84 Ldist of the Plants of Chile. 



canamo'^ [Cannabis sativa. L.) I have been assured that it is 

 successfully cultivated in Conception; a good reason for introducing 

 it into the province of Santiago, and-though not v^ith a commercial 

 view, every proprietor should sow a small quantity on his lands as 

 is the practice in Europe. The small quantity collected would serve 

 for making cords, which are so necessary, and by which a great num- 

 ber of hides would be saved, and employed for other purposes. The 

 stripped and dried stalks, with a small quantity of sulphur on the two 

 ends, form matches which would cost nothing, the use of which is 

 unknown in this country, though so useful in domestic life. The 

 great inconvenience of obtaining a light in urgent cases, and particu- 

 larly in the country, at the expense of the lungs and of patience, 

 when a single moment lost might be important, is continually experi- 

 enced. Pardon this digression to objects which may appear too 

 humble — to those who think so I will say, there is no subject trifling 

 v/hen the general good of society is linked with it. 



Gratiola Peruviana. L. A small plant which grows in gardens 

 and cultivated places ; it delights in the shade and in humidity. It 

 is rare. 



Grindelia glutinosa. Dun. A pretty species with large flowers, 

 which grows in the fissures of rocks, and on the hills of Valparaiso, 

 Leona and Taguatagua. Although the description may answer to it, 

 I am inclined to believe that the Chilian plant differs essentially from 

 that of Mexico. In the stony and arid pastures, in the vicinity of 

 the Cachapual, is found the G. Pulchella, Dun., which merits culti- 

 vation. I have found two varieties ; the first in dry places on the 

 banks of the Maypu ; it is smaller, its leaves are entire very sharp 

 pointed, and even acerate and prickly; the other, at the foot of 

 Mount San Cristoval, near the Capital, with tomentose and whitish 

 leaves. They may possibly be distinct species. In this case I will ' 

 call them G. acerosa and G. canescens. This approaches to the G. 

 angustifolia, Kunth, but the stalk is fructicose. 



Gunnera scahra. W. Vulgai'ly pangue ; a very useful plant 

 which is met with in marshy places, near water courses and tor- 

 rents in the mountains. Its virtues and uses are so generally known 

 that it is useless to enumerate them. Molina speaks of it in detail, 

 and I will refer to his work. I will only add that it should be largely 

 cultivated for tanning, and yielding an excellent black dye. The 

 decoction of its root is administered in certain abdominal affections. 

 The juice of the petiole and stalk (scapus) is acidulous but styptic; 

 ices are made with it and are generally liked. 



