256 List of the Plants of Chile, 



Mutisia. L. The species which J have seen are not well deter- 

 mined. Two of them approach the JM. inflexa, Cav., and JVL. sagit- 

 tata, W. They grow in the woods. ^The third grows on the rocks 

 in the highlands, and appears to me new. It is called yerba negra, 

 though this appellation is more commonly given to another, Synan- 

 thera, which I have not seen in flower, and which is common in the 

 mountains. 



Mycogone rosea. Link. It grows on rotten mosses, and particu- 

 ularly on the Boletus cervinus, Schwein. 



Myosotis corymbosa. Ruiz and Pavon. In the fields on the high- 

 lands. I have in my possession three other species, one of which 

 resembles the M. humilis, Ruiz and Pavon, and the others are wor- 

 thy of being again studied. These plants delight in the stony situ- 

 ations of the highlands and near torrents. They present nothing re- 

 markable. 



Myriophyllmn verticillatum. L. Yerba del pato : common in 

 drains and marshes. It does not differ from the European plant. 



Myrtus. L. The common name, arrayan — myrtle, is given to 

 many species. The most common, which is thus called, is a very 

 elegant tree. It usually grows seven or eight yards high and I have 

 seen it higher and of an extraordinary size, at a country seat near 

 Corcolen. It has a fine effect in gardens from the thickness of its 

 foliage and the whiteness of its flowers. Although its wood is hard, 

 it is not worked, from the difficulty in meeting with large pieces of it. 

 The leaves are employed as a medicine. Its blackish berries filled 

 with white pulp, although but slightly juicy, are much sought after 

 by some species of birds. The country people make an agreeable 

 drink of them. Hhe M. Arayan, H. B. and Kunth, approximates 

 to the preceding, but differs from it in the red and binocular berries. 

 Is our species the true Mugni, Molina ? The M. triflora, Spr., 

 pitra is frequent in the woods near Santiago, Donigue and Taguata- 

 gua. Its height varies from eight to ten yards. The green wood 

 is fragile ; when dry, it is stronger, but rots when humid or in the 

 ground, and therefore is employed only as a fuel. The use of its 

 leaves is recommended in rheumatic pains. Many other species 

 mentioned by Molina are known only by his descriptions of them. 



JYarcissus. L. The names junccf, tulipan SLudJunquillo are gen- 

 erally given to the JsT. Tazetta, JV. odorus, L., JY. incomparabilis, 

 Curt., and JV. Jonquilla, L. These plants, originally from Europe, 

 are cultivated in gardens, and are esteemed for the beauty of their 

 flowers. The double varieties are most appreciated. 



