
32 Contributions from the Gray Herbarium 
been able to ascertain, from a study of the literature and from col- 
lectors’ labels, are the following. Viguiera decurrens Gray is, ac- 
cording to Hartman, employed for the purpose of poisoning fish by 
the Indians of Chihuahua, who know it as “‘ nakarori.” The Mex- 
ican V. quinqueradiata (Cav.) Gray, according to Dugés, is called 
“ vara blanca ’’ (white-rod) and used for removing oil-spots, in 
what way is not specified. V. hypargyrea Greenm. is known in 
Durango, according to Endlich’s label, as “ plateada ”’ (silvery), 
and its thick rootstock finds a medicinal application in disorders 
of the stomach. But few local names are recorded for the South 
American species of the genus, and no very definite uses, although 
some of them are presumably employed in native medicine. 
V. revoluta (Meyen) Blake is called “‘ yerba buena ”’ (healing herb), 
and also, according to Reiche, “ boton de oro del monte” (gold- 
bud of the mountain); V. Gilliesii (H. & A.) Griseb., according t0 
Hieronymus, is known as“ maravilla’’; V. Weberbaueri Blake, of b 
Peru, is known as “ suncho”’; and V. Pflanzii Perkins, also of 3 
Peru, as “ ss-akka.’’ 
ee 
# 







VI. Keys to Suscenera, SECTIONS, AND SPECIES 
The following synopsis of the subgenera and lower groups of 3 
Viguiera will it is hoped lead to the ready reference of the great . 
majority of specimens to their appropriate groups, and serve 489 
supplement to the artificial key to species. The involueral dif- 
ferences upon which it is for the most part based are in some cases a 
minute and scarcely to be appreciated without the comparison of : 
_ specimens, yet by them alone does it seem possible to divide the 
genus into minor groups in an approximately natural way. 
Synopsis oF SuBGENERA, SECTIONS, AND SERIES 
Subg. I. Ampniiepis. Herbs or shrubs; heads medium or large, 
involucre 3~5-seriate, the outer phyllaries usually subherbaceous 
the inner at least in fruit with ampliated and more or less el ; 
submembranaceous or membranaceous-chartaceous rounded apet 
pappus of 2 awns and several squamellae, or wanting. Mexico; 
species 1-12. Page 45. a 
Subg. II. Caranricarta. Herbs or shrubs of very diverse habit) _ 
phyllaries in fruit not ampliated into a membranous or membranous: 
