266 List of the Plants of Chile. 



Polytrichum commune. L. Frequent in meadows and shady pla- 

 ces on the mountains. Another resembling the P. hyperhoreum, R. 

 Br., grows in similar situations, and particularly in Leona. 



Populus dilatata. Ait. Alamo. This tree was long since introdu- 

 ced but is just beginning to draw the attention of land holders. It 

 ought to be planted almost without limit. It grows rapidly — forms 

 good plank for many kinds of work, and its branches make good fuel. 



Porliera hygrometrica. Ruiz and Pavon. The tree which is 

 designated here by the name of guayacan is called in Peru turucasa. 

 Its wood is very hard and veined blue and yellow. It serves for ma- 

 king combs, balls, and many utensils. Its decoction is antisyphilitic, 

 particularly when united with sarsaparilla. It is met with on the 

 mountains, and on the banks of large rivers on the plain. The 

 true guaiacum [Guaiacum, L.) cannot grow in these latitudes. It 

 is indigenous to the Antilles. 



Poriulaca oleracea. L. f^erdolaga. It is found in cultivated situa- 

 tions, in fields and in gardens. Sown in good soil properly irrigated, 

 it would yield its leaves three times as large, and of a higher flavor, 

 which could be used as nutriment as is the fact in other countries. 

 Its decoction is said to be a vermifuge, and it is employed as such in 

 the form of a ptisan. 



Potamogeton striatus. Ruiz and Pavon. In the brooks and run- 

 ning waters of Taguatagua. It is called luchi, and is of no use. 



Pourretia coarctata. Ruiz and Pavon. Phagnal, Maguey, Par- 

 don, Paya. A beautiful plant of the family of the Bromeliaceee, com- 

 mon on heights and craggy points. Its leaves are armed with strong 

 thorns. Its scape, quite high and tolerably thick, supports flowers 

 which yield a honey like juice, which is sought with avidity by birds 

 and particularly by the humming bird. The stalk when dry is used 

 for corks and for razor straps. Cut into boards it makes excellent 

 boxes for preserving insects, an advantage to entomologists in a coun- 

 try where there is no cork. From openings and incisions made in 

 the stalk exudes a gum which merits examination, and might per- 

 Jiaps form a substitute for that imported. 



Pozoa coriacea. Lag. On arid heights among broken rocks and 

 craggy places. Sprengel joins this species with the Asteriscium Chi- 

 lense, Chamiss. I do not know whether he is correct. 



Prosopis Siliquastrum. DC. Algorrobo. Quite a common tree 

 in stony soils, near rivers in the plain. Its elevation is from four to 

 five yards, the thorns are commonly very long though sometimes 



