Lists of the Plants of Chile. 253 



but its advantages though great do not appear to me proportioned to 

 the expense and the extent of surface which its cultivation requires, 

 particularly as respects certain localities and quality of soil. But the 

 method of cultivating the Alfalfa might in my opinion undergo some 

 useful and important changes ; but as my plan does not allow me to 

 enter into long disquisitions relative to agriculture, this subject as well 

 as others of the same nature will occupy a separate communication. 

 There are many other species of JMedicago quite common in meadows 

 and fields ; they come from Europe and are generally confounded 

 under the name of gualputa : such are the M. Ivpulina, L., macu- 

 lata, tuberculata, denticulata, Willdn. minima, Lamk, and murica- 

 ta, All. 



Melia Azedarach. L. I have seen only one of prodigious dimen- 

 sions on the farm of Liceo, which was planted, I have no doubt 

 by the Jesuits. This tree should be cultivated with care ; for the 

 elegance of its leaves and the delicate color of its numerous flowers, 

 recommend it as an ornament of the garden. 



Melica violacea and laxiflora. Cav. Two pretty grasses com- 

 mon in thickets and stony places on the highland near Cachapual. 

 Another of the size of the last, but of a different appearance is found 

 in the same situations. 



Melilotus officinalis. W. Trebol', — common in fields on the plain 

 near drains and humid places. It doubdess came from Europe : 

 it is not applicable to any purpose. 



Melissa officinalis. L. There is scarcely a garden which has not 

 a corner appropriated to the ioronjil. It is a fashionable remedy for 

 soothing pain. As its efficacy depends chiefly on the odor of its 

 leaves, I am far from condemning its occasional use, and it can be 

 injurious only in cases of special aversion. 



JVLenonvillea linearis. DC. Common in fields near Leona and 

 Cachapual. I have met with a variety of this plant in the sandy 

 fields near this river towards Canguenes. All its leaves are cylindri- 

 cal and fleshy, but I have not observed any difference in the flower. 

 As the flowers of this genus vary much, I do not think that it should 

 form a distinct species ; I have seen the flowers sometimes entire, 

 somedmes figured, {recortadas) and again pinnate. The flowers are 

 whitish inclining to yellow. De Candolle must have had a bad speci- 

 men when he said : Petala....sordide in disco rufa, verosimilifer 

 Hesperidis tristis colorem referentia. (Regn. Veg. Syst. Nat. vol. 

 2. pag. 420.) 



