92 TRAVELS IN BRAZIL, 



more powerfully than that, but more speedily to lose its 

 virtue. Sometimes also it serves as a gentle emetic. This 

 plant is frequently confounded with other species of dor- 

 stenia, all which, however, are inferior to it in salutary 

 virtue. It is not to be doubted that the Contrayerva of 

 the chemists' shops would always have retained the re- 

 putation it once enjoyed, if, instead of the weaker Mex- 

 ican and West Indian species, this Brasilian kind had 

 become an article of commerce. It grows in strong clayey 

 soils, in the mountainous parts of S. Paulo and Minas, 

 whereas the other species prefer the shade of moist woods, 

 and rich mould. In this plant, as is the case with several 

 in Europe, which grow both on low grounds and on 

 eminences; it is observed that those from the mountains 

 are more powerful. 



6. Jaborandi. Piper reticulatum, L. The roots (and 

 in a less degree the ripe catkins) are used as stimulants 

 on account of their aromatic pungent qualities. The root 

 is a very powerful Sialagogum (promoting salivation), and 

 often cures nervous tooth-ach. The leaves bruised are 

 applied with success to the bite of serpents. 



7. Paratudo. Gomphrena afficinalis. Mart. {Hirsntissima, 

 caule adscendente folioso, foliis ovatis acutiusculis miicronatis, 



Jloralibus approximatis in involucrwn polyphyllum, capitulis 

 hemisj}hccricis terminalibus, h'actearum carina dentato- 

 cristata, calyce basi lanato hracteas cequante. Bragantia 

 Vandelli. p. 50. ed Roem.) The deep red shining flowers 

 which this plant bears at the end of the low stalk, render 

 it one of the most splendid ornaments of the plains. The 

 thick club root is used by the peasants as a universal 

 remedy against general debility, dyspepsy, cramp in the 

 stomach, intermitting fevers, diarrhoea, &c. In the family 

 of the amaranths, to which it belongs, the appearance 

 of so salutary a plant is remarkable, as very few species of 

 that family possess medicinal virtues. 



