$f4 List of the Plants of Chile. 



Physalis puhescens. L. A plant cultivated for its yellow, aroma- 

 tic, pleasantly acid fruit. The stalk is fructicose, and lives through 

 winter in the open air. 



Physarum Muscicola, P.farinaceum, Pers., mycophilum et areo- 

 latum, Bertero, on rotten plants and wood at the close of autumn, 

 and in winter after rain. 



Phytolacca Chilensis. Miers. A cultivated plant which I do not 

 think indigenous. It resembles the P. dioica, L., but its flowers are 

 hermaphrodite ; the styles vary from fourteen to eighteen. It is 

 called carmin. Its ripe berries are used to dye yarn. 



Pilobolus roridus. Pers. Upon compost and excrement of cattle. 



Pinus. L. A tree resembling the P. Laricio, Poir., is seen in 

 some places. It is from Europe, and is commonly called pino — 

 pine. This tree should be propagated. 



Piper incBqualifolium. Vahl. The congona is cultivated in some 

 gardens, but its young shoots do not resist the winter. Its aromatic 

 leaves, of a slightly pungent taste, are said to be useful in some diseases. 

 It is administered in infusion, in atonic affections of the stomach. 



Pircunia drastica. Bertero. A small under-shrub, common on the 

 declivities of mountains, among stones in Cauquenes, Taguatagua, 

 and other places. Its root, resembling a large wooden pin, (fusi- 

 form ?) almost always divided at the extremity, possesses emetic and 

 purgative virtues in a very high degree. The country people fre- 

 quently employ it, and even in small doses its exhibition is sometimes 

 attended with unhappy results. It should only be given by the pre- 

 scription of a physician. A careful chemical analysis and experi- 

 ments made with it, would no doubt afford us an exact knowledge of 

 this medicine, which, in my opinion, is highly useful in certain cases. 

 I have thought proper to preserve the vulgar name jotVcww, and would 

 propose it to botanists as a new genus. Don Vicente Bustillos has 

 given me some specimens in seed. 



Pisum sativum.. L. Aberja. Generally cultivated and is a grand 

 resource in domestic economy. The tender seeds may be preserved 

 throughout the winter in brine, and thus afford a delicacy. The va- 

 riety macrocarpum. Ser. in the prodr., DC, is not sufficiently pro- 

 pagated. The tender thick pods are excellent, and are called by 

 the French, pois gaulu, pois mangetout. 



Plantago. L. The Llanten (P. major. L.) is the most common 

 species. Its leaves are employed for the cure of vesicatories, and 

 their decoction passes for a vulnerary. I have met with other spe- 



