262 List of the Plants of ChiU- 



complaints. The chepica blanca is preferred to the colorada. We 

 regret that it is not in our power to decide this question, as well as 

 many others of a similar nature, and which are so interesting to the 

 country people. 



Passijlora carulea. L. Flor de Pasion. An ornamental plant 

 much cultivated in gardens. 



Pastinnca sativa. L. It grows in cultivated situations. It is 

 called vulgarly chirivia. Formerly it was attended to, and its root 

 eaten, but at present, other plants more nutritive and pleasant are 

 substituted for it. 



Paiellaria ceruginosa. Spr. A Lichen which commonly grows 

 upon old mud walls. 1 have met with other species which are not 

 yet determined. 



Pelargonium. Herit. The JVLalva de olor and the Malva rosa, 

 are the only species of this genus which I have seen in the gardens 

 of Chile. The first is the P. odoratissimum, and the second the P. 

 Radula, Ait. var. roseum, W. The fragrance of their leaves, as 

 well as the facility of preserving them in the open air, makes them 

 valued. It is strange that other Geraniacea have not been introdu- 

 ced, their flowers being so much sought by lovers of the garden. 

 Many species would flourish in Chile, and would decorate gardens 

 with elegant flowers of an infinite variety, in form, color, and size. 



Peltigera canina. Hoffm. In woods, at the foot of trees, and 

 among the stones on the ' Montana de la Leona.' It is also a calcha- 

 cura of which no use is made. 



Peumus fragrans. Pers. Vulgarly holdu, a tree common on the 

 plains, on the declivities of mountains, and in vallies. The trunk ac- 

 quires a height of six or eight yards. Its wood is applied to no use, 

 and even as fuel, it is not valued. The charcoal made from it is ea- 

 sily extinguished. The leaves, par-boiled and moistened with wine, 

 are employed as a remedy in colds and defluxions from the head. 

 Baths of its decoction are said to be antisyphilitic, and are used in 

 rheumatic diseases and dropsies. It is also said that the juice is eflS- 

 cacious in the ear-ach. The fruit, when ripe, is of the size of a small 

 apricot. It is sweet, but has very little meat. The stones are used 

 for rosary beads. 



Peziza. L. Mosses, the greater part of which are on trunks and 

 rotten branches ; some of them are scarcely visible. To the spe- 

 cies, the names of which I have already published, I will add the 

 following. P. ascoboloides, Bertero, in a large quantity on the skins 



