96 TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



buboes, and other glandular swellings. It is said also to 

 have been of very great benefit in white swellings. 



22. Another species of the same genus, Croton fulvum. 

 Mart. {Siiffniticosum, caule ramisquefulvq-kispidis^foliissub- 

 sessilibus ovato-ellipticis basi rof.undatis brevissime mua-onatis 

 supra piloso-scabris, subtus stellato-tomentosis,ju7iioribusfulvis 

 subintegerrimis,JIoris sessilibus in spicis axillaribus terminati- 

 biisque.) furnishes, in its roots, a powerful remedy of the 

 same nature as the preceding. It is used in decoctions. 



23. CoTo-coTo. The virtues of these leaves are still 

 greater than those of the preceding. A tincture of them 

 is efficacious not only in lues inveterata, but also in other 

 dyscrasies, and in general weakness of digestion, especially 

 asfainst flatulence, 



24. Caroba. Bignonia antisyphilitica, yiarL {Caule ar- 

 horeo, Jbliis inferioribus duplicato-pinyiaiis, superioribus digi- 

 tato-quinatis, foUolis ovatis longe aaiminatis glabris, 

 panieulis Jlorum viridium dichotomis, cali/cibus injlatis^ 

 leguminibus linearibus planis.) The bark of the younger 

 branches of this tree is considered as one of the most 

 powerful remedies against syphilitic swellings, which are of 

 a malignant character. The decoction is chiefly used, and 

 also the bark dried and pounded, externally. 



25. Raiz da China branca e rubra, also Japi- 

 canga, or Inhapecanga, is the name here given to the 

 woody, often knotty root of Smilax glauca, Mart. {Caule 



Jlexuoso-torto angulato aculeato glauco, Jbliis lato-ovatis 

 utrinque rotundatis tri- vel quinque-nerviis medio nervo 

 aculeatis spinulosa-dentatis glaucis, umbellis breviter pedun- 

 culatis axillaribtis.) The Brazilians consider it as a specific 

 against syphilis; but besides this it is much recom- 

 mended for gout and chronical cutaneous eruptions. In 

 using this remedy, it is taken for granted that the patient 

 will submit to drink an enormous quantity. 



26. Sassafraz. Laurus sassafras, L. It is found pretty 

 frequently in the forests of the province of S. Paulo, and is 



