80 TKANSACTIONS OF THE 



Algarrobillo ( Balsamocarpon brevifolium), a common shrub of 

 the deserts of N. Chile, produces a pod which contains much 

 tannin, and is used in preparing ink and leather. 



Adesmia. — A characteristic genus of Chile. Leguminous shrubs 

 of some 60 species. 



Churco {Oxalis gigantea)—a, deciduous shrub of the deserts of 

 North Chile. It is the largest Oxalis known, and is used in 

 house-building. There are at least 40 species of this genus in 

 Chile. 



Fuchsias, tropeolums, Bambusse, palms, and the Myrtacese 

 may be mentioned, also the Mano de leon [Leontoeheir ovallei), the 

 rarest of flowers, confined to a limited district in lat. 28^ S. It has 

 roots like those of the dahlia and large red flowers resembling 

 those of the peony. 



The potato is a native of Chile, and there are several species of 

 this section of the genus Solanum — some, as Solanum etuherosum, 

 without tubers. Suggested that fresh tubers might be imported 

 into this country from Chile to test the opinion of those who argue 

 that the potato disease has greater facilities owing to our stock 

 being weakened by repeated cutting of the tubers. 



A large number of plants are common to Chile and this country, 

 some being cosmopolitan and native to both, others introduced 

 there, as the violet ( Viola odorata), now common on the banks of 

 streams. The dandelion [Taraxacum officinale) was discovered in 

 1871. The foxglove is making way in South Chile. Hymeno- 

 phyllum Tunbridgense occurs in South Chile. 



Mr. King exhibited a very large number of plants, fruits, woods, 

 &c., in illustration of his paper. Among them were many species 

 which he had added to the Chilean Flora and to Science ; and 

 which have been fully described by his friend Professor Philippi, 

 of the University of Chili, such as : — Errazurisia glandulifera, 

 Ph.; Adesmia Kingi, Fh.; Valeriana Senecioides, Ph.; Gymnophyton 

 Kingi, Ph.; CruTcshanhia (a genus peculiar to North Chile), several 

 species ; Argylia villosa, Ph., &c., &c. 



