APPEND.] 



CONTRA-HERVA. 



375 



them thought it was the euphorbia Ipecacuanha ; others, 

 that it was the psoralia glandulosa : others, the spircza 

 trifoliata ; others, the viola ipecacuanha-, finally, others 

 suspected that it was the psychotria emetica ; but I have 

 observed the Ipecacuanha preta very frequently when in 

 flower, and I think that it has more affinity to the tapa- 

 gomea of Aublet. However, I have given it the name 

 of Ipecacuanha, for although both are barbarous, still the 

 latter has been used for a century and a half. The Ipeca- 

 cuanha is easily cultivated, for I have made the experi- 

 ment, but it requires shade, or at any rate it must not 

 be completely exposed to the heat of the sun. 



Ipecacuanha branca, Viola Ipecacuanha: — Lin. 

 Pombalia Ipecacuanha: Vandel. 



Although the root of this plant was formerly mistaken 

 for that of the ipecacuanha preta, it is well known now to 

 be of another description. It is much used in medicine 

 in Pernambuco, as a gentle purgative, &c. It is easily 

 cultivated, and delights in a moist atmosphere and a 

 sandy soil. In the neighbourhood of the Campina 

 Grande (of Paraiba), I have seen large pieces of ground 

 covered with the plant. Of this species of ipecacuanha 

 our druggists might make their syrup of viola, and our 

 physicians might, without scruple, apply the flowers and 

 calyx in place of the flowers of the viola odorata, for it 

 promotes expectoration, and possesses stimulant qualities 

 which strengthen the nerves. 



Contra-herva, Dorstenia rotundifolia : — Arrud. 

 Cent. Plant. Pern. 



Contra-herva de folha longana, Dorstenia Per- 

 nambucana : — Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. 



These two species of contra-herva are new, and are 

 peculiar to Pernambuco ; besides these two I have not 



