109 



it does not take root in the earth, like another plant 

 analagous to it, which is a native of the torrid zone. 

 The husbandmen, before they make use of this vine, 

 pass it lightly through the flames, which not only 

 loosens the bark, but at the same time renders it 

 more flexible. They employ it both in making large 

 baskets, and as wattling for their hedges ; it is some- 

 times even used as cables for vessels, which wear 

 better than those made of hemp, as they are capable 

 of resisting moisture for a longer time. In the Ar- 

 chipelago of Chiloe is another plant called pepoi^ in 

 some respects resembling the cogul, which the inha- 

 bitants of those islands use as ropes for their peri- 

 augres. The voqui, or vocht, described by Feuille, 

 which commonly grows in the woods of the mari- 

 time provinces, is of a distinct species, as is the 

 urceolaria of the same author, the flower of which is 

 an inch in length, and is divided into five equal lobes 

 of a beautiful red. 



Sect. VII. Shrubs, — In my catalogue of the 

 plants of Chili I have noticed more than fifty-three 

 indigenous shrubs; but I am convinced, if an op- 

 portunity had been aflforded me of exploring a 

 greater extent of country, that I might have more 

 than doubled that number. Every province or dis- 

 trict offers some variety in this class of vegetables 

 of more or less utility to the inhabitants. 



The bark and leaves of the shrubs called deu^ 

 thilco and uthiu, serve to dye black. The berries 

 of the tara (poinciana spinosa) and of the mayuy 

 furnish a black juice which is a good substitute for 



