List of the Plants of Chile. 263 



of half decayed grapes, P. badia, Pers. on the banks of drains. P. 

 vesiculosa, Bull, on mud-walls in winter after rains. P. caulicola, 

 Fries, upon the dry stalks of plants. P. cinnabarina, Bertero, on 

 old posts and forks in vineyards. P. Valenzueliana, Bertero, on the 

 damp walls of the orchards of Rancagua. In testimony of gratitude 

 to Don Manuel Valenzuela, for the assistance he has afforded me in 

 my botanical pursuits, I have given his name to this last plant. 



Phacelia circinata. Jacq. Common on heights, in the clefts of 

 rocks ; it has no common name. There is another species, (which 

 I believe to be new,) that grows in shady situations in Punta de Cortes 

 and Leona. I have called it P. cUnopodioides, from its resem- 

 blance to a Clinopodium. Its flowers are reddish. 



Phalaris. L. I have met with two plants which I think belong to 

 this genus. One is rare on the plain of Leona : the other in Cacha- 

 pual. The glumes of the first are almost violet. 



Phasciim. L. A small moss common in the pastures of the moun- 

 tains, on declivities, and in humid places. I believe it is not de- 

 scribed. 



Phaseolus vulgaris. L. Porotos — Frijoles. An extensively cul- 

 tivated vegetable, of which great consumption is made by country 

 people. There are many varieties to which different names are giv- 

 en, according to the color, form or taste of the fruit. Some of them 

 are delightful. Larger crops might be obtained, if cultivators would 

 leave their blind routine and adopt the plans pointed out by agricul- 

 turists and experience. In some gardens, is cultivated the P. mul- 

 iifloriis, W. poroio de Espana : its flowers are of a cochineal color, 

 and are very pretty. The P. Caracalla, caracal, universally culti- 

 vated, is not however indigenous to Chile. The size, peculiar form, 

 and sweetness of its flowers have acquired for it some distinction. 

 A sweetmeat is made of its petals, which is said to be excellent. 



Phlox nnidentata. Bertero. A precious species which grows in 

 the skirts of woods on the sandy plain near Cachapual. The flow- 

 ers disposed in clusters and of a magnificent orange color, make it 

 worthy of a place in gardens. The specific name which I have giv- 

 en it, is not strictly correct, since the number of its teeth varies from 

 one to three, and sometimes the leaves are entire. 



Phcenix Dactylifera. L. Palma daiil. We see some stalks cul- 

 tivated, but they do not flourish nor yield fruit. In Coquimbo, this 

 palm might be propagated : its fruit imported from Lima, is much 

 esteemed. 



