List of the Plants of Chile. 19 



crescence produced by the wound of some insect as is seen on some 

 other trees of Europe, and I gave the matter but little attention, but 

 two days afterwards they became unglued from the branch and I 

 observed with surprise that the skin was broken and the whole sur- 

 face covered with pentagonal tubes precisely similar to the alveoli 

 of a honey-comb, at first full of a gelatinous substance, of the color 

 of milk, which disappeared with the maturation, afterwards throw- 

 ing out from these cavities with some force an impalpable powder 

 when it was touched, exactly as is observed in the Peziza vesiculosa. 

 At the end of two days these bodies softened, lost their expulsive 

 property and rotted. These circumstances incline me to think that 

 these tubercles are mosses, and perhaps a new genus approximating 

 to the Sphceria, if the color and consistence are not deceptive. Its 

 vulgar name is Dignenes. Some persons eat them, but their insip- 

 id and styptic taste is disagreeable. I will study this singular pro- 

 duction, the first opportunity that presents itself. 



Fedia Samolifolia. Bertero. A very common species in the 

 fresh pastures of the hills and mountains ; it is also met with in the 

 plain near torrents. It is of no use, although "its leaves (somewhat 

 fatty,) have the same taste as those of the F. olitoria, Vahl. 

 which is eaten as salad in Europe. 



Festuca. L. I have met with many species of this genus ; the 

 most common is that which is called posto bianco, paja teatina which 

 is the F. muralis, H. B. and K. It grows in arid spots on the plain 

 and on walls. The coiron is also a Festuca which is found in 

 the pastures of the high mountains near tlie snows. Its leaves 

 are very useful for covering huts and houses. Large quanti- 

 ties of it are annually used for this purpose'. The jP. Brizoides, 

 Spreng., Vv'hich authors say comes from Montevideo, is very common 

 in arid and stony situations in the mountains and along the Cacha- 

 pual. 



Ficus Carica. L. Higuera. The first fruit is called hrevas and 

 the other higos, figs. There are many varieties. This tree flour- 

 . ishes in Chile : I have seen some of them of an immense size. The 

 fruit is delicious, sweet and very abundant. It is dried in large 

 quantities for the winter and also for exportation. Turners should 

 make use of its wood as they do in Europe and particularly in 

 Geneva. 



Flaveria Contrayerva. Pers. It is found in fields and olitories 

 near drains and cultivated places. This plant is called here dan-da; 



