List of the Plants of Chile. 89 



Lactuca sativa. L. A vegetable very generally cultivated and 

 used. There are some varieties much esteemed. This plant is 

 said to be refreshing, and as such enters into the composition of pty- 

 sans. The extract or juice obtained from it either by incisions into 

 the stalks, or slightly bruising it, inspissated by a moderate heat, is a 

 sedative remedy, similar to opium but without its irritating property. 

 This extract is called Lactucarium or Thridace. The L. virosa, L. 

 which some cultivate, in particular, yields an extract more active and 

 in some cases preferable. 



Lardizahala biternata. Ruiz and Pavon. A shrub with viny 

 stalks and branches, common in the woods of Taguatagua and Cau- 

 quenes. The name voqui, common to other plants very different in 

 their nature, is given to this. Its stalk acquires the size of the arm 

 at the base and diminishes insensibly as it lengthens; its neighboring 

 branches interlace and form beautiful natural arbors. It is one of 

 the most esteemed ligatures or withes (lianas ?) : twisting it when 

 scorched and warm, the bark peels, and keeping it in water for twen- 

 ty four hours, it becomes very flexible. It serves to secure the 

 rafters of roofs, for lathing (envarillar?) and thatching houses : cords 

 are also made of it which are very durable. Its fruit, which is call- 

 ed coguil, is sweet and of a delicate flavor when ripe. The inhabi- 

 tants of the country consume great quantities of it and carry it to 

 the village markets. Cultivated in gardens this plant would have a 

 fine efiect on account of its foliage and its long branches loaded with 

 flowers. This great mass of choice green would be very useful in 

 a garden to hide whatever might be offensive to the view.- 



Lathyrus odoraius. L. Clarin. Its flowers display their colors 

 and yield their fragrance in every garden. With a little attention 

 and sowing the seed at difierent periods, this plant might be kept 

 flourishing throughout the year. Two other species are indigenous 

 and grow amongst the weeds and rocks about the hills. It approach- 

 es the L. suhulatus, and nervosus, Lamk. It is commonly called al- 

 ii erj ilia. 



Laurelia. Juss. The tree which grows in the woods of Tagua- 

 tagua called laurel, is by no means the L. aromatica, Pair : the latter 

 has the leaves entire, while that which I have seen has them ser- 

 rate. It might perhaps form a new species which I would call L. 

 serrata. Its roots run deep ; the trunk is usually twenty yards high 

 and a half a one in circumference. The wood is white, easily work- 

 ed, but brittle ; incorruptible in the air, but rots in water. In the 



Vol. XXIIL— No. 1. 12 



