List of the Plants of Chile. 255 



leaves and particularly of the last are succulent and of an agreeable 

 taste. They are eaten in salad. 



Mirahilis Jalapa. L. Dew.gwe; a plant cultivated in gardens. Its 

 flowers vary in color and succeed each other for a long period of 

 time. 



Mollugo radiata. Ryiz and Pavon. Common in sand along tor- 

 rents in Taguatagua. It possesses no interest whatever. 



Moluccella Icevis. L. Cultivated in small gardens. It is remarkable 

 solely on account of the large size, and extraordinary form of its ca- 

 lyces. In other respects it is not worthy of note. 



Morus alba. L. There are some shoots of this tree in Santiago, 

 which proves that attempts were formerly made to introduce the silk 

 worm. I am ignorant why the undertaking has been abandoned. 

 The difficulties which oppose it do not appear to me serious, and at 

 any rate they cannot be greater than in other countries where this 

 branch of industry is the only resource of the inhabitants. Pied- 

 mont, near the Alps, with a less favorable climate, with more rigor- 

 ous winters and more stormy and variable springs, is covered with 

 mulberry trees, and the money which the exportation of silk produces 

 is a great cause of the prosperity enjoyed by the agricultural class of 

 the people. Besides, the great number of these trees which sur- 

 round the fields, planted in rows, are grateful to the sight, temper 

 the heat of the sun in summer, offer a shade to cattle, and possess 

 many other uses an enumeration of which is not necessary at present. 

 The wood is durable ; it is used in carpentry and for domestic pur- 

 poses. The fruit is sweet and agreeable ; poultry eat it and it makes 

 a good syrup. 



JWitcor aquosus. Mart. Mucedo violaceus. Spr. and Stilbos- 

 pora. Bertero. A species of mould which covers various substan- 

 ces, in the state of putrefaction, during the autumn and after rains. 

 JMusa Paradisiaca. L. The banana and plantain, originally from 

 India, are extensively cultivated in the Antilles and the equatorial 

 regions of South America. It may be said that it forms the princi- 

 pal food of the poorer classes in those regions. There are some 

 trees of this interesting plant in the gardens in Santiago, and ama- 

 teurs are desirous of propagating them. I will only observe here 

 that the climate will never permit this branch of agriculture to flour- 

 ish to any extent. Its cultivation will always be an object of luxu- 

 ry, and cannot be of any public utility. We are accustomed to re- 

 ceive plantains from Lima, but they sufier on the voyage, and do 

 not preserve that exquisite taste which is proper to them. 



