490 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



affinis, and in Chili CE. acaulis and mollissima are reputed aperitive 

 and vulnerary ; the root is employed in the treatment of- wounds. 

 The Ludwigias are slightly astringent ; some species of the section 

 Jussioea are employed in fomentations and cataplasms in America 

 and tropical Asia. L. diffusa,^ an Indian species, is an exception, its 

 various parts being anthelminthic and diaphoretic. Its root is 

 emetic ; its leaves are administered in milk as anti-dysenteric ; its 

 seeds are given in honey against hooping cough ; L. perennis ^ has 

 all the same properties. The root of L. erigata^ is considered a 

 stimulant. L. Mrta, octonervia, octofila^ of India, angustifolia and 

 Blumeana, of Java, have the same uses as L, repens,* the most known 

 of the Asiatic species, common in Cochinchina, in India, and em- 

 ployed, mixed with castor-oil, in the treatment of scurf and other 

 affections of the scalp. In the Antilles, L. Swartziana is recom- 

 mended in the treatment of ophthalmia and wounds. L. peruviana 

 is prescribed as reducing poultices for tumours and abscesses, espe- 

 cially on the glands. L. pilosa is used in Para as a potherb and for 

 dyeing (yellow). L. scahra and Gaparona serve for dyeing black in 

 Brazil ; ink is sometimes made from them. In the United States, L. 

 alternifoUa is, on the other hand, known as an emetic. Montinia 

 acris ^ has a fruit the pepper-like flavour of which is found, though in 

 a less degree, in other parts of the plant; it is used at the Cape in 

 diverse affections internal and external. The Fuchsias have berries, 

 often small, but edible. Those of F. excorticata ^ have an agreeable 

 perfume ; they are said to be dainties with the New Zealanders ; 

 birds fat them in this country. The bark is said to be astringent 

 and rich in gallic and tannic acids. F. denticulata and other Ame- 

 rican species have also fleshy and edible fruits. F. coccinea '^ (fig. 

 438) and macrostemma are slightly astringent'; in Chili antiphlogistic 

 decoctions are prepared from the branches and leaves and adminis- 

 tered as refrigerants in cases of fever. F. racemosa ^ is considered, 



' Jussma diffusa Foebk. Descr. Fl. asg.-arab. Link et Ott. Ahb. t. 46. — DO. Prodr. iii. 39, u. 



210.— DC. Prodr. iii. 53, u. 8. 26.— Hook. y. Man. N.-Z. Fl. ii. Ib.—Bot. Meg. 



2 Ii. Spec. ed. 2, 173. t. 8fi7. — Skinnera excorticata Forst. Prodr. 163. 



3 L. Mantiss. 40. — L. triflora Lamk. Diet. iii. ' Ait. Mort. Kew. ii. 8. — Bot. Mag. t. 97.— 

 613. DO. Prodr. iii. 38. — F. magellaniea Lamk. — F. 



* Jussiaa repens L. Mantiss. 381. — J. adscen- pendula Salisb — Nahusia coccinea Schnet. 



dens L. Mantiss. 69? — Cubospermum palustre Skinnera coccinea Mcetscb.. 



Lode,. Fl. Cochinch. (ed. 1790) 275 [£aujua). s l^mk. Diet. ii. 665 ; III. t. 282, fig. 1.— 



° See p. 469, note 3. Flum. ed. Burm. t. 133, fig. 1.— DC. Prodr. 



' L. •s.Suppl.iXl.—liis-D-ii. Bot, Reg. t. 857.— n. 18. 



