BY VICENTE DE CERVANTES. 237 



Its stem is from three to four yards (varas) in 

 circumference, and very straight. 



Bark smooth, soft, from three to four lines 

 thick, cinereous and of a bitter nauseous taste, as 

 is the milky juice, issuing from every wounded 

 part. 



Branches alternate, horizontal, round, flexible, 

 and furnished at the upper end with stiff hairs. 



Leaves alternate, a foot and half long, and seven 

 inches broad, strongly sinuate at the base, generally 

 terminating in a point, pubescent on both surfaces, 

 entire, though appearing toothed at first sight, 

 especially the younger leaves, in consequence of 

 the villous brushes formed by the pubescence at 

 the margin of the leaves, and disposed at equal 

 distances from each other ; the upper part obliquely 

 striated in the direction of the greater veins with 

 an intermediate network ; leaf-stalks thick, round, 

 hairy, and somewhat more than half an inch long. 



Stipules at both sides of the younger leaf-stalks, 

 oblong, becoming gradually narrower from the 

 middle to the point, membranaceous, generally 

 falling off before the leaf has attained its full fize. 



