512 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [1885. 



The stem and foliage are said to cause, on susceptible persons, the 

 same eczematous eruption as Poison Ivy. The juice of the purple berry 

 " is mixed with cochineal and used by Mexicans to dye red ". 



ROSACEA. 



Prunus Americana, Marsh., var. mollis, T. & G. (Wild Yellow Plum.) 



Small tree, rather sparse on the San Antonio Eiver and tributaries, 

 with yellow fruit, smaller and less palatable than that of the species in 

 the Northern States. 



Prunus rivularis, Scheele. (Creek Plum.) 



Small shrub, not uncommon on the Colorado and its tributaries, bear- 

 ing excellent red plums in August and September. Also found in foot- 

 hills, but with smaller stem and fruit. 



Prunus Capollin, Zucc. (Choke Cherry.) 



Closely allied to P. Virginiana and demissa, into which it may run. 

 Found in most mountain canons of Western Texas, from a stout shrub 

 to a tall, slender tree 1 foot in diameter (Chisos Mountains). The round, 

 black fruit, the size of a large pea or small marble, is pleasantly 

 acidulous. 



Crataegus subvillosa, Schrad. (Texas Black Thorn.) 



Small tree, on the San Antonio River and tributaries, rare farther 

 west and south. 



Hubus trivialis, Mx. (Low -Bush Blackberry.) 



Common at San Antonio and along the streams farther west and 

 south. 



SOLANACE2B. 



Solanum elaeagnifolium, Cav. (Trompillo.) 



One of the most common of weeds in all valleys of Southern and West- 

 ern Texas. To the large, purplish-violet flowers succeed berries, at first 

 green, turning yellow and then black as they mature, the size of small 

 marbles. These berries, when ripe, although they give no acid reaction, 

 have the remarkable property of curdling milk, and are used for that 

 purpose by the natives of Northern Mexico and Southern Texas. They 

 are crushed into powder ; this is put into a small muslin bag which 

 is left suspended in the milk until coagulation has taken place. 



According to Dr. Gregg, Mexicans also use the fruit as a sudorific and 

 sternutatory. 



Probably the larger berries of S. Torreyi have analogous properties. 



Nicotiana glauca, L. (Coneton ; Tronadora.) 



Bare along the Kio Grande (only found at two or three places in the 

 wild state) ; frequently cultivated in gardens as a handsome, ornamental 

 shrub of very quick growth. The young stems are easily killed by 



