AUSTRAL-AMERICAN REGIONS.* 



113 



from the general diffusion of the columnar Cereus ; Escalloniece, the 

 species numerous ; Umhelli/aw ; Loranthacece, from the general diffu- 

 sion of the conspicuous scarlet-flowered Loranthi; Verhenacem; Sola- 

 nacece; Plantaginacece ; Pohjgonaceoe ; EupIiorhiaceoe,hom. the frequent 

 Colliquaja; the Boldoa fntfj runs, frequent all over the country ; Sist/- 

 rincJuums ; and Bromelias. 



Among the more remarkable plants : the Chrysophyllum-like Lu- 

 cuma and the Lardizabala, were seen only in a very deep ravine facing 

 the sea, about three miles South of Valparaiso. 



The most characteristic botanical feature, consisted in the presence 

 of Nolanacece; an Austral-American Tribe of plants, confined chiefly 

 to the Western side of the Andes, to Chili and Peru. A more striking 

 peculiarity was presented in certain Sisyrincliiums with broad gladiate 

 leaves, in the absence of flowers readily mistaken for and entirely cor- 

 responding to the Irises of the Northern Hemisphere. 



The following plants were found growing in Chili, between the sea 

 at Valparaiso and the elevation of 6000 feet on the Chilian slope of 

 the Andes : 



Ranunculus (No. 24 ) ; near R. Chilensis, but the carpels beaked. In wet places.* 



Drymis Chilensis, (No. 2. A shrub). Growing in mountain-ravines back of Valparaiso. 



Lardizabala biternata, (No. 1). A woody vine, having the habit of Paullinia; pubescent; 

 leaves biternate, provided with stipules ; the flowers purple, large. In a deep and re- 

 markable mountain-ravine, facing the sea, about three miles South of Valparaiso. 



Berberis actinacantha. Mart. (No. 4); the thorns having five branches. On the heights 

 or mountain-slope back of Valparaiso. 



flexuosa? (No. 5). Habit of the preceding ; long trifid thorns; leaves entirish, 



glaucous beneath. Beyond Casa Blanca, growing among quillai trees. 



Argemone grandiflora, (No. 2 ; a well-marked speciesj. Growing in the neighborhood of 

 the sea-coast ; on the sand-plain at the mouth of streams, and elsewhere. 



Cardamine Chilensis, Dec. (No. 12; compare No. 11 Terra del Fuego), and C. flaccida 

 of Cham. Habit of C. hirsuta, but the flowers large. Wet places in the environs of 

 Valparaiso. 



*Corydalis. The "flowers yellow, tipped with a purple spot. Near the sea-coast," Bracken- 

 ridge. Probably introduced. 



Gen. Reseda-like. Diminutive caducous leaves. On the "road to Santiago," Bracken- 

 ridge. 



Silene; compare S. Gallica. Annual; low and leafy; flowers flesh-colored, the petals 

 fauce coronata. On the sands of the sea-shore ; perhaps not indigenous. 



Citrus aurantium, (bis Zanzibar, Egypt, Madeira, and Brazil). Oranges for sale in the 

 market. 



29 



