this country. The 

 C. Chilensis. D. C. Common in the humid pastures of the hills ; 

 the C tuber osa, Sec. in stony situations on the mountains, the C. 

 Jiaccida, Chamiss. in sandy places, and the fields of the plains, near 

 rivers, and the C. JVasturtioides, Bertero, abundant in the marshes 

 near the torrents of Taguatagua and Rio Claro. The last resem- 

 bles the berro* and is confounded with it. 



Cassia. Linn. A small shrub, is met with in some gardens, 

 which is called sen, and which I believe to be the C. Crotalarioides, 

 Kunth., or a proximate species. The leaves are employed in pow- 

 der, and in decoction, as a purgative. There is another frutescent 

 species, which grows in the ditches and woods on the Valparaiso 

 road, which I shall call C flexuosa. It merits cultivation for the 

 beauty of its leaves, and for the large size of its flowers, which are 

 of a strong bright yellow. 



Castanea vesca. Geertn. Chestnut. A large tree introduced 

 into Chile a long time ago, and though very useful, is not esteemed 

 as. much as it merits. Its fruit (chestnuts,) serve as an aliment; the 

 wood is used in carpentry and for heavy works ; its coal is preferred 

 by blacksmiths, and lastly, whole countries in Europe are sustained 

 by the product of this tree. It should be cultivated in preference, 

 in valleys and the i-ecesses found at the foot of mountains. 



Celosia cristata. Linn. Cultivated in gardens under the name 

 of Penacho. It varies much as to its form. Though common, it 

 may serve as an ornament to gardens by the monstrosities and strange 

 figures it assumes. 



* Water-cresses. 



Vol. XIX.— No. 2. 40 



